"SmartTalk series creates live, unforgettable connected conversations
between you and the most extraordinary women in the world."
Karen Menke, Connector-In-Chief
SmartTalk has been bringing women together to experience the power of the spoken word since 1991. In the past several years, SmartTalk has grown into one of the most powerful and entertaining live events in the nation. The core mission of SmartTalk stems from the idea that women are inspired by the heart and voice of other remarkable women. In fact, we became more than just a lecture series but a series of connected conversations. These thoughts, stories and pieces of advice shared face to face create invaluable connected conversations that truly renew, enrich and uplift the spirit.
Collectively, it is our vision to leave our audiences of women thinking of, participating in and experiencing the most connected conversations of their lives. And to feel the transformation that real, SmartTalk is all about. To read more about our vision statement click here...
WHAT IS SMARTTALK CONNECTED CONVERSATIONS?
SmartTalk Connected Conversations is a series of five different lectures, one a month on five different evenings in five markets. The 2012 series starts in January and concludes in May.
Held in theatrical venues throughout the United States, SmartTalk has featured such remarkable women as Julie Andrews, Jane Goodall, Lady Margaret Thatcher and Maya Angelou, just to name a few. More often than not, the speaker reveals a private side not often seen in public, creating an emotional connection with the audience. SmartTalk shares the stories of incredible women who follow their own paths - undeterred by conventional thinking - to spectacular results empowering all those around her. And for those who wish to ask the speaker questions, a question and answer session follows the speaker's story.
WHO SPEAKS AT SMARTTALK CONNECTED CONVERSATIONS?
SmartTalk brings you authors, scientist, celebrities, singers, political figures and so many more!
WHAT ARE THE REWARDS OF BECOMING A RENEWING SUBSCRIBER?
Your loyalty is rewarded in the following ways:
WHY IS SMARTTALK CONNECTED CONVERSATIONS SO POPULAR?
The Speakers Series is so popular because it is a live, interactive and in person experience. Empowering, engaging and uplifting, the SmartTalk five-night subscription series (1 weeknight over 5 months) offers you the opportunity to personally connect with not only the speakers and their authentic stories, but also with other like-minded individuals who attend. SmartTalk sets the stage for the valuable life connections so cherished by all.
WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT ON THE NIGHT OF A SERIES?
Each night starts with your local community taking time to show you what they offer and how they support women. Then the host opens with a few welcoming remarks. After that the moderator comes on to introduce the speaker for the night. The speaker then delivers a 45-55 minute talk on their life and personal insights. During this time ushers are collecting your questions on the cards provided. After the speaker has completed their talk the moderator sits down with the speaker and proceeds to ask YOUR questions. SmartTalk ends at 9:30 at night (unless there were unforeseen delays). There will also be a meet and greet VIP session either before or after the talk depending on the market. This is a time to get photos with the artist, have a brief moment to talk to them and all the while enjoying great food and company!
WHAT IF I DON'T AGREE WITH A SPEAKER'S VIEW?
Smart Talk is a forum in which our audiences can share in the diversity of opinions that our artists bring to center stage. The freedom our artists have to express themselves is, in itself, what has earned SmartTalk the reputation of being the best women's lecture series in the country. Our objective is to fill hearts and minds with the unique perspectives our artists bring to each season. We hope that you can appreciate points of view that may not be your own and allow this to be an opportunity to encourage further discussion and conversation with your colleagues, family and friends.
The biggest comment we get from patrons is the speaker that they didn't know about or thought they wouldn't like is often the one they end up enjoying the most. So it's great to get to know the views and opinions of others as often it changes the way we see things! Remember this is about the artist's private life and often what happened in their life is how they came to that point of view.
IS SMARTTALK ONLY FOR ADULTS OR ONLY FOR WOMEN?
No on both accounts!
We welcome all ages, though please contact us to see if any adult topics will be discussed (since this is about the artist's private life) for anyone under the age of 18. We have many testimonies of families who come together or multi-generations making this the night they reconnect!
Men are always welcome and have received very positive feedback from men who have attended. The artist we bring have great stories no matter what your gender!
WHY IS IT SOLD AS A SERIES?
Selling tickets as a package ensures a more consistent audience throughout the season for you to build a meaningful rapport with fellow SmartTalk patrons. As well, you will enjoy the cumulative impact of experiencing all five evenings of our speakers in the series, not just one night. In other words, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.
Also, selling it as a series allows us to advertise the Speakers Series at one time and reduces the overall cost of the Series. If we had to advertise and market each individual lecture, the cost for the Series and the ticket prices would be substantially higher.
Tickets are only sold as a series subscription to all five events in the fall. On occasion, inventory permitting, single events and special packages may become available; check with the ticket office for details.
If a series is not sold out then tickets remaining will be sold as a sweries only at a prorated price for the remaining events.
SmartTalk ConnectedConversations™ is a division of Smart Talk Media, LLC
Smart Talk Media, LLC is a privately owned, multimedia company based in Tampa, Florida.
It is often the speaker whose views we don't agree with, or who we think we won't enjoy, who is the speaker that we often end up enjoying the most! It is often that these speakers change our views and opinions and intellectually stimulate us! While one may not agree with that view of the speaker, the point of the series is to bring to the community distiquished people who are telling their personal stories.
