Relationships are important, particularly in the workplace. That is why here at the Worldwide Speakers Group we focus a majority of our attention on building valued relationships with our clients. Our clients are at the center of everything we do, because our success comes from their success. And the best way for WWSG and our clients to be productive, is through building lasting and meaningful partnerships.
Topics: speakers bureaus, Event Planning, Gartner, Event Logistics, WWSG, Events
Topics: Top Speaker on Politics, event planner tips, Event Planning, Politics, Political Speakers, Political Events
Primed by record-breaking heat, a prolonged drought and windy conditions, Australia’s southern coast has been ravaged with devastating brushfires since September, forcing thousands out of their homes. The fires have claimed 33 innocent lives and has destroyed over 3,000 homes. With 26.2 million acres of land decimated, millions of animals have been under threat, wounded or killed. This extreme event attribute has caused climate scientist and conservationists to speak out on climate change’s role in exacerbating natural disasters. WWSG is proud of the work our elite Speakers have done for our environment and we continue to assist in ‘raising up’ these powerful voices as they fight against environmental catastrophes like Australia’s wildfires, caused by climate change.
Cristina Mittermeier - One of the most influential female photographers in the world and a powerful voice in conservation photography. Cristina began her career as a Marine Biologist. She soon discovered that she could better advocate for the planet through the lens of her camera than she could with data on spreadsheets. In 2005 she founded the prestigious International League of Conservation Photographers (ILCP) which works to support environmental conservation through ethical photography. Cristina also co-founded the conservation society SeaLegacy with her partner, Paul Nicklen which is a collective of photographers who focus on cleaner, healthier oceans.
Paul Nicklen – As a co-founder of SeaLegacy, Paul is one of the world’s most acclaimed nature photographers, an acclaimed polar specialist, author, conservationist, National Geographic Fellow, and a regular contributor to National Geographic Magazine with 20 completed stories to date. He is also highly respected by the conservation community for his outspoken work, collaborating with scientists, filmmakers, conservationists and explorers to create awareness and inspire action for global issues like climate change. Paul has even been awarded the Natural Resources Defense Council BioGems Visionary Award and most recently, was bestowed an honorary PhD at the University of Victoria, for the impact his photography has had on climate change.
Jane Goodall - Hailed as the world’s most important conservationist and animal welfare activist, Dr. Goodall is most famous for her 45-year study of the social and familial interactions of wild chimpanzees. Knowing that local communities are key to protecting chimpanzees she founded the Jane Goodall Institute and redefined traditional conservation with an approach that recognizes the central role people play in the well-being of animals and habitat. Then in 1991, when a group of young people confided their own deep concerns, she invited them to help start Roots & Shoots, a program at work with young people in 100 countries to foster the informed generation of conservation leaders our world so urgently needs.
Newt Gingrich – A longtime advocate for environmentalism and endangered species, Newt Gingrich taught the first environmental studies courses at West Georgia College in the 1970’s. Since then he has been a major proponent for environmentalism. Whether it is working with Nancy Pelosi on a campaign to address climate change, Co-writing A Contract with the Earth about bipartisan environmentalism, or advocating for endangered species through his company Gingrich 360, Newt Gingrich has been an outspoken voice for conservation.
These speakers have used their powerful voices and years of experience to shed a light on these important environmental challenges, not just in Australia but for all the disastrous causes of Climate Change. Cristina Mittermeier once described the job of a conservation photographer as “creating images to inspire people to change behavior” and commit to a public obligation to reverse the impact of climate change. Through their images, writings, research and speeches these thought leaders and climate crusaders have changed the behavior, body of knowledge and thinking of so many.
Topics: Newt Gingrich, environment speakers, The Honorable Newt Gingrich, Paul Nicklen, Cristina Mittermeier, Nature Photography, Jane Goodall, Climate Change, Environment, Conservationist, Australia Bushfires, Australian Wildfires
Topics: event planner tips, Sanjay Gupta, Healthcare Speakers, Medical Speakers, Event Planning, Coronavirus
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Topics: top motivational speakers, female keynote speaker, Carly Fiorina, Women Keynote Speakers, ByExample, Women Leading Women, Top Leadership Speaker
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Topics: International Events, Stephen Harper, International Speaker, The Honorable Newt Gingrich, Paul Nicklen, Lecture Agency, Best Places to Work, Best Company, Cristina Mittermeier, Photography Keynote Speakers, Authors, Scott Gottlieb, General John F. Kelly, Paul Romer
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Annie Leibovitz - One of the most high-profile and instantly recognizable celebrity photographers in the world. She has shot some of the most iconic celebrity images of the last 30 years – in the shape of world leaders, moguls, movie stars and musicians such as The Rolling Stones, the Queen of England to John Lennon, Bill Gates to Mark Zuckerberg and the Kardashians. Her legendary career continues to place her at the center of the world’s most fascinating people.
