Here is our list of the most entertaining conference speakers.
Conference speakers are experts or thought leaders who give addresses at conferences or other public gatherings. Conference speakers usually have a wealth of experience and unique ideas on a specific subject matter. Examples include President Barack Obama speaking on politics, Martin Scorsese speaking on cinema, or Elon Musk speaking at an I.T. conference. Conference speakers are great for inspiring attendees and encouraging participation.
These guest experts are similar to virtual keynote event speakers and keynote speakers. These speakers are key conference entertainment and provide conference quotes.
This list includes:
- great keynote speakers
- motivational speakers for conferences
- guest speakers for events
- international guest speakers
Here we go!
List of conference speakers
Choosing a keynote speaker is important, but you must have an in-depth understanding of your speaker and in which fields they are experts. Understanding your preferred speaker’s profile helps you decide if they are the right fit for your conference.
Here are the best conference speakers you should consider inviting to speak at your next event.
1. Tony Robbins
Speaks about: Self-development, Business Innovation, and Entrepreneurship
Tony Robbins is one of the most recognized motivational speakers for conferences globally. He is a #1 New York Times bestselling author with over six international books, including Awaken the Giant Within. With over 40 years of experience as a motivational speaker and entrepreneur, he delivers a message of empowerment to individuals and organizations.
Tony Robbins notably did not attend college but started organizing seminars for motivational speaker Jim Rohn at the age of 17. That opportunity helped him to develop a coaching style, empowering over 50 million people in their business and personal lives.
Tony Robbins is known for giving his speeches with warmth, humor, and conviction to listeners across 100 countries. With these qualities, he has worked with four U.S. Presidents, leading business magnates, top athletes, and entertainers. His client list includes Bill Clinton, Hugh Jackman, and Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff.
Tony Robinson speaks on the importance of innovation in improving businesses, overcoming the mindsets to build a great business, and achieving happiness on the journey. As a philanthropist, Tony is passionate about ending world hunger, and his non-profit foundation is on a path to providing one billion meals by 2025. In addition, his coaching program, Unleash the Power Within, earns him an average of $9 million annually.
Conference speaking fee range: $250,000 – $300,000
Book Tony Robbins.
2. Tom Bilyeu
Speaks about: Entrepreneurship, Creativity and Innovation, and Motivation
Few professionals have built a billion-dollar business in less than five years, and Tom Bilyeu is one of those exceptions. He is a serial entrepreneur, filmmaker, and media studio executive known globally as co-founder of Quest Nutrition and Impact Theory. He is also a master at riveting and empowering speeches at some of the world’s most prestigious conferences, including Abundance 360, A-fest, and Freedom Fast Lane.
After building Quest Nutrition into a billion-dollar company, he shifted his focus to empowering a generation of well-rounded, successful entrepreneurs and change-makers. He delivers this message through storytelling and helping audiences grasp what it takes to be successful. His keynote topics surround health and nutrition, business and innovation, neuroscience, and self-empowerment.
On his media platform, Impact Theory, Tom Bilyeu hosts change makers and thought leaders. The speakers discuss the mindsets of the highest achievers in various fields. In 2018, Success Magazine named him as one of their Top 25 Influential People, while Secret Entourage named him Entrepreneur of the Year in 2016.
Conference speaking fee range: $50,000 – $75,000
Book Tom Bilyeu.
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3. Jocko Willink
Speaks about: Leadership, Discipline, and Strategy
Jocko Willink is a retired U.S. Navy Seal who now works as a leadership instructor, strategic advisor, speaker, and podcaster. He has successfully transmitted his over two-decade experience as a Seal team leader into developing business managers to be formidable leaders. His approach is one of Extreme Ownership, the same name for his #1 New York Times bestselling book. He has gone on to co-author multiple books and motivates individuals while hosting a top-rated podcast.
Upon reassignment as Officer-in-Charge of Training, he spearheaded the leadership training for all West Coast SEAL teams and personally mentored the next generation of SEAL leaders. His keynote speeches center on the importance of leadership, discipline, and applications of military planning models in businesses.
He holds a degree in English from the University of San Diego and speaks about the importance of communication as a leader. His TED talk on extreme ownership has over six million views, and he appears at major conferences around the country. In addition, he received the Silver and Bronze Star awards for heroic and meritorious service in the U.S. armed forces.
Conference speaking fee range: $150,000 – $299,000
Book Jocko Willink.
