What Meeting Planners Say

We get it. You've got a big job and the speaker you choose can make or break your event. With HWA, you are not alone.

Meeting planners all over the world call us after their events to thank us for helping them choose the right speaker, prepping speakers in advance and smoothly handling all of the logistics. We know you have a million things to do to get ready for your event, and we partner with you to make your keynote, panel or fundraiser a whopping success. If you don't know where to start with speaker ideas, the best place to start is by calling us; we're happy to chat and questions are free. That kind of openness leads meeting planners to say the nicest things about us, and we love them right back.

Speakers thank us for giving them the opportunity to meet with interesting, engaging audiences like yours, and that's one reason speakers love us, too!

What Meeting Planners Say About HWA

"I must start with Carolyn Boylan who was absolutely the best.  Her preparation from day one was a 10+.  Carolyn was organized, from the green room to the Meet & Greet, we had all details planned and in action. When she arrived for the walk thru, all details were in place, ready for Matthew's appearance and the event was already a success. I want to give a huge 'thank you' to Carolyn, I cannot say enough about her assistance. Carolyn is a professional!!"

Texas Apartment Association

"We could not have asked for better partner to help us navigate the twists and turns…Thank you!"

PayPal

"And thanks to you and your amazing team for helping us make this happen! I spent the last five years working for Senator Barb Mikulski and she always says, 'behind a 'me' is a whole lot of 'we'.' We could not have done this without all of you!"

Johns Hopkins University

Marie Polk ’08
Donor Engagement, Events and Special Projects Manager
University Advancement
Rowan University

"Maya, You were fantastic! Thanks for taking care of the logistics of flights, hotel and transportation. I appreciate all your help with navigating the contract and getting updates from Dr. Jemison’s team. You were very quick with responses and approvals. I appreciate you!"

Rowan University

"Thank you so much for rising to the occasion and really supporting us on very short notice. We truly appreciate it and look forward to working with you and your team in the future."

Croda Inc.

"Everything with Diana was AMAZING! Not only was her keynote incredible, but working with her and Deidre was so smooth. We are very grateful for all you and your team did to make it go off without a hitch and we’re hopeful Diana had a great experience too."

Dallas Regional Chamber

Carly and Adam

"Thank you for everything you and your team did behind the scenes to make our event run so smoothly. We have worked with a couple of other speakers bureaus for our virtual events and we have had the best experience with you and your team. I will definitely be reaching out to you first for any future speaker booking needs."

Carly and Adam

"Thank you so much for helping us make this happen. We definitely look forward to working together again in the future."

Commonwealth Financial Network

"Thank YOU for the great partnership.  You were wonderful to work with and I hope we get the opportunity to this again in the near future."

Advance Auto Parts

"Thank you for your partnership. Looking forward to future events with more amazing speakers!"

American Express

"Thank you for all your help along the way in making our event successful. I am looking forward to collaborating on many more events in the future. Thank you for your continued support."

AppDynamics

"Just got off the phone with Maya to thank her for her outstanding logistical assistance on the appearance we were privileged to have with Joe Theismann. Thank you very much for making this happen. We look forward to working with you again on the next opportunity in utilizing the exceptional talent within Harry Walker and those of whom your colleagues work so hard in representing every day."

Federation of Defense & Corporate Counsel

"It was such a pleasure working with you and your team on last night’s Post-Election Analysis event... The event was a huge success and we are so appreciative of your coordination and hard work! I look forward to working together on many more events in the future."

UJA-Federation of New York

"It's been a pleasure working with you at Harry Walker, and I will definitely recommend your service to my colleagues in the future."

Furman University

"Truthfully, we couldn’t be more satisfied with the experience of working with the Harry Walker Agency."

National Rural Electric Coop Association

"Thank you for the tremendous work behind the scenes to ensure our event with Sunny Hostin was a success. You did a terrific job as our intermediary, and we always knew you would follow through on any question or issue that came up. Thank you for your professionalism, your great service, and your thoughtfulness in working with our team. We hope to work with you again as we plan our future events, so we will stay in touch!"

Chrysalis Foundation

Bryant University

"[You were] a tremendous help to us in making the transition from…a live conference to a virtual conference. It was the only choice that we had other than cancelling the Women’s Summit, and we are so glad that we held it virtually."

Bryant University

"HWA was a pleasure to work with and kept everything on time, on target and organized. [The speaker] also had great words to offer about HWA saying he had the opportunity to work with different agencies but what appealed most was the small-business aspect and personal service. He said he was proud to be a part and to DO his part to support such an organization! We will definitely utilize HWA again."

