By Daniel Sieberg

During every Presidential election cycle there is a reference to the importance of an emerging technology. Whether it was radio in 1925, television in 1960 or the internet in 1996 or 2000. And today it’s no different thanks to things like social media and mobile devices. But what are some of the emerging trends helping to galvanize voters through technologies like virtual reality, hyper-targeted ads and search data? These are some of the ways that the media, political parties and others are experimenting to elevate voter engagement and interest.

I’ve had the opportunity to cover the elections from a technological standpoint since 2000 when websites were shiny, online polls were new and email lists were the coin of the realm. I also covered the election in 2004 when e-voting machines were increasingly implemented across the nation – often with much hand-wringing by computer security experts. And I covered the events in 2008 when President Obama and John McCain battled it out on social media (we know how that turned out).

Today, we – as voters and media – also have a much greater opportunity to dive into data that helps illuminate voter interest (if not entirely voter sentiment). With Google Trends, which offers anonymized, aggregated data on what people are searching for going back to 2004, we can share everything from search interest around a candidate down to a county or city level, the types of top questions that people are asking about issues and people (e.g. spikes around “how to move to canada” or “what was in hillary’s email?”) and when search interest spikes during live events like debates or candidate forums. And of course there are numerous examples of social media and through YouTube where technology is both a boon and a blunder.

The ultimate goal for technology should be to help inform and educate an interested public and further engagement in the political process. It can also provide fascinating insights into what resonates on the campaign trail and how the media use it to better reach their audiences. I’ve had the opportunity to see it from the sides of both journalism and tech and over an important period in the development of our nation’s digital history. There are some other technologies on the horizon – like virtual reality – that can also give glimpses into what might be next.

For now, suffice it to say, voters are more connected – and sometimes overwhelmed – through technology than ever before. So what are the strategies that work and what have we learned? If history is any indication, both sides of the aisle still have a lot to learn and hopefully the electorate is the ultimate beneficiary.

To bring Daniel Sieberg to your event, call Simply Life Speakers Bureau +91865283500.

The Benefits of Using a Speakers Bureau

Working with a speakers bureau to secure talent for your events ensures that booking speakers, programs and entertainment for your event is the easiest part of your planning process. From developing creative programming ideas to securing the speaker to managing contracts to arranging logistics and travel plans, our experienced staff will be there with you at every step in the process.

Working with a speakers bureau like Simply Life offers the benefits associated with the close relationships we have developed with our speakers over the years; giving you inside access to their schedules and insight as to when there is flexibility in honorarium. In addition to the experience , we’re flexible, so we are always prepared to handle any unforeseen situation that may arise at any point during the process. Ultimately, we work hard to help ensure that your event is a great success!

The speaker you choose for your event will have a huge impact on that event’s success and will be one of the most-remembered aspects of the event to those who attend. This being the case, it is clear that choosing the right speaker is a make-or-break decision that you cannot afford to make on the fly or trust to amateurs. Some of the most important benefits of using a speakers bureau are mentioned below:

• Quick access to a wide and diverse talent pool. Speakers join speakers bureaus to access a larger customer base, and customers look to them to access a concentrated speaker talent pool. Seeking talent haphazardly or on an individual basis would be very time consuming, costly, and unlikely to succeed.
• Assistance in narrowing down the field. At a quality speakers bureau, you will receive expert advice and helpful suggestions on how to pick the best possible candidate out of a large selection. As staff at speakers bureaus keep up relationships with numerous speakers and keep current on the latest developments in their careers, they will have the knowledge-base to help you make a wise pick.
• A source of up to date information on the latest trends in the industry, along with a deep-seated, experience-honed knowledge of what does and does not work in specific situations. Alongside an appreciation for innovation and an unswerving commitment to conform to each client’s wishes, you will benefit from the “long view” wisdom of seasoned personnel.
• A greatly simplified procurement process. The speakers bureau can handle event details and coordinate time-tables. They can deal with contracts, fee negotiations, transport and accommodations. And once you become a return customer at a particular speakers bureau, the process becomes yet more streamlined. Speakers bureaus take the hassle and stress out of scheduling a speaking event.
• By far the most important benefit of all in using a speakers bureau is hiring superior talent. Many of the best speakers choose to connect themselves to events through speakers bureaus, and they may not always be reachable without going through their bureau.