4. Brian Tracy
Speaks about: Leadership, Public Speaking, Business Training, Personal Development
Brian Tracy is an author, investor, and veteran public speaker with over 30 years of experience. Starting as a laborer struggling to get by, he has developed himself to be one of the best speakers in the self-help space. He is a speaker of note who has addressed over five million individuals worldwide and has held over 5,000 talks.
As a business consultant, he has consulted for over 1000 companies and has more than 300 audio and video learning materials. These materials have been translated into dozens of languages and are available in over 70 countries. In addition, he is the author of over 70 books, including Eat That Frog and No Excuses! The Power of Self-Discipline and The Psychology of Selling. His book Eat That Frog provides detailed steps to overcome procrastination and become more productive.
Brian is passionate about helping people understand the power of speaking. He creates courses on the power of effective communication, the art of public speaking, for business leaders. As a consultant with success speaking to over 250,000 people annually, Brian aims to teach audiences his winning techniques.
Conference speaking fee range: $20,000 – $30,000
Book Brian Tracy.
5. Robert Kiyosaki
Speaks about: Personal Finances, Investment, and Leadership.
Robert Kiyosaki is a highly successful investor, author, and public speaker who teaches how to manage personal finances. His passion for teaching people investment led him to create a board game that became a business empire. The financial principles he teaches helped him to retire at 47.
Robert Kiyosaki is a passionate teacher with over 26 books published, including bestseller Rich Dad Poor Dad, which has sold over 42 million copies. His Rich Dad Company provides financial and business education through different media, including seminars, coaching sessions, and workshops.
His books are available in 52 languages, and millions have heard him speak about making smart money decisions. He has been one of the most notable international guest speakers for events over the past decade.
Conference speaking fee range: $50,000 – $75,000.
Book Robert Kiyosaki.
6. Les Brown
Speaks about: Wealth Creation, Self-empowerment, Leadership
Les Brown is among the foremost speakers on leadership, business, and personal success. He is highly sought after by top fortune 500 companies, including Disney, McDonald’s, IBM, and the United States Postal Service. He also consults for business owners and non-profit and community leaders to solve critical challenges.
His goal is to help professionals become uncomfortable with mediocrity and catalyze them to become more than they are. This message has resonated as his company has made millions of dollars from selling motivational materials and courses.
He has published dozens of books, including Live Your Dreams, You’ve Got to be Hungry, and It’s Not Over Until You Win. In over 30 years of public speaking, Les Brown has won multiple awards and is known as ‘The Motivator.’
Conference speaking fee range: $30,000 – $50,000.
Book Les Brown.
7. Carla Harris
Speaks about: Business, Success, and Leadership.
Carla Harris is a proficient author, executive, and speaker with over 30 years of heading major corporations in various industries. Her extensive industry experience spans healthcare, industrial, media, retail, and technology. President Obama appointed her as chair of the National Women’s Business Council in 2013.
Harris aims to help professionals avoid major missteps on their way up the corporate ladder. With eight books to her name, Harris delivers speeches to thousands, sharing vital lessons on leadership. Her keynote speeches revolve around authenticity in the workplace, business strategy, and harnessing the power of mentorship.
Essence magazine named her on the list of 50 women shaping the world, and Fortune magazine named her one of the 50 most powerful black executives in corporate America.
Conference speaking fee range: $50,000 – $100,000.
Book Carla Harris.
8. Lisa Bodell
Speaks about: Performance Productivity, Innovation, Motivation
FutureThink CEO Lisa Bodell is a bestselling author, serial entrepreneur, and speaker passionate about helping organizations embrace simplicity. As an innovation expert, she works with organizations to eradicate complexities and enhance productivity.
Her message resonates with top-level executives at Google, LinkedIn, CVS/Aetna, and Novartis. She speaks on the disadvantages of unnecessary complexities and how simplicity gives organizations a competitive edge.
Lisa Bodell is a monthly contributor to Forbes, and top magazines like WIRED, The New York Times, and Harvard Business Review have featured her. Her books include Why Simple Wins and Kill the Company.
Her experience spans beyond the business world as she has served on global agencies like the World Economic Forum, the United States National Security Agency, and the Novartis board of Cultural, Diversity & Inclusion.
Conference speaking fee range: $50,000 and above
Book Lisa Bodell.
9. Mike Walsh
Speaks about: Change Management, Innovation, Artificial Intelligence, and Digital Transformation.
Mike Walsh is an author, futurist, and business strategist who works for top organizations and business leaders. As a futurist, he has given over 1000 speeches and proffers solutions with global perspectives and based on cutting-edge research. His work often appears in reputable publications like BusinessWeek, Forbes, and Wall Street Journal.
