INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SPEAKERS BUREAUS

Standards for Professional Conduct
(Code Of Ethics)

Overall

1.

Represent fairly and accurately the extent of my background and that of my firm and services in any oral and written communications.

2.

Remember it is an obligation to be completely fair with speakers, buyers and bureaus and to maintain rapport.

3.

Refrain from engaging in any fraudulent, dishonest, immoral, malicious or illegal act.

4.

Whenever appropriate, promptly inform the International Association of Speakers Bureaus of any organization or individual who is engaged in acts or omissions contrary to the provisions of the code.

Speakers

5.

Use best efforts to provide accurate information about the speaker to the buyer.

6.

Honor all commitments both written and oral, in spirit and intent, and strive to assure clarity and mutual understanding of all contractual relationships, provided that no member shall be prevented from seeking redress or filing any grievance in accord with contractual terms or otherwise.

7.

Disclose to the speaker, or to the office representing the speaker, the gross fees quoted to and/or received from buyers.

8.

When requested, maintain the confidentiality of buyers, speakers and member bureaus.

9.

Share ratings of performance provided by buyers with the individual speaker when appropriate.

10.

Remit all monies due to speakers promptly in accordance with agreement(s).

11.

Keep speaker appropriately informed of any changes decided upon by the buyer that might affect the speaker’s presentation.

12.

Take reasonable steps to ensure that both buyer and speaker have a worthwhile and positive experience.

13.

Release "Holds," by phone and/or in writing, on speakers' calendars promptly when the buyer decides upon another speaker, or at the point the bureau determines the sale is lost.

14.

Receive confirmation of availability from the speaker before committing such speaker to a buyer.

15.

Obtain permission from the speaker before using his/her name or their company's name, in bureau promotions.

16.

Communicate and secure agreement with speakers regarding mutual expectations on direct or indirect "spin-off" business.

Buyers

17.

Use best efforts to provide accurate information about the speaker to the buyer.

18.

Honor all commitments both written and oral, in spirit and intent, and strive to assure clarity and mutual understanding of all contractual relationships, provided that no member shall be prevented from seeking redress or filing any grievance in accord with contractual terms or otherwise.

19.

When requested, maintain the confidentiality of buyers, speakers and member bureaus.

20.

Share ratings of performance provided by buyers with the individual speaker when appropriate.

21.

Remit all monies, promptly, due to buyers involved in accordance with agreement(s).

22.

Keep speaker appropriately informed of any changes decided upon by the buyer that might affect the speaker’s presentation.

23.

Take reasonable steps to ensure that both buyer and speaker have a worthwhile and positive experience.

24.

In negotiating between bureau and buyer, use best efforts to notify buyers about such items as: fees, advance deposits, expenses to be billed and selling products from the platform.

25.

Obtain permission from the buyer before using their name, or their company name, in bureau promotions.

26.

Receive confirmation of availability from the speaker before committing such speaker to a buyer.

 

Bureaus

27.

Restrict myself to fair and truthful statements when asked to comment on fellow bureaus.

28.

Honor all commitments both written and oral, in spirit and intent, and strive to assure clarity and mutual understanding of all contractual relationships, provided that no member shall be prevented from seeking redress or filing any grievance in accord with contractual terms or otherwise. In the event of a complaint or grievance against another member, as a first step, I shall notify the other member involved so that all parties may have the opportunity to amicably resolve the matter.

29.

Work out a commission share in co-brokering situations without additional charges to the buyer when possible.

30.

Avoid working for, supporting or lending my name to organizations which indulge in practices contrary to the code.

31.

When requested, maintain the confidentiality of buyers, speakers and member bureaus.

32.

Share ratings of performance provided by buyers with the individual speaker when appropriate.

33.

Remit all monies due to co-brokering bureaus promptly in accordance with agreement(s).

*Each time the word bureau appears, it should be taken to include not only speakers bureaus, but also agents and seminar/rally producers as well.

*Each time the word speaker appears, it should be taken to include not only speakers, but also talent, entertainers, etc. as well.