Cautions in Choosing Your Speakers Bureau

While reputable speakers bureaus will be able to help you plan your event and match it with a speaker who will make it significantly more successful, there are also problems that can develop when a low-quality bureau is used. These include:

• Overly high commissions may be charged. The bureau has done you a crucial service and has earned its profit, but take time to check out the general market to see what a competitive rate looks like before making a final decision.
• Only the highest-fee speakers are on their database. Speakers, understandably, vary in the fees they charge based on demand and the value of their time. However, a good bureau should offer a reasonable range of fee levels so clients with different budgets can still use their services.
• Newer speakers barely exist on their roster. A variety, both of old proven and fresh new, talent is desirable. Look for new names and faces, lesser and more widely known personalities, and “intense variety” in the bureau’s speaker selection. 
• Constrictions placed on speakers that curtail communication and customization. It is not unreasonable for a speakers bureau to have some criteria they expect their speakers to abide by, but overkill on contract controls and a ban on communicating with speakers could cripple your ability to organize the event. The best bureaus trust their speakers and have reasonable rules.

​Conclusion

Using an experienced speakers bureau is one of the best ways to ensure you find the best possible speaker to fit your event. Matching speaking talent to specific speaking opportunities takes a large talent pool and a dedicated, highly skilled agent who is willing to work with you through every step of the process. Take the time to choose a superior speakers bureau, and choosing superior speakers will become as simple and stress-free as possible.

Deepa Malik, mother of two, overcame a spinal tumour, 31 surgeries and 183 stitches to win India a Silver medal at the ongoing Rio Paralympics.India's Deepa Malik scripted history when she won the silver medal in the women's shotput F53 event at the Rio Paralympics on Monday, with a personal best throw of 4.61m.

With this herculean effort, she became India's first woman and oldest athlete to ever win a medal at the Paralympics.

Deepa started off with a throw of 4.26m, then registered 4.49 on her second attempt and 4.41m on the third. On her sixth throw, she recorded a personal best of of 4.61m, which ultimately helped her finish second.

"I want to use this medal to support women with disabilities in India. This journey has been wonderful for me and my entire family, I am proud to be the oldest athlete in the team and win a medal."

Deepa is a paraplegic, paralysed from waist down. A spinal tumour confined her to a wheelchair 17 years ago, and she has been unable to walk since then. 

Deepa's distinctions in multiple sports, her various activities including 'Ability beyond Disability', her three Limca Book of World Records and her various medals in swimming at international competitions make her a unique athlete. She holds the Asian record in javelin throw, and also has World Championships silver medals in shot put and discus that she won in 2011.
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Perhaps her most adventurous step till date would be the 3,000 km journey she took from Delhi to Leh and back on a specially enabled car. The hand-controlled vehicle would take her through the Rohtang pass up until the highest motorable pass in the world, the Khardung La, at an elevation of 5,359m, according to a report by The Times of India. This record is especially remarkable when we take into account that Deepa has no control over her bladder and bowel movement and also has no control of her body beneath her chest.

​The Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro may have finished but the world is still buzzing with the thrills the Best Athletes from over 200 countries created over the incredible two weeks - with team India putting in an awe inspiring performance.

Many current and Past Olympic Legends have gone on to  forge highly successful careers as celebrity speakers, sharing their experiences and delighting audiences with anecdotes from their action packed lives. 

Simply Life is proud to offer some of the Biggest names in Olympic sports for booking at your next private or corporate event, as well as other top - drawer speakers who have the most amazing stories to tell from the world of sports. 

If you would like to book any of these fantastic speakers for your next event, call Shipra Kapadia at Simply Life India Speakers Bureau on +918652835000 or email shipra.kapadia@simplylifeindia.com