Each time you retain a speaker to address your group, you're putting your reputation on the line. What if the speaker is ineffective? What if the speaker bombs? Worst of all, what if the speaker offends - or grossly offends - members of your audience?

You can't take chances. You want to select the best possible expert for the program in mind, whether it's a conference, convention, annual meeting, quarterly meeting, executive retreat, round table session, or other arrangement. You want to know, with confidence, that your staff or members, executive team, top management, owners, shareholders, or other constituents will not be simply satisfied with your speaker selection, but pleased.

Now envision this: The evening before your special event, the expert presenter you've retained calls to say, "I arrived a few minutes ago and went immediately to the meeting room. I checked the equipment and facilities, and everything seems fine. I'll be back at the room tomorrow well in advance of my presentation, rested and ready to go."

You put down the phone and say to yourself, "Thank you, thank you, thank you. Here is a speaker who takes care of the little things. Here is a meeting pro."

Next, imagine arriving at the meeting room prior to the presentation, seeing that your presenter is already set up and is graciously greeting any early arrivals. Now you're thinking, "Here's somebody who goes the extra mile."

Jeff Davidson is a speaking professional who goes the extra mile every time.