Speakers as Affiliates?

Jeff Jarvis should be outraged at the conference producer who offered him a reduced attendee fee for his role as a speaker, instead of a fully comped pass. Every conference speaker (with the exception of pay-to-play speakers) should have full conference access, as well special recognition on-site.

Jarvis also asks for a "cut of the gate." Now that's more interesting than an honorarium. What about it? Why couldn't conference producers treat some of their speakers as affiliates, and give them a percentage of revenues for each registration they drive? Conference Producers strike deals with Trade Associations and Media Sponsors with similar economics. But some speakers, particularly those with well-read blogs - a la Jeff Jarvis - would probably be more effective incented partners than than Producers current allies.

If anyone could make this work, it's WOMMA. Not only does their speaker roster for their upcoming January event boast a powerful cadre of bloggers; their very mission statement allows them to get away with such an unconventional marketing tactic. Or rather, it requires it. Hell, I bet half their audience are bloggers as well - they should open the program up to them as well.