Finding the right keynote speaker should be easy — and fast. At Executive Speakers Bureau, we help event planners hire a keynote speaker who fits your audience, budget, and event goals. With access to over 5,000 professional speakers for hire, across every industry and topic, our experienced team provides concierge-style support and speaker ideas in an hour or less. Whether you’re looking to inspire and educate your audience, drive performance, or set the stage for a transformational meeting, we will match you with the perfect speaker to make your event unforgettable.
Browse speakers by topic, submit an inquiry, or contact us today to get started.
Why Work With Executive Speakers Bureau
Event planners trust ESB because we make booking a keynote speaker simple.
Decades of industry expertise
Thousands of successful corporate events, conferences & leadership summits
Top keynote speakers in business, sports, innovation, culture, wellness, and more
Fast turnaround with curated recommendations delivered quickly
Flexible options for any budget, including virtual and hybrid programs
Full support from your first call until the standing ovation
Our mission is to help you find and hire a keynote speaker who elevates your event and delivers measurable impact.
What Is a Keynote Speaker?
A keynote speaker is the main presenter who:
Sets the tone, theme, and purpose of your event
Unifies the audience around a shared mission or idea
Delivers high-energy, memorable storytelling
Provides clarity, direction, and inspiration
Unlike breakout or session speakers, keynote speakers anchor the agenda and leave audiences energized and ready to engage.
Types of Keynote Speakers You Can Book
Every event is unique — which is why we offer a wide range of speaker styles, expertise, and presentation types:
| Speaker Type | Ideal For |
|---|---|
| Leadership Speakers | Executive retreats, leadership summits, culture transformation |
| Motivational Speakers | Sales kickoffs, annual meetings, organization-wide celebrations |
| Innovation & Future Trends Speakers | Industry conferences, technology meetings, future-focused teams |
| Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Speakers | DEI initiatives, ERG events, culture building |
| Wellness & Work-Life Balance Speakers | HR summits, wellness weeks, resilience programming |
| Industry Subject-Matter Experts | Technical conferences, niche industries, policy insights |
Browse speakers by topic to explore thousands of options tailored to your themes and audience needs.
Keynote Speakers vs. Other Presentation Types
Choosing the right format creates the best audience experience:
| Format | Best For | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| Keynote Speaker | Big moments, large audiences | Defines event purpose, high energy storytelling |
| Workshop Facilitator | Skills development | Hands-on learning and interactive exercises |
| Fireside Chat Guest | Intimate leadership conversations | Conversational, interview style |
| Breakout Speaker | Specialized tracks | Tactical insights for smaller groups |
Need help deciding? Our team will guide you.
Why Your Event Needs a Keynote Speaker
A great keynote speaker will:
Captivate the audience with stories, humor, and visuals
Align attendees around your theme or mission
Motivate with personal breakthroughs and expert strategies
Elevate the energy and credibility of the event
Create memorable moments your audience will talk about all year
Your keynote is the heartbeat of the experience — make it outstanding.
Popular Events That Benefit from a Keynote Speaker
Corporate Conferences
Leadership Summits
Sales Kickoffs (SKOs)
Annual Company Meetings
Association Conferences
Universities & Educational Programs
Company Retreats
Virtual & Hybrid Events
No matter your industry or audience, the right speaker makes all the difference.
How to Choose the Right Keynote Speaker
Our experts help you narrow the field by defining:
Your event goals and message
The audience’s expectations and demographicsPreferred tone: humorous, inspirational, tactical, storytelling, interactive
Industry knowledge needed to personalize the content
Format: live, virtual, or hybrid
We work to match you with the right speaker — one who delivers exactly what your event needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do I Hire a Keynote Speaker?
Contact us with your event details and we will recommend top keynote speakers for your budget and theme.
How Much Does a Keynote Speaker Cost?
Fees vary widely based on experience, demand, location, and format. We’ll help you find the best fit for any budget.
Do Keynote Speakers Present Virtually?
Yes — many corporate speakers now offer virtual or hybrid keynote options.
How Far in Advance Should I Book a Keynote Speaker?
Top speakers often book 6–12 months in advance, especially during peak seasons (spring & fall). The earlier you plan, the more options you have.
Ready to Book a Keynote Speaker? Here’s How We Can Help
1️⃣ Submit an Inquiry — Tell us your audience size, goals, and budget
2️⃣ Receive Tailored Recommendations — Personalized options delivered fast
3️⃣ Finalize the Speaker You Love — We handle logistics and contracting
Let’s help you find the perfect keynote speaker to inspire and educate your audience. Contact Executive Speakers Bureau today to get started.
We found
2529Speakers.
