Gerd Kulhavy in Interview
The renowned speaker agency Speakers Excellence is clearing up the confusing world of speaker mediation and booking with their new live booking platform "Expert Marketplace." Those looking for top-notch entertainment for roadshows, conferences, meetings, or other events can now breathe a sigh of relief. Expert Marketplace puts an end to the laborious search for artists, confusing billing, and uncertainties when booking acts for the big stage. Gerd Kulhavy, Managing Director of Speakers Excellence, explains how the idea came about, what sets Expert Marketplace apart, and why the event planning industry has been waiting for this tool.
Mr. Kulhavy, first of all, could you explain what Expert Marketplace is exactly?
Gerd Kulhavy: In essence, with Expert Marketplace, we wanted to simplify things. For event planners, conference providers, hotels, mediation and management agencies, and other event professionals who regularly work with speakers, presenters, moderators, and show acts. Of course, our platform also serves the speakers and artists themselves. There are already plenty of websites listing stage professionals, but we are taking a big step further. Expert Marketplace offers a platform where the buyer can search for their desired topic or preferred speaker, optionally combined directly with date and location. At a glance, they can see which expert is available and what fee to expect. They receive information on travel cost regulations and can immediately make an option or booking.
Expert Marketplace is a live booking platform. What should we imagine by that?
Gerd Kulhavy: This means that as soon as the customer has found the perfect speaker for their event, they can book them with just a few clicks. Live, indeed. What we have long known and appreciated from the hotel or travel booking industry has now entered the event sector. Once you find a person or a show group of interest, you receive information on availability, conditions, and reviews from other customers. In the first step, you can make a reservation for a week if you are still unsure. Or you can book directly. Instant availability and booking is the motto. The tedious back and forth phone calls are eliminated, everything is immediately visible on the screen. We have utilized digitalization to create something that benefits all parties. A win-win-win situation!
You mentioned reviews that the customer can see on the speaker's profile. What kind of reviews are these?
Gerd Kulhavy: We collaborate with ProvenExpert. All reviews that the speaker has received on Amazon, Facebook, ProvenExpert itself, and other social media or platforms are compiled here. This way, the customer can be sure that nothing is manipulated. What they see is what they get.
Let's talk about costs. Previously, fees and travel expenses were individually negotiated. How does that work on Expert Marketplace?
Gerd Kulhavy: Exactly, that was the second major issue that has consumed a lot of time and nerves so far. Therefore, on Expert Marketplace, we work with flat rates. The customer sees all costs directly on the search results page before booking! Travel costs are calculated using the Google algorithm. The basis is the distance from the speaker's regular office location to the event venue. So, it doesn't matter if the moderator, entertainer, or speaker was previously in Hamburg, Austria, or Bali. The customer pays the travel costs from the usual location.
And what about accommodation and meals costs?
Gerd Kulhavy: We have also significantly optimized the expense reimbursement process. As we all know, the speaker travels for an event in the morning, unexpectedly gets stuck in traffic, time gets tight, then they need a taxi, grab a coffee on the way, etc. Firstly, the customer is always on edge during early morning appointments, and secondly, after the event, it often takes unnecessarily long to collect and settle all invoices and receipts. Therefore, when booking through Expert Marketplace, an expense and overnight flat rate is set for appointments before 11 am and after 4 pm. The speaker arrives on time and is well taken care of, and the customer has a much easier accounting process. In theory, it is even possible to settle the invoice in advance or on the day of the event, thus completing the entire billing process directly at the end of the event.
What other advantages do you see?
Gerd Kulhavy: We have included an option called "Best Deal." Let's say an act is booked for a specific date in Munich. If a second customer then books this speaker for another event in Munich, before or after the first appointment, both the first and second customers receive a 20% discount on fees and travel expenses. So, it's worth checking back frequently and keeping an eye on bookings for a specific speaker. To simplify this, we have incorporated a watchlist into our booking platform.
It almost sounds like an Amazon for speakers, doesn't it?
Gerd Kulhavy: Of course, we have looked to the giants of the market for inspiration. However, we have not simply copied, but tailored elements from successful platforms precisely to our event world. Digitalization is not only changing retail but our entire society. It was high time for the mediation industry to catch up with such an offering. Customer benefits and facilitating daily work are our top priorities. That's why we will also offer the platform as a white-label solution.
What does that mean exactly?
Gerd Kulhavy: Event professionals and major clients such as hotels or agencies can integrate Expert Marketplace as a tool directly into their own website. The interface will be individually branded, and the corporate identity will appear in the platform's frontend. This way, these customers, who not only frequently book and mediate artists and speakers but often have them under contract themselves, have the opportunity to conveniently enter their own speakers into the databases and mediate alongside. Through Expert Marketplace, all the annoying tasks are eliminated. What remains is a seamless process that helps speakers get more gigs and agencies and companies to expedite transactions.
Are there any other features planned for the future?
Gerd Kulhavy: In the VUCA world, nothing stays the same. We are continuously working to make Expert Marketplace even better. We primarily ask ourselves: What still causes uncertainty? Where can we optimize from the customer's perspective? For example, the launch of an app is planned for the fourth quarter of 2018, which will further simplify billing.
Additionally, we will implement a GPS tracking system. This will allow the customer to locate their booked speaker 90 minutes before the start of the event. Similar to what we already know from Uber or MyTaxi. This way, we relieve the customer's tension on the event day. Everyone can look forward to the performance calmly.
Curious?
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