Person in a speakers bureau/agency that acts on behalf of the seller (speaker) or on behalf of the buyer (customer).

Traditionally, this is the table where a speaker autographs books after a speaking engagement. Many speakers, however, use the term "autograph table" to also mean the table at the back of the room—the one from which they sell their products.

The act and process of selling books, CDs/DVDs and other products at the back of the room, usually immediately after a speech.

A slang term for biography.

A profile, one-sheet or a short document that lists a speaker's major credits and gives a brief history of his or her career. A biographical sheet is not a job resume or a vitae. To remain true to its singular limit, a biographical sheet should be no longer than one page.

A black-and-white photograph of a speaker, sometimes referred to as a "B&W."

To schedule a date for a speaking engagement.

The act of being engaged to speak, as in "I have a booking for October 17th."

Small group sessions—within a larger meeting—that are typically designed to deliver a deep-dive on a specific topic.

Advertising piece describing and promoting the advantages of a particular speaker, group of speakers or speakers bureau.

Typically, a broker is a party that mediates between a buyer and a seller. In the speaking business, brokering is a term to describe the negotiation between a speakers bureau with a client who wants a specific speaker and that speaker's exclusive agent. Commission is determined by the exclusive agent.

Also referred to as a Speakers Bureau. A booking or sales company that sells the services of multiple speakers. The Bureau typically charges the speaker a commission (e.g., 25% - 30%).

See "Listing."

The person or group representative who signs the contract and pays for the speaker.

A slang term for a standard "off the shelf" speech or presentation. Often, the term "canned" is used in a negative context to refer to material that a speaker uses too often, without changes, in presentations.

A speaker who is booked for his/her name value or .

A speaker is the client of an agent who is paid to represent him/her. (also see Customer)

Individual who helps develop presentation skills.

Where two or more bureaus/agencies work together to book a speaker to a client.

Sometimes called public service bureaus, these are speakers bureaus that send speakers into the community for little or no fee. The speakers educate the public on a particular topic or issue and promote the host company's interest.

Sessions scheduled at the same time.

Professional who provides counsel and assistance to a client on specific assignments.

Legal document defining responsibilities for all parties concerned.

Latin expression meaning "course of life." Often referred to as a "vitae" or "résumé" or simply "CV." It highlights a speaker's education and key jobs held. Unlike a resume, a curriculum vitae tends to be less promotional in tone and longer and more informational. A speaker in the academic community usually uses a curriculum vitae.

Whoever is paying for a speaker's services. A company or association is the customer when they buy a speaking engagement. (also see Client)

Raised platform on which the head table is placed. (Pronounced day-iss.)

The day set for a definite booking or engagement.

Formal permission to approve a date that is being tentatively held for a booking.

Audio or video demonstration tapes. Demos often are used to promote a speaker's services or speeches to meeting planners.

When a meeting planner calls the speaker direct, rather than going through an agent, bureau, or manager.

A Master or Mistress of Ceremonies (often referred to as an M.C.), presides over a staged event or other performance. The Emcee usually sets the tone for the meeting, introduces performers, and generally keeps the event moving in an orderly fashion.

Used as a noun to describe a set booking or date when a buyer has secured the services of, or employed, a speaker.

When the speaker has signed an agreement with an agent to handle all speaking engagements. Bureaus may or may not then "broker" with the exclusive agent to obtain the speaker for their client. The exclusive agent works out a commission split.

Based on conditions of the contract, between the speaker and the bureau/agency, the speaker my also accept engagements directly.

The speakers bureau/agency having the contract, with speaker, is the sole and exclusive representative of the speaker.

All contracted out-of-pocket business costs incurred while the speaker travels to and from client events. These normally include airfare, taxi-fare, car rental costs, lodging, gratuities, special phone calls having to do with the event, meals, and last-minute presentation materials. Expenses charged to the client should not include anything of personal nature –i.e. movies, alcohol.

The money paid by the meeting planner-buyer to the bureau or speaker per contract, exclusive of expenses.

A speaking engagement that is definitely confirmed as in, "I've got a firm offer for Baltimore on that date." A firm offer is one that becomes contractually binding upon acceptance of the offer by the third party.

A one-sheet piece of printed advertising. These are often produced and distributed to help promote a speaker's product or services.

A meeting open to all those in attendance at a convention.

A slang term meaning an engagement or booking.

A black-and-white or color photograph printed on glossy paper, used to promote the speaker. See "black and white."

The total fee the buyer is charged for a booking, including agents' fees, but excluding speaker expenses (air and ground transportation, tips, hotels, and meals.) Bureau commissions are not paid on expenses.

Informative or educational material given to the audience at the speaker's presentation. Handouts often are in flyer form. The term, however, refers to any material that is handed out to the audience.

Seating location for honored guests and/or meeting presenters.

A room backstage where speakers wait to go on. Any room used for this purpose is called the "holding room."

Payment made for services. See "Fee."

International Association of Speakers Bureaus

See "Image Magnification"

Image Magnification is a video camera which is used to project the speaker's image onto a large screen (normally for large audiences).

An audience composed only of employees of the same company.

Sales rep: employee of speaker.

A slang term for an introduction.

A carefully written opener about the speaker, which is delivered by the introducer at the beginning of a speech. A good introduction gives some ideas of the speaker's credits, achievements, and honors and also answers the question: "Why this speaker, on this date, for this audience?"

