The following tips have been included here with permission of the authors. Deliberately select the groups before whom you wish to speak. Schedule these types of groups first. In seeking entry to speak to the group, consider going through a group member. They can also make it more likely that you will be invited to speak.
Many groups have program chair who is often desperate to find speakers.
Try to time your speaking to meet with the group's process and your needs. Find out what other projects the group is already committed to and time your talk to coincide with their need to develop a new project. Determine how much lead time they need and make sure that your request is not too precipitous for them to meet. Pick your presenters carefully. Make sure the person who is speaking can explain what your agency does and exactly what is needed from the group.