Booking the right speaker should feel effortless. We've built a four-step process that takes the guesswork — and the stress — completely off your plate.
Share your event date, format, audience, budget, and the outcome you're trying to create. The more we know, the better our match.
Within 48 hours, we hand-select 2–4 speakers uniquely suited to your brief. Not a catalogue dump — a curated shortlist with a note on why each person fits.
Once you select your speaker, we handle the contract, the deposit, and all the logistics. Every engagement is covered under a formal agreement protecting all parties.
We stay with you through the event day. Our speakers arrive prepared, on-brand, and ready to deliver. We check in post-event to ensure everything exceeded expectations.
We recommend reaching out at least 60–90 days before your event for the best availability, especially for well-known speakers. That said, we handle rush bookings regularly — sometimes within days of an event. Contact us and we'll tell you what's possible.
There is no additional fee to work with Bella Ford on top of the speaker's fee. Our commission is built into the speaker's rate, meaning you pay the same whether you book directly or through us — and you get the benefit of our expertise, negotiation, and full-service support.
Yes — and we insist on it. Every speaker we place does a pre-event briefing call with your team to align on audience, tone, key messages, and any proprietary context you'd like woven in. Generic keynotes are not what we do.
It's rare, but it happens. Every contract includes cancellation and substitution language. We maintain relationships with backup speakers in every category so we can move quickly if needed. You will not be left without a solution.
Absolutely. Many of our speakers are experienced in virtual formats, and we manage the tech coordination just as we do for in-person events. Virtual can also be a cost-effective option for budget-conscious events.
We serve corporate clients, event planning companies, professional associations, non-profits, and conference organizers. Our Chicago market focus means we have especially strong relationships with Midwest-based buyers, though we place speakers nationally.