How to Assign and Confirm Chapter Speakers in BNI Connect and BNI+

Learn how to assign a featured speaker in BNI Connect, find the resulting entry in BNI+, and understand what the confirmation indicators mean.

Overview

Speaker assignments can originate in BNI Connect or be planned directly in BNI+. Speakers planned in BNI Connect will automatically sync to BNI+, however, nothing in BNI+ will sync back to BNI Connect.  In the BNI+ Speakers area, you can view upcoming presentations in List View or Planner View. Speaker entries received from Connect are identified by an asterisk (*).

Part 1: Assign or review the speaker in BNI Connect

Step 1. Open Manage Chapter Speakers

In BNI Connect, select the appropriate region and chapter, then go to OPERATIONS CHAPTER and open the Manage Chapter Speakers page.

Step 2. Enter the speaker assignment

Choose Assign Speaker. On the assignment form, complete the required Enter Date, Select Speaker, and Enter Topic fields. Choose Submit to save.

 

Step 3. Review the schedule

Use Enter From Date and View Speakers to display scheduled presenters. The list is grouped by meeting date and shows the speaker, topic, and available action icons.

Part 2: Check speakers in BNI+

Step 4. Open the Speakers section

Open the appropriate chapter in BNI+, then navigate to Meetings > Speakers.

Step 5. Use Planner View to understand confirmation status

In Planner View, presenters appear against their scheduled meeting dates. Select What do the icons mean to open the status legend.

The legend also displays a second set of icons with an asterisk (*). The asterisk indicates that the speaker entry was received from BNI Connect.

Click on the speaker and mark them as CONFIRMED. Once confirmed, they will appear in the list view.

Step 6. Switch to List View

Select List View to review the speaker list and presentation dates. Use Show previous speakers if you need to include earlier speakers. Look for the * Received from BNI Connect note under the list.

 

Frequently asked questions

Why does a speaker have an asterisk after their name?

It identifies information received from BNI Connect, not a separate speaker status. Use the status color and icon to determine whether the entry is Planned, Confirmed, awaiting confirmation, or Declined.

Why is a speaker not available to edit in BNI+?

Details populated by BNI Connect are managed at their source and may not be editable in BNI+. Fields not populated by Connect can remain editable.

How quickly will a change in Connect appear in BNI+?

The speaker integration is described as synchronizing on a regular one-hour schedule. Check again after the next sync interval rather than expecting immediate updates.

Can I still plan speakers directly in BNI+?

Yes. BNI+ continues to support its existing speaker planning features.  However, these speakers will not go back to BNI Connect.

Troubleshooting checklist

1. Confirm that the correct chapter and meeting date are selected.
2. Check whether the speaker was assigned in Connect or directly in BNI+.
3. In BNI+, check for the asterisk (*) showing Connect-sourced data.
4. Use What do the icons mean to identify the current confirmation status.
5. If the assignment was recently changed in Connect, allow the next scheduled synchronization.
6. If an option is unavailable, check whether the field comes from Connect or whether Enable Planner Confirmation is configured.