Tell us about your event, your audience and what you want them to think, feel or do.
With 20+ years of experience, we'll recommend the speakers who fit - saving you hours of searching and helping you avoid an expensive mistake.
The Sweeney Agency is a keynote speakers bureau that has helped corporations and associations across the US and Canada find and book speakers since 2003. Our service is free to clients — we’re paid by the speaker, out of the same fee you’d pay booking direct — and we track more than 16,000 speakers to recommend the few who fit your audience.
TRUSTED BY LEADING ORGANIZATIONS
Tell Us What You Need. We’ll Find the Speaker.
Tell Us about Your Event
Audience, goals, topic, date and budget.
We Recommend the Best Fits
We use our experiences and relationship to narrow more than 16,000 speakers to a few outstanding speakers.
You Choose with Confidence
We help with videos, availability, fees, contracts and logistics from selection through event day.
We know the difference between someone who looks good online and someone who delivers on stage.
Recommendations Based on Your Event
Not whoever happens to be promoted this month.
We’re With You Until the Applause
From the First Conversation through contracts, preparation and event day.
What Our Clients Say
“The Sweeney Agency saved us $12k by talking us out of a $24K speaker and recommended a $12K speaker who was a better fit. Eight years later, we were still booking with them.”
— IBM Cognos Analytics
“For Associations, they are fast, professional with incredibly friendly service. The Sweeney Agency is more than a resource — they’re a partner.”
— Electronics Representatives Association
“The Sweeney Agency delivered a great Speaker to each of our 86 events in 3 years. We trust them, they consistently deliver—simple as that.”
— Northrop Grumman
“The Sweeney Agency are 100% accurate on fees, and you can trust the quality and integrity of their speaker recommendations.”
— Intuit
“In 11 years we’ve done 71 events. We tell them what we need, they research the options, and deliver the top 5–6 speakers every time.”
— Principal Group
“We don’t have to worry as they hold the speakers they book accountable.”
— Bristol Myers Squibb
A More Personable Approach to Finding Great Speakers
We’ve spent more than 20 years helping organizations find speakers who genuinely fit their audiences and objectives. Tell us what you’re trying to accomplish, and we’ll make the search easier.
Frequently Asked Questions About Booking a Keynote Speaker
How much does it cost to use a speakers bureau?
Nothing. The Sweeney Agency’s service is free to clients. We are paid a commission by the speaker, out of the speaker’s standard fee, and only when a booking happens. The fee you pay is the same fee you would be quoted booking direct, so research, fee benchmarking, contracts and logistics come at no extra cost.
No. Speakers charge the same fee whether you contact them directly or book through a reputable bureau, because the bureau’s commission comes out of that fee. Booking through The Sweeney Agency adds vetting, fee benchmarking, negotiation, contract handling and a replacement if the speaker cancels, at no added cost to you.
Most keynote speakers charge between $15,000 and $70,000 USD. Emerging speakers with strong reviews typically charge $10,000 to $15,000. Established experts with five to ten years on the circuit charge $15,000 to $40,000. Well-known thought leaders charge $40,000 to $70,000, and celebrity speakers charge more. Always ask whether a quote includes travel.
Within two to three hours. Tell us about your audience, objectives, date and budget, and we send a short list of speakers matched to your event, each with a video clip, a fee range and a plain-language explanation of why they fit. If none of them is right, we search again at no cost.
How does The Sweeney Agency choose which speakers to recommend?
We match on fit and track record, not on who we represent. We hold no exclusive contracts, so our commission is about the same whichever speaker you choose. We track more than 16,000 speakers and use 20+ years of post-event feedback to recommend the few who suit your audience, objectives and budget, including when a lower-fee speaker fits better.
Does The Sweeney Agency book speakers for associations and conferences?
Yes. We book keynote speakers for association annual meetings and conferences as well as corporate leadership events, sales kickoffs and training days. For associations, we provide several vetted options with a written rationale and a benchmarked fee for each, which gives boards and education committees a documented selection process.
We find and book a qualified replacement and handle the contract changes. Because we are not limited to an exclusive roster and track more than 16,000 speakers, we can usually offer replacements on the same topic and at a similar fee, even at short notice.
No cost. No obligation. Prefer to talk? 1-866-727-7555
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