Some speakers do not make the grade

In our growing database of speakers, there is a big group that is still waiting to make the grade. While we are happy to add everybody with a good speaking record and good references, what is really needed is that one of us goes out and sees a speaker in action. That is often an exciting moment, as we can upgrade another great speaker into active duty. But sometimes they do not make the grade.
This evening I went to a meeting of the Shanghai Foreign Correspondents Club who had a renowned speaker on consumer rights - a hot topic now consumers in the rest of the world also get upset about Chinese products. Unfortunately, the speaker did not get me excited.
It was a Chinese speaker who needed translation, so that was a handicap, and much of the potential fire with a Chinese audience was not ignited for this international audience.
He started his presentation with a list of problems China had in terms of consumer rights. At problem number 13 and two unsuccessful interventions by the moderator, I decided to leave with a few others. Alright, you do not expect only uplifting experiences here, but when somebody takes so much time and energy to explain why things do not work out, I see no reason to continue listening.
He cannot have noted I left, since he ignored not only the moderator, he just did not look at the audience.
Did I tell he was almost an hour late? The poor guy could not find a taxi because it was raining. When you know it is raining, you know it is tough to get a taxi and you should leave on time. No way we can keep him on our list.