ACCENT Speakers Bureau is the largest student run speakers bureau in the nation. |
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| Chairmen | |
|---|---|
| Current Chairman | Corey Portnoy |
| Preceded by | Zach Goldstein |
| Contact | |
| Address | 306 J. Wayne Reitz Union PO Box 118505 Gainesville, FL 32611 |
| Website | accentspeakers.com |
ACCENT Speakers Bureau is the Student Government-run speakers' bureau of the University of Florida. It claims to be the largest student-run speakers' bureau in the United States
The organization is a Student Government agency.
It was created in 1967 and its speakers' series was created originally as a symposium, with the first featuring author Ralph Nader and then Vice President Richard Nixon as the headline speakers. The next year the symposium featured a "liberal versus conservative" debate featuring Harry Goldin and James J. Kilpatrick. The symposium was accompanied by a politically-charged magazine which featured writing from political science students and professors at the University of Florida. Over time, ACCENT broke away from the symposium format and turned into a year-long speaker series.
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In any given year, the Chairman must stretch the budget to bring in speakers that the Student Body would like to hear speak. While most shows are sponsored solely by ACCENT, many other student organizations turn to ACCENT for different events. Organizations like, but not limited to, Black Student Union, Jewish Student Union, Hispanic Student Union, Asian American Student Union, Pride Student Union, Islam on Campus and the Board of College Councils work with the ACCENT to bring in speakers that are both relevant to their group and hold wide appeal.
ACCENT has the second largest budget out of all the agencies, as well as the largest staff. Chapter 563 of the University of Florida Student Body Statues outlines the general practices of the Speakers Bureau.
Over 50 student volunteers work with the Chairman to put time and energy to bring speakers to the University of Florida. The Chairman is required to appoint three Vice Chairs, but the remainder of the organizational structure is left up to the Chairman. Vice Chairships, Directorships, and Assistant Directorships range from productions to promotions and every job in between. Applications are usually found on the official website at the beginning of each semester.
| Corey Portnoy | 2011 - Present |
| Zack Goldstein | 2010 - 2011 |
| Jason H. Attermann | 2009 - 2010 |
| Andrew S. Guglielmo | 2008 - 2009 |
| Steven Blank | 2007 - 2008 |
| Andrew S. Brown | 2006 - 2007 |
| Evan Tyroler | 2005 - 2006 |
| David Buchalter | 2004 - 2005 |
| Seth Denison | 2003 - 2004 |
| Eric Trabin | 2002 - 2003 |
| Robert Heekin | 2001 - 2002 |
| Michael Mosseri | 2000 - 2001 |
| Justin L. Sternberg | 1999 - 2000 |
| Jason A. Collier | 1998 - 1999 |
| Andrew W. Rosin | 1997 -1998 |
| Adam Sheinkof | 1997 |
| David Meade | 1996 |
| Michael Namath | 1995 - 1996 |
| Michael Cotzen | 1994 - 1995 |
| David Seifer | 1993 - 1994 |
| Marshall Rothman | 1992 - 1993 |
| Scott Thomas | 1991 - 1992 |
| Richard Brilliant | 1990 - 1991 |
| Evan Plotka | 1989 - 1990 |
| Greg Kirby | 1988 - 1989 |
| Seth Bruckner | 1987 - 1988 |
| Lloyd Gilick | 1986 - 1987 |
| G. Mark Shalloway | 1985 - 1986 |
| Huber Cooney | 1984 1985 |
| Brian Paternak/Bruce Gross | 1983 - 1984 |
| Marilyn Stern | 1980 - 1981 |
| Kevin Hanks | 1979 - 1980 |
| Donny Epstein | 1976 - 1979 |
| Steve Weiner | 1975 - 1976 |
| John Fuller | 1974 - 1975 |
| Mike Snyder | 1973 - 1974 |
| David Aarons | 1972 - 1973 |
| Ed Boze | 1970 - 1971 |
| Joe Hilliard | 1969 - 1970 |