Princeton University Speakers Bureau

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Princeton University Speakers Bureau

About and Past Events

The Alumni Education and Travel (AET) team collaborates with regional associations, affinity groups, and classes to facilitate connections with faculty, administrators, and athletic coaches. Each group is entitled to one in-person University speaker per academic year.

Recent Speakers Bureau events include:

  • Rudresh Mahanthappa, Senior Lecturer in Music. Director, Program in Jazz Studies. Director, Program in Jazz Studies, spoke to the Princeton Club of Michigan. October 2023 
  • Alan Patten, Howard Harrison and Gabrielle Snyder Beck Professor of Politics, spoke to the Princeton Alumni Association of Canada’s Toronto Chapter. November, 2023
  • Abby Brethauer, Head Coach, Women's Swimming & Diving, gave a talk to the Princeton Club of Austin. April 2024 
  • Carlos Brody, Wilbur H. Gantz III '59 Professor of Neuroscience gave a talk to the Princeton Alumni Association of Rhode Island. May 2024 
  • Arvind Narayanan, Professor of Computer Science. Director, Center for Information Technology Policy. Professor Narayanan spoke to regional Princeton alumni at the 4th Annual Multi-City Virtual Speaker Event sponsored by the Princeton Alumni Association of Essex and Hudson Counties, New Jersey in collaboration with the Princeton Club of Northern California, Princeton Alumni Association of New York City, Princeton Club of Washington, D.C., Princeton Alumni Association of Northern New Jersey, Princeton Area Alumni Association, Princeton Club of Philadelphia, Princeton Club of Austin, Princeton Club of Georgia, Princeton Association of New England, Princeton Club of Chicago, Princeton Club of St. Louis, Princeton Alumni Association of Houston, and the Princeton Club of Southwest Florida. May 2024

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How do I request a University speaker for my event?
A: Submit a Speakers Bureau Request Form. Requests for in-person speakers must be submitted four months in advance and requests for virtual speakers must be submitted two months in advance.

Q: What are the steps to plan a Speakers Bureau event?
A: Alumni groups are responsible for promoting the event on their website, sending invitations, processing ticket payments, and covering all event-related costs, including the venue, food, beverages, and arranging a projector and screen for the speaker’s presentation.  

Q: Who are the participants in the Speakers Bureau available to speak to my alumni gathering?
A: Various faculty, librarians, university administrators and athletic coaches are invited to participate as keynote speakers for alumni-led events through the Speakers Bureau Program, unless they are on leave. Specific speaker requests are not guaranteed. As our faculty and coaches are in high demand, groups are encouraged to submit a topic of interest rather than the name of a preferred speaker. 

Q: What should target attendance be for a Speakers Bureau event?
A: For small and medium-sized associations, an attendance goal of 30-50 guests is ideal. Large associations should aim for 80 guests.

Q: If I have questions about the Speakers Bureau whom should I contact?
A: Please contact Ann Healy Guarnaccia at annbg@princeton.edu or 609-258-7305.