The American College of Financial Services

Christa Watkins

"It went so, so well. Thank you so much for helping over the past YEAR (or something close to it). Your assistance was incredible. Wendy and her staffer were so kind and everything went smoothly. They took the time to meet with so many students throughout the course of the day, and I have been receiving great feedback so far. We get our new year club allotment soon, and maybe we could start planning a second event then?"

Notre Dame

"As usual you were a tremendous team working wonders for us."

Texas A&M

Dallas Bradley

"They were so comfortable with our small group (we had about 80 people in attendance) and spent over an hour afterwards talking in small groups with everyone. We moved the book signing to pre-meeting, more at their suggestion, and then they had the additional time with our group afterwards. Thank you for making the process so simple."

Constellation Brands

"I want to thank you for all of your help securing Kofi Annan for our International Fundraising Conference. He was delightful and left our audience feeling so hopeful and inspired. I want to recognize your hard work to coordinate all of the details and logistics to bring him to our event. Everything ran like clockwork and we are all deeply appreciative of your responsiveness and attention to those myriad small details."

AFP

Carrie Robinson

"Working with your agency was great. It was fantastic that you proactively set up a prep call with [the speakers]. It was really helpful and it's not something that other speaking agencies usually do... This experience has definitely put you on my short list if we do this meeting again next year. Thank you so much for all of your help."

PhRMA

Meghan Cummings, Assistant Executive Director, The Women's Fund of The Greater Cincinnati Foundation

"We really appreciate and value our relationship with HWA and are already looking forward to continuing the partnership. Your service is top notch and your ability to help us find the perfect speaker for our cause is unmatched. Thank you for making this an enjoyable process."

The Women's Fund of The Greater Cincinnati Foundation

"Now that we all had some time to review the evening there is only one thing to say to you and your team at Harry Walker: THANK YOU! Thank you for the great assistance and always prompt cooperation in advance, such great work together is really helpful. Should we need speakers in the future you will definitely hear from us again, that is for sure!"

Reemtsma Liberty Award

Douglas P. Horner, Program Chair, 
IPT Annual Conference, ConAgra, Inc.
in a letter to HWA agent Suzanne Manzi

"Your attention to detail and being responsive to certain sensitive issues during our selection process was especially helpful. In order for the IPT to have the excellent selection of speakers available at next year's annual conference, I'm providing the name and address of next year's program chair."

ConAgra, Inc

Major DC Trade Association

"The Harry Walker Agency is a ‘top notch’ speakers bureau. From the beginning of our conversations to the end, we had a seamless experience which is hard to find."

Major DC Trade Association

Kelly Strayhorn Theatre
Pittsburgh, PA

"Everyone at Harry Walker was an absolute pleasure to work with. Your process and communication trumps the contact I've had with many other artists' agents and management. Thank you!"

Kelly Strayhorn Theatre Pittsburgh, PA

"Your attention to detail and prompt response to all issues of concern was incredible. Because of the excellent service you have provided to us, we have strongly recommended The Harry Walker Agency to several other organizations."

Regent University

Ric Bachrach, CEO, Celebrity Focus 
in a letter to HWA President Don Walker

"We have worked with just about every agency in the country, but I have never dealt with a shop as 'customer satisfaction' oriented as yours. You should be very proud of your team. It's the best I've ever seen."

Celebrity Focus

"This is our second consecutive year working with Harry Walker for our main events; we continue to enjoy our relationship with you and find you have the type of speakers that connect with our health care practitioner base."

American Academy for Anti-Aging Medicine

Pete Warren, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Virginia
in a letter to Ambassador Andrew Young

"I want you to know that the Harry Walker Agency was wonderful to work with. They provided us with the necessary information in a timely manner and were always helpful with any questions we had. You have an excellent agency representing you."

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Virginia

Nevada Policy Research Institute

"It has been a pleasure working with you. We couldn't have been more pleased with the level of professionalism of all the staff at the Harry Walker Agency, and look forward to working with you again."

Nevada Policy Research Institute

American Civil Liberties Union - Oregon

"[You were] a joy to work with. We were always so appreciative of [your] quick responses and attentiveness."

American Civil Liberties Union - Oregon

Russell Hancock, President & Chief Executive Officer, Joint Venture: Silicon Valley Network

"You were all a complete pleasure to work with. Thanks for being first-rate professionals, and lovely people besides."

