Our Team
Convention Connection is your premiere source for outstanding speakers. With over 25 years in business, no other speaker bureau offers the experience, expertise, or personal service that you will find with us. That’s because we’re more than just a bureau. We’re a part of your team, guiding your to success every step of the way. The speaking industry is constantly evolving, and so are we. By adapting to the latest technology and fine-tuning our speaker selection and systems, we offer dedicated, personal service- event after event, year after year. From speaker selection, research, and contract negotiations, to travel arrangements and contingency plans, we take care of the entire process for you. Our success is defined by the success of our clients. We believe this can only be achieved by developing a strong relationship with you, regardless of your size, budget, or the type of event you’re holding. With a long list of satisfied and returning clients, we have proven our value and expertise time and time again.
What makes us different? In a word: experience. We’ve been in business since 1982, and many planners on our team have been with us for years. Our knowledge of the speaking industry and dedication to our clients is second to none. To make this work, we need to keep their fingers on the pulse of the industry and know what’s happening before it happens. In turn, we pass this expertise along to you.
In another word- attention. From our first meeting until well after the standing ovation, our clients always receive the personal attention they deserve. We know our speakers and what makes them perform at their best. And we listen to the unique needs of each client to customize the best possible solution.
Donny Conn, Founder
Donny Conn is the founder and CEO of Convention Connection. A graduate of the University of Connecticut with a degree in Behavioral Science, Donny first pursued a career in entertainment, earning six gold records with the popular music group The Playmates. He later turned to comedy writing, which opened his eyes to a career in public speaking. When his speaking career took off in 1980, Donny delivered more than 100 speeches a year to all types of groups, ages and interests, including Meeting Planners International, the Society of Company Meeting Planners and the Western Conference Association Executives.
After his speeches, many of Donny's clients would ask him for recommendations for keynote speakers for the following year. Donny began to build a roster of qualified, talented and professional speakers so he could make educated recommendations to his clients, and founded Convention Connection Speakers Bureau shortly thereafter.
Donny Conn's unique perspective as both a speaker and a client has contributed greatly toward the company’s success. Our firm knows first hand how speakers think and what they need. And we knows what clients need and expect from keynote speakers and entertainers to host a successful event.
Donny Conn's Band, The Playmates
donny (at) conventionconnection.net
Kiela Hine, President
Today, industry expert and client specialist Kiela Hine is the President of Convention Connection, and continues to work with the Convention Connection team to book outstanding speakers and entertainment for corporate and association events. In addition to serving at the helm of Convention Connection, Kiela was also the Treasurer of the International Association of Speakers Bureaus (IASB, formerly IGAB).
kiela (at) conventionconnection.net
Barbara Rosenbloom
Barbara Rosenbloom has been with Convention Connection since 1992. Barbara has an extraordinary depth of experience with clients from a wide range of industries, including agriculture, software, healthcarel associations, and in the education space. With 18 years of experience researching, recommending and booking keynote speakers with outstanding backgrounds as well as reasonable fees (including speakers in the $5,000 and less fee range), Barbara Rosenbloom has developed one of the most extensive rosters of value speakers in the business.
barbara (at) conventionconnection.net
Christine Johnson, Online Marketing & Client Executive
Christine Johnson has been involved in the keynote speaking business since 2006; prior to that she worked in artist representation in documentary film as well as marketing and web video editing for one of the largest non-profit organizations in the world. Christine handles the content updates to the website for all of our keynote speakers, as well as the marketing and development of our exclusive speaker Dr. Lowell Catlett. Christine graduated from Wellesley College. She also spent a semester in Poland at the Warsaw School of Economics.
View Christine Johnson's profile
christine (at) conventionconnection.net
Sandy Shaw
sandy (at) conventionconnection.net
Our exclusive speaker Dr. Lowell Catlett gives us a unique position in one of the hottest and fastest growing speaker topics, as we are literally on the pulse of the economy and the concerns of growing and changing corporations and associations worldwide.
Please note that for our exclusive speakers, Convention Connection requires co-brokering entities to be members of the IASB.
Whether you’re planning a large convention or a small corporate retreat; if you are looking for a content speaker to address your industry's challenges, or you want to lighten the mood with a motivational humorist, we have direct access to the keynote speakers you need to pull off the perfect event.
All of the speakers we represent have been carefully screened and expertly selected. We’ve seen them speak live. We’ve spoken to their references. Their demos and materials have been expertly developed. We know their style and strengths. They arrive highly recommended to us, and we do everything we need to in order to highly recommend them to you.
The perfect speaker is right at your fingertips. If you’re not sure where to start, or if you’re ready to take the next step, contact us today at 800-443-9979 to schedule a consultation.
If you are a speaker or feel your services are of interest to our clientele, and you'd like more information about our consultation services, please click here.
You can follow @speakersbureau on twitter too, for updates on speaker previews, rave reviews, and general musings on our favorite and most highly recommended keynote speakers.
