With all the numerous categories and champions to choose from, meeting planners want to book a sports personality who will deliver the home-run message and create a positive mood for the event. A sports star who is a huge hit with one audience may be totally inappropriate for another. How is a meeting planner to know who is right for their group or event?

The answer is both knowledge and experience. Our Eagles Talent Consultants are among the most knowledgeable in the industry. We have thirty years of in-depth, hands-on experience, working specifically for associations and corporate meeting planners. Eagles Talent Connection knows who the winners are in each field, and who bring with them a successful track record of helping companies produce positive results. The Eagles Talent Connection staff will work arduously for you and your company, wining you as a client continuously.

Explore the possibilities. Search our web site for sport stars in any sports category. We can help you select and book athletes, coaches, and journalists. The fastest way to get what you want is to call us and discuss your requirements. There is never a charge for consulting with one of our experts. With Eagles Talent Connection on your side, you are assured of finding the right sports star, and making your next corporate event a sure-fire success. After all, our mission is your success.

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There are more sports stars than ever before and they all are celebrities in their own right. In addition to traditional baseball, football, basketball and golf personalities, there is also a demand for soccer players, Olympians, and extreme sports stars -- even yoga and fitness celebrities. It's amazing the good will and positive energy a popular sports personality creates by appearing for your organization.

The right motivational sport speakers will contribute greatly to the success of your meeting or convention. However, the type of sports speaker you hire must be appropriate for your particular audience. For example, if your theme is leadership, team building, or peak performance, a football player/motivational speaker may be a great choice. If you're gearing your event for a younger audience, an extreme sports skateboard champion may be the better direction.

Eagles Talent Connection will help you liven up your corporate events, conventions, or trade shows with personal appearances and keynotes by your favorite sports stars or television/print journalists.

It's more than just fame that makes a sports star appealing, it's how appropriate they are for your group. So before hiring a sports personality, we encourage you to speak with one of our Eagles Talent Sports Consultants ensuring that the sports personality whom you would like to hire is right for your particular audience and can fulfill your intended purpose.

We invite you to call us today at 1-800-345-5607, or use our Eagles Talent Request Form.

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What are you expecting the sports celebrity to do?
a. Attend a ribbon cutting
b. Participate in a grand opening
c. Make a presentation
d. Deliver a motivational talk
e. Do a leadership program
f. Engage in a Q&A session
g. Socialize with the organization's elite
h. Sign autographs
i. Do a photo-op
j. Attract attention to a trade-show booth
k. Socialize in the hospitality suite
l. Participate in a celebrity golf outing
m. Endorse or promote a product
n. Do a media tour, etc.

Consider what attributes the spots celebrity needs to possess in order to fulfill their intended purpose for your event.

Also, consider the type of sport celebrity would your audience best relate to.

Here are some traits that you should consult with us when booking a sports personality.

1. Sport Appeal
So you've decided to bring in a sports celebrity to your event; now you'll need to decide on a particular sport. The sport you select can be as crucial as the star, as some sports have more of a universal appeal than others. Your first step is to pick the sport(s) that your audience will most relate to and go from there.

2. Appropriateness
Your second step is to select the perfect sports star who is most appropriate for your event task, be it a speech, pose for photo-ops, sign autographs, or participate in a golf outing, etc. If it's a speaker with a compelling message you're after, Eagles Talent Connection can help. We know which coaches to recommend that will deliver the ultimate leadership or team building programs.

3. Temperament
A star, whose assignment is to attract attention at a trade-show booth, sign autographs, or do photo-ops, needs to have the right disposition. For those situations, you need to look for a star that is friendly, easy going, uses appropriate language, and is very patient. When considering a sports star to mingle with your current or potential customers, you'll want someone who is affable and endearing.

4. Message
In a tight economy, when a person invests time and money to attend a business conference, contemporary audiences like take-home value. When you work with us, we'll assist you in selecting sports stars with an appropriate message, regardless of whether they have a "name." Unless your objective is simply to entertain, you should also judge a sports star's presentation by their ability to ignite, inspire, and motivate your group into action. Some questions to ask when selecting sports personalities are:

a. Do they have a message?
b. What exactly is the message?
c. Does the message conform to your organization's philosophy and policy?
d. Is the message appropriate for your particular audience?
e. Is the message relevant to the theme and purpose of your corporate meeting?
f. Is the message timely?
g. Does the message complement the other speakers on the program?

5. Banquet Speaker
There are many sports celebrities who make excellent after-dinner speakers. These are the ones who will delight your audience with memorable stories, humor, and inspiration. Your Eagles Talent Consultants will be more than happy to recommend the ones who are the best.

6. Dependability
The presenter may be an authority because they have the proper credentials and also excel in delivery, but are they dependable? The last thing you need is to be hassled with presenters who are unreliable or "prima donnas" of the platform. Eagles Talent Connection will guide you towards the best and most dependable speakers. We will find you the presenter who communicates with the meeting planners well before the program date; arrive at the presentation site early enough to prepare; and finish their presentations on schedule.

