Top Speakers Bureaus & Agencies
A speakers bureau is a service or agency that represents and manages professional speakers, often to arrange speaking engagements, keynote addresses, workshops, and other appearances. These bureaus act as intermediaries between event organizers or companies seeking speakers and the speakers themselves.
Speakers bureaus typically maintain a roster of speakers with expertise in various fields, such as business, technology, politics, academia, entertainment, and more. They match the right speaker with the specific needs and objectives of the event or organization.
Being represented by a bureau can provide speakers access to a broader range of opportunities, assist with negotiations and contracts, and professional support in managing their speaking engagements. For event organizers, working with a speaking bureau simplifies the process of finding and booking speakers, as the bureau handles much of the logistics and coordination involved.
Why Should I Work With A Speakers Bureau?
- Access to a Diverse Roster: Speaker bureaus typically have a wide network of speakers from various industries and backgrounds. This gives event planners access to a diverse roster of speakers who can cater to different themes, topics, and audience demographics.
- Expertise and Guidance: Speaker bureaus have experience in matching speakers with specific event requirements. They can provide valuable insights and guidance to help event planners choose the most suitable speaker based on their objectives, audience profile, and budget.
- Streamlined Process: Speaker bureaus streamline the process of booking speakers, handling negotiations, contracts, and logistical arrangements. This saves time and effort for event planners, allowing them to focus on other aspects of event planning.
- Quality Assurance: Reputable speaker bureaus thoroughly vet their speakers to ensure quality and credibility. Event planners can have confidence in the professionalism and expertise of speakers recommended by the bureau.
- Backup Options: In case of unforeseen circumstances such as speaker cancellations or emergencies, speaker bureaus often have backup options available. They can quickly arrange for replacement speakers to ensure the smooth running of the event.
- Negotiation Power: Speaker bureaus often have established relationships with speakers and can negotiate favorable terms and fees on behalf of event planners. This can help event planners stay within budget while securing high-quality speakers.
- Risk Mitigation: By working with a speaker bureau, event planners reduce the risk of booking inexperienced or unreliable speakers. Bureaus have processes in place to assess the suitability and reliability of speakers, minimizing the risk of disappointing presentations or no-shows.
- Post-Event Support: Speaker bureaus may offer post-event support and feedback to assess the effectiveness of the speaker and gather insights for future events. This helps event planners continually improve the quality of their events.
Overall, hiring a speaker bureau can offer convenience, expertise, and peace of mind for event planners. It ensures the success of their events through engaging and impactful speaker presentations. Next, we explore the top bureaus (in no particular order) to consider working with for your next conference.
Top 20 Speakers Bureaus in the World
Listed in alphabetical order, we have compiled a list of the top 20 speaking bureaus in the world.
All American Entertainment (AAE)
AAE Speakers is known for providing expert speakers and thought leaders in a wide range of fields, including business, leadership, technology, healthcare, science, and more. They offer keynote speakers, trainers, consultants, and facilitators for worldwide conferences, corporate events, and educational seminars. AAE Speakers represent influential and knowledgeable individuals in their respective fields, offering valuable insights, expertise, and inspiration to audiences around the globe. Whether it’s delivering keynotes, leading workshops, or participating in panel discussions, AAE Speakers connects organizations with top-tier talent to meet their specific event and audience needs.
Top Speakers: Sara Blakely, Erik Qualman, Cassandra Worthy, Simon Sinek
American Program Bureau (APB)
APB represents speakers who inspire and inform audiences on topics such as leadership, diversity, social justice, and entertainment. They have a long history of connecting speakers with organizations, universities, and corporations seeking to engage and educate their audiences.
BigSpeak Speakers Bureau
BigSpeak represents motivational speakers, thought leaders, and experts in various fields including business, technology, and innovation. They focus on delivering engaging and informative presentations tailored to the needs of their clients. BigSpeak’s speakers are often sought after for their ability to engage audiences, share practical insights, and provide actionable strategies for success in various fields. Additionally, BigSpeak offers event planning and consulting services to help organizations create memorable and successful events that align with their goals and objectives.
Top Speakers: Erik Qualman, James Clear, Mel Robbins, Magic Johnson, Kevin O’Leary
BrightSight Group
Brightsight Speakers also represents a diverse roster of speakers who cover various topics such as leadership, innovation, technology, motivation, entrepreneurship, diversity and inclusion, and more. The agency offers services for booking speakers for events, conferences, corporate gatherings, and other engagements. They can also assist clients in identifying and securing the most suitable speakers based on their event objectives, audience demographics, and budget.
Capitol City Speakers Bureau
Capitol City Speakers Bureau represents speakers from various backgrounds and expertise covering topics like leadership development, team building, communication skills, change management, sales and marketing, customer service, resilience, and personal growth. CCSB caters to different types of events, including corporate meetings, conferences, conventions, association gatherings, employee training sessions, and leadership retreats.
Creative Artists Agency (CAA)
The Creative Artists Agency (CAA) is one of the most influential talent agencies globally, primarily known for representing leading talent in the entertainment industry. It was founded in 1975 and has since expanded its scope to cover various services, including talent representation, film financing, sports representation, marketing, and consulting. CAA represents actors, directors, writers, musicians, athletes, and creative professionals. They negotiate deals for their clients in various areas, such as film, television, music, endorsements, branding, and digital media. Additionally, CAA is involved in packaging projects, bringing together talent, directors, and producers to develop and produce films and television shows.
Eagles Talent
Eagles Talent provides speakers who can inspire, motivate, and educate audiences on leadership, teamwork, diversity, sales, innovation, and personal development. Eagles Talent is renowned for its personalized approach to matching clients with speakers who align with their event objectives, audience demographics, and budget. Additionally, Eagles Talent offers event planning and logistics support to ensure each event is successful and memorable. Overall, Eagles Talent is known for its commitment to delivering high-quality speakers and exceptional service to help clients create impactful and memorable events.