Annie shares the incredible adventures, the profiles of courage and hope, and her own private observations with audiences all over the world. Certainly, witty and full of candor, Annie shares the lessons of marrying our life’s work with our life’s passions and of her endless search for learning and growth.
Paul Nicklen – Recently inducted into the International Photography Hall of Fame (IPHF) as the youngest inductee ever, photographer, filmmaker, marine biologist and an outspoken advocate for wildlife conservation. For over twenty years, Paul’s career has focused on the polar regions, his evocative nature photography displaying a deep reverence and sensitivity for the wildlife and environment of the most isolated, endangered places in the world.
Paul is also co-founder of the conservation society SeaLegacy with his partner, Cristina Mittermeier, and has published several books including Seasons of the Arctic; Bear: Spirit of the Wild; Polar Obsession; Born to Ice and his most recent eBook, Photographing Wild. Paul’s images have elicited conversation, created shifts in thinking, and shown parts of this planet that most will never see.
Cristina Mittermeier - One of the most influential female photographers in the world and a virtuous mind and voice in conservation photography. Cristina began her career as a Marine Biologist working in her native Mexico. She soon discovered that she could better advocate for the oceans and the planet through the lens of her camera than she could with data on spreadsheets.
Today, Cristina is the Co-founder of the conservation society SeaLegacy with Paul Nicklen, a National Geographic contributing photographer, a Sony Artisan of Imagery and the editor of 26 coffee table books on conservation issues. She is the first female photographer to reach 1M followers on Instagram and was a 2018 National Geographic Adventurer of the Year. She is acknowledged as one of the most Influential Women in Ocean Conservation in 2018 by Ocean Geographic, and The Men’s Journal recently named her as one of the 18 Most Adventurous Women in the World.
Cristina has worked in more than 120 countries on every continent in the world. Her work is about building a greater awareness of the responsibility of what it means to be a human. Her work relays an understanding that we are inextricably linked to all other species on this planet and that we have a duty to act as the keepers of our fellow life forms.
Topics: Paul Nicklen, Photography, Annie Leibovitz, Women Speakers, SeaLegacy, Photographers, Cristina Mittermeier, Nature Photography, Photography Speakers, Professional Photography Speakers, Photography Keynote Speakers
Human Rights Day is observed by the international community every year on December 10th. It commemorates the day in 1948 when the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. A milestone document proclaiming the inalienable rights which everyone is inherently entitled to as a human being regardless of race, religion, sex, language, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.
It’s important for all organizations and businesses worldwide to recognize their rights and understand that everyone is entitled to their basic inherent human rights. Hearing from expert keynote speakers who have committed themselves to advocating for fair and equal treatment of all citizens is one way to expand and identify the undeniable record of human rights abuses and what protection/justice governments and organizations owe their people. These leaders expertly share their knowledge with the goal of spreading awareness about some of the worlds most marginalized communities and vulnerable citizens who face abuses such as crimes against women, human trafficking, political upheaval and the impact of extreme Islam.
WWSG is home to some incredible human rights activists who are dedicated to positive impact and inspirational stories we can all learn from and aspire too.
Ayaan Hirsi Ali, a former Muslim, has gained an international following speaking and writing about what she believes to be the inherently violent nature of Islam and its subjugation and abuse of women. Named one of TIME Magazine’s “100 Most Influential People” of 2005, one of the Glamour Heroes of 2005 and Reader’s Digest‘s European of the Year for 2005, Ayaan Hirsi Ali is a true and sincere advocate to the fight against violence to women and young girls.
Annie Leibovitz, one of the most high-profile celebrity photographers in the world. Leibovitz has shot some of the most iconic celebrity images of the last 30 years – in the shape of world leaders, moguls, movie stars and musicians. Over her illustrious career, Leibovitz has made it her mission to champion powerful women. Most famously with “Women: New Portraits,” for which Leibovitz photographed various women of outstanding achievement. Featuring CEOs, politicians, writers, philanthropists, and artists who continue to blaze a trail towards gender equality, Annie's focus brings attention to the most inspiring women on the planet.
DeMauirce Smith, the Executive Director of the National Football League Players Association (NFLPA). During his time with the National Football League, Smith fought for a universal declaration of player rights that established a new approach to governing sports and protecting athletes. The declaration made by the World Players Association was meant to remind everyone that where we start in this process is the men and women who play sports did not choose to give up the basic human rights that we would want for every worker.
