Mary O'Connor & Company

Strategic program & speaker services

Program Research and Selection
Program ideation goes hand-in-hand with all pre-event planning details. We offer strategic programming services, which identify talented speakers and programs that fulfill our client's program objectives. Programs range from a white water rafting team-building experience on the Salt River in Arizona to a three-day leadership program targeted on career building skills for mid-level managers. Based on the client's program objectives, we research, interview, and select companies and programs with the best fit.

Speaker Research and Selection
We have worked with some of the biggest names in politics, show business and entertainment from Maya Angelou and Colin Powell to performance artist Denny Dent. We take a hands-on approach to handling VIP talent such as Roger Nierenberg, music director of the Stamford Symphony Orchestra and Laureate Conductor of the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra.

We work with speakers' bureaus to negotiate performance rates, interpret "riders" and coordinate VIP efforts for talent. When we engage a top performer, we assign an on-site contact specifically for the VIP. We may meet the performer at the airport, as in the case of Colin Powell, or we meet them at their hotel and escort them to the appropriate green room and to the performance stage. We provide security as necessary to ensure the safety and privacy of our VIP performers.

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