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About Unique Speaker Bureau International

About Unique Speaker Bureau International

About Unique Speaker Bureau International

Creative studio

Creative studio

Creative studio

/who we are

USBI has been operating since 2009 in Africa and Europe.

It’s a hard-learned reality that the right speaker will provide the impetus for action, be the catalyst for change and a motivator for progress. With a unique understanding of the markets it serves, Unique Speaker Bureau International (USBI) has developed the ability to creatively pair the right speakers with the right event, aligning it with the client’s objectives and keeping it within budget.

USBI’s collaborative team of keynote speakers, MCs and program directors (facilitators) are carefully chosen according to their presentation content, professionalism, expertise, experience, depth and collaboration. Often the entire line-up of speakers is chosen from the USBI stable due to the cohesiveness of its team.

900+

Speakers

7150+

Conferences

44

Countries

Our Vision

1

To provide you with an experience , not  just a speaker!

Our Mission

2

We are much more focused on activity targets rather than revenue based targets. Chase excellence and success will follow!

Our Values

3

- Accountable and responsible
- Commitment and belief
- Communication and connection
- Problem solving techniques
- Ethical

1

Our Vision

To provide you with an experience , not  just a speaker!

2

Our Mission

We are much more focused on activity targets rather than revenue based targets. Chase excellence and success will follow!

3

Our Values

- Accountable and responsible
- Commitment and belief
- Communication and connection
- Problem solving techniques
- Ethical
/ Behind USBI /

Meet the team.

Paul Mc Connon

Paul Mc Connon, founder and CEO of Unique Speaker Bureau, was born in a recession back in 2009. This did not stop the go- getter Paul is, from taking a concept and breathing life into it.

More importantly, his ultimate vision was and still is to provide speakers with a home and community.

Sales is in his blood. Coupled with his enormous level of empathy, speakers and clients absolutely love working with Paul as he is always one to listen to your needs rather than just try and sell you the next best thing. 

Paul is a conference professional who is always at the forefront of innovation in the industry.  As the industry faces its most significant challenge, he is using his in-depth experience to lead the way in seeking ways to adapt and explore new frontiers that will see the industry emerge stronger with a more relevant offering for the future world of work.

Together with his vast network of speaker relationships established over many years, Paul and the USB team are helping audiences redefine the industry’s new normal.  

Yusuf Ismail

Head of operations, finance and events, Yusuf always tackles any situation with analytics , structure and most importantly…. FUN!

Having come from the events management space since 2014 , Yusuf understands the fundamentals and intricacies that our clients face on a daily basis when it comes to planning an event and booking the right speaker. 

Having worked with a multitude of speakers on both sides of the fence, he has an in-depth understanding on what makes a speaker add value to a conference from an event managers side as well as from a bureau’s perspective.

His passion lies in creating memorable events and streamlined processes to ensure a favorable ROI to remain fiscally responsible.

He is an avid believer of challenging the status quo as this promotes innovative thinking and change to creating not just a New Normal but a Better Normal.

His motto in life is: “If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at will change”

Melecent Tsotetsi

Melecents’ role as the Traffic manager demands precise judgment. Melecent is adept at anticipating clients' and speakers' needs based on her own calculation and translation of priorities.

With the ability to fulfil the full traffic mix, Melecent always goes the extra mile. 

In every task, she takes proactive measures and can act without requiring surveillance. She's always proactively finding new ways to improve processes and she contributes to the goals of the organization.  

In this fast-paced industry, sometimes the most carefully laid plans can fall apart with little or no warning, but Melecent is flexible enough to deal with situations such as these.

Instead of panicking or giving in to stress, she is able to go quickly into damage-control mode.

Melisa Tsotetsi

Melisa, as you can see is literally the Doppelganger of Melecent. No, you are not seeing doubles. They are identical twins and not just by looks but aptitude as well.

Melisa works extensively on filling the room with guests for all USB showcase initiatives.

Melisa is well structured but at the same time, very flexible to manage multiple briefs and events at the same time. 

Her current project involves managing a weekly showcase every 3 months which provides our speakers with much needed exposure but more importantly, providing our clients with a 3-dimensional view of our speakers.

Melisa’s exceptional copywriting and presentation skills set provides her with the edge to promote speakers not only on paper but on camera as well.

/ Behind USBI /

Meet the team.

Our Regions.

Unique Speaker Bureau East-West Africa

Unique Speaker Bureau International

Unique Speaker Bureau South Africa

Unique Speaker Bureau Australia

Unique Speaker Bureau Eastern Seaboard of USA

Unique Speaker Bureau South East Asia

Frequently Asked Questions

What is different about USBI than other bureaus?

USBI has been operating since 2011 in Africa and Europe. We are a relationship based bureau, not a transactional based bureau. We have developed a 5-star speaker model. That means that every speaker we recommend has reached our standards across 5 areas of professional competency to be at the top of their game. In addition our own model of Fuel, Ignite, Accelerate ensure your event is fuelled with the right preparation, speakers, intelligence and values. It would then be ignited on the day by our speaker carrying out their craft in a 5-star methodology to meet our requirements. Following the event we will accelerate the message by pre-agreed follow up systems and ensure you get the value long term of the message from our speakers.

Why can I rely on USBI to deliver something unique?

Every speaker is fully vetted to our strict values criteria. Our systems are unique and we are relationship based, meaning we aren’t simply sniffing out another sale and moving on. By using USB you don’t only have access to some of the best and most interesting speakers in your country, you access the world. We represent speakers from all six continents, not just local celebrities, who really don’t have much below the facade. Our speakers have lived life, experienced what they share, and are prepared to go the extra mile to ensure you are personally thanked by your participants for the extraordinary event you put on.

Can I just hand over to USBI and you will organise things for me?

We are used to full production events either live or virtual. We can involve the right MC’s, Facilitators, Entertainment and of course International thought leaders to intrigue, provoke and educate your audience, leaving you to focus on your core business and network with your stakeholders during the event.

Why should I become a USBI preferred speaker?

All of our speakers are vetted before being accepted into our 5-star speaking model. We work to fuel, ignite and accelerate your career, by preparing you for international audiences, ensuring you have the relevant business advice to help your sustainability and growth through our partnership with The Octopus Ed-Tech Program and don’t forget. You will be in elite company. We are not looking to have speakers. We are looking for the right people, who meet our values and have a brilliant message and those are the people we will get behind.

What makes USBI different?

We have strong values that we work to and our Fuel, Ignite, Accelerate model focusses on much more than just a transactional talk where you speak and get paid. We are the bridge that builds ongoing work for you and our customers, that could lead to consulting, coaching, training or bringing your whole eco-system to the client.

Why should I consider being a USBI Licensee?

A USBI licensee has true purpose. You get to work with the worlds best thought leaders and major corporations and everyday you will be effecting positive change on this planet. What careers offer that, whilst being fully supported by a highly profitable model that has grown over ten years and thrived during Co-Vid. Each day will bring new opportunity, great connections, fun and the ability to be known as a big player in the personal and professional development field, plus you will have the support of a brilliant team and peers who are just like you to mingle with.

What is expected of me as a Licensee?

Our licensees talk to corporate event planners, executives and events companies daily. We help develop themes, match our 5-star speakers to those themes and stay close to every experience we create. Licensees network, connect, partner and also interview and develop speakers that match our global philosophy.

Let's build better conferences together.

Get in touch to launch your dream event!

Get in touch

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