Getting people excited about a virtual event isn’t easy. But when you bring in the right virtual keynote speaker—someone who really knows how to connect through a screen—everything changes. We work with webinar and virtual event speakers who don’t just talk at your audience. They engage them, inspire them, and give them something they can actually use. If you’re planning programming for your virtual event, we’d love to chat about bringing in the perfect speaker for your audience.
The Top Virtual Keynote Speakers for 2026
We represent speakers from all kinds of backgrounds who’ve mastered the art of virtual presenting:
- Margaret Atwood, internationally renowned author of The Handmaid’s Tale and The Testaments
- Angela Duckworth, bestselling author of Grit
- Salman Rushdie, New York Times bestselling author of Midnight’s Children and The Satanic Verses
- Salman Khan, founder of Khan Academy and author of Brave New Words
- Nicholas Thompson, CEO of The Atlantic and author of The Running Ground
- Alexandra Samuel, Wall Street Journal contributor and host of Me + Viv
- Jeremy Gutsche, CEO of Trend Hunter and hotly in-demand consultant
- … and many more!
What Virtual Audiences Want to Hear About Right Now
The best virtual keynotes tackle what’s actually happening in workplaces today. These topics are perfect for virtual conference speakers and online events:
Leading Through Uncertainty – How do you make decisions when everything’s changing? How do you keep your team steady when you’re all over the world?
Hybrid Leadership – Managing people you can’t see every day is hard. Building culture when everyone’s scattered? Even harder. This is about doing both well.
Sustainable Performance – Burnout is real, especially in remote work. This topic covers how to build a team that achieves without falling apart.
Developing Next-Gen Leaders – The workplace is changing with the advent of AI. Younger leaders need different skills, and experienced leaders need to understand how to bridge the gap.
Ethics and AI – As technology takes over more decisions, how do we stay human-centered? It’s one of the biggest questions leaders are asking.
Crisis Leadership – The last few years proved that disruption is the new normal. Let’s get ready for it.
Purpose-Driven Work – People want to know their work means something. A great virtual motivational speaker can connect your mission to daily work and see better engagement.
How to Pick Your Speaker
Here’s what actually matters when choosing a virtual speaker:
Know what you’re trying to accomplish. Is this about motivation? Learning new skills? Changing how people think about something? Start there.
Think about where your audience is at. If they’re burned out on Zoom, you need a high-energy online speaker. If they want depth, look for a speaker who uses interactive tools well—polls, breakout discussions, real Q&A.
Make sure they’re good virtually. Being great on stage doesn’t automatically translate to being great on camera. You want a virtual keynote speaker with a professional setup, strong tech skills, and the ability to create connection through a lens.
Look for relevance. General leadership advice is fine, but someone who understands your industry’s specific challenges—whether that’s healthcare, tech, finance, or education—