His speeches center around data-driven decision-making, algorithmic management, and A.I. ethics. His other key topics include innovative marketing and technologies, business management, and the future of work.
Walsh is an accomplished author with provocative books that forecast the future and how to plan for it. His book, The Algorithmic Leader, offers a practical guide to reinventing leadership and organizations. The book has been translated into various languages and recommended to and by world leaders.
Conference speaking fee range: $25,000 – $30,000
Book Mike Walsh.
10. Daymond John
Speaks about: Entrepreneurship, Business Communication, and Wealth Creation
Daymond John is a fashion business mogul, best-selling author, speaker, and known Shark on ABC’s Shark Tank. His first breakthrough was turning the fashion brand FUBU from a $40 startup to a $6 billion global brand. He has since maintained global relevance and was appointed a presidential ambassador for Global Entrepreneurship by President Barack Obama.
Daymond John has experience building startups into multimillion-dollar companies, including the ones he invested in at Shark Tank. He is the author of five books, including The Power of Broke and The Brand Within. He is passionate about sharing the insights that helped him build multiple multimillion-dollar companies. Daymond John communicates this with charisma and personal stories, using ‘music-inspired’ speeches, and engaging actively with the audience.
He speaks about the role hard work, perseverance, and sacrifice play in building a sustainable brand. He started The Shark Group to share the secrets that made FUBU successful. Daymond brings a lot to a speech as a businessman, investor, and television personality. This makes him a versed speaker for a wide range of industries.
Conference speaking fee range: $50,000 – $100,000
Book Daymond John.
11. Chris Gardner
Speaks about: Personal Success, Motivation, and Productivity
Chris Gardner is a businessman, author, and motivational speaker most known for his memoir: The Pursuit of Happyness. This New York Times and Washington Post bestseller chronicles Gardner’s rough life and struggles with homelessness while raising his son. His book has been translated into over 40 languages and became a movie starring Will Smith.
He speaks about success from a personal perspective, with wisdom and humanity. His message resonates with people who want to quit and those who want to become world-class leaders in their fields. He introduced the world to Spiritual Genetics and speaks on the importance of having a plan and passion.
Conference speaking fee range: $50,000 – $100,000
Book Chris Gardner.
12. Kim Perrell
Speaks about: Entrepreneurship, Investment, and Funding
Kim Perrel is a seasoned entrepreneur, investor, and bestselling author with knowledge in starting and scaling businesses. She is an investor in over 100 companies worldwide and has scaled companies into billion-dollar establishments. This experience gives her a unique insider perspective on investment, entrepreneurship, and business operations.
With over 20 years of experience in business, Kim Perrell has dedicated her time to helping entrepreneurs avoid pitfalls on their journey to building great companies. Her renowned speeches make her one of the top guest speakers for events focusing on business funding and scaling. Other topics include executing business strategy, pitching businesses, and accelerated business startups. She has appeared in Business Insider, The New York Times, and CNN Money.
Conference speaking fee range: $30,000 – $50,000
Book Kim Perrell.
13. Gary Vaynerchuk
Speaks about: Innovation, Execution, Business Strategy, and Harnessing Social Media
Gary Vaynerchuk is a serial entrepreneur, motivational speaker, and five times New York Times Bestselling author. Gary entered into business as a staff in his father’s retail wine business before becoming a wine critic. After taking over his father’s wine business, he grew the business from making $3 million to $60 million annually. Then, he stepped down from the company to build VaynerMedia, a digital ad agency that helps businesses scale.
With an aggressive approach to inspiring people, Gary speaks at major conferences worldwide about execution and empathy for the customer. In addition, he has grown a large following on social media as a mentor to young entrepreneurs, proffering solutions to key challenges.
Gary is a practical teacher who documents his life as an active entrepreneur through his YouTube series and on social media. He runs a full-service digital agency that offers production and creative ideas and strategy for businesses. He delivers speeches to cement the ideas and practices seen on his media platforms.
Conference speaking fee range: $100,000 – $200,000
Book Gary Vaynerchuk.
Conclusion
Great keynote speakers are an important component of your conference as they bring expertise to your organization. Choosing the right speakers adds authenticity and credibility to your events and sets the tone for the conference. A good speaker encourages the audience and leaves them inspired. Great speakers connect with the audience, understand their needs, and how to meet them. You need your speakers to display a combination of expertise, charisma, and flexibility.
Next, check out conference breakout session ideas and ideas for virtual conferences.
