Behind the Curtain: A Planner’s Playbook for Booking Speakers

For over 30 years, I sat in the buyer’s chair researching, vetting, and booking thousands of speakers for conferences, associations, and corporate events. Today, as a professional speaker and coach, I bring both sides of the equation.

In this interactive session, I’ll pull back the curtain on how planners really make decisions, what earns a yes, what triggers a pass, and how internal dynamics shift when one executive, a committee, or a board is involved. We’ll demystify the bureau relationship, identify the collateral that is truly non-negotiable, and explore how to position yourself strategically in a saturated market.

Bring your questions, your challenges, and even your one-sheets. You’ll leave with clearer positioning, stronger messaging, and practical actions to increase your marketability and build lasting planner partnerships.

Session Takeaways:

• Understand the Buyer Mindset – Know how planners evaluate speakers and what drives a confident “yes.”
• Position with Precision – Refine your messaging and collateral to stand out in a competitive market.
• Strengthen Planner Partnerships – Build trust, credibility, and long-term booking relationships.

About Tamra Gaines

Tamra Gaines spent over 30 years behind the curtain as a meeting planner, responsible for researching, vetting, and booking thousands of speakers for associations, corporations, and global events. She learned what separates a one-time booking from a long-term relationship—and how speakers can build a brand that buyers trust.

Today, Tamra brings that expertise to the stage as a professional speaker, coach, and author of The Pillars of Confidence. Her client programs focus on helping leaders cultivate influence, strengthen executive presence, and create an outer brand that reflects their true value.

Tamra’s dual perspective—as both the buyer and now the speaker—gives her audiences rare, practical insight into how to stand out in a crowded marketplace and build a brand that gets booked, remembered, and rebooked.

National Speakers Association Austin members are FREE to attend.

Cost for non-members is only $25.

REGISTRATION REQUIRED: Tickets below

DAY: Friday, April 17, 2026

TIME: 9:30 am – 11:30 am

LOCATION: Virtual (you must register to get login information)

COST: FREE for NSA Austin Members

(Be sure that you have paid your dues!)

GUESTS are welcome: $25.00 guest fee.

QUESTIONS: speakers@nsa-austin.com

See you there!

NSA Austin