Keynote speakers
When substance matters, BrainTrust works to secure the best speaker for your audience. We have an impressive and growing list of speakers available directly through our speakers bureau. Or we can tap our vast network of business and community leaders, subject-matter experts, educators, and inspirational personalities.

Lunch-and-learns, seminars and CEU programs
Many of our speakers offer educational sessions designed to meet the rigorous educational requirements of accrediting and licensing organizations. BrainTrust works with speakers on your behalf to ensure delivery of sessions that meet your learning objectives — whether it’s a member association workshop, employee lunch-and-learn, or a professional seminar for continuing education credit.

Speaker procurement
For special invitation speakers, tap into the BrainTrust / Weaver Stephens Group network of business and community leaders, subject-matter experts, and inspirational personalities. We have decades of experience and connections in the Atlanta business community.

Custom-designed roundtables and panel discussions
BrainTrust founder and principal Erica Stephens designed and moderated successful editorial roundtables and event panel discussions during her tenure as an editor with the Atlanta Business Chronicle. Great public conversations begin with bright, articulate thought leaders who bring diverse perspectives to the table — and a talented moderator to keep the conversation lively and engaging.

Live and on-demand webinars
Weaver Stephens Group offers full-service webinar consulting: content development, direct marketing, technical training, and production.

Custom presentation graphics and content development
When you want style and substance, BrainTrust editorial writers and graphic designers work together to create beautiful presentation materials that tell a compelling story. We specialize in technical and editorial graphics that reinforce — rather than overpower — your message.

Claire is a personal assistant and organization consultant to busy professionals. As a Certified Personal Assistant from the prestigious Starkey International Institute for Household Management, Claire’s advice has been featured in daily newspapers, magazines, TV news programs and blogs around the nation from The Chicago Tribune to Organization.com and 11Alive in Atlanta.

Visit www.thewellorganizedwoman.com for more on Claire Kurtz.

Become a fan of The Well-Organized Woman on Facebook.

Check out Claire’s blogs:

Technorati Tags: Atlanta speakers, Organization Speaker, Well-Organized Woman

Inman has served as a CPA, investment banker, and trusted advisor to hundreds of public and private companies throughout the U.S. for more than 35 years. His clients have included some of America’s most prominent family businesses in food and beverage, healthcare and medical device, information systems, retail, wholesale, distribution, manufacturing, construction, food service, logistics, and personal service industries. He has served as a speaker for numerous trade, academic and executive groups on the subjects of mergers, acquisitions, strategic and family business planning and growing shareholder value.

Inman’s previous investment banking experience includes serving as managing partner of a boutique merger and acquisition firm serving the beverage industry and managing partner of the Food and Beverage Group of an international investment banking firm. He founded The Inman Company in 1995.

Inman has been featured in the Atlanta Business Chronicle, the Florida Times Union, and the Jacksonville Business Journal. And his articles have been published in Florida CEO. He is a 30-year member of Rotary International and an 18-year member of Vistage, an international organization for CEOs. He has served on the Board of Directors of several companies and is a founder of Springboard Capital, an early-stage private equity fund.

Inman attended the Georgia Institute of Technology and received a BBA in Accounting from Georgia State University.

Presentations:

A Current Snapshot of Mergers and Acquisitions:

• M&A activity today
• Insights for buyers
• Insights for sellers or those in need of capital
• Critical Resources
• Case studies in success

Making Your Business Sale Ready – Everyday:

• Importance of planning
• Key business ratios and definitions
• Basic business valuation model
• Maximizing EBITDA
• Non-qualified incentive compensation plans
• Additional strategies for growing value
• Case studies in success

“The group enjoyed your presentation so much. I believe all our members would benefit from your discussion, and I would like to invite you to speak at the 2010 Summit. The Board Members are very excited about your speaking to our members in Las Vegas at the annual Summit.”   Claudia Betzner, executive director, Service Industry Association. (Making Your Business Sale Ready – Everyday)

The Inman Company has recently served as transactional advisors in the following areas:

