If you are the person who is responsible for the success of a conference or any event, have you ever experienced those anxious "pin drop" moments just before the keynote speaker takes the stage? Hoping she will be amazing...just the way you want her to be...and that your audience and, yes, your boss will be thrilled. We understand the pressure you feel to "make it happen, and make it great". Pinna
cle will help you avoid mistakes of hiring the wrong speaker; feel less stressed; mitigate those "pin drop" moments; and be more assured that all will go well and that your speaker will be just the right fit for your important event. Our Pinnacle Promise is to Elevate the Impact and Significance of your Event. Our process involves 3 steps.
-Consult
-Curate / Connect
-Collaborate
Benny Williford is the Founder and CEO of Pinnacle Speakers Bureau. After many successful years in the financial services industry as an agent, manager, trainer, broker, financial advisor, and business leader, Benny decided to follow his passion into the meetings, events and professional development industry. He believes strongly in the value of lifelong learning and that every event deserves an impactful speaker and exciting entertainer. With an entrepreneurial spirit, successful business track record, thorough understanding of the events industry, and close relationships, Benny offers valuable insights to elevate the value of business and incentive events. Under Benny’s leadership, Pinnacle has proven its commitment to helping clients achieve their event vision and objectives. Benny is actively involved within the meetings and events industry and currently serves on the Board of Directors, as President-Elect, of SITE Southeast (Society for Incentive Travel Excellence). He has served in various leadership capacities in the NSA (National Speakers Association), Meeting Professionals International (MPI), and The International Association of Speakers Bureaus (IASB). On a personal level, Benny is a graduate of The University of North Carolina and an avid TAR HEEL fan. His most important service and relationships are within his family, especially his nine (9) beautiful, handsome, and brilliant grandchildren, who call him Poppy. The Backstory of Benny Williford and Pinnacle:
As I sat in the manager’s office at my last corporate job, in a career I had devoted many years to, I was shocked to learn that I was being terminated. As I gathered my senses, a million thoughts and feelings ran through my mind. After I was escorted out of the office, which is standard practice in financial services, I began to reflect on my life and career and wondered what direction I should take now. Do I keep hammering at this business that has been my whole work life to this point? Although I had worked extremely hard and achieved success in this industry, I was not sure I felt fulfillment. I grew up on a farm in Eastern, NC and I knew the value of hard work and understood that there are setbacks in life. I experienced my Dad dealing with overwhelming obstacles many times as a farmer (ie. weather disasters), but always persevering. His philosophy, which certainly influences mine, is to just “Keep Movin On”. As I started reflecting on my strengths and pondered my future, I remembered the encouragement of my 7th grade teacher, Ms. Mercer, who invited me to Emcee the Junior High Talent Show. That was a thrilling experience for me - my first time getting to speak into a microphone, and I loved it! Afterwards, she complimented me a lot and told me I had a natural gift being in front of people and that I had a good ability to communicate and connect. She said that maybe there was a related career in my future. I was also influenced by my wonderful Senior English teacher, Mr. Wells. He strongly believed in teaching students how to communicate well, including in front of a group. He required a lot of memory work and class presentations, including Bible verses and other uplifting material. He told me: “Benny Julian, you have a unique ability in front of your classmates and you communicate and connect so well with them.” As you head off to college at CAROLINA (he was also a UNC graduate) and throughout your life, this ability will serve you well, my boy, and you can achieve whatever you put your mind to.”
So, with that reflection and much more, I decided I would explore a different career path…one that would align with my strengths and interests and bring me more joy and satisfaction. Although I was filled with uncertainty, the journey began, as I followed my passion and developed my new company, Pinnacle Speakers Bureau. As we now celebrate 20 years at Pinnacle, the journey has been interesting and challenging, but, most of all, extremely rewarding. I continue to remind myself how blessed I am to be doing what I love. Pinnacle Speakers Bureau…"Elevated Events. Powered by Pinnacle"
Benny Williford
919-880-8130
[email protected]
