Washington Speakers Bureau
Washington Speakers Bureau is a privately held speakers bureau founded around 1979-1980 in Bethesda, Maryland, representing keynote and motivational speakers for corporate event organizers and conference planners. It self-describes as the world's largest talent agency specializing in corporate speaking events.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1980
- HeadquartersAlexandria, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Washington Speakers Bureau does
Washington Speakers Bureau (WSB) is a privately held, full-service speakers bureau founded approximately 1979-1980 and headquartered at 7200 Wisconsin Avenue in Bethesda, Maryland. The company self-describes as the world's largest talent agency specializing in corporate speaking events and represents a curated roster of keynote speakers spanning former heads of state and central bankers (George W. Bush, Ben Bernanke, Theresa May), business and thought leaders (Adam Grant, Daniel Pink, Arianna Huffington), athletes (Magic Johnson), and prominent cultural figures (José Andrés, Doris Kearns Goodwin). WSB's primary customers are corporate event organizers and conference and convention planners seeking speakers across categories including AI, business, leadership, innovation, political, motivational, teamwork, and change management. The bureau has historically maintained exclusive representation of marquee talent such as Alan Greenspan, who was represented exclusively for nearly two decades until his passing in 2026.
WSB operates a transaction-fee revenue model, earning commissions by matching and representing speakers for paid engagements. Pricing is quote-based and negotiated per engagement through a sales-led motion, with a custom proposal system serving enterprise buyers and a dedicated bulk-booking platform (wsb.bulkbooks.com) addressing mid-market demand. Distribution is concentrated through the wsb.com website (top-of-funnel discovery, topic/category browsing, inquiry submission), supplemented by email newsletters and blog content. The company has no mobile application, no public API, no disclosed integrations, and no proprietary software products — its competitive position rests on roster quality, brand longevity, and agent relationships rather than technology differentiation. Headcount is reported at 101-250 employees.
The most recent strategic actions, all dated to April 2026, include a partnership with Athletes First to make that agency's sports talent bookable through WSB, the exclusive representation of SMAC Entertainment CEO Constance Schwartz-Morini, and the addition of Joshua White (former CEO of Epic Keynotes and former SVP at American Program Bureau) as a senior member of the leadership team with remit across sales, marketing, data systems, and emerging technologies including AI.
Washington Speakers Bureau firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Washington Speakers Bureau
- Legal name
- Washington Speakers Bureau
- Website
- https://washingtonspeakers.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1980
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Washington Speakers Bureau is a privately held speakers bureau founded around 1979-1980 in Bethesda, Maryland, representing keynote and motivational speakers for corporate event organizers and conference planners. It self-describes as the world's largest talent agency specializing in corporate speaking events.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Washington Speakers Bureau industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Speaker Booking and Talent Representation Services
- NAICS
- Convention and Trade Show Organizers (561920)
- SIC
- Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Public Lectures & Speaker Series (MPAGACAI)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Performing Arts Centers & Presenters (Programming/Booking) (MPAGABAM)
Keywords
Where Washington Speakers Bureau is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Alexandria
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Washington Speakers Bureau business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Speaker Booking Commissions: WSB generates revenue by representing keynote speakers for corporate speaking events and earning commissions on bookings. As a talent agency, they connect event hosts with speakers and facilitate the engagement.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Custom quote-based pricing for speaker engagements |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels3 records
Washington Speakers Bureau product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Washington Speakers Bureau is a speakers bureau and talent agency that represents keynote and motivational speakers for corporate events. The bureau matches event hosts with speakers across categories such as AI, business, leadership, teamwork, change management, innovation, political commentary, and sports, and earns commissions on each booked engagement. Services are delivered through seasoned speaking agents and event managers who scope requirements, propose suitable speakers, and coordinate execution for the client's event.
Product overview
Washington Speakers Bureau operates as a single unified offering—a speakers bureau service that connects event hosts with keynote speakers. The company represents a diverse roster of speakers across topics including AI Speakers, Keynote Speakers, Business Speakers, Leadership Speakers, Teamwork Speakers, Change Management Speakers, Innovation Speakers, Political Speakers, New Speakers, and Women Speakers. They offer a Custom Proposal feature for booking speakers and partner with Athletes First for sports talent representation. For over 45 years, the bureau has facilitated connections between event organizers and speakers ranging from world leaders and business executives to athletes and celebrity personalities.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Keynote Speaking Representation Services Talent representation and booking service that connects corporate event hosts with keynote and motivational speakers from WSB's elite roster across categories such as AI, business, leadership, teamwork, change management, innovation, political commentary, motivational, women's, and sports speaking. Engagements are scoped with speaking agents, priced via custom proposals, and coordinated end-to-end for the client's event.
