Maya Angelou, Dr.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I buy individual tickets?

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.

Q: Who is SmartTalk Media?

SmartTalk ConnectedConversations™ is a division of Smart Talk Media, LLC
Smart Talk Media, LLC is a privately owned, multimedia company based in Tampa, Florida.

Q: What if I don't agree with the speaker's views?

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!

Q: Can I get an audiotape, videotape or transcript of the talks

By contract, we are prohibited from distributing the program in any form.  Some speakers allowed their talks to be recorded for archival purposes only. 

Q: Why are there no refunds for a postponement or substitution of a speaker?

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.

Q: Can I make or get an audiotape, videotape or transcript of the talk?

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.

Q: How can I help bring SmartTalk to my city?

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.

Q: How do I become a sponsor?

  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.

Q: Who decides who speaks for SmartTalk?

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. 

Q: When do I receive my tickets?

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.