Executive Speakers Bureau (ESB)
The Executive Speakers Bureau is renowned for providing access to top keynote speakers and thought leaders across various industries. They carefully curate their roster to include individuals who are experts in their fields, celebrities, authors, and other influential figures who can deliver engaging and memorable speeches tailored to the specific needs and interests of each audience. They offer a wide range of services, including speaker selection, event planning, logistics coordination, and support to ensure successful and memorable events.
Gotham Artists
Gotham Artists is a speakers bureau and talent agency based in New York City. It represents a diverse roster of speakers, including thought leaders, experts, entrepreneurs, entertainers, and other notable individuals, for speaking engagements, conferences, corporate events, and other appearances. The agency is known for its focus on providing engaging and inspirational speakers who can address a wide range of topics, including leadership, innovation, motivation, diversity, and personal development. They work with clients to match them with speakers who can deliver impactful presentations tailored to their specific needs and objectives.
Harry Walker
The Harry Walker Agency is a prominent speakers bureau and talent agency based in New York City. It represents various speakers, including politicians, business leaders, journalists, authors, athletes, and entertainers, for various speaking engagements, conferences, corporate events, and other appearances. The agency is known for its roster of influential figures who deliver keynote speeches, lectures, and presentations on a wide array of topics, such as leadership, innovation, politics, economics, technology, and social issues.
Keppler Speakers
Keppler Speakers represents a diverse range of speakers including thought leaders, authors, celebrities, and industry experts. They are known for their innovative approach to speaker representation and their commitment to delivering impactful presentations for clients.
Leading Authorities, Inc.
Based in Washington, D.C., Leading Authorities represents a wide range of speakers including business leaders, political figures, motivational speakers, and experts in various fields. They are known for their personalized service and expertise in event planning and execution.
MENA Speakers
MENA Speakers is one of the leading speaker bureaus in the Middle East. MENA Speakers are trained in numerous settings. They are equipped with the abilities and skills designed to take a meeting to the next level. They provide access to orators that can innovate, facilitate, or simply, moderate content. Their speakers are trained for events in need of motivational speakers, educators, moderators, keynote speakers, or 1-on-1 meetings.
Premiere Speakers Bureau
Premiere Speakers Bureau caters to a wide range of events, including corporate conferences, conventions, and educational programs. They are known for their comprehensive speaker roster and personalized service. Founded in 1994 by Angela Schelp and Don Simmons, the agency has grown to become one of the leading agencies in the industry. Premiere Speakers Bureau has built a strong reputation for representing high-caliber speakers who inspire, educate, and entertain audiences worldwide. Their roster includes household names, industry experts, bestselling authors, and influencers, making them a go-to resource for event planners and organizations seeking top-tier talent.
Premium Speakers Bureau
The Premium Speakers Bureau acts as an intermediary between event organizers and speakers, helping to match the right speaker with the specific needs and objectives of each event. They handle the logistics of booking speakers, negotiating fees, arranging travel and accommodations, and ensuring that both parties are satisfied with the arrangement.
Their roster of speakers often includes individuals who are experts in their respective fields, such as business, technology, leadership, politics, entertainment, sports, and more. These speakers are selected based on their expertise, experience, and ability to engage and inspire audiences.
SpeakInc
SpeakInc Speaker’s Bureau provides personalized service to both speakers and clients, working closely with each to understand their needs and objectives. For speakers, the bureau offers support in booking engagements, managing logistics, and promoting their services, while for clients, they provide assistance in selecting the right speaker for their event and coordinating all aspects of the presentation.
Top Speakers: Daymond John, Molly Fletcher, Erik Qualman, Seth Godin
The Sweeney Agency
Headquartered in Waterloo, Ontario, The Sweeney Agency is a speakers bureau and talent agency that represents a wide range of speakers, including thought leaders, experts, business leaders, authors, athletes, and entertainers, for speaking engagements, conferences, corporate events, and other appearances. This agency is known for its commitment to providing high-quality speakers who can inspire, educate, and entertain audiences on various topics.
VaynerSpeakers
VaynerSpeakers is a speakers bureau and talent agency founded by entrepreneur Gary Vaynerchuk, who is widely known for his expertise in marketing, entrepreneurship, and social media. The agency is a division of VaynerMedia, a full-service digital agency founded by Gary Vaynerchuk and his brother, AJ Vaynerchuk.
VaynerSpeakers represents a curated roster of speakers who are experts in various fields, including business, marketing, technology, leadership, innovation, and personal development. These speakers are often thought leaders, entrepreneurs, authors, and influencers who have significantly impacted their respective industries. One of the distinguishing features of VaynerSpeakers is its focus on speakers who deliver powerful messages, have a strong online presence, and have the ability to engage with audiences across different digital platforms.
Washington Speakers Bureau (WSB)
WSB is one of the largest and most respected speaker bureaus globally. They represent a diverse roster of speakers, including politicians, business leaders, athletes, entertainers, and more. WSB is known for its high-profile clients and extensive experience in arranging speaking engagements.
Worldwide Speakers Group (WWSG)
WWSG is a leading speakers bureau and talent agency headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia. They represent a wide range of speakers from various fields, including business, politics, sports, entertainment, technology, academia, and more. Their roster includes thought leaders, industry experts, CEOs, authors, entrepreneurs, athletes, and other notable individuals. WWSG has a global reach and serves clients worldwide. They facilitate speaking engagements and appearances for their clients at events, conferences, corporate gatherings, universities, and other venues around the world.
