When Your Speaker Doesn't Show…
Tips to Make Sure "No-Shows" Don't Happen

Pre-Planning Your meeting, conferences, conventions and events

If the venue you have chosen is prone to weather problems, let your speaker know.

As your Speaker, Motivational Keynote Speakers, Trainer, Presenter or Seminar Leader to Call On Arrival

You need all the lead time you can get to put one of your alternate plans into action. Write into your speaker's contract that they are to call upon arrival in town where the event is scheduled.

Ask Your Speaker, Motivational Keynote Speakers, Trainer, Presenter or Seminar Leader to Arrive the day before your meeting, conferences, conventions and events

Consider requesting that they arrive the night before. This gives them more options on alternate travel in case the flight gets cancelled.

Put it in Writing

Any special arrangements you make with your speakers should not just be mentioned on the phone, but included in your contracts and correspondence.

Tips If "No-Shows" Keynote Speakers Happen to Your Meeting, Conference, Conventions or Events

Training & Sales Films

A film is a simple, inexpensive substitute. Most hotels have the projectors - just keep a few of your favorite films on hand. Better yet, consider renting a film that meets the special objectives of the meeting.

Your own training and/or sales departments can be a tremendous source of films of specific interest to your company. Your public relations department may have films on the history of your organization that many of your attendees have never seen.

Brainstorming Leaders

Most companies have problem solving teams. These teams have trained facilitators that are experts on brainstorming. If some of these are coming to your event anyway, ask them to be prepared to give a brain storming session on whichever topic the speaker was supposed to give.

Your attendees are there because they want information on a specific topic. Brainstorming on the topic they wanted can give them all kinds of fantastic information and gets attendees involved and participating. They just might enjoy this better than the speaker!

Speakers Bureaus and Lecture Agents

Develop a relationship with a speakers bureau or booking agent in the area of the event. They know hundreds of local speakers and can get you a fill-in quickly.

Upper Management Fill-in

Upper management is always the most popular (if not the most exciting) speaker on any program. As they are usually attending anyway, ask them to be available for emergencies.

Paid Stand-In Motivational Keynote Speaker (or "Insurance")

Some organizations pay a good all around business speaker with several topics to stand around in case of emergencies. Somers White, a speaker who is most famous on "Negotiations" says he does this under these conditions: "My regular fee is charged if I speak in the other person's place. A lesser fee is charged if I go to the engagement and am on hand but do not speak. An even lower fee is charged if I reserve the date, but do not have to travel to the engagement. Insurance produces peace of mind. No one likes to worry!"

Performers the Hotel Uses

If performers are current at the same venue you are, they will be inexpensive and no doubt be of a good quality. They could fill in nicely for a luncheon humorist or dinner entertainment.

Local Universities & Colleges

Time willing, call the local college or university. They often have a speakers bureau of inexpensive, learned speakers to assist you.

---

Lilly Walters -for over 20 years a LEADING RESOURCE helping Corporate and Association Meeting Planners find the PERFECT speakers and entertainers for their events. Former leading executive of Walters International Speakers Bureau. Today she owns and runs Amazing Motivational Keynote Speakers and helps speakers and seminar leaders find ways to increase their bookings