• Acquisition of target companies for acquirers
• Sale of stock or assets for sellers
• Merger of private companies with public entities
• Reverse mergers with public companies
• Management buy-outs and buy-ins
• Private placement of debt and equity
• Recapitalizations and restructuring of debt

The Inman Company has served the following industries:

• Soft drink and water bottling and distribution
• Food retailing, manufacturing and distribution
• Truck, auto, and boat retailing
• Software developers
• Medical device manufacturers
• Telecommunications
• Logistics and transportation
• Employee staffing
• Biometrics
• Biotechnology
• Professional and service firms
• Entertainment companies
• Manufacturing and distribution
• Publishing
• Specialty medical practices
• Environmental

President and CEO of Integrative Logic John Gardner, is a strategic visionary with more than 17 years of experience in customer relationship management, database marketing and business intelligence. He is the driver and architect behind numerous multi-channel relationship marketing efforts, as well as an expert in measurable data-driven marketing initiatives and consumer segmentation, models and profiling.

Gardner specializes in blending technology, business intelligence and marketing into cohesive, measurable, results-oriented initiatives. His skill set also includes developing extensive multidimensional relational databases and managing closed-loop analytics, including statistical modeling, database reporting, web analytics and interactive reporting. In addition, Gardner is an expert at defining and ensuring the capture of Key Performance Indicators.Prior to co-founding Integrative Logic, Gardner was with Southern Progress Corporation, the largest regional magazine and book publisher in the country. He also served as director of business intelligence for imc2, a full-service interactive agency. Gardner received his undergraduate degree in political science and history from the University of Alabama and his MBA from The University of Alabama at Birmingham. He is a Microsoft Certified Professional, as well as a recognized speaker and consultant.

Technorati Tags: Atlanta speakers

As president of Weaver Stephens Group, a boutique business-to-business PR and marketing communications agency, Erica understands the importance of delivering content that engages your audience and keeps them coming back for more.

A former editor for the Atlanta Business Chronicle, Erica has an extensive background in print and broadcast journalism. In 2001, she became the Strategies Editor for the Atlanta Business Chronicle, and in 2003 she launched the newspaper’s first homes and lifestyles magazine, Living in Atlanta. In addition to her tenure as a print editor, Erica worked in broadcast news, reporting for the Atlanta Business Chronicle Report on Georgia Public Broadcasting.

Prior to joining the Atlanta Business Chronicle, Erica worked as writer and editor for a wide range of business journals, newspapers and trade publications including the Savannah News Press, QSR Magazine (serving the quick service restaurant industry), Healthcare CIO Report, Healthcare CFO Report, Savannah Business Journal, Business to Business magazine and Atlanta Jewish Times. As a business journalist, she covered a variety industries including healthcare, technology, banking and finance, human resources, law and accounting, commercial and residential real estate, small business, hospitality, marketing and advertising, and media.

In 2004, Erica left journalism to pursue a career in public relations. She began with an account management position for the William Mills Agency, the largest independent public relations firm serving the financial and transactional services sectors. In 2005, she founded Weaver Stephens Group, where she manages and directs strategic planning, client relations and account services.

Erica serves as vice chair on the board of directors for The Extension, a Marietta-based comprehensive residential recovery program for homeless men and women.

David Brookmire, Ph.D., is the founder of Corporate Performance Strategies and GenerationalDNA.

David is a seasoned executive advisor, researcher, author and recognized authority on generational dynamics, organization and leadership effectiveness. Working extensively with CEOs and senior leaders, David provides trusted advice and counsel assisting these leaders in achieving their organizational goals and business outcomes.

He provides clients with strategic direction and proven solutions in business continuity, generational opportunities, merger and acquisition success, and improved leader and team performance.

David’s experience in business and consulting is extensive. His approach combines more than two decades of successful roles as a senior corporate officer with global responsibilities and specific education in Industrial and Organizational Psychology to provide unique perspective to clients of all sizes and industries. David utilizes his expertise to develop, design and implement innovative business and performance enhancement strategies and initiatives that help clients capitalize on business opportunities and overcome critical barriers to success. Representative clients include The Cheesecake Factory, Kodak, Lucent, ADP, Flowers Foods, Platinum Equity, Darden Restaurants, Solvay, Randstadt, Georgia State University, Arthritis Foundation, Pitney Bowes, and Merial.

