From time to time, organizations and businesses need to bring in a speaker to make a presentation to their group. Obviously you want that person to be a perfect fit for your event. The resources of the Cleveland Speakers Bureau can help you find the right person to educate, inspire, inform or entertain your group.

Note that the web listings are a work in progress and only a sampling of the many quality presenters we have in our database. Many of the speakers are local to NEOhio. Some are based elsewhere but may be willing to travel. Please contact us with your specific needs.

If you are an expert in a topic and interested in making presentations to groups, let us know for inclusion in our list.

International Business, Globalization, China, India, and Finance Topics

Dr Aggarwal is Dean of the University of Akron's College of Business Administration and the Frank C. Sullivan Professor of International Business and Finance.

He has lived and worked in Japan, Singapore, India, Australia, Ireland, and Sweden, and is widely traveled in Europe and Asia.

Raj has been the Keynote speaker for groups such as the Irish Economic Association, Association of Japanese Business Studies, Pacific Asia Management Institute, Association of Individual Investors, National Association of Accountants and others.

Presentation topics include:

• Finance and accounting
• International Business
• Strategic analysis in the financial, retail, and industrial sectors.
• China
• India
• Globalization

Business Management, Leadership, Manufacturing, Technology, Journalism

CEO and Founder of The MPI Group, a Cleveland-based management research firm, Brandt has spent more than two decades studying leadership in effective, purpose-driven organizations. He is an internationally recognized expert on management and technology, lecturing frequently in U.S. and abroad.

He is an expert on how companies and communities can adapt themselves to the realities of new markets, new corporate structures, and new customer expectations.

Most recently, Brandt served as President, Publisher and Editorial Director of the Chief Executive Group and prior to that, was publisher and editor-in-chief of IndustryWeek.

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IT Security - Career Strategies - Women in Technology

Debbie's background includes twenty years of Fortune 500 experience as an IT and enterprise IT security manager with Intel Corporation, across the US, Europe, and Greater Asia.

She works with companies and individuals to leverage and grow security and career strategies through management consultation, speaking and training, and writing services.

Presentation topics include:

• Women in Technology
• IT Security Career Strategies
• Business Contingency Planning
• Outsourcing
• Security Auditing
• Security Awareness
• IT Certifications

Innovation - Inventors in large organizations - Medical technology - Technology Transfer

Chris has been Executive Director of The Cleveland Clinic Foundation Innovations (CCFI) since its establishment in 2000 and is responsible for all activities and outcomes of the department.

He is a recognized authority on technology commercialization and has consulted and spoken on the subject throughout North America and in 18 countries.

Presentation topics include:

• Innovation
• Inventors in large organizations
• Entrepreneurship
• Creating start up companies
• What's new in medical technology
• Technology Transfer
• Cleveland - what can it look like 25 years from now
• How to leverage national trends from a mid-size mature city
• Using recreation to create the communities that we want

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Software Patents, Federal, state, and local policy towards technologies such as broadband, alternative energy, nanotechnology, and life sciences.

Roland J. Cole, J.D., Ph.D. is the Executive Director of the Software Patent Institute, a nonprofit corporation formed to provide courses and prior art about software technology to help improve the patent process.

He also serves as Director of Technology Policy for the Sagamore Institute for Policy Research. The mission of SIPR is to provide independent and innovative research to a world in progress.

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Intellectual Property for Small Businesses, Patenting Inventions in the US and Abroad -- Economically.

John Cunniff is an Associate with Hahn Loeser and focuses his practice in Intellectual Property and Technology; and Patent, Trademark, and Copyright Law.

Presentation topics include:

• Intellectual Property for Small Businesses
• Patenting Inventions in the US and Abroad -- Economically

Intellectual Property Litigation, including patent, trademark and copyright infringement, as well as theft of trade secrets.

Mike Garvin is a Partner and Co-Chair of Hahn Loeser's Intellectual Property and Technology Team.

Mike has significant experience in the litigation and arbitration of a wide variety of intellectual property and technology-related disputes, including U.S. and international patent infringement (computer, medical device, electrical and mechanical); software performance; copyright, trademark, and trade secret infringement; and non-competition.

