This question comes up often and, as someone who has worked at both a management
company and speakers bureau, I thought I’d do my best to try and answer it. I don’t blame people for being confused – our daily tasks are similar and most of us have “speakers” in the company name, so it can be difficult to tell us all apart!
A management company acts as the direct office for a select group of speakers, sometimes referred to as a “roster.” Think of it this way – if you were to contact a speaker directly, there’s a good chance your first point of contact would be an assistant. Speakers who are in demand travel frequently and spend a significant amount of time on research and writing, so they’re not always available to answers questions on short notice. They know clients need answers quickly though, so the majority have an assistant to help respond to inquiries. A management company acts like an assistant to each one of the speakers they represent, all under one roof. They typically have more detailed information about their speakers’ availability, other commitments on their calendars, projects or new books in the works, which are their most requested programs, personal preferences, etc. In addition to working with clients to book the speakers they represent, a management company will handle many administrative tasks behind the scenes, which might include editing program descriptions, reviewing video footage, assisting with travel arrangements and logistics.
A speakers bureau acts as a warehouse of information about hundreds (sometimes even thousands) of speakers, as well as a booking agent or broker. Similar to working with a real estate agent, they can do research for you based on your criteria and recommend speakers who will be a good fit. They don’t charge a fee for their services, but are paid through a commission from the speaker you end up booking. If you’re unsure about who might be a good fit for your event, or are given a “wish list” of speakers to research, bureaus are fabulous resources to help you save time. There’s also the added reassurance the speakers they suggest are coming highly recommended and have a track record of happy clients. Bureaus are in a constant state of reviewing new speaker materials, attending live presentations, and soliciting feedback to stay up-to-date. Some of the larger bureaus also have a division that acts as a management company for a select group of speakers, but their websites will typically feature a more extensive list of options.
What do management companies and speakers bureaus have in common? Both will help save you time, energy, and confusion in the process of booking a speaker. Most important of all, they all want to ensure a client chooses the best possible speaker for their meeting and help them create a successful outcome.
Michele started her career in 1999 at a speakers bureau in Northern California and joined SpeakersOffice, Inc. as Director of Client Relations in 2005. She has served on the board of directors for the San Diego Chapter of MPI and San Diego chapter of ASTD, and received several awards for her volunteer leadership. She can be reached at moc.eciffosrekaeps@elehcim.
