Questions and Answers (Revised).pdf

Request for Proposals for Speech Coaching

Questions and Answers

Question 1: Can you please confirm that item 1 listing Content Development (frame the speech) is the speech for the Executive Director and CEO and that our team’s responsibility will be to review, edit and make modifications to a first draft created by the ARC team?

• Yes, content development is for the State of the Region Address is for the Executive Director & CEO. The selected team will be responsible for reviewing, editing, and making modifications to the first and subsequent drafts.

Question 2: Can you please clarify item #4 that the ‘new ARC executive’ is one individual versus multiple additional executives?

• Coaching for the ARC executives will primarily focus on the new Chief Research & Innovation Officer (CRIO) hire, which is one individual. There is potential for supporting other executives, based on funding and interest. Currently, funding has only been available to support the CRIO.

Question 3: Can you please provide more details about the coaching for the new ARC executive? Assuming it is one person and depending on the person’s experience with public speaking, this could be a “light touch” process or one that is much more intensive. The person’s experience and comfort level will impact the number of sessions, duration of the coaching engagement and need for helping the executive find their “voice” with existing ARC content and in a manner that aligns with the ARC brand.

• The individual hired for the CRIO position has yet to be onboarded. We understand they have previous experience in public speaking roles. We aim to support them in delivering messages that align with ARC's voice, which could range from minimal to moderate assistance. Please feel free to address this deliverable in terms of an hourly rate.

Question 4: Speaker Selection & Consultant Role

Will the selected consultant be involved in assisting with the identification and selection of the two “What’s Next ATL” speakers, in addition to coaching them?

• The selected consultants will not be involved in the selection process but will coach them and act as advisors throughout the script writing and execution process.

Question 5: Visual Design Collaboration

Will the Atlanta Regional Commission’s internal design team manage the visual components accompanying the speeches, or is the selected consultant expected to direct or coordinate visual development?

• The visual components accompanying these speeches will be managed by our internal design team. The speech coach may be consulted to offer their expertise in evaluating the visuals.

Question 6: Executive Coaching Scope

For the general executive speech communication support—particularly for the newest Atlanta Regional Commission executive—are there specific anticipated events, audiences, or content areas that should be emphasized?

• The individual hired for the Chief Research and Innovation Officer (CRIO) position has yet to be onboarded. We aim to support them in delivering messages that align with ARC's voice, which could range from minimal to moderate assistance.

Currently, there are no specific speaking events confirmed for this time. Please feel free to address this deliverable in terms of an hourly rate. We expect our new CRIO to speak before smaller but distinctive audiences such as the Board of Commissioners, large scale annual events for partner organizations such as the Community Foundation, Latin American Association etc. to high profile appearances at State of the County events.

Question 7: Messaging Priorities & Communication Strategy

Beyond general speaking excellence, are there message themes (e.g., regional development, public safety, equity, sustainability) or communication strategies the Atlanta Regional Commission prioritizes that the consultant should integrate into speech development?

• We recommend reviewing the writing style used in our agency’s strategy as a guide to understanding how we communicate our mission, values, and strategic goals (link available here).

• We've included a video of the 2024 State of the Region address to provide more guidance on how our agency's messaging and themes are integrated into this speech: https://vimeo.com/1030759274?share=copy#t=0

• The theme for this year’s State of the Region is “Innovation Unleashed,” which will emphasize ARC's commitment to fostering and empowering innovation in metro Atlanta. The program will explore how technology and new ways of thinking are https://atlantaregional.org/about-arc/arcs-vision-one-great-region/ https://vimeo.com/1030759274?share=copy#t=0 transforming how we travel, how we age, and how we plan for the infrastructure of the future. We want to weave elements of innovation and technology throughout the entire program, including the State of the Region address and the “What’s Next ATL” speakers speeches.

Question 8: Completion Timeline vs. Event & Scope

The RFP notes all work must be completed by December 1, 2026, while the State of the Region event and speeches are scheduled for October 2025. Will there be ongoing coaching, training, or additional post-event deliverables that extend beyond the October 2025 timeframe?

• There is a possibility that support for the new ARC hire, CRIO, may extend into 2026.

We would like the flexibility to continue working with the same speech coach in 2026 to provide ongoing support for this individual; this will be based on their needs.