What does a speaker or event chair cost? An honest price guide

I get this question almost every week. Usually from someone who has to request a budget and has no idea what a realistic amount is. So here is an honest answer, without market figures nobody can check.

What speakers on this platform charge

I only use the starting fees speakers have put on their own profiles. At the time of writing that is twelve profiles:

| Fee | Number of speakers | | --- | --- | | Up to € 500 | 3 | | € 500 to 1,000 | 1 | | € 1,000 to 2,000 | 4 | | € 2,000 to 3,500 | 3 | | On request | 1 |

The lowest starting fee is € 150 per half-day, the highest € 3,500 per half-day. The middle fee is around € 1,950. All amounts exclude VAT. A few speakers charge per day, most per half-day. Keep that in mind when you compare: a day rate of € 1,950 is not the same as a half-day rate of € 1,950.

These are speakers who are not yet known to everyone. Well-known names through an agency are often a lot higher, but I have no figures of my own for that, so I will not quote any.

What the price depends on

• Preparation. A standard keynote takes less time than an event chair who has to learn your programme, speakers and audience.
• Length. A 30-minute session is still a half-day for the speaker. Travel and the briefing count too.
• Tailoring. A talk written entirely around your sector takes more work.
• Travel. Ask whether travel costs are included.

Speaker or event chair

A speaker brings one story. An event chair runs the whole day: opening, transitions, timing, panel and close. That is almost always a day or half-day of work, with a briefing call beforehand. So expect a day or half-day rate for an event chair, even if they seem to be on stage for only an hour.

How to ask

1. Mention your budget straight away in your request. It saves everyone time.
2. Say how long the session is and what the audience should take away.
3. Ask what the price includes: preparation, briefing, travel.

On this platform you pay us no fee and no commission. You agree the price directly with the speaker. Afterwards you decide what the match was worth to you.

Not sure which type of speaker fits your budget? Describe your event at Help me choose for my event or filter by budget on all speakers.