Presentation topics include:

• Intellectual Property Litigation
• Patent, trademark and copyright infringement
• Theft of trade secrets

Ohio Business, Local Search, Website traffic & statistics

Mark Geyman, who has been a pioneer in developing web-based regional search directories, developed one of the country's and Ohio's first regional web directories, SitesOnline Ohio, in 1995.

Besides operating the OhioBiz search directory, OhioBiz Web Consulting, specializes in search engine optimization (SEO), website usability, marketing strategy and site maintenance services.

Presentation topics include:

• Ohio Business
• Local Search
• Website traffic & statistics

Web 2.0, Podcasting, Tech Gadget Show & Tell, Computer History, Cleveland IT History, Tech Predictions, Top Ten in Tech

Dan Hanson, the Great Lakes Geek, is a true Entreprenerd.

Dan has a BS and MS in Mathematics and since building his first PC in grade school has been directly involved in the evolution of the PC from hobbyist gadget to mainstream appliance.

Dan was 3-term president of an international computer organization with 400,000 members and brought in speakers such as Bill Gates, John Warnock, Gordon Eubanks and others.

He is a Microsoft MVP and a widely published columnist including his regular monthly column in Inside Business Magazine.

Presentation topics include:

• Web 2.0
• Podcasting
• Tech Gadget Show & Tell
• Computer History
• Cleveland Tech History
• Technology Predictions
• Top Ten in Tech
• Where am I - Cleveland landmark Photo Quiz
• What's Bill Gates really like? Tales of tech titans

Interesting Cleveland People, Cleveland's Irish

With her work on websites such as ClevelandSeniors.com, ClevelandWomen.Com, ClevelandPeople.Com and ClevelandPets.Com, Debbie has interviewed hundreds of interesting people.

Some of the people you will know, like Bob Feller and Wilma Smith. But others won't be familiar but have fascinating life stories.

Debbie has given many presentations on stories about interesting Cleveland and NEOhio people she has profiled. As an active member of the Cleveland Irish community (past-president of the Irish American Club East Side) she is also proficient in telling the tale of the Irish in Cleveland.

Presentation topics include:

• "I didn't know that about him/her"
  - Interesting Cleveland People - Famous and not
• The Cleveland Irish Community
• Cleveland Pets and their People

Crisis Communications, Media Training & Media Relations

They say it takes a lifetime to build a reputation and only a few seconds to destroy one. In a split second you could find yourself in a position where you need to know how to handle the media or be a public spokesperson. Would you know what to do or how to respond?

Whether a luncheon talk, half-day seminar or full-day "Media Training Boot Camp," local media expert Bruce Hennes offers a whirlwind of practical techniques that will help prepare you and your staff to handle crisis communications. He'll give you a glimpse into such topics as how the media thinks, what they're looking for, how they can manipulate the news, how to handle "ambush" interviews - why every business and city should have a crisis communications plan.

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Entrepreneurs, Women in Business, Global mergers & acquisitions, Emerging Companies, Venture Finance, Medical Errors, Economic development strategies for municipalities

Cathy has spent over 20 years cultivating a global mergers & acquisitions and venture finance legal practice, serving a myriad of clients that range from the Fortune 100 companies to emerging and mid-market enterprises.

In addition to her company investment and formation work, Cathy's consulting practice specializes in forming economic development strategies for municipalities.

Cathy was the recent keynote speaker for FirstData Bank's annual conference in 2008 delivering a speech entitled "A Wounded Healer."

As one person said, who had attended all 22 seminars, “This was the best keynote speaker that you have ever had!”

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Ask Cathy columns

Ask Cathy Podcasts

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Energy Management

Rick Lubinski is president of Think Energy Management LLC, a nationally recognized energy consulting firm.

Rick speaks to organizations about how Energy management can lower operating expenses, reduce budget risks, improve building quality, improve employee productivity, enhance net operating income and contribute to asset appreciation.

Rick's recent presentations include:

• Supply-Side and Demand-Side energy management
• Federal and State Incentives for Energy Projects
• Best Practicesfor Energy Management Success
• How to sell an energy project to a CFO
• Energy Management Challenges and Opportunities in N.E. Ohio
• Utility deregulation = Promises Broken, Energy Management = Promises Kept
• Saving Money with Energy Management

Entrepreneurs, Business, Leadership

Jack Kahl is the former Owner and CEO of Manco, Inc. Entrepreneur Jack Kahl took a commodity tape business and turned it into a multi-million dollar, best-of-breed company. Along the way he learned valuable lessons about business - and people.

