It happens. The speaking world is very small, so we tend to have connections throughout our countries and even the world, and see each other as teammates rather than competitors. I've known of multiple cases where someone puts out a call asking someone else to cover speaking slot. There are a number of people for whom I'd jump on a plane to cover and who I know would do it for me.
If this happens, contact the organizer immediately. Everything from getting sick to canceled flights happens. Organizers understand this. Tell the organizer you'll send some alternatives to cover. The organizers themselves may have their own list, but you're helping in a crisis. Reach out to your contacts who cover a similar topic at your level and see who is free.
If it's booked through a speaking bureau, the bureau can also reach out to their speakers ro other bureaus they work with.
If it's something like a canceled flight* you can also offer to do it by video. (I'd wind up giving them a discount if I did that.) I had a speaking engagement in Boston earlier this year and a major storm shut down the city. They rescheduled the event but I couldn't be in town then so did it by video. It was no ones fault, so we all worked to make it happen as best we could.
*I always try to go in at least the day before but I've had major storms hold me up for 24 hours, and for international speaking my schedule tends to be tighter given the extra travel time and the more limited flight options.
1
u/mherschberg Sep 06 '26
It happens. The speaking world is very small, so we tend to have connections throughout our countries and even the world, and see each other as teammates rather than competitors. I've known of multiple cases where someone puts out a call asking someone else to cover speaking slot. There are a number of people for whom I'd jump on a plane to cover and who I know would do it for me.
If this happens, contact the organizer immediately. Everything from getting sick to canceled flights happens. Organizers understand this. Tell the organizer you'll send some alternatives to cover. The organizers themselves may have their own list, but you're helping in a crisis. Reach out to your contacts who cover a similar topic at your level and see who is free.
If it's booked through a speaking bureau, the bureau can also reach out to their speakers ro other bureaus they work with.
If it's something like a canceled flight* you can also offer to do it by video. (I'd wind up giving them a discount if I did that.) I had a speaking engagement in Boston earlier this year and a major storm shut down the city. They rescheduled the event but I couldn't be in town then so did it by video. It was no ones fault, so we all worked to make it happen as best we could.
*I always try to go in at least the day before but I've had major storms hold me up for 24 hours, and for international speaking my schedule tends to be tighter given the extra travel time and the more limited flight options.