Coach Mike Ditka, Speaker
Are you seeking a speaker for your next sales meeting, conference or corporate meeting?
National Speakers Bureau offers speakers for motivational and educational meetings in Chicago and nationwide to include topics such as branding, motivation, education, sales, attitude, alliances, chef, communication, financial, etc. In addition, National Speakers Bureau will book your next political or celebrity speaker. Below are some tips on booking your next speaker written by Brian Palmer of the National Speaker's Bureau.
Learning Curve: Develop Your Speaker Game Plan
Continuing Education for Meeting Professionals By Brian D. Palmer
The complexity of our days causes most of us to covet our time, which means meetings are scrutinized more closely than ever. Before a meeting, people are asking, “Do I really need to go?” And after attending, they ask, “Was it worth my time?”
Every part of a meeting needs to be closely tied to the objectives of the individual and the organization. Because speakers are often a prominent component of these gatherings, it’s important that you have a game plan in place for selecting an effective presenter.
Build A Bench
In team sports, a good coach has people he or she can depend on when the situation warrants. The players on the bench have developed their skills, and the coach knows right where they fit. If speakers are an important part of your responsibility, you might consider developing your own “speakers bench.”
Make it an ongoing process by continually seeking out prospects. If you know individuals who have attended a meeting recently, ask them if they heard any particularly effective speakers, and ask why they considered the speakers to be effective. The “why” will teach you about the speaker and the reviewer. You’ll learn about your co-workers’ or clients’ overall preferences and find out which ones can provide useful insights.
Take notes and be as specific as possible.
File this information away so you can be more effective in supporting and satisfying the clients’ future needs. Also, you may want to contact the speaker or his or her representative for additional information.
Establish A Framework
Just as a bench can add a level of professionalism and speed to your speaker selection process, so can developing a framework. Starting with the end in mind, have a clear picture of what you want to happen and how it will contribute to your organization’s objectives. This fosters a process that is more affirmative and more likely to tie closely to the intent of your event.
Ask your meeting stakeholders:
What is the session’s objective?
Is it the same objective for the event, and how do they tie together?
How does it tie into the organization’s overall objectives?
How do you want the speaker to participate in sessions other than the speech?
Use this feedback about past speakers to learn what your stakeholders like and dislike.
What’s In It For Me?
The No. 1 source of praise for speakers results from the way they related their comments to the specific event and audience. An effective, well-targeted speech can take an audience - and a meeting - to a new level.
Conversely, the No. 1 source of criticism of speakers centers on not accounting for the group, delivering a general or irrelevant presentation or, even worse, making insulting or offensive comments. A speaker must possess a systematic process for understanding the audience and event. Don’t just ask if he or she personalizes the presentation; ask how it’s done. When checking references, ask about the degree to which the presentation was personalized. Be specific when seeking references and ask to speak with organizers of the last two or three presentations the speaker has given.
Once your speakers are selected, tell them why they were chosen, even mentioning specific points they made previously. This will help get them on the right track in preparing for your event. You might also put them on a mailing list so they receive periodic information about your organization.
Be very clear up front about all the components of their participation, including fee, travel arrangements, ground transportation and meals.
The activities or sessions you want the speaker to participate in, as well as the particulars about delivering the speech, should all be part of the deal.
One of the key benefits of having an effective selection and preparation process is the signal it sends to your speakers. When they see how thoughtful and careful you are about selection and preparation, it inspires them to elevate their games, further improving the chance that they, your event and you will be a hit.
BRIAN D. PALMER is president of the National Speakers Bureau, where he has worked
for 23 years. He is also former president of the MPI Chicago Area Chapter and a former member of MPI’s International Board of Directors.
If you’re on your way out of Los Angeles via LAX on a domestic flight, you can check in your bags before you get there at a handful of spots around town: the Van Nuys FlyAway Bus Terminal, Los Angeles Convention Center, Union Station FlyAway and the Port of Los Angeles Cruise Ship Terminal. It’s called remote airline and baggage check-in. Your baggage will go through normal inspection, receive tags and you’ll receive your boarding pass. The service is courtesy of a collaboration between LAX, certain airlines at LAX, the Transportation Security Administration and Baggage Airline Guest Services, Inc. It’s one less thing to worry about and one less airport line to stand in. www.lawa.org
Are you seeking the best photographers in Chicago for your conference? Or possibly you are seeking to purchase prints of Chicago for your office or house?
Here are the best in photography, photographers, Chicago, Illinois, weddings, portraits, commercial, nature, industrial, portrait, bridal, fine art, fine arts, arts, art, camera, photographic, photos of Chicago Skyline, Chicago wedding photogaphers, retail chicago photos for your conference booklet, etc.
Visit Hereschicago.com, Chicago's Preferred and most experienced in Chicago photography.
Joining the growing cultural scene in Culver City is the 32,000-square-foot Museum of Design & Architecture. MODAA, as it is more fashionably known, is a full city block's worth of mixed use development. Housing SPF:a, the world-class architectural studio that designed the building, a 2,000-square-foot art museum, a street side café and seven live/work artist lofts, MODAA explores the symbiotic relationship between art and architecture through exhibitions and special events. Physical aspects of the building explore the variation, movement, velocity and tempo of the city on all scales, using materials and textures that stimulate and delight the imagination. SPF:a received a rare “Architecture as Art” distinction from the Culver City Cultural Affairs Commission for MODAA's unique sculptural façade, an honor only bestowed on one other architectural firm in Culver City history. The gallery and heated patio can accommodate 500 patrons and events may also be hosted in the adjoining Wilson restaurant (the gallery's caterer). MODAA is located two blocks east of the Helms Bakery complex, home to such Westside hotspots as the Beacon Asian café and Jazz Bakery. www.modaagallery.com
Are you searching for Chicago meeting and event photographers, Chicago’s top photographers, Chicago’s best photographers, photography companies in chicago for meetings and events?
