Why Successful Event Planners Don't Book Alone
Gail Davis, 22 October 2025
Anyone can book a speaker, but only insiders know who actually delivers.
You can search online, scroll through endless speaker websites, and even ask ChatGPT for speaker ideas. But finding the right speaker takes more than research. It takes experience, insight, and risk management. That’s where a great bureau partner comes in.
CHALLENGE
Event planners juggle budgets, themes, and expectations. It’s tempting to skip the bureau and book directly. But every speaker’s website shows the best version of themselves.
The real question is: who actually looks like their headshot? Who customizes their message, responds quickly, and delivers when it counts? Without insider knowledge, you’re rowing the boat alone and taking on more risk than you realize.
TYPICAL METHOD
Most people think: it might be faster and easier to go straight to the speaker. You can search online or use AI to make a list. While that’s a start, even the best research can’t replace hands-on experience.
RECOMMENDATION
But the truth is: a great bureau partner is an extension of your team. They know who’s reliable, who goes above and beyond, and who truly connects with audiences.
For example, we recently booked John O’Leary and Joe Buck to speak just five days after the nationwide premiere of Soul on Fire, the film based on John’s inspirational life story.
That timing created a powerful, buzzworthy connection for our client’s audience. Not only was the timing perfect, but it was unique. This was the first time Joe and John shared a stage. Not only did we have the insight on the movie release date but we had the creative idea to recommend the pairing.
A bureau partner gives you that edge of knowing who’s available, dependable, and ready to make your event shine.
ACTION STEPS
✅ Start with a conversation: Share your event goals, audience profile, and desired outcomes with your bureau partner.
✅ Leverage their experience: Ask for honest insights - not just names. Learn who’s flexible, collaborative, and consistently delivers.
✅ Trust the partnership: The best events happen when you and your bureau row the boat together in the same direction.
Partner with GDA to navigate your event with insider experience!