I was in a discussion the other day with someone who is considering speakers for a convention. He has secured a number of big names – really big names for the subject matter that will be highlighted. Now he’s looking to fill a few last spots. I threw out a couple of names and the response was along the lines of, “They would be really good, but I need to draw a big crowd for this event. I’m worried that not enough people have heard of them.”
I’ve been mulling that over, and here’s my response that I’m sending back to him.
PUT. THEM. ON. THE. STAGE.
Big conferences are a great place to show off new voices for any movement, specialty or issue. You’ve already drawn the crowd with the big names that you’ve secured. Those last three spots are perfect for showing off new voices. With the type of exposure your conference or event is going to lend, these new faces can become the next generation of big names.
Don’t worry that no one has heard of them, because after your convention, they will have.
4 comments
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Chris
June 11, 2012 at 19:14 (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Yep I may not agree with all the views expressed at your conventions but if these people speak well and carry an intelligent message of the conventions point of view then I’d say it’s their turn.
Stephanie Zvan
June 11, 2012 at 20:43 (UTC -5) Link to this comment
This. Also, it keeps your event from being exactly the same as the last three events.
Kate Donovan
June 11, 2012 at 20:55 (UTC -5) Link to this comment
This. So much this. As a broke student, I’m just not inclined to go to a conference if I’ve seen a third of the speakers give a similar talk before.
Frogmistress
June 12, 2012 at 10:43 (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Yes, the perfect time to introduce new people with new ideas!
I don’t understand why, if he already has the really big names, he thinks he needs more big names?