Sometimes speakers challenge our views, opinions and intellectually stimulate our thinking. It's helpful to be wise of other thought processes and opinions. You are not expected to agree or accept the views just because he or she is famous. If you do not agree often during the Q&A it's a good time to ask the speaker questions, challenge their views or a chance to express your views.
Hopefully we will always have speakers whom you disagree with - otherwise our series would be boring! There is tremendous value in having diverse opinions! So though you may not agree with them - they will at least give you and your girlfriends something to talk about!
This is what makes our country and our series so great - diverse opinions!
By contract, we are prohibited from distributing the program in any form. Some speakers allowed their talks to be recorded for archival purposes only.
When dealing with such high-profile people there is a small chance that a postponement or substitution of a speaker will occur. This has happened a few times in the past. When you purchase tickets to the series you must assume this very small risk. Our brochures and forms state that speakers are subject to substitutions and or rescheduling. We make every attempt to reschedule the same speaker at a later time or bring in a comparable speaker ont he same date.
Audio/Video recording as well as the taking of still photos by audience members is strictly prohibited. At this time we are not able to provide audiotape, videotape or transcript of the events and any recording we make is for archival purposes only.
Email us and let us know why SmartTalk needs to come to your city. You might even be able to become one of our ambassadors and receive special benefits that ordinary subscribers don't receive.
We encourage businesses, corporations, media, charities, schools, and various others to connect with us about sponsorship - it provides you direct access to a focus group of 1,400 to 2,700 of the most sought after demographic in the country.
Please contact us at customerservice@smarttalkmedia.com. We will set up a phone meeting with your company to discuss your sponsorship needs. The next step would be to customize a sponsorship package specifically for your company.
We also encourage all our prospective sponsors to attend one of our shows to get a better feel of the experience.
We have also had companies who for a myriad of reasons choose to buy large blocks of tickets, rather then do a formal sponsorship. That’s great, too!
We’re here to provide opportunities, experiences and inspiration on all levels.
A team of SmartTalk staff along with outside opinions from sponsors and partners brainstorm about the best women (and men) to bring to the series based on several catagories like authors, celebrities, political figures, important women of our time, etc. After months of planning and picking various women the process of finding out if they can come on the dates the venues have given us begins. Once we have aligned a speaker with a date we secure them for the next season by signing contracts. This process often takes a lot of time and thought because we want to bring you a balance of different topics and different lives.
The date tickets are sent varies by city and season, the ticket office will usually confirm a send date at time of purchase. If you are concerned please contact the ticket office.
The events last approximately 1.5 hours.
Format: 45 – 55 minute talk directly followed by a 30 minute moderated question and answer period. Bring a pen, questions cards will be provided in the evening program. No intermission.
Men are indeed welcome and some do attend and enjoy the series but they are definitely outnumbered!
On sale dates vary by city and season, however renewal information and descriptions of the speakers are mailed at the end of the season to all current subscribers. Current subscribers are given three weeks to respond before tickets are sold to the wait list and public consumers.
You may email us your name, address and a daytime phone number, and we will be happy to add you to our waiting list.
Seats can only be purchased through the ticket office as a series subscription to all five events and are renewable from year to year. Renewing patron’s are given a protected period to purchase before public sale. On occasion, inventory permitting, single events and special packages may become available; check with your ticket office for details.
As a Renewing Subscriber, your loyalty is rewarded in the following ways:
We are frequently asked why tickets are sold only as a series and why individual lecture tickets are not always available. There are several reasons.
First and foremost, selling it as a series allows us to advertise the Speaker series at one time and reduces the overall cost of the series. If we had to advertise and market each speaker lecture (five times for each city) the cost for the series and the ticket prices would substancially be higher (more than double).
Second, speaker fees, security and travel have increased tremendously since we first started in 1991. By selling as a series we can afford to bring world class women to our series.
In addition, if tickets for individual lectures were sold, then it no longer would be a "series". By attending a full series you do not end up chosing your favorites only and missing the ones you don't know or agree with. The vast majority of our patrons have discovered that they get more out fof the series if they attend every lecture. They often find that the one they thought they wouldn't like becomes their favorites - don't believe us -read the testimonies on our website!
No - the series is a unique opportunity to share something inspirational with high school and college age students. Often, depending on the speaker, younger children may enjoy hearing her story as well! It provides a wonderful opporutnity for family dialogue on important issues such as politicts, current events, books, authors and inspiring women!
The series is so popular because it is a "real" live in person experience. Unlike television it's an interactive experience! It's a chance to hear from famous and empowering women such as Margaret Thatcher, Diane Keaton, Goldie Hawn, and more! They tell their personal "behind the scene" stories and let you into their lives. The speakers have a chance to elaborate at length about their lives opposed to "TV sound bites. When you hear and see them speak and have a chance to ask them questions directly, you can assess and develop your own opinion of the speaker as well as take away a great message that you can use in your life!
It's also a wonderful way to learn about a variety of subjects: history, international affairs, politics, current events, etc. Just think how many people in the world actually have an opportunity to hear, see and even meet these famous people in person! Often friends and small groups gather after the program to discuss the speaker and their topics - so it offers a chance to spend time with friends and family!
SmartTalk has been bringing women together to experience the power of the spoken word since 1991. Through a subscription of the series, you are exposed to the thoughts and insights of some of the most empowering women of our time! Our speakers share with the audience their unique and PERSONAL experiences and perspectives on a wide range of topics - politics, history, science, authors, busines and even arts and entertainment!
The series consist of 5 evenings begining in January and concluding in May.