Laura Ling, a correspondent reporting on crucial issues from around the world. She has reported from dozens of countries and has covered subjects including slave labor in the Amazon, Mexico's drug war, Internet censorship in China, and women's rights in Turkey. In March 2009, while reporting on the trafficking of North Korean women, Ling was detained by North Korean soldiers along the Chinese-North Korean border. She and her colleague Euna Lee were arrested and held captive in North Korea for 140 days before being granted a special pardon and returning to the United States. She has since sought to shine a light on the issue of trafficked women as well as to bring greater attention to the plight of other imprisoned journalists around the world.
Topics: Ayaan Hirsi Ali, DeMaurice Smith, Keynote Speakers, Human Rights, Activist, Human Rights Speakers, Annie Leibovitz, Laura Ling, Political Speakers, Women Speakers, Women Activist Speakers
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ALEXANDRIA, Va.--Worldwide Speakers Group (WWSG), one of the fastest-growing and most innovative lecture agencies in the world, announced that it was named one of 2020’s Best Places to Work in Virginia! by Virginia Business and Best Companies Group.
“We are honored to be named one of the ‘Best Places to Work’ in Virginia. Our employees’ opinions matter to us and we strive to work as a cohesive team that respects and trusts one another,” said Bob Thomas, chief executive officer at WWSG.
Daniel Sims, principal at WWSG added: “Our employees are critical to providing superior services for our clients; their events; and to our elite roster of speakers. We take great pride in creating an environment for employees to thrive and are thankful for the hard work, integrity and core values that make up our team.”
By providing distinctive performance and innovative solutions for the global lecture and speaker industry, WWSG attracts the best talent in the industry. WWSG provides concierge style services to its speakers and customers and is committed to creating superior events that embolden audiences with transformative ideas.
The Virginia Best Places to Work survey and awards program is dedicated to identifying and recognizing the area’s best employers. Hundreds of companies participate in an annual employee engagement survey. The results are quantitative and based on survey responses from the employees themselves. The top-rated companies in three size categories — small, medium, large— receive the Best Places to Work in Virginia distinction.
The Best Places to Work in Virginia will announce the rankings of this year’s finalists during their awards ceremony at the Boar’s Head Inn in Charlottesville on January 30, 2020.
Topics: speaker bureau, Lecture Agency, Best Places to Work, Awards, Best Company
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The behind-the-scenes logistics to make an event successful are always too numerous to list, but some of the key success drivers are selecting the right venue and high profile motivational keynote/panelist speakers for achieving your organization’s goals.
Art Mollenhauer, CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metropolitan, Chicago shared what he thought was a unique challenge. The marketplace in the Chicago area is saturated with Gala and Speaker events yet his Board and Donor network had lined up potentially 150 C-Level Executives if the right speaker could be selected to draw that VIP crowd. Mollenhauer shared with us “a key ingredient for success is the selection of the right Speakers Agency who will invest the time and innovation to make this work.” This particular event, the Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management in downtown Chicago was chosen, to provide easy access and an intimate setting for networking. A high-profile speaker known for speaking selectively was targeted to create implicit value – and Henry Paulson was featured for this year’s event. The result, a huge draw of a C-level audience attendees, a transfer of vast amounts of high level thought leadership from the Finance Speaker, tremendous networking opportunity for the guests, and an extremely high ROI for all participants made this event a huge success.
An event like the above is an example of a function that is viewed by many organizations to be the equivalent of their “Super Bowl,” investing a tremendous amount of time, energy and resources towards making a particular event a great triumph. Very important to remember that as a great strategic partner, the professional speaker agency can help you achieve perfect execution and the right strategy to achieve that high level of success. It sounds simple yet there are hundreds of small details that can often derail an event. We often say “Get the ‘Big Picture’ items right and the small details will more easily fall in-line.” That means getting the strategy, venue, date and speaker right are a solid beginning. But here’s something we’re hearing increasingly more often, it is often the “non-traditional sessions” that can also generate high return on investment. A prime example is a large, global financial group shared that the speaker we selected was perfect and yielded huge returns through the traditional audience event they did. But they shared the private (ten top customers) roundtable discussion we orchestrated was worth 3-5x what they paid for the speech. A top-notch agency is going to know how to create a “win-win” situation that keeps yielding results year-round. A professional Speaker Agency booking hundreds of worldwide events each year will just intuitively see these types of opportunities for their clients.
Often times a speaker of high notoriety will fill audience seats to capacity and an entertainer or celebrity can assist to fuel marketing and fundraising year-round. The right speaker can also lift the client’s brand and its awareness by associating that great speaker to your organization, institution or cause. There are many paths to consider when creating a successful event and no one path is going to work for all organizations. This is not the time to take unwanted chances, partnering with professionals who know the world of professional speaking can help to guide you to event success.
Topics: speaker bureau, event planner tips, Event Planning, Henry M. Paulson, Jr., Finance Keynote Speakers, Hank Paulson, Finance Speakers, Speaker Strategy
