Dealer Conference and "not so normal request"

[Ann Landers]

I got an e-mail from a person in the auto business and I don't know how to respond, perhaps you all can help. -A.L.

Dear Ann,

Earlier this summer I applied to speak at an automotive event taking place this September in Las Vegas. I was notified that my application had been acccepted to speak. The problem is the contract I was asked to sign included some not so normal request and here they are:

1. I must bring a dealer principal and they must sit in on my class. Failure to procure a dealer principal by the end of July resluts in my forfiter of said speaking engagement.

2. I must agree to solicit and register 10 dealership employees by the end of July.

These are not normal request when speaking at other venues. So my question is; do I tell these nuts to go pound sand or should I comply with their demands? To me this seems very unreasonable since I am not being paid to speak at this event. The people reaping the profits from this event should do their own selling. I don't mind making a promotional video or doing a few social media plugs, but come on Ann, I have my own daily obligations to deal with.

Please provide me with your wisdom!

Dazed & Confused
Anywhere USA

 

[Jeff Kershner]

Re: Ann Landers Needs Help!

Ann,

It's one thing to ask your speakers to help promote an event but to demand it, while having it as a clause in the contract? I'm not even sure how to respond. Once you start questioning practices such as this, you have to wonder what other fine print or gray shaded practices/requests could come to surface.

I am curious to what conference this is in reference too. There are so many to choose from over the next few months.

 

[Jeff Kershner]

Oh - nevermind. I see the tag for this post "Autocon2012".

Maybe this is just a way of encouraging speakers to use all their resources and help get more people to attend. I can't imagine there would be repercussions for not getting this done.

 

[Jerry Thibeau]

I got the same notice and have questioned the selling ten tickets part. The Dealer Principal thing should not be an issue for me. Anyone want to send their DP for free? DP's get in free.

If required to sell ten spots I will probably bail on this conference and just do DD13.

 

[Jim Radogna]

I've been thinking about those conditions since I received the email last week and I'm having a real problem with what I perceive to be some ethical considerations:

In my opinion, the requirement that a dealer principal, who is currently using the speaker's product or service, must be present at the workshop and who's testimony and data must be incorporated into the presentation, is not in the best interest of conference attendees. Where most conferences insist that the speakers don't pitch, it would seem to me that this condition virtually guarantees that there will be a pitch in every session. My goal, and that of many speakers, is to help educate dealer personnel, not share our experiences with clients. Is this really fair to attendees? And how would they feel if they knew going in about this requirement? Where is the transparency?

The requirement to solicit and register 10 attendees is equally troubling. So, if a speaker fails to meet this requirement, the attendees will not have an opportunity to attend their session? The conference brochure is already online and lists the session titles and times. Is the agenda subject to change based upon this "quota"? Again, where is the transparency?

Finally, are speakers chosen on their ability to provide quality education to the attendees or on their ability to sell for the conference organizers?

Of course, my business and personal values are based upon ethical behavior and transparency. I coach my clients, write and speak about these values - so perhaps I'm just biased.