What Is the Best Speakers Bureau to Hire a Motivational Speaker?

A speakers bureau is an agency that connects clients with subject matter experts, event organizers and program consultants in exchange for a commission. Usually, the speakers pay this price, meaning businesses receive all those services for free and only pay for the event appearance in question.

However, not all bureaus are created equal — their fees, services and rosters differ. For instance, while some offer complementary marketing, event logistics handling and event planning, others only connect clients with professionals. Considering these factors, what is the best speakers bureau to hire a motivational speaker?

Motivational Speakers Have Made a Post-COVID Comeback

During the COVID-19 pandemic, municipalities paused most in-person events indefinitely. As colleges, corporations and communities were forced to cancel conferences, many motivational speakers went without work for months. Although this sudden, unexpected change represented a major setback, the industry did not fade into irrelevancy — it adapted.

Event organizers turned to remote solutions, hosting meetings online or in virtual chatrooms instead of in person. In the years since governments lifted travel and occupancy restrictions, the demand for live assemblies has skyrocketed. However, virtual reality (VR) remains popular.

According to the 2024 Speaker Bureau Benchmarks Report, speaker bureau activity has rebounded, surpassing pre-COVID levels. Event volume increased by around 18% from 2022 to 2024. While live assemblies accounted for 62% of the total program volume, more event organizers are incorporating virtual elements into their strategies. In 2023, 50% of all completed programs had this component.

Before 2020, remote conferences were rare. Today, they often complement in-person conventions. This heightened accessibility has led to a surge in demand.

This trend represents a unique opportunity for motivational speakers and the people hiring them. Already, speakers bureaus provide tremendous value to their clients. With the inclusion of advanced technologies, they are driving engagement even further, enhancing reputations and improving outcomes.

Using a Speakers Bureau to Find a Motivational Speaker

Today’s motivational speakers can make virtual or in-person appearances. As more options open up, so do more price points. In fact, virtual has enabled a reduced minimum fee of around $2,500 per event. You still receive high-quality professionals with years of experience in their niche but no longer have to pay top dollar.

Whether you need to inspire college students or empower employees, having a high-quality speaker can help you achieve your goal. Going through a speaker bureau to hire one is the best strategy. These professionals take a hands-on approach, handling everything from selection to logistics, enabling you to focus on revenue-generating activities instead of administrative work. Think of them as a vital extension of your team.

That said, not all agencies can guarantee the same outcomes. Your choice of agency impacts the speaker roster and the services available to you. So, what is the best speakers bureau for hiring a motivational speaker?

Ideally, you should go with an agency that boasts a robust roster and responds to you in a timely manner since connecting quickly with candidates is essential. Perks like exclusivity, event coordination, and consultant recommendations are luxuries but may not come with an additional cost, depending on the firm.

15 Best Speakers Bureaus to Hire a Motivational Speaker

What is the best speakers bureau for hiring a motivational speaker? You have several options.

1.    Leading Authorities

Out of all your options, Leading Authorities Inc. is the best speakers bureau for hiring a motivational speaker. It has the most extensive roster of exclusive talent worldwide, giving you access to unique voices. Many of its agents have decades of experience in the business.

Leading Authorities Inc. offers talent for in-person, hybrid and virtual events, so you can arrange a successful assembly no matter your location or needs. These qualities make it one of the most trusted bureaus in the industry.

Thanks to the event logistics team, everything from transportation to accommodation is handled for you. These professionals meet with the motivational speakers in person multiple times to preview their content. They also often travel alongside each other to presentations.

2.    American Program Bureau

The American Program Bureau serves niche audiences among corporations, nonprofits, universities and local communities. Its exceptionally large roster — one of the largest in the sector — offers an excellent selection.

In the 50 years since its founding, the American Program Bureau has coordinated tens of thousands of events. It has worked with and impressed big names like PayPal, Harvard Law School, NBC and the Ford Motor Company, but where it stands out is its event coordination services. This agency’s qualified program consultants will guide you through hiring and logistics, helping you align your needs with your chosen speaker’s skill set.

3.    Washington Speakers Bureau

The Washington Speakers Bureau is the world’s largest talent agency specializing in corporate speaking events. Its motivational and keynote speakers cover political, leadership, innovation, business and inclusion topics.

4.    Gotham Artists

Gotham Artists arranges speakers for corporate, college, corporate and nonprofit events. It may not have as much experience or work as many conferences as other agencies, but its history is nothing to scoff at. It has worked with several Fortune 100 brands and some of the most prestigious universities in the United States.

Other than Leading Authorities, Gotham Artists is one of the few bureaus offering exclusivity. Whether you need an expert in business, education, mental health, leadership or technology, you gain access to talent you can get nowhere else.

5.    Creative Artists Agency

The Creative Artists Agency was founded more than 50 years ago, making it one of the older, more experienced firms in the sector. It represents thousands of talented professionals, including artists, authors, designers, brands, athletes, comedians and more.