For a list of Chicago’s best meeting and event photographers for your next sales meeting, conference, awards banquet, special event, wedding or other special occassion, visit Hereschicago.com’s meeting and event services for the top photographers in Chicago.
Listen to the Podcast with Murrel Karsh, President of Windy City Fieldhouse
Scheduling your Summer Picnic is often one of the greatest challenges a planner faces when organizing their company’s event. Waiting until next spring to pick a weekend may prove too late to get your optimum date and location. With prime dates and venues already filling, it has never been more important to lock your date in early. Avoid the hassle of resorting to second and third choice dates or venues by reserving one of the summer’s prime dates and locations today!
As an added incentive to book early, many companies offer a discount off 2007 prices by booking your event early. These offers tend to have certain restrictions and limited availability but it is often the case that by booking in October or November for next year’s summer outing, you are able to save up to 5% or more*! Now reserving your day and venue early allows you to save money and ease into next summer without the stress of dealing with unavailable dates and locations.
With experienced event staff and venue options all over the city and suburbs, Windy City Fieldhouse (WCF) is Chicago’s most versatile corporate event company. WCF has already started booking events for the 2007 summer event season with many prime dates and locations already filled! Don’t delay! Call WCF to take advantage of this opportunity to lock in discounted pricing along with your preferred date and location for your 2007 summer event!
To book your 2007 summer event today contact WIndy City Fieldhouse, a Planner Preferred Vendor of Hereschicago.com, Chicago's Meetings and Special Events Resource Directory.
* New Proposals only. Must book by November 15 to receive maximum discount. Discount varies based on event details, location, timing and availability. Some restrictions apply.
Mobil Travel Guide released it’s coveted Four and Five Star Rankings for 2007, choosing the finest restaurants and hotels in America. This year three 5-star ratings and one 4-star rating were given to Chicago hotels. For restaurants, Chicago saw 2 with a 5-star ranking and nine with a 4-star ranking.
Mobil Travel Guide first began reviewing hotels and restaurants 49 years ago and they are the originators of the star rating system. This year only 53 hotels and restaurants in the U.S. and Canada will reach the 5 Star level; these properties represent the best of the best in North America. Reviews are done through an undercover, on-location evaluation that analyzes over 750 factors for hotels and 250 factors for restaurants — it is the most rigorous inspection process in the country.
Below is a list of winners in Chicago.
Mobil Five-Star Lodgings
Four Seasons Hotel Chicago, Chicago
The Peninsula Chicago, Chicago
The Ritz-Carlton Chicago, At Four Seasons Hotel, Chicago
Mobil Four-Star Lodging
Park Hyatt Chicago, Chicago
Mobil Five-Star Restaurants
Alinea, Chicago
Charlie Trotter’s, Chicago
Mobil Four-Star Restaurants
Ambria, Chicago
Avenues, Chicago
Crofton on Wells, Chicago
The Dining Room, Chicago
Everest, Chicago
Les Nomades, Chicago
Seasons, Chicago
Spring, Chicago
Tru, Chicago
For Chicago's Restaurants that cater to business meetings and private event dining, visit Hereschicago.com, Chicago's Online Resource Directory featuring Chicago's best restaurants.
UCLA practically defines Los Angeles. As an excellent source of art, culture, variety and activity, it is no wonder students and visitors alike crowd the campus daily. The BroadArtCenter, which just opened on the university grounds in September, will keep people coming for generations. In the plaza of the BroadArtCenter, you'll find an enormous sculpture entitled “T.E.U.C.L.A.” Designed by Richard Serra, the sculpture is meant to inspire the creative spirit in all. The Center will be exhibiting faculty designs, student work and pieces by M.F.A students from the U.S. and around the world. The new venue will host an ongoing series of lectures, demonstrations and workshops. The site is open to the public and free of charge. www.arts.ucla.edu
The WattsTowers have recently been described by USA Weekend as “one of the country's top ten out-of-the-way places you should go out of your way to see.” Constructed by Simon Rodia in 1955 after more than 30 years of dedication and labor, the WattsTowers are considered a triumph of the imagination and one of 19 National Historic Landmarks in Los Angeles. The Los Angeles City Cultural Affairs Department, through the WattsTowersArtsCenter, provides diverse cultural enrichment programming with tours, lectures and changing exhibits. Each year, thousands of people are attracted to the Towers' site for the Simon Rodia Watts Towers Jazz Festival and the Watts Towers Day of the Drum Festival in September. www.parks.ca.gov/default.asp?page_id=613
If you are a young girl or young at heart, you might be interested in Mattel Inc.'s new flagship, 40,000-square-foot retail and entertainment center at The Grove. One of three in the U.S., American Girl Place provides everything from a bookstore to shopping boutiques for the chain's dolls - historical, contemporary and those geared to the youngest clientele. The boutiques offer authentic historic costumes, accessories and furniture for the 18-inch character dolls. Girls can bring their dolls to the DollHospital for repair or to the Doll Hair Salon for a change of hairdo. The American Girl café offers meals from brunch through afternoon tea and dinner. In addition, there are private dining rooms for special occasions. The 133-seat American Girl Theater offers both the American Girl Revue (with ten original songs written by Broadway professionals) and the Bitty Bear Matinee. The American Girl Place can even be rented for private late-night events. www.americangirlplace.com
