Speaker, Healthcare Advocate, and Patriot Receives Honor

One of the luminaries in the Esparza Speakers cadre of outstanding speakers, is Betsy McCaughey. In addition to speaking before a wide variety of audiences, Betsy is the founder/chairman of the Committee to Reduce Infection Deaths, and a tireless advocate for patients rights, medical excellence and personal liberty. She is also a Constitutional historian, published author, popular pundit on various radio and TV talk shows, and an adjunct fellow at the Hudson Institute.

This Sunday, Valentine's Day, Betsy will not only keynote an event for the Queens Village Republican Club, in Queens, New York, but that organization - the oldest Republican club in the country - will present her with American Freedom Award.

A former Lt. Governor of New York, Betsy stays on the front lines of the ongoing fight for safety in our healthcare system and patient rights. She is also committed to exposing the dangers of federal health bills. Betsy is one of the few individuals to immediately read through the thousands of page of proposed legislation that comprised the House and Senate healthcare bills in late 2009. She was seen in a variety of venues, as well as TV and radio, explaining in plain talk the impact that these bills would have on our country's healthcare system, as well as our Constitutional rights and the pocketbooks of American citizens.

Congratulations, Betsy!

A Little Good News ...

Most of us are acutely aware that 2009 was a tough year for anyone involved in the meetings industry. When the economy took a nosedive in late 20089, few of us were shocked to see organizations limit the number and scope of events that were to be conducted the following year.

But this time it wasn't just an economic slump . . . at the same time, leaders in organizations across the county decided to reject long-standing practices to conduct winter meetings in warmer climes, reward employees with special destinations for must-attend meetings, or expect people to get on plane for anything as mundane as training. After all, the media were shining bright spotlights on companies that took "bailout" money but continued to hold meetings at luxury resorts. No one worried about work for the employees at high-end hotels or the success of various vendors serving the meeting industry-it was far more important to be P.C. and not appear extravagant.

But it appears that things will be different in 2010.

A recent survey conducted by Meeting Professional International and American Express indicates the number of events, the length of those events, and the anticipated attendance are all on the rise. (Good news, Speakers!) However, the same survey also tells us that tight budgets and limited staff will mean that meeting planners and conference organizers in 2010 will need to stretch every possible resource available to them.

So budgets will continue to be strained for the foreseeable future, but at least there should be a few more opportunities for speakers to address meeting attendees or training program registrants over the same period. And I'll just bet that, like me, you'll take all the good news that we can get!

Elevator Honesty

Love it or hate it, the elevator pitch is something everyone must have!

Recently, I was an honoree at the National Association of Women Business Owners' "Good to Great Roundtable" luncheon. The women at my table had specific questions on their minds, all related to communication and success as a female executive or business owner. The first question? "I know I need an elevator pitch, but I hate them! They always seem phoney or promise too much. I've never liked any of the scripted ones I've made. But I still need one!"

I loved grappling with her concern because the Elevator Pitch is one of our exercises at ImprovEdge, and is also featured in the Yes! Deck. An elevator pitch is an introduction that lets people know who you are, what you do, and why they should care in the same time it would take to ride the elevator a few stories up.

My elevator pitch is pretty consistent-I'm lucky to have improvisation in my business which is an immediate hook! "I'm Karen Hough with ImprovEdge. We create learning experiences, consulting and training using improvisation to teach business skills."

But yours can change from day to day. "I'm Susan Superwoman, and my company, Grill Master, makes you the King of Barbeque!" or "I'm Susan, and I work for Grill Master. I just got promoted and I'm so excited!" or "I'm Susan Superwoman, and Grill Master was a perfect fit for me-I got a job and finally learned how to throw a perfect backyard party!"

The key is to HAVE an elevator pitch. No matter what, you must be able to represent yourself and your company smoothly, clearly and in about 30 seconds. Practice different pitches . . . always on your feet and out loud. Then when the opportunity arises, you'll be ready and relaxed.