SPEAKER REQUIREMENTS
This page has the key info you’ll need when booking Shanna, promoting your event and preparing for all the things to run smoothly.
This information includes key details about booking our founder, Shanna, and gives a couple of essential checklists for your event. We'd appreciate it if you could take a look. If you wish to book an ambassador, we're working on that for the near future. Please note - our bookings are very, very limited right now, so, let us know ASAP if you have an event on the way ...
Before booking Shanna, you will also need to be familiar with the content on these two pages:
We can’t wait to come and spend time with you at your event!
Key info
Events where alcohol is served are not a problem: Shanna and Sober in the Country are all about inclusion, no matter the kind of drink in your hand.
All we ask is that hosts to also offer sophisticated, sugar-free, tasty alternatives to alcohol in line with our #OK2SAYNO message and basic social inclusion. If you need ideas, we can help.
Shanna needs a minimum of 30 minutes for most events, and time to play a couple of short videos, but 45 minutes is preferred if possible.
If we're doing big distances - we need a guaranteed minimum crowd size of 60-80 people or more.
We need hosts to use our Approved content for hosts and media to introduce Sober in the Country or when posting on Social Media before events. This is critical because our language is very niche and carefully crafted.
When Shanna travels as an ambassador for Sober in the Country, all speaker fees go directly to the charity as part of our income stream.
If Shanna contributes her time and energy to your podcast or Zoom, Sober in the Country would be grateful if you made a donation to our charity in return.
Costs to book Shanna
Shanna's keynote speaker fees (which go direct to SITC as a 'donation' for us) are custom quoted based on the location and specific details of your event.
In addition to our keynote speaker fee, you will need to budget for costs associated with Shanna's travel: find the detailed breakdown here.
A deposit of $1,000 is required three months before your event.
Deposits are non-refundable if you / the host cancels less than one month before the event.
Please note - we no longer have capacity for pro bono engagements. If you're a fellow NFP - we suggest you check our local grants or sponsorship.
If an event is impacted by weather, natural disasters, or unforeseen circumstances (including COVID 19), this will be viewed as unforeseen losses incurred by the host.
Sober in the Country will not be liable to refund flights, accommodation, car hire, transfers, and other related costs: only the speaker portion of the fee will be refunded if already paid in full.
Checklist 1: Preparing for your event to run smoothly
PLEASE ensure you have a properly working microphone, AND a backup. This is a non-negotiable for us.
Have you tested your microphone and done a thorough sound check? (You'd be amazed how often this isn't checked - and it makes it really tough going... for any speaker.)
Do you have audio / screen capacity and have you confirmed this with Sober in the Country? (We have two short clips to share if possible.)
Another super important one for us is that Shan cannot speak during service. Her ADHD brain doesn't do well at all with noisy distractions. So, we ask that she's ''on'' before or after meal service, with a seated audience.
If your event is a conference, we ask that Shanna is booked into a 'before lunch' time slot? Again - this one is important to ensure you get the very best results.
A forward-facing audience (such as a lecture hall, conference room, or board room) is ideal for us.
Do you have catering beyond sugary soft drinks or just alcohol sorted? If not, here are some ideas to help you out.
Do you have a sparkling water for Shanna on stage?
Have you checked in with us to proof social media & promos? If not, it's here.
We book our own accommodation of choice, and forward on the details from there.
Has your MC got Shan's bio and introduction and any notes Shanna has shared with you for her presentation?
A friendly reminder - it's pronounced: Shanna to rhyme with Anna, Whan to rhyme with swan. (Good luck! hah!)
Checklist 2: Promoting your event
A friendly reminder that any and all flyers, cross-promo material, etc., need to come through us for a quick proof. Just flick us a message via admin@soberinthecountry.org
Relevant and up-to-date / approved images of Shan are here on our Approved content for hosts and media page - so please use these.
Please only use the #OK2SAYNO for events - otherwise, we guarantee you people will presume it's about prohibition. This is super important!
Thanks heaps for helping make sure it's going to be an awesome event ...
... and that your audience will get the most out of Shanna's presentation!
If you have any questions about your upcoming event / Shanna's presentation, please send us a message using our contact form.
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