Joint Venture: Silicon Valley Network

Milton S. Eisenhower Symposium, 
Johns Hopkins University

"You have been a pleasure to work with, and I will encourage next year's chairs to work with you and your agency to continue bringing exciting and interesting speakers to campus!"

Johns Hopkins University

Julie L. Semmel,
Administrative Assistant, 
Federated Clover Investment Advisors (Formally known as Clover Capital Management, Inc.)

"As usual, the level of service and attention to detail provided by The Harry Walker Agency was of the utmost caliber."

Clover Capital Management, Inc

Liz McKellar, Sales/ Marketing Coordinator, Daikin America, Inc.
in a letter to HWA agent Susan Simmons

"It was truly a pleasure to work with you on this major event, and your outstanding service was greatly appreciated. I look forward to working with you again soon to create another spectacular event."

Daikin America, Inc

PennAg Industries Association

"The Harry Walker Agency is the 911 of the convention industry."

PennAg Industries Association

Daniela Reik, Director, National Corporate Development, Anti-Defamation League
in a letter to HWA President Don Walker and Managing Director Ellen Kazis-Walker

"This is a letter I take great pleasure in writing. We have had a long history with the Harry Walker Agency. On Monday afternoon I received a rather flustered call from colleagues in Chicago. Their speaker, booked independently from another agency, for their event on Tuesday had just canceled. The situation appeared unsalvageable and then I called Ann Shavrick, with whom I have had the pleasure of working with for several years. For the next 24 hours, she was nothing less than superb, working with me (well into the night) to come up with a list of speakers suitable to the crowd, honoree and budget, contacting each of them in turn to ascertain availability and securing an excellent choice. Michael Goff and Kirtley Perkins then seamlessly took on the logistical and contractual issues. As a client, I could not have felt more comforted, comfortable and confident in the good hands of Ann Shavrick and the Harry Walker team."

Anti-Defamation League

Kevin R. Johnston, CMP, Director, Strategic Events, CoreNet Global

"I just wanted to take a second and tell you how much I appreciate you, your staff and the Walker agency. As you can imagine, I get called by every, I repeat, EVERY speakers agency and bureau in the country. The thought of large commissions that accompany big ticket speakers has put me on the targeted prospect list. The difference that I have seen in you and Harry Walker is that your service level exceeds expectations...an often lost art in our fast paced world. Thanks to you, Denise, Don and all at your agency that make my life easy enough to not have to shop when it comes to our speaker needs."

CoreNet Global

Jesse Cook-Dubin, Dartmouth College Hillel, Hanover, NH

"On behalf of our leadership I want to thank you and the Harry Walker Agency for your help. We could not have pulled this event off on our own. You will definitely be hearing from us the next time we look to bring in a speaker."

Dartmouth College Hillel

Trish Tague, Marketing Director, 
KWQC-TV6

"I just wanted to take a minute and drop you a note to tell you what a stress free and productive experience it is working with your agency. I have worked with various agencies for over 12 years and I congratulate you on being the easiest to deal with and the most efficient. Thank you for making my job easier."

KWQC-TV6

A.J. Davenport, Jr., RPh, 
President & Executive Creative Director, Dover Communications, Inc.

"I just wanted to let you know that every meeting we have done with your speakers has been perfect both in terms of the performance of the actual speaker and the service that I receive from you and the rest of your agency. I enjoy working with you, and look forward to other opportunities in the future."

Dover Communications, Inc

Emily M. Gesuale, W. P. Carey School of Business School of Health Management and Policy, Arizona State University

"Your organization is extremely easy to work with. Given the level of stress an event like this can have on all parties it is great to work with a group of people who demonstrates such professionalism."

Arizona State University

Deborah K. Gaffney, Director of Conference Planning, Tax Executives Institute

"I look forward to working with you again when the occasion arises. You guys are the 'pro's pros', and it was a pleasure from start to finish."

Tax Executives Institute

Jewish Home Foundation of North Jersey, Inc.

"I have been doing this for over 12 years and have never had such a seamless, trouble free event with a speaker or entertainer. I hope our relationship will be ongoing."

Jewish Home Foundation of North Jersey, Inc.

Tim Parrott, Executive Director, Desert Town Hall - Indian Wells & Indian Wells Youth Town Hall

"You have invested WELL in technology and made it easy for the client to use your agency ... A hearty GOOD JOB to you for leading the most technologically advanced speaker agency in the U.S.!"