The main speech at a meeting or the speech in one of the featured spots at an event. The keynote sets the tone of a convention and carries out the theme. The keynote usually is connected with prime time, such as a meal function, or delivered to open or close an event, or given to the entire convention in the main room.

Portable microphone that hooks around neck or is clipped to clothing. Also known as a necklace, lapel, or pendant microphone.

A vertical stand upon which a speaker may rest notes, books or a laptop computer. A microphone is often attached to a lectern to make it easy for the speaker to communicate his/her message to the audience. A lectern is often mistakenly referred to as a 'podium' (see definition).

A speech read or delivered before an audience or class for instruction or to set forth some subject.

The speaker grants the right to a speakers bureau/agency to list the speaker as available.

A slang term for an Emcee. (see Emcee)

Organization that provides functions for a speaker including, but not limited to: maintaining calendar, scheduling travel, and assisting in marketing.

A person hired to manage a speaker's or entertainer's business and/or personal affairs. The job of manager may include marketing the speaker's services for ore bookings or performing public relations work for the speaker.

When the speaker limits the speakers bureau/agency to offering the speaker's services to a particular market or markets.

A person who is in charge of all planning of a meeting. Meeting planners handle logistics, meals, hotel arrangements, room-sets, travel schedules, and often the hiring of speakers.

A slang term for microphone. (see Microphone)

An instrument that captures sound (e.g., speech or music) for recording or amplification purposes (e.g., to a large audience or in a large room). Many types of microphones are employed by speakers, including hand-held, stationary, clip-on and head-worn. Microphones are manufactured as wired (long cable) or wireless.

National Speakers Association.

The amount of the fee the speaker will actually receive for a booking after agency or bureau fees and before expenses.

An on-site location is a convention center, hotel, or other event site.

See also flyer.

Someone who speaks eloquently in public.

Equipment, which projects an image on a screen by passing light through a transparent slide or other transparency.

Public address system.

Organizes speakers demo tapes, press kits, etc. for fee.

Discussion with a moderator and two or more participants.

Raised horizontal surface, stage, or flooring.

General assembly for all participants.

An advertisement, not in the form of a formal ad, but usually a mention—either written or in a publication or given verbally from the platform to help promote a product, service, or individual.

A platform or riser that a speaker stands on. The term 'podium' is often mistakenly used to describe a lectern (see definition).

Items such as books, tapes, videos, etc. sold to client in advance of meeting versus items sold in back of room after event.

Also known as a PR Kit. A collection of publicity items that includes: a) Pertinent data on the speaker such as bio, flyer, photo, testimonials, and articles. b) The property, such as photos, descriptions of public space areas, local entertainment, etc. c) Information relative to a sponsor's products or services.

Products are items, which compliment the speaker's topic and are available for sale. A speaker's books, audio cassette albums, video tapes, workbooks, posters, and other products may be sold by contract in large quantity to a client in advance for all attendees, or sold at the back of the room at an autograph table.

A company that presents special effects and theatrical acts. This type of company may contract to put on an entire convention or only parts of one. They sometimes hire speakers as part of their contract.

A speaker who is paid a fee for performances, by a company, association, or college.

When the speaker limits the speakers bureau/agency to offering just certain programs that the speaker presents.

An apparatus for projecting a picture on a screen. Whether the device is an overhead, slide projector, or a film projector, it is usually referred to as simply a projector.

A seminar that is open to the public. Tickets are sold to individuals.

Someone who speaks in public. Often, a public speaker is not paid for his or her appearances and delivers a political speech or a speech that promotes a particular cause, company, or organization.

The question-and-answer session that follows a panel presentation or speech.

When someone, particularly a satisfied client, suggests or recommends services to other buyers.

A speakers bureau's/agency's exclusivity is limited to a particular region or territory.

When a speaker does a second or subsequent booking for the same client.

Letting go of a date that was tentatively held for a booking.

A Right of First Refusal (ROFR or RFR) is an agreement between a speaker and a potential booking agent that gives the booking agent the option to hire the speaker for a specific date before the speaker is entitled to release the specified date to another interested party.

A platform—of varying heights—used to elevate a speaker so he or she is visable to all members of the audience. The size of the audience will determine the height of the riser.

A segue is a method of smoothly transitioning from one topic to another. A segue allows the speaker to shift to another topic without jarring the audience. A good segue makes the subject change seem like a natural extension of the speech.

Lecture and dialogue allowing participants to share experiences in a particular field under the guidance of an expert discussion leader.

The teacher or expert who instructs the seminar's attendees.

Area, property or specific facility to be used for a meeting.

The presenter of programs, products and services.

See "Production Company."

A group of speakers with varying areas of expertise, who team up to share leads and marketing expenses.

Bookings that occur because someone in the audience wants to hire the speaker for their meeting.

The portion of an auditorium or room that has been structured into a formal area for productions or presentations.

When a speaker adjusts his or her material to the particular needs of an audience.

Someone hired by a speaker to prepare scripts, workbooks, audios, videos, or articles on contract.

An action that indicates interest by a prospective client to schedule a speaker. Speaker typically will call a first hold before accepting a second hold's offer.

A letter of recommendation from a former buyer or organization that is familiar with a speaker's work.

An exchange or barter of services and/or products for part or all of a speaker's fee.

Instructor of techniques or skills on a specific subject.

The site of the meeting or event.

An educational, classroom-type session in which handouts and workbooks are often used. A workshop may last from one hour to many days.