Throughout his career, David’s strategies have directly contributed to numerous measurable benefits on behalf of his clients, including executive leadership performance improvements, retaining highly valued at risk executives, improved top line growth, successful IPO, acquisitions and divestitures, rapid and critical skill acquisition and retention, successful business strategy development and implementation, improved workforce productivity, M&A integration success, and creating winning teams and strong corporate cultures. Prior to consulting, David held several executive positions with well recognized companies, including Frito-Lay, General Motors, Digital

Communications and Profit Recovery Group. Among his corporate accomplishments, David has the distinction of managing global HR functions, business strategy, and merger integration in his executive positions. He has also assisted buyers from Japan and other countries in successfully acquiring businesses domestically. His understanding of globally applicable business best practices and international economics is truly a unique offering to his clients.

In addition to his client service career, David is a recognized speaker and expert in leadership development and business effectiveness. His national workshops include “Designing a High Quality M&A Process that Delivers,” and “Managing and Leading High Impact Executive Coaching in Your Organization.” His latest book is Coaching for Success: Reaching Your Potential While Achieving Greatness. His research report Back to the Future: Hiring, Motivating and Retaining Multiple Generations of Sales Staff, established new findings on how to achieve greater sales effectiveness with the different generations of sales professionals.

David earned a M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of South Florida. He serves as a board member for Quality Care for Children and is active in his community.

Learn More:

Corporate Performance Strategies
Generational DNA
Coaching for Success
Research by Dr. Brookmire

Technorati Tags: baby boomers, gen x, gen y, generational dynamics, multigenerational workforce

Bill Mitchell is a founding partner of Cruser & Mitchell, LLP. Bill’s trial practice focuses on complex litigation matters from civil rights and employment to matters arising out of product defects, construction defects, food contamination, insurance policy interpretation and zoning disputes. Bill has been lead counsel on several class action matters including matters involving bank fraud, the delivery of medical services in jails, strip searches in jails, etc.

Topics:

• Mitchell Metrics: Managing and Controlling Legal Costs and Exposures
• Legal Project Management for Business Owners

Technorati Tags: Atlanta speakers, Cruser and Mitchell, Legal Project Management, Managing Legal Costs

Patrick Ungashick is the president of White Horse Advisors. He specializes in financial planning for owners of successful closely-held businesses, helping them to achieve their major business and personal financial goals. He is the author of Dance in the End Zone: The Business Owner’s Exit Planning Playbook. With his colleagues at White Horse Advisors, LLC, Patrick advises clients in areas such as business exit strategies, estate planning, and tax-efficient compensation strategies. Patrick has worked extensively with business owners in general construction, subcontracting, manufacturing, and wholesale supplies.

Topics:

• Exit Planning
• Retirement Planning for Baby Boomer Business Owners
• Plan Sponsor Fiduciary Responsibilities Under Financial Reforms

Read more about Dance in the End Zone:

Explore White Horse Advisors’ groundbreaking research, America’s Entrepreneurialist Generation: Exit Planning and the Baby Boomer Age Wave.

Technorati Tags: Atlanta speakers, Exit Planning, Retirement Planning, White Horse Advisors

Ben Turpin engages audiences with personal anecdotes and priceless gems gathered during his more than twenty years of experience in direct sales, retail, telecom, automotive and network marketing. Turpin has taken businesses from start-up to multi-million dollar acquisitions in under two years. Today he works with Fortune 100 companies, entrepreneurs and chambers of commerce throughout the world, helping them retain clients and grow their businesses through powerful messaging and improved relationships. Turpin is a natural leader who trains others to lead by example and helps them excel in their chosen endeavor.