Desert Town Hall - Indian Wells & Indian Wells Youth Town Hal

Carl Hoffman, 
Chairman, Shir Ami Speakers Forum

"I went into this project with a great deal of apprehension, never having done anything similar to this in the past. I will not hesitate to undertake an event like this again, owing in a great part to your efforts and those of your Agency. You were there every step of the way, as you said you would be. Every phone call was returned, every question answered, and every doubt erased. I look forward to working with you again."

Shir Ami Speakers Forum

Florida Atlantic University Foundation

"All of the arrangements went forward with the usual Harry Walker standard of excellence we have come to expect in our numerous engagements that we have booked with you."

Florida Atlantic University Foundation

Girls, Inc. of Greater Houston

"What could have been a time consuming or complicated effort was instead a very smooth, thorough and well orchestrated process. You have an impressive team!"

Girls, Inc. of Greater Houston

California State University

""The evening was a total success! The lecture sold out in just over two hours! I want to thank the Harry Walker Agency for your high standards of performance during all phases of the contractual relationship. I look forward to our achieving future successes together!""

California State University

The Norfolk Forum, Inc

"Let me say that of all the agents that we work with, you and the Harry Walker Agency stand head and shoulders above the rest."

The Norfolk Forum, Inc

Queens College

"You really went the extra mile for us."

Queens College

Dean Witter Reynolds

"You were an absolute pleasure to deal with."

Dean Witter Reynolds

Deby Engelmyer, Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia

"It was a pleasure working with you these past few months. I appreciate your availability and promptness to my requests. We always have a positive experience working with the Harry Walker Agency."

Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia

""I have to tell you – it was a true joy working with you. All the details were buttoned up and it made my job much easier.""

A Premier Financial Group

Valerie Hughes Zieniuk, Associate Director of Alumnae Relations

"Thanks to you and your team on helping and guiding us – from speaker selection to the last minute details. We could not have had such a great event without your support. Thank you. I look forward to reconnecting with you in late spring/early summer as we start the process of securing a speaker for the L’Hommedieu Lecture."

Douglass College, Rutgers University

Joe E. Nordgren

"First, I enjoyed partnering with Ms. Kara Sheehan while arranging the details for Captain Phillips’s visit to Lamar. All email exchanges were clear and purposeful, which made planning the event very stress-free and efficient, particularly for a rookie like me."

Lamar University

Bernd G. Heinze, Esq., Executive Director AAMGA

"I did tell Bill [Rancic] how wonderful it is to work with you, Lily and HWA. Thanks for pulling this one out of the hat for us."

AAMGA

Pam Leissner

"Everything went off without a hitch! The dinner the evening before the luncheon went very well and the ballroom was packed with 360 people for the luncheon, which is a sold-out crowd. We really enjoyed working with both you [Suzanne] and Kara and would like to do so for next year’s event, which we will begin working on very soon."

San Antonio Medical Foundation

"I also would like to say how much I appreciate your's and Carolyn's thoroughness and promptness. You both made this process much easier than it had any right to be. We certainly hope to have the opportunity to work with you again in the future."

Cleveland Hillel

"Quite honestly there was not a single hiccup in any aspect from the beginning of our planning together through to last evening."

Ohev Shalom of Bucks County

"Beth and Jackie, thank you both for all your efforts in making it happen! Beth, if it hadn’t been for you talking directly with the speaker and explaining our request, I don’t think we could have made this happen. I’m so grateful for you taking the lead. Jackie, I appreciate all your patience and hard work behind the scene to make this engagement so flawless. You have always been right there, providing guidance, answering my questions and making sure that I was in compliance with everything. Thank you for all kindness and diligence. You made this a painless process!"

Geneological Institute on Federal Records Alumni Association

"I do hope to work with you and the Harry Walker agency again in the future. It was a great experience!"

Wacker Chemical Corporation

"Thank you, thank you, thank you! You and your team are wonderful to work with."

Planned Parenthood of Southern New England

"Carolyn is totally on the ball with the logistics with makes sure that no detail is left out. I never worry about a thing when she’s were working on it. Your whole team makes this as easy as possible from start to finish and we are always so appreciative. Thank you!"

Jewish Federation of Chicago

Dr. Darcey Merritt

"The event was absolutely wonderful and well received! It was a distinct pleasure working with you and I'm hopeful we can work together again."

Society for Social Work Research

"Thank you for all of your help and I will be sure to reach out for our next one!"

Merck

"Thank you so much for all your help on getting our first virtual event off the ground. It turned out really well."

JF Maddox Foundation

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