Many of the Creative Artists Agency’s headliners are household names. You could hire Nicole Kidman, David Letterman or Gwyneth Paltrow to speak at your next conference. Alternatively, you could source expert insights from renowned leaders such as the former chief executive officer of Burberry or the co-founder of Whole Foods Market.

6.    National Speakers Bureau

The National Speakers Bureau has over 50 years in the business. In addition to connecting you with motivational speakers, it provides a program consultant to help you with marketing, contracting and travel planning.

This agency has an expansive internal database of thousands of professionals worldwide. You can search for people using a name, an area of expertise, a topic direction or a location. If you need help deciding, a support team is available through email, phone or live chat.

7.    Global Speakers Agency

Global Speakers Agency is another speakers bureau founded over 50 years ago, making it one of the most experienced in the industry. Its roster hosts thousands of thought leaders and subject matter experts worldwide.

8.    Innovation Women

Out of all the speakers bureaus on this list, Innovation Women is notably unique. It describes itself as a self-service “visibility bureau” highlighting female professionals. It aims to connect you to motivational speakers and subject matter experts who happen to be women.

Unlike a conventional speakers bureau, Innovation Women does not take a fee. Instead, it connects you with someone for free. You negotiate directly with the person you want to hire.

You can post calls for a motivational speaker once you create a free account. Spend as much time browsing the agency’s database as you need. If you find someone who piques your interest, you can connect directly with them to invite them to speak.

Some women on the Innovation Women database are passionate about their company or cause, so they are willing to speak for free to gain visibility. However, this benefit is exceedingly rare.

9.    Celebrity Speakers Bureau

Is drawing a crowd important to you? Do you want your event to be memorable? While hiring a celebrity speaker is more expensive than most other options, it has its perks.

With the Celebrity Speakers Bureau, you can get in touch with speakers like Guy Fieri, Simone Biles, Robin Roberts or Mark Cuban. Its roster contains thousands of others. There are also many options if you want to hire a well-known individual in the business sector.

A senior talent agent and a team of researchers will coordinate with you to ensure the celebrity you hire is the right match for your conference. A personalized service like this one is essential when spending as much money as you need.

10.         Worldwide Speakers Group

The Worldwide Speakers Group will connect you with thought leaders and subject matter experts worldwide. Many in its roster are under exclusivity contracts, which can lend some uniqueness to your program. The team also has years of experience in the keynote speaking and event industry, so they can provide quality recommendations and booking services.

11.         BigSpeak Speakers Bureau

The BigSpeak Speakers Bureau exclusively represents corporate professionals, many of whom specialize in storytelling, motivation, leadership or technology — ideal topics for inspiring or empowering a corporate workplace. This agency is ideal for medium and large enterprises, as it currently serves most of the Fortune 1000 entities.

Some of its more well-known clients include CNN, Disney, Pfizer, Deloitte, Target and Wells Fargo. Headliners like Barbara Corcoran, Earvin “Magic” Johnson, or Stephanie Sword can entertain, educate and encourage your staff on a broad variety of topics.

12.         Executive Speakers Bureau

The Executive Speakers Bureau has a roster of thousands of professionals — some of today’s foremost professionals and motivational speakers. It also boasts clients like Kroger, Chase Bank, FedEx and Intel, demonstrating its place among medium and large enterprises.

13.         Platinum Speakers Agency

The Platinum Speakers Agency is a speaker management company that serves dozens of countries. It represents some of today’s most in-demand professionals.

This agency’s team of business experts and exceptional customer service department will guide your decision-making process, ensuring you get the best person for the job without going over budget. If you are not sure about their pick, you can always watch one of the many short demonstration videos on the official website to preview various speakers quickly.

14.         Keppler Speakers

Keppler Speakers can connect you with some of the world’s leading authorities on business strategy, politics, inspiration and more. During its more than 40 years in the industry, it has amassed an impressive speaker roster.

15.         Black Speakers Network

The Black Speakers Network is a membership-based speaker development brand. Although it has only existed for a few years, its roster is impressive. However, it does not connect with those individuals on your behalf — it is simply an aggregator that makes finding them easier.

Whether you want to spotlight minority groups in your sector or generate excitement about an upcoming diversity, equity, and inclusion initiative, the Black Speakers Network is an excellent agencty. It can connect you with thousands of active motivational speakers, including doctors, social workers, enterprise professionals and industry leaders.

Selecting the Best Speakers Bureau for Your Firm’s Needs

Answering the question “What is the best speakers bureau to hire a motivational speaker?” is no easy task. However, this list and its accompanying tables give you every data point you need. Whether you run a small business or are in charge of an event planning department, you can make an informed decision.

Devin Partida writes about investor technologies, big data and apps. She is also the Editor-in-Chief of ReHack.com.