He was named one of "America's Most Admired CEOs" by Industry Week magazine in 1993. Inc. Magazine honored him as one of three CEOs in America to benchmark leadership practices, and Cleveland Magazine named him the "Best Boss in Town" in 1996 and 2000.

Operate Successfully in China, International Negotiation Techniques, Leadership & Management Strategy

Kim is both the Facilitator for the China Resource Network and President of Office Outsource, Inc. China Resource Network is a peer-to-peer networking group for Experienced executives whose companies have been actively involved in China for at least three years.

As a consultant Kim provides training and expertise to companies that are improving operations in China. Experience began in China with moving to Beijing in 1986 to attend college, then running factories in Shanghai from 1988 through 1990 before being promotoed to General Manager of a U.S. subsidiary in Hong Kong. Upon returning to the U.S. Kim took over as Technical Services Manager responsible for all Asian Manufacturing for a company on the west coast.

Kim has been described as direct, practical, and analytical in her approach to operations and process improvement. She has spoken for various conferences and organizations such as; CAMP, WTC, OSU's Distinguished Lecture Series, YWCA Leadership Bootcamp, etc. She also presents corporate In House training programs nationwide.

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Web site Marketing, Online Tools, Entrepreneurial Start-ups.

Kevin J. Latchford is the executive vice president for Aztek. Experienced in custom application development and web-based services, from a sales and marketing perspective, Mr. Latchford has advised a variety of companies, ranging in size and scope of market, on the correct usage of applications and web sites, as well as how to go to market utilizing online tools.

Additionally, Mr. Latchford has been involved in a variety of small and medium business ownership opportunities and has served as a consultant for entrepreneurial start-ups.

Mr. Latchford has been a featured lecturer and guest speaker at Lorain County Community College, Cuyahoga Community College, Lakeland Community College, Corporate College and several industry trade association functions.

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Search Engine Optimization, Web site Marketing

Sage Lewis is a nationally recognized expert in Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and Web Marketing.

Sage has been featured as a guest speaker at multiple colleges and trade shows and hosts several seminars per year on Internet marketing.

Sage and his partner Rocky have driven SageRock.com to the top of the web marketing field, and the firm has been given top ratings by the only available third-party resource in the industry -- the MarketingSherpa.com Buyer's Guide to Search Engine Optimization and Positioning Services.

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Search Engine Optimization, Web site Marketing

Jan Limpach is a Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Specialist - a Search Engine Jockey.

Jan can provide information to not only make your web sites friendly to the visitors but to make the site friendly to the search engines to increase your visibility.

He'll tell your group about the most valuable real estate - the waterfront property - of your web site.

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Digital Divide, Computer Recycling

Dr. Yvette Marrin is President and co-founder of The National Cristina Foundation (NCF). NCF pioneered the creation of a national distribution channel for donations of previously used computer technology, to charities and public agencies that train or educate people with disabilities, at risk students, or economically disadvantaged persons.

This work was started in 1984 and their donation program has touched hundreds of thousands of people nationwide in all 50 states.

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The Competitive Manufacturer, Operations Strategy, Lean Leadership, Lean Manufacturing, Aligning Operations with Competitive Advantage, Continuous Improvement or Chaos

Rebecca A. Morgan, President of Fulcrum ConsultingWorks, Inc. has over twenty five years experience in Operations, Supply Chain Management, Accounting Systems, Information Systems, Strategic Planning, Consulting and Academe.

Morgan works with manufacturers to define and implement an Operations Strategy that profitably meets the needs of the markets they choose to serve.

Rebecca A. Morgan frequently speaks on a variety of topics related to operations strategy. Typical audience size ranges from 20 - 150.

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Community Development, Open Source Economic Development

Ed is the founder of I-Open (The Institute for Open Economic Networks), which accelerates innovation and economic transformation in local and regional economies.

I-Open's approach is founded on open source development, an effective innovation engine developed in the software industry. Open source development is based on voluntary communities of people contributing to common projects.

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Trees and Shrubs

Tom Mugridge is a Certified Arborist in the State of Ohio, and a Registered Consulting Arborist. His professional memberships include the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA), the Tree Care Industry and the American Society of Consulting Arborists (ASCA).

