Best for Leadership
Lisa Bodell
Simplification, innovation, change management and strategy.
Fee range$50,000–$75,000
See fee profile
Updated November 2026 · Rankings for 2027
Keynote Speaker Reviews, Fees & Rankings for 2027
Compare keynote speakers by topic, fee range and city. SpeakersU publishes speaker fee profiles, annual rankings and planning guides to help event organisers shortlist the right speaker.
Since 2017Reviewing keynote speakers
20Speaker fee profiles
70+City & region guides
About SpeakersU
What Is SpeakersU?
SpeakersU is a keynote speaker review site that compares professional speakers by topic, fee range and location. It publishes annual rankings, speaker fee profiles and city-by-city guides for event planners choosing a keynote speaker. SpeakersU was founded in 2017 and is run by the team behind keynote speaker James Taylor.
Start with a category ranking, check what a speaker charges, or browse speakers for the city where your event takes place.
- Rankings
- 9 topic categories
- Fee data
- 20 speaker fee profiles
- Locations
- 70+ city & region guides
- Founded
- 2017
Editor's picks
See the full 2027 ranking
Our Keynote Speaker Picks for 2027
Five speakers we recommend by category, with the fee range published on each speaker's profile.
Best for Innovation
James Taylor
Creativity, innovation and AI-augmented creativity.
Fee range$15,000–$25,000
See fee profile
Best for Sales
Simon T. Bailey
Leadership, change management and customer service.
Fee range$25,000–$40,000
See fee profile
Best for Peak Performance
Jamil Qureshi
Leadership, peak performance and change.
Fee range$15,000–$50,000+
See fee profile
Best for Sustainability
Alison Burns
Sustainability, future trends and the ethics of technology.
Fee range$10,000–$25,000
See fee profileFee ranges are estimates and vary with event length, location and requirements.
Rankings by category
Browse the Best Keynote Speakers by Topic
Each ranking compares speakers on their topic, experience and fee range, so you can shortlist by the theme of your event.
Best Keynote Speakers of 2027
Our overall ranking across every category.
Leadership Keynote Speakers
Culture, teams and leading through change.
Innovation Keynote Speakers
Creativity, new ideas and staying ahead of disruption.
Motivational Speakers
High-energy talks to open or close your event.
Business Keynote Speakers
Strategy, growth and performance for corporate audiences.
Futurist Speakers
AI, technology trends and the future of work.
Marketing Keynote Speakers
Brand, customers and digital marketing.
Female Keynote Speakers
Leading women speakers across every topic.
Celebrity Speakers
Household names for high-profile events.
Speaker fees
How Much Do Keynote Speakers Charge?
Keynote speaker fees depend on the speaker's niche, reputation, demand, travel and how much the talk is customised. Most business, leadership and technology keynote speakers charge $10,000 to $50,000 or more, while celebrity speakers range from $50,000 to over $1 million.
| Speaker category | Typical fee |
|---|---|
| Celebrity speakers | $50,000 – $1M+ |
| Business & leadership speakers | $10,000 – $50,000+ |
| Technology speakers | $10,000 – $50,000+ |
| Entertainment & sports speakers | $5,000 – $50,000+ |
| Health & wellness speakers | $5,000 – $25,000+ |
What affects a speaker's fee
- Industry and niche
- Reputation and experience
- Availability and demand
- Time and travel
- Customisation and preparation
What well-known speakers charge
- Simon Sinek$125,000–$200,000
- Mel Robbins$50,000–$100,000
- Jeremy Gutsche$50,000–$90,000
- Patrick Lencioni$30,000–$50,000
- Simon T. Bailey$25,000–$40,000
- Duncan WardleFrom $25,000
Speakers by location
Find Keynote Speakers by City
SpeakersU publishes keynote speaker guides for more than 70 cities and regions across the Middle East, Europe, Asia-Pacific, the Americas and Africa. Each guide lists top keynote speakers for events in that market.
Middle East
Europe
Americas
Africa
Planning guides
Planning Guides for Booking a Keynote Speaker
Practical guides for each stage, from choosing a speaker to introducing them on stage.
What Is a Keynote Speaker?
What keynote speakers do and why events book them.
How to Choose a Keynote Speaker
Match the speaker to your audience, theme and budget.
How to Invite a Keynote Speaker
The steps from first enquiry to confirmed booking.
How Long Do Keynote Speakers Speak For?
Typical session lengths and how to plan your agenda.
Keynote Speaker Pre-Event Checklist
Everything to confirm with your speaker before the day.
How to Announce a Keynote Speaker
Promote your speaker and introduce them on stage.
Our approach
How We Review Keynote Speakers
Every SpeakersU speaker profile covers the speaker's topics, the events they suit and a published fee range. Referral fees don't affect our ratings and no one can pay for a positive review, though they may affect where and in what order speakers appear on the site.
Topics and expertise
We set out what each speaker talks about and which audiences and event types they suit.
Published fee ranges
Fee ranges come from public and bureau sources and are shown as estimates, because fees change with event length, travel and requirements.
Dated rankings
Every ranking shows the year it covers, so you can see how current it is.
Clear disclosure
We state who runs SpeakersU and how we make money, so you can weigh our recommendations.
FAQ
Keynote Speaker FAQs
How much does a keynote speaker cost?
Most business, leadership and technology keynote speakers charge $10,000 to $50,000 or more per event. Health and wellness speakers typically charge $5,000 to $25,000, and celebrity speakers range from $50,000 to over $1 million. See our keynote speaker fee guide for what affects the price.
What is a keynote speaker?
A keynote speaker gives the main address at a conference or event and sets its theme and tone. Keynote speakers are usually recognised experts, authors or business leaders, and their talk often opens or closes the event. Read more in What Is a Keynote Speaker?
How long does a keynote speech last?
Most keynote speeches run 45 to 60 minutes. Many speakers also offer half-day (3–4 hour) or full-day (6–8 hour) workshops, usually at a higher fee. See how long keynote speakers speak for.
How do I find the right keynote speaker for my conference?
Start with your event's theme, audience and budget. Shortlist speakers from the category rankings, check their fee profiles, then use a city guide if your event is in a specific market. Our guide on how to choose a keynote speaker walks through each step.
How does SpeakersU make money?
SpeakersU receives referral fees from some of the speaker bureaus and speakers it passes enquiries to. These fees don't affect review ratings, and no speaker or bureau can pay for a positive review. They may influence where and in what order speakers appear. Read the full policy.
Who runs SpeakersU?
SpeakersU was founded in 2017 and is run by the team behind keynote speaker James Taylor. James is one of the speakers reviewed on the site.
Get help
Need Help Shortlisting a Keynote Speaker?
Tell us your event date, audience and budget, and we'll pass your brief to suitable speakers or their bureaus.
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