- Custom Proposal Speaker Booking Service Tailored speaker booking arrangement where prospective clients submit event requirements and receive a custom proposal recommending matched speakers, fees, and logistics, facilitated directly through WSB's speaking agents. Designed for organizations hosting corporate events, conferences, leadership offsites, and similar gatherings.
- Bulk Books Multi-Speaker Booking Platform Dedicated platform at wsb.bulkbooks.com for arranging multiple keynote speakers in a single engagement, targeted at conference, convention, and trade show organizers that need to coordinate several speakers at once.
Quantifiable outcome
- 45+ years serving as trusted advisor for securing speakers
Companies that use Washington Speakers Bureau
Customer profileSegments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Washington Speakers Bureau technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Washington Speakers Bureau partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Athletes FirstcoreWSB partnered with Athletes First, the premier sports talent agency, to make their elite roster of athletes, coaches, broadcasters, and executives available for booking directly through WSB. This partnership expanded WSB's sports speaker offerings.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Washington Speakers Bureau competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Gotham Artists: Bureau representing keynote speakers, entertainers, and thought leaders for corporate and private events. Direct competitor to WSB in the keynote representation segment.
- National Speakers Bureau: North American speakers bureau representing thought leaders, business experts, and motivational speakers. Direct competitor to WSB with comparable commission-based booking model for corporate events.
- Harry Walker Agency: Long-established U.S. speakers bureau representing heads of state, business leaders, and cultural icons. Directly competes with WSB in the premium corporate keynote booking segment with a similar elite-roster, agent-mediated model.
- Keppler Speakers: U.S. speakers bureau founded in 1978 representing business leaders, authors, and political figures. Comparable 40+ year operating history and elite-corporate-keynote focus make it a direct peer of WSB.
- Leading Authorities: Full-service speakers bureau and event production company serving corporate and association clients. Direct competitor to WSB in keynote booking with overlapping speaker categories and target customers.
- Greater Talent Network: Boutique speakers bureau representing authors, business experts, and media personalities for corporate events. Competes with WSB in the mid-to-upper tier keynote booking market.
- AAE Speakers Bureau: Speakers bureau representing a wide roster of motivational, business, and celebrity speakers for corporate events. Competes with WSB across price points and speaker categories, with overlap in corporate keynote booking.
- CAA Speakers: Speakers division of Creative Artists Agency, the global talent powerhouse. Represents A-list celebrities, athletes, and thought leaders for paid speaking engagements, overlapping directly with WSB's premium roster.
Emerging players
- Big Speak: Online speakers bureau marketplace with a searchable catalog and self-serve booking tools. Represents an emerging tech-enabled alternative to traditional bureaus like WSB, focused on broader accessibility.
Regional players
- American Program Bureau (now part of Leading Authorities): Historically a major U.S. speakers bureau where Joshua White (now WSB's senior leader) previously served as SVP. Operates within the same North American corporate-speaking market and remains a relevant historical reference peer for WSB.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks4 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Washington Speakers Bureau social profiles
Digital presenceWashington Speakers Bureau financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Washington Speakers Bureau leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Washington Speakers Bureau funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Washington Speakers Bureau M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Washington Speakers Bureau
What does Washington Speakers Bureau do?
Washington Speakers Bureau is a speakers bureau and talent agency that represents keynote and motivational speakers for corporate events. The bureau matches event hosts with speakers across categories such as AI, business, leadership, teamwork, change management, innovation, political commentary, and sports, and earns commissions on each booked engagement. Services are delivered through seasoned speaking agents and event managers who scope requirements, propose suitable speakers, and coordinate execution for the client's event.
Is Washington Speakers Bureau a public or private company?
Washington Speakers Bureau is a private company. It is classified as management employee owned and is currently operating.
When was Washington Speakers Bureau founded?
Washington Speakers Bureau was founded in 1980. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Washington Speakers Bureau based?
Washington Speakers Bureau is headquartered in Alexandria, United States, in the North America region.
How does Washington Speakers Bureau make money?
One revenue line is on record: speaker Booking Commissions.
Who are Washington Speakers Bureau's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Gotham Artists, National Speakers Bureau, Harry Walker Agency, Keppler Speakers, Leading Authorities, Greater Talent Network, AAE Speakers Bureau and CAA Speakers. Big Speak is listed as an emerging player. American Program Bureau (now part of Leading Authorities) is listed as a regional player.
Does Washington Speakers Bureau have an API?
No public API is recorded for Washington Speakers Bureau.
What industry is Washington Speakers Bureau in?
Washington Speakers Bureau's product category is Speaker Booking and Talent Representation Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAGACAI, Public Lectures & Speaker Series, with a secondary code of MPAGABAM, Performing Arts Centers & Presenters (Programming/Booking). Its NAICS code is 561920 and its SIC code is 7900.