Recent research shows that the final decision maker authorizing the hiring of a speaker varies widely but the most common decision makers are these: 

1. The head of the organization (25.8%), especially when the organization is small to medium sized
2. A board or volunteer committee (20.2%)
3. VP or director of meetings (15.3%)
4. Education/Professional Development department (13.5%)
5. Staff committee (8.6%)
6. Other (16.6%)

Often the decision is made by some combination of the above. We’ve had organizations come to us with a certain budget looking for a speaker and then the director has gone over that person’s head and hired a high profile speaker at triple the amount that they originally quoted. In most cases, a member of the search committee or a corporate meeting planner makes a recommendation to the decision maker who is usually the top person in that organization.

(Data compiled from a report compiled by www.tagoras.com and www.velvetchainsaw.com)