Frank Abagnale
- Renowned cybercrime and fraud prevention expert, bestselling author and subject of Catch Me If You Can
- Spokesperson for the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) and the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA)
- Expert on Forgery, Embezzlement and Secure Documents
- Takes you behind the scenes to reveal how simple strategies can thwart today’s cyber criminals
Travels From
South Carolina
Jim Abbott
- Former Major League Baseball Pitcher born with only one hand
- Male Athlete of the Year in the 1988 Olympic Games
- NYT Bestselling Author of Imperfect: An Improbable Life
- Shares the keys to adapting, persevering and removing obstacles to success
In Person-Fee:
$15,000 - $20,000
Virtual Fee:
$5,000 - $10,000
Travels From
California
Yassmin Abdel-Magied
- Founder and Chair of an organisation based in Australia, Youth Without Borders
- 2015 Queensland Young Australian of the Year
- Named Australia’s most influential Young Woman and engineer
In Person-Fee:
$20,000 - $30,000
Virtual Fee:
$10,000 - $15,000
Travels From
United Kingdom
Dan Abrams
- Founder of Abrams Media Network
- CEO of Abrams Research
- Substitute anchor for Good Morning America
Travels From
New York
Mike Abrashoff
- Former Navy Commander of USS Benfold
- Author of New York Times Best Seller, It's Your Ship
- Shows people at every level of the organization how to engage and take incremental steps toward change that can make a dramatic difference in culture and performance
In Person-Fee:
$30,000 - $50,000
Virtual Fee:
$20,000 - $30,000
Travels From
Florida
Shawn Achor
- Author of bestsellers, Big Potential and The Happiness Advantage
- New York Times bestselling author of Before Happiness
- Conducted research with UBS, Nationwide Insurance & Google
- Research featured on PBS, HBO, Live with Kelly & Michael & Oprah Winfrey Network
- TED talk has 24 million + views & named one of “The most popular talks of all time”
- Client list includes Microsoft, American Express, BlueCross BlueShield, KPMG, UBS, Northwestern Mutual, AT&T, RE/MAX, Johnson & Johnson, Genentech, HP, Frito-Lay
In Person-Fee:
$50,000 - $100,000
Virtual Fee:
$30,000 - $50,000
Travels From
Texas
Jon Acuff
- New York Times Bestselling Author of Soundtracks, Finish & Do Over
- One of Inc.'s Top 100 Leadership Speakers
Travels From
Tennessee
Jay Acunzo
- Author of Break the Wheel, ex-Google, ESPN, HubSpot, and NextView VC, and host/producer of critically-acclaimed audio documentaries about the working world.
Travels From
New York
Laura L. Adams
- Special Advisor, National Academy of Medicine
- Named to Becker’s Most Powerful Women in Health IT List
- Has delivered speeches and keynotes in 48 states and 13 different countries
Travels From
Massachusetts
Laura D. Adams
- Personal Finance Expert
- Her book won the prestigious 2011 (EIFLE) Award
- Financial Literacy Advocate
In Person-Fee:
$15,000 - $20,000
Virtual Fee:
$10,000 - $15,000
Travels From
Florida
Brent Adamson
- Highly Respected Researcher, Author, Speaker, Trainer, And Advisor In Revolutionizing the B2B And B2C Sales Industries.
- Co-author Of Best Selling Books "The Challenger Sale" And "The Challenger Customer"
- His Research Has Significantly Influenced The Way Business Approach Sales And Marketing
In Person-Fee:
$20,000 - $30,000
Virtual Fee:
$20,000 - $30,000
Travels From
District of Columbia
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
- Feminist, Author, Teacher
- Author of Dear Ijeawele, or a Feminist Manifesto in Fifteen Suggestions and The Thing Around Your Neck
In Person-Fee:
$100,000 - $200,000
Virtual Fee:
$50,000 - $100,000
Travels From
Africa
Advantage Improv
- Improv Comedy Group
- Training, Improvising and Business Leadership
Travels From
California
Afterburner Seminars
- Battle-Tested Techniques for Top Team Performance and Business Success
- Corporate Teambuilding and Leadership Seminars
Travels From
Georgia
Dr Gaurava Agarwal
- Chief Wellness Executive, VP, Certified Leadership
- Well-Being Coach, Psychiatrist, Professor
Travels From
Illinois
Isabel Aguilera
- Former President of General Electric, Spain and Portugal
- Former Managing Director of Google, Spain and Portugal
- Top 50 Most Influence Speakers
Travels From
Spain
Dr. David Agus
- One of the World’s Leading Cancer Doctors
- Pioneering Biomedical Researcher
- GQ magazine Rock Star of Science Award
Travels From
California
Aidan Hornaday
- A boy on a Mission
- Teaching a Generation to give
- Founder of AidanCares
Travels From
Georgia
Simone Ahuja
- Innovation Expert
- Best selling author
- Business School Advisor
- Provides a practical playbook for sustainable innovation and "intrapreneurship."
Travels From
Minnesota
Curtis Aikens
- Food Network Chef
- Literacy Advocate
- Food Consultant
Travels From
California
Testimonials
We work with a lot of speaking organizations... Let me tell you - ESB is the best! Matt Meyer is by far the best agent to work with!
Everyone on the ESB team (Matt, Sheryl, etc.) has been great to work with for our events. Looking forward to keep working with ESB!
We had a positive experience with ESB. Matt Meyer is a great communicator and easy to get a hold of. He helped us through the process to make..
ESB was patient, thorough, and responsive during the planning process. Thank you for making this such a great experience for us!
ESB supported our needs and the needs of our speaker throughout the entire process. I highly recommend working with ESB to find your next spe..
"It's always a pleasure to work with ESB. Very professional and personable staff. Thanks!"
"Excellent! Thank you for being a true partner to our organization and its development."
"They are the only speakers bureau I will even consider using!"
A wonderful bureau to work with! Big ups to everyone who helped make our event a success. Fingers crossed we get the chance to collaborate fo..
"As always, you are the best most responsive speaker bureau I've ever worked with!"
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