Presentations:

• Instant Introductions: Whether you’re introducing yourself to an audience of thousands or one person at a chamber mixer, it’s what you say and how you say that determines the results you get.  In this most requested program, Turpin details the steps you must take to develop a self-introduction (elevator pitch) that will have people wanting to know more about you and your products and services.   Master these techniques to be comfortable and effective in every situation.
• Fired with Enthusiasm: Legendary Green Bay Packers football coach Vince Lombardi said, “If you aren’t fired up with enthusiasm, you will be FIRED with enthusiasm!” Are you facing challenging circumstances? Work that doesn’t seem to be fulfilling? Or just feeling like you’re stuck in a rut? Fired with Enthusiasm is the culmination of Turpin’s work with thousands of business leaders and entrepreneurs and is guaranteed to show you how to be fired-up in any situation.
• Connect and Sell in Any Economy: Have you ever wondered why some people get all the referrals, make all the connections, and close all the sales? This fast-paced program will help you learn the secrets to connecting and selling in any economy. You will leave this program with techniques you can implement immediately to improve your relationships, close ratio, and bottom-line.
• The Only Option at Any Price: Imagine that you have a product or service that is in high demand. Better still, you are the only option at any price! In this live program, you’ll discover the secrets that make people choose you, your product or your service over others. And learn how to create a customer base of raving fans who will help you market your products and services.
• People, Prospects, and Profits: An intensive program that gives you the tools you need to succeed in business today. You’ll learn little known secrets and time-tested techniques to attract customers to you like a magnet. Learn how to identify your perfect customer, craft a powerful elevator speech, become memorable, and have others enthusiastically selling for you each and every day. This hands-on program engages the audience through role-play and drills. Your results will be supercharged!

Glen Gould is a business growth and relationship thought leader. He understands business people, how they connect, and how to harness the power of targeted verbal messaging. Gould has worked with Fortune 500 corporations including Allstate, Walmart, Target, Kroger, Albertsons, and Publix, as well as thousands of small and mid-sized firms. Gould has been featured in numerous print and broadcast media outlets including The Today Show and the Atlanta Business Chronicle. Gould has owned, operated and sold 12 companies ranging from gold retailing to facilities maintenance. He has first hand knowledge of what it takes to survive and thrive. Gould was president of the Punta Gorda (Florida) Chamber of Commerce during post-hurricane Charley clean-up and revitalization. He understands what it takes to get people moving for a common purpose.

Presentations:

• Instant Introductions: Whether you’re introducing yourself to an audience of thousands or one person at a chamber mixer, it’s what you say and how you say that determines the results you get.  In this most requested program, Gould details the steps you must take to develop a self-introduction (elevator pitch) that will have people wanting to know more about you and your products and services.   Master these techniques to be comfortable and effective in every situation.
• Fired with Enthusiasm: Legendary Green Bay Packers football coach Vince Lombardi said, “If you aren’t fired up with enthusiasm, you will be FIRED with enthusiasm!” Are you facing challenging circumstances? Work that doesn’t seem to be fulfilling? Or just feeling like you’re stuck in a rut? Fired with Enthusiasm is the culmination of Gould’s work with thousands of business leaders and entrepreneurs and is guaranteed to show you how to be fired-up in any situation.
• Connect and Sell in Any Economy: Have you ever wondered why some people get all the referrals, make all the connections, and close all the sales? This fast-paced program will help you learn the secrets to connecting and selling in any economy. You will leave this program with techniques you can implement immediately to improve your relationships, close ratio, and bottom-line.
• The Only Option at Any Price: Imagine that you have a product or service that is in high demand. Better still, you are the only option at any price! In this live program, you’ll discover the secrets that make people choose you, your product or your service over others. And learn how to create a customer base of raving fans who will help you market your products and services.
• People, Prospects, and Profits: An intensive program that gives you the tools you need to succeed in business today. You’ll learn little known secrets and time-tested techniques to attract customers to you like a magnet. Learn how to identify your perfect customer, craft a powerful elevator speech, become memorable, and have others enthusiastically selling for you each and every day. This hands-on program engages the audience through role-play and drills. Your results will be supercharged!