Tom can speak about the varied plant life in NE Ohio and also about diagnosing insect and disease problems of trees and shrubs and making recommendations for their proper care.

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Blogging. New Media. Podcasting.

George Nemeth is CIO of CoolCleveland.com. George's blog, Brewed Fresh Daily, is civic in focus, dealing with many regional issues, keeping readers throughout the area (and abroad) connected and informed.

Because he's been blogging at BrewedFreshDaily.com since July of 2002, and has used several blogging platforms, George is a frequent speaker for organizations such as Leadership Akron, The Northeast Ohio Direct Marketing Association, Community of Minds, The Cleveland Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America, and the Northeast Ohio Software Association.

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Family Business, Succession Planning, Entity Structuring, Advisory Board Formation, Mergers & Acquisition

Steve is a partner at Hahn Loeser + Parks and among his accomplishments, Steve was listed in "Best Lawyers in America," 2005 for Corporate, Mergers and Acquisitions, and Securities Law.

He focuses his practice with emphasis on General Corporate, Family Business, Real Estate, Middle Market, Non Profit Institutions, Financing, and Taxation and is actively engaged in retainer agreements with entrepreneurial clients providing consultation on routine business matters.

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Malicious software (Viruses, Spyware, Worms, Trojans, Backdoors)

Keith A. Peer is CEO and President of Central Command Inc. He founded the anti-virus solution firm in 1990 and has guided the company since its inception. He is a recognized expert in the field of antivirus and spyware protection, computer viruses, malicious applications and data security.

Mr. Peer has been widely quoted in national newspapers such as the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Chicago Tribune and Philadelphia Inquirer as well as numerous industry trade publications. Mr. Peer has appeared on major television networks including ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX and CNN. In addition, he has been a guest on numerous radio programs nationwide and is a frequent speaker to the FBI and US Secret Service on malicious software and data crimes.

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Straight Talk About Great Workplaces, Green Rabbits and Coloring Outside the Lines, Quantum Leaps in HR Effectiveness, “My Dog Died. I need some time off”

Pat Perry is President of ERC, Northeast Ohio's largest organization dedicated to HR and workplace related services, practices, research and programs.

Regardless of the topic, Pat delivers a powerful message intended to help professionals think differently about their work and workplaces. Pat has provided over 100 keynote presentations and routinely provides presentations to corporations as well as chambers, associations and professional societies.

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Entrepreneurship and Prospects for Regional Economic Growth; Current Economic Conditions & Problems; Monetary Policy; the Euro vs. the Dollar; the Banking Industry; Regional Economic Problems & Policies.

Jack Soper is the John J. Kahl, Sr., Chair in Entrepreneurship and Professor of Economics in the Boler School of Business at John Carroll University, in Cleveland, Ohio

He has published two books and more than 50 refereed articles in professional journals. He is the developer of a series of national tests in economics and has won six national awards including the prestigious Leavey Foundation award for Private Enterprise Education

He is an active member of several national and regional economics organizations, currently serving as President of the Cleveland Association for Business Economics (2005-2006.

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Domestic violence (both victims and perpetrators),rape and sexual assault/abuse

Jacqueline Sweeney-Mance, MA has her master's degree in Clincal and Counseling Psychology and is currently finishing her PhD in Counseling Psychology at the University of Akron. She is the assistant director of the Family Guidance Center in Euclid, Ohio.

Her areas of expertise include domestic violence (both victims and perpetrators) and rape and sexual assualt/abuse. Ms. Sweeney-Mance has spoken previously at conferences for the American Psychological Association and the Ohio Psychological Association, 2004.

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Patent, Trademark and Copyright Basics, How To Legally Look Over Your Competitor's Fence, Intellectual Property as a Corporate Asset, So? What Good is a Patent?, Protecting My Idea in a Global Economy

Mark is a partner at Hahn Loeser + Parks and focuses his practice in the areas of Patent, Trademark, Copyright, Trade Secrets, and Intellectual Property Litigation. He also has a degree in Pharmacy.

Among his expertise, Mark has experience in the formulation of company strategies for the procurement and protection of intellectual property rights. He develops company policies concerning protection of trade secrets, internal and external invention disclosure policies, inventor recognition programs, non-competition, confidentiality, and non-solicitation policies and agreements for employees and third parties.

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