Book keynote speakers in Chicago
Book top keynote speakers in Chicago with PepTalk. Fast recommendations, transparent fees, in-person or virtual options.


































7,400+ available experts
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Our Picks

Stephen Drum
Navy SEAL & leadership speaker
Transform leadership performance with Stephen Drum, speaker and retired Navy SEAL Master Chief. Stephen works with organizations to build resilience, enhance decision-making under pressure, and develop high-performing teams, delivering combat-tested insights from his bestselling book "Life on the X."

Ginnette Harvey
DEI strategist & leadership coach
Transform workplace diversity and performance with Ginnette Harvey, speaker and DEI strategist. Ginnette works with organizations to build inclusive environments, develop high-performance teams, and coach women leaders. Named in SIA's Top 100 influential leaders and Stevie Award winner for Woman of the Year.

Andy Hite
Speaker & executive coach
Transform leadership and unlock potential with Andy Hite, speaker and executive coach. Andy works with entrepreneurs and executives to develop authentic leadership skills and create meaningful business growth, delivering impactful insights backed by commercial theatre experience.

Andy Boyle
Tech & journalism innovation leader
Transform digital strategies with Andy Boyle, speaker, technology and journalism expert. Andy works with media organizations to develop innovative products and lead high-performing teams, delivering Pulitzer Prize-winning expertise for NBC News, Esquire, and The New York Times.
Explore the most in-demand speaker topics across , tailored to today’s business challenges and audience needs.
01
Tell us your brief.
Share the event, the audience, the theme, and the budget. The more context you give us, the sharper the shortlist we'll come back with.
02
Get your proposal within 24 hours.
We respond fast. You'll get a hand-picked selection of speakers matched to your brief, with full profiles, fees, and our recommendation on who's the strongest fit.
03
Refine until it's right.
Not quite right? Tell us what's missing from the shortlist and we'll adjust. We work with you until you're confident you've found the right person.
04
Confirm. We handle everything else.
Contracts, fees, travel, briefing calls, on-the-day logistics. We manage the full process so your team doesn't have to.
05
Event countdown.
Relax. Your speaker or expert is confirmed, the prep is done, and your event is in good hands. Show up and enjoy it.

Chicago: Where Bold Ideas Take Stage
Chicago is the ultimate event destination — a world-class city with unmatched energy, diversity, and talent. Home to Fortune 500 companies, top universities, and thriving industries spanning finance, tech, healthcare, and the arts, Chicago boasts a deep bench of expert local speakers across virtually every field. Its central location makes it easily accessible from anywhere in the U.S., while its iconic venues — from riverfront ballrooms to historic theaters — set the stage for unforgettable events. A city of bold ideas and big personalities, Chicago consistently delivers speakers and experiences that inspire, engage, and leave lasting impressions.
Why PepTalk
The smarter way to book speakers
No more chasing agencies, comparing fees or managing contracts. One brief, one team, one platform.
Personalised matching
Tell us your brief and our team hand-picks 3–5 speakers aligned to your audience, goals and budget. Within 24 hours. No endless scrolling, no guesswork.
Full-service booking
Contracts, logistics, briefing, travel, day-of support. We manage the entire process so you don't have to.
Trusted network
15,000+ speakers across 42 countries. Every speaker vetted. Every booking rated by the teams who've worked with them.
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frequently asked questions
Questions about booking a speaker?
Partnering with PepTalk means elevating your events with our curated roster of top motivational speakers, industry experts, delivering punchy keynotes that leave a lasting impact. From talent selection, to contracts and logistics, we handle it all. We have global expert network, with over 15,000 speakers from over 50 countries on our roster. We also provide a full range of talent, from event hosts and moderators to interviewers and corporate entertainment, ensuring your event’s success from start to finish.
Email us, message us, or call us with your event details (topic, audience, budget, date, location) and the PepTalk team will send a custom speaker proposal within 24 hours. Once you've shortlisted, we'll confirm availability and fees, and you can arrange a chemistry call before deciding. From there, we handle contracts, logistics, and travel.
Whether you'd like to make a booking, need help with an event or anything else, we're here to help. Email us at hello@getapeptalk.com or send us a message via the chat. You can also call us on +44 20 3835 2929 (UK) or +1 737 888 5112 (US).
No problem! We often handle last-minute requests and can secure or replace a speaker, comedian, awards or event host quickly — almost anywhere in the world. However, speaker availability might be limited as the event date approaches. Email hello@getapeptalk.com with your requirements.
Yes. PepTalk books commercial podcast guests every week of the year. A high-profile voice can boost your podcast's reach and deliver ideas to your audience at scale. Fees typically start from £2000 / $2,000, depending on the expert. Our network includes bestselling authors, industry leaders, and cultural figures who have appeared on leading global podcasts — and many host their own. Whether you want bold insights, candid stories, or deep expertise, we'll help you find the right guest to elevate your show.
Book conference speakers 6–12 months in advance. Top speakers fill their calendars fast, so the earlier you start, the better your chances of securing your first choice. PepTalk makes it easy to browse, check availability, and confirm speakers quickly — giving you more time to focus on the rest of your event.
Not necessarily. While the speakers listed on our website may not have worked with PepTalk in the past, they are recognized professionals in the industry and known to engage in similar events and engagements. Alongside direct talent, we work with a wide variety of speaker agents and talent agencies, to ensure we have the best selection of speakers, hosts, comedians and entertainers available.
Yes. If they're not listed on the site, tell us their name and we'll take it from there. The PepTalk talent network extends well beyond what's publicly listed, so there's a good chance we can still book them.
PepTalk operates under UK GDPR. Data transfers to the US are covered by recognised safeguards, including the UK Extension to the EU-US Data Privacy Framework and standard contractual clauses where needed, so client and speaker data is protected to the same standard throughout the booking process.
PepTalk has booked speakers for a large number of American organizations, including Starbucks, Microsoft, Oracle, Cisco, Johnson & Johnson, Pinterest, Charles Schwab, GoDaddy, Citadel, Qualtrics and more.
Yes — that’s one of the most common requests we get. We regularly help clients find fresh voices for annual events, repeat audiences, and teams who want a new perspective rather than the usual names.
Book a speaker who nails your brief.
Tell us what you’re working on and we’ll match you with the talent your audience won’t stop talking about.
Other ways to book:
The PepTalk Journal
Expert voices. Fresh thinking.
Speaker recommendations, event trends, key dates, and practical guides, written by and for the people who make great events happen.










































