#ATD2024 – Why You’re Not Getting Chapter Speakers (From a Professional Speaker)

Have you ever wondered why securing speakers for chapter events is so challenging? You’re not alone. Recently, I had the privilege of attending a session by Britne Jenkes, a seasoned speaker with a wealth of experience in the field. She delved into the intricacies of being a chapter speaker and the hurdles involved, offering insights that shed light on common pitfalls and practical solutions to enhance the experience for both speakers and organizers. As a chapter speaker, I certainly resonated with these observations.

1. Sign-Up Process: A Maze of Forms and Documents

The journey begins with the daunting task of signing up to be a speaker. Jenkes highlighted the chaotic nature of this process, ranging from emails to web forms to PDF documents. It’s a scattered landscape that begs the question: How can we streamline this? Simplifying the initial sign-up, perhaps by only requiring essential information to initiate the decision-making process, can significantly reduce friction and expedite the speaker selection process. 

2. Finding Speakers: Navigating the Terrain

Another challenge lies in sourcing speakers. Jenkes provided valuable insights into alternative avenues, such as leveraging ATD’s speaker’s bureau and exploring other organizations with similar resources. Personalized outreach and cultivating relationships with potential speakers can also yield fruitful results. However, the key takeaway here is responsiveness. Acknowledging receipt of speaker applications and maintaining clear communication channels are vital for fostering trust and engagement.

3. Preparing for Success: The Essentials

Once a speaker is secured, meticulous preparation is paramount for a successful session. Jenkes emphasized the importance of having a comprehensive prep checklist covering technical requirements, session logistics, agreements, and contingencies like time zones. Additionally, clarifying mutual benefits ensures a mutually rewarding experience for both parties. Feedback mechanisms and post-event follow-ups complete the loop, fostering continuous improvement and relationship-building.

4. Appreciation Matters: Recognizing Speaker Contributions

Finally, the session touched upon the significance of acknowledging speaker contributions. While we discussed tangible gestures like gift cards, the underlying message is to value and appreciate speakers’ time and expertise. A culture of reciprocity strengthens the chapter-speaker relationship and encourages ongoing collaboration.

Fostering a speaker-friendly environment requires a strategic approach encompassing streamlined processes, proactive outreach, meticulous preparation, and genuine appreciation. By addressing these aspects, chapters can attract and retain speakers effectively, enriching the learning experiences for all involved parties. Let’s strive to create a community where speakers feel valued, supported, and eager to contribute their insights.

Photo by Henri Mathieu-Saint-Laurent and photo by Diva Plavalaguna