Why work with Cassidy & Fishman?
Rather than spending days, even weeks, looking for the right speaker on your own, with one phone call to us or one click of the mouse on this site, you have instant access to hundreds of speakers. While you are getting other things done, we are working on a list of recommendations for your consideration. Or, if you already know who you are looking for, you can tell us what you want and we can take it from there.
How does Cassidy & Fishman work?
We are designed to provide event planners with the necessary information to guide you in selecting the “right” speaker for your program. In addition to program content, we can instantly provide information regarding fee requirements, an estimate of travel expenses, and general availability of the speaker. Our decades of experience allow us to know which speakers work best in which situations, which speakers are enjoyable to be around (some aren’t), and which speakers will do their very best to make sure that your program is a success.
How long has Cassidy & Fishman been in business?
We have been in business since 1987. We are second to none in reputation, ethics and customer satisfaction and are respected equally by both booking organizations and speakers.
What do I need to consider when booking a speaker?
Your most critical consideration should be whether the speaker’s background and lecture content will be a good fit with the event you are planning.
Of course, a speaker’s fee is always a big part of the decision making process for any event planner as well.
What is the fee range of professional speakers?
Speaker fees can vary widely. While there are many outstanding speakers whose fees are in the $2000 range, speakers with high name recognition can command fees of well over $100,000. 80% of the speakers booked by Cassidy & Fishman have fees that range between $5000 and $15,000.
Which speakers are available through Cassidy & Fishman?
We can provide you with virtually any speaker. Besides those speakers listed on this site, we are more than happy to use our resources to “track” down any individual of interest that is not listed here. While some speakers are represented by other agencies, we can tap into our relationships with those bureaus and book those speakers for you at no additional cost. A similar analogy would be the real estate industry: While a house may be listed for sale by one company, any real estate broker can sell the house and share a commission with the listing broker. The buyer pays the same price regardless of who sells the house. Those same dynamics exist in the speaking industry. Consequently, you should work with an agent that you are most comfortable with, someone who will be looking out for your interests.
Do speaker fees include the travel expenses?
With some speakers the fees are inclusive of travel, but in most instances, there will be a speaker fee and then separate charges for round trip travel expenses, ground transportation, overnight hotel accommodations if necessary, and any meals necessitated by the trip. For the more common non-inclusive speakers, if you prefer, we would be happy to estimate travel costs and roll them into the fee, thus providing one total cost/fee for which to budget.
Will the speaker participate in any additional activities?
Many speakers will join you for social functions such as cocktail receptions or dinners while others may prefer to respectfully decline such invitations, it is a function of each individual speaker’s preference. If you consider these social functions to be an important (or required) part of your event, it is imperative to formalize them in the contract. Adding additional activities to the event after contracting a speaker can lead to additional fees.
Once we have decided on a speaker, what next?
Once you have chosen the speaker you would like to book, we approach him/her on your behalf and present the offer. If the speaker is available and agrees to the booking, Cassidy & Fishman will issue a contract. You will sign and return the contract to us, along with a 50% deposit which will lock your event onto the speaker’s calendar. Cassidy & Fishman will provide you with publicity materials about the speaker. Additionally, we will ask you to complete a brief “speaker information sheet” to provide more background about your event to the speaker.
After contracting for a speaker, what services do Cassidy & Fishman provide?
Once a contract for a speaker has been issued Cassidy & Fishman becomes the intermediary between you and the speaker. We will coordinate communication between you and the speaker to make sure that both sides know exactly what to expect at the event and to ensure all specific requirements are met. We will provide you with all the information you will need to make sure the entire event runs seamlessly. This will include such details as travel arrangements, cell phone numbers, audio/visual needs, microphone preferences, dietary restrictions, etc.
Who makes the speaker’s travel arrangements?
Usually, Cassidy & Fishman will make the arrangements. Some speakers prefer to do their own. If that is the case, we will contact them at least three weeks prior to the engagement to make sure they are taking advantage of as favorable an airfare as possible.
Will the speaker customize the presentation?
First of all, if the agent has done his/her job properly, any speaker that you have decided to book should be one whose content is a fit with your event. Still, customization is a routine and expected part of the process. Part of our job is to make sure your expectations are relayed to the speaker while also making sure that the speaker understands and is responsive to your expectations. This is accomplished via event questionnaires as well as direct telephone communication between you and the speaker.
Will we be able to purchase speakers’ products such as books, CDs and DVDs at the event?
While this is totally at your discretion, most speakers are more than happy to provide products for purchase at the conclusion of the event. This can be done in several ways: the speaker can send ahead books and tapes, the speaker can put you in touch with their publisher to order books at a discounted cost, or you may invite a local bookstore to set up a table at your event and they can conduct product sales. Again, if you prefer that a speaker NOT sell products at your event, that choice will be fully supported by Cassidy & Fishman and the speaker.
What if the speaker is unable to attend an event due to unforeseen issues such as weather, health, travel difficulties, etc?
This is a key benefit to booking your speaker through Cassidy & Fishman. Should a speaker need to cancel (and this rarely happens), even on extremely short notice, we will dedicate a total effort to secure you a comparable and acceptable replacement speaker. In most instances, if we need to call you with the bad news of a cancellation, we will also provide you the name of at least three recommendations that we have already determined could be a replacement and we have contacted with regards to availability. Essentially, once you have contracted a speaker through us, you instantly have available our full roster of several hundred speakers.
May we record the speaker’s presentation?
Most speakers will allow their presentation to be recorded as long as it is for internal use only. This request must be made in writing prior to the event and must be specifically approved by the speaker.
What does it cost us to work with Cassidy & Fishman?
Nothing! Our fees are; paid by the speaker in the form of a commission; there is no additional cost to you to book the speaker through us. Speakers find working with us to be extremely beneficial – for many of the same reasons you do: In addition to the assistance we provide with logistics, travel, publicity, etc., when you work with Cassidy & Fishman you have instant access to hundreds of speakers and when speakers work with Cassidy & Fishman they have instant access to hundreds of event planners.
Who does Cassidy & Fishman represent?
You! We recommend a speaker based on the fact that we feel that he/she will be a good fit for your event and will deliver a presentation that will be met most positively by those in attendance. We are on “your side of the table” in any negotiation, whether of a financial or a logistical nature! Because we don’t represent speakers exclusively, we will never be tempted to recommend a speaker based on the fact that we have guaranteed that speaker a certain amount of bookings. While it is essential that we are upfront, fair and honest to both the speaker and your organization, YOU are our client. We work directly with the speaker and negotiate on your behalf.
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