Results are always the best credentials.

If you need some guidance on finding a speaker, we invite you to call us today at 1-800-345-5607, or use our Eagles Talent Request Form.

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Trade Shows:
Bring star power to your trade-show booth. Attract large crowds to your exhibit by featuring a sports celebrity. They'll sign autographs and pose for photos (with your organization's logo for a backdrop).

Golf Outing:
Make your golf outing one to remember by having your attendees play with a golfing professional. There are several golfing greats who will conduct a special golf clinic for your group. Some will even be willing to tell personal golf stories at your banquet.

Celebrity golf outings need not be restricted to just professional golfers. Celebrities from other sports fields can also be invited to play golf with your peers.

Motivational Message:
Spice up your meetings, and inspire your audience with an upbeat goal-scoring presentation by a sports hero. There are many sports celebrities who are excellent speakers, regaling your audience with personal sports stories, humor, lessons learned, and uplifting messages.

Leadership Programs:
Effectively running a sports team is a perfect metaphor and model for creating an effective company. Eagles Talent Connection can book you successful sports coaches that present outstanding leadership programs. Learning from these well-known winning coaches can help your company raise the bar for learning and results.

Product Endorsements:
Eagles Talent Connection can also assist you in securing a sport celebrity for product endorsements, store openings, special events, and media tours.

If you need some guidance on finding a speaker, we invite you to call us today at 1-800-345-5607, or use our Eagles Talent Request Form.

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Q. Can I get a sport celebrity to come to my event?
Absolutely. Most sport personalities enjoy doing personal appearances. However, their willingness to come to your event is usually contingent on several factors: (a) availability, (b) remuneration, and (c) the nature of the request.

Q. What types of sport celebrities are available to us?
There are hundreds of sports celebrities from numerous sports. Inquire with us if you are seeking a specific sports star or sports category not currently listed.

Q. What can a sport celebrity do for us?
They can certainly ignite a corporate event. Most people are fascinated with sport celebrities. Besides the name value and star appeal they bring; a sport celebrity adds sizzle to a traditional business conference. Depending on a sports celebrity's individual ability, they can...

a. Give a talk
b. Present a seminar
c. Do Q&A session
d. Entertain at a banquet or after dinner
e. Work a trade-show booth
f. Add star power to a grand opening
g. Mingle at your organization's gathering
h. Meet and Greet
i. Sign autographs
j. Pose with attendees at a photo session
k. Participate in a golf outing
l. Endorse a product
m. Go on a media tour

Q. How do I find out which sports personality is best suited for my needs?
We at Eagles Talent Connection will work closely with you to determine exactly what your needs are. Based on our extensive experience, we will guide you through the many choices to make sure that you get just the right sports celebrity.

Q. Is Eagles Talent Connection equipped to get me any sports celebrity?
YES, absolutely! Besides the hundreds of sports personalities already in our database, we have contacts with all the major sports organizations, teams, and athlete representatives. This gives us access to all athletes, coaches and journalists of today, and legends of yesterday. Whether you want an Olympic gold medalist, a Super Bowl champion, a baseball hall-of-famer, or top play-by-play sports analyst, Eagles Talent Connection will get them for you.

Q. What does a sports celebrity cost?
Fees for sports celebrities vary. The fee will depend on both the sport and the status of the celebrity. Your Eagles Talent Consultants will guide you in selecting a suitable sports celebrity to fit your needs and budget.

Q. Will I pay more for a sports star when I book through Eagles Talent Connection?
Absolutely not! Here's why:

a. In most cases, we receive our entire fee from the sports star. On those rare occasions where a high-profile sports celebrity does not pay the bureau's fee, our markup is among the most modest in the industry.
b. Eagles Talent Connection strives for your continuous business. Therefore, we will always find you the best sports personality for your budget.
c. Eagles Talent Connection generates an appreciative volume of business for many sports stars, putting us in a favorable position to negotiate for you. In many instances, we can actually save you money.

Q. Does the fee quoted for a sports star include travel expenses?
Normally, there is an additional charge for airfare, ground transportation, overnight accommodations, food, and incidentals (sometimes arranged as a per diem charge). In addition, there may also be extra charges for technical equipment, especially when booking high-profile sport celebrities.

Working with Eagles Talent Connection, you'll never be surprised or caught off guard by hidden charges. Your Eagles Talent Consultant and Event Coordinator will always explain all charges to you up front. All charges need to be understood, negotiated, and approved before contracts are signed. Your Eagles Talent Event Coordinator will guide you through this potential "financial minefield." It's our job at Eagles Talent Connection to make sure you, our client, fully understand why and what you are paying for, and getting you the fairest deal.

Q. Who makes the sport celebrity's travel arrangements?
Since a sports star's travel itinerary is subject to frequent changes, most sports stars prefer to make their own travel arrangements. This is the most convenient and expedient arrangement for all concerned. Eagles Talent Connection is fully responsible for supplying to you, prior to the engagement date, the sports star's final (detailed) travel itinerary and all other pertinent information. Travel and incidental expenses (as agreed upon and delineated in the contract) are usually billed after the engagement.

Q. Will a sport celebrity sign autographs at my event?
Most will. However, a signing event may cost extra. The scheduling and actual time spent signing needs to be discussed well before the event, and then clearly delineated in the contract. Some sports celebrities can provide, for an extra cost, pictures, cards, balls, bats, hats, shirts, etc., for signing. Your Eagles Talent Connection Consultant will explain to you what's available. Sometimes, it's more economical to have a celebrity sign and ship products to you before the engagement.

Q. Will a sports celebrity be willing to participate in a photo shoot?
Depending on the photo shoot. If the photo shoot is one that takes only a few minutes in which the sports celebrity is shot with the head of the organization and maybe a few of the officers, then most celebrities will be happy to accommodate. However, if the shoot is one in which the celebrity is expected to take multiple pictures with various people, then (like a product-signing event), it may cost you extra; and just like a signing event, it needs to be discussed well before the event, and clearly delineated in the contract. Tip: Picture taking and signing sessions are very effective for drawing a crowd to an exhibit at a trade show.

Q. Will a sport celebrity join us in our hospitality suite?
It all depends on scheduling and the celebrity's preference. Eagles Talent Connection is always more than happy to extend your group's social function invitation to a sports celebrity. These arrangements need to made well in advance of the event. Many celebrities welcome the invitation to join the group for dinner and/or other social festivities, with the understanding, of course, that they may respectfully decline.

When a celebrity is hired for a specific task (such as a speech or to meet and greet and take photos in at trade show booth) then that all they are obligated to do. If, however, having the sports celebrity also join your group's social function, or a golf outing is important to you, then, with the celebrity's agreement, and for an additional fee, special arrangements can be made to include these extracurricular activities within the contractual agreement.

Q. Can Eagles Talent Connection arrange for sport celebrity to do product endorsements and promotions?
YES, absolutely. First, it's important to match the right celebrity to a particular product or service. The endorsement specialist in our office will be more than happy to work with you.

Q. Can Eagles Talent Connection arrange for sport celebrity to do a media tour?
YES, absolutely. It's imperative to get the right celebrity to represent your organization. Often the same celebrity who endorses your product or service will also be the one who will do the media tour. The endorsement specialist in our office will be more than happy to guide you through the process.

Q. What is a "Hold?"
A "hold" is when a sports star, prior to finalizing the engagement, is reserving a particular date for you. Eagles Talent Connection rarely recommends a sports star without first checking to make sure he/she will be available for your engagement. In the event the sports star, while on hold for you, receives a firm offer for the same date, you, as the first hold, will have twenty-four hours to either go ahead and book the sports star or release the hold.

Q. What is a "Firm Offer?"
Some sports celebrities require, from the buyer, what is known in the industry as a "firm offer." A firm offer is a commitment, on the part of the buyer, to book a specific sports celebrity for a specific date at a specified fee. Some sports celebrities will not even consider an engagement unless a firm offer is first put on the table. A firm offer does not guarantee the buyer that the presenter will accept the offer, only that he/she will consider it. If, however, the sports celebrity accepts the buyer's offer, the firm offer is legally binding. Firm offers are usually made in writing and can either be mailed or faxed. Eagles Talent Connection has a special "firm offer form" that we e-mail to you when and/or if required.

Q. What happens in the case that a sports star is unable to attend my event due to an accident, illness or travel difficulties?
Although this rarely happens, Eagles Talent Connection is here to help you twenty-four hours, seven days a week. You will receive, with the paper work for the engagement, both Eagles Talent Connection 24-hour emergency phone number, and the personal cell-phone number to your Eagles Talent Consultant. In the event of a last minute emergency, we immediately spring into action to secure a comparable and professional sports star replacement. Fees will, of course, be adjusted.

In the event the presenter fails to make it to your event in time for his/her scheduled engagement, and you do not wish to accept a replacement, your full deposit will be refunded immediately.

Q. How do we pay for Sports Stars?
The most common arrangement is that 50% of the fee, or a deposit, along with the signed contract is sent to Eagles Talent Connection. The balance is due prior to the presentation/event. Expenses for travel and other incidentals will be billed after the event.

Q. What happens in the event of a cancellation, either by us or by the sports star?
Although usually quite liberal, different sports stars may have different cancellation policies. Each policy will always be clearly outlined in the contract. However, after you narrow down your sports star choices and would like to know their particular cancellation policy before booking them, (this is especially wise before booking a high-priced sports celebrity) Eagles Talent Connection will be more than happy to e-mail or fax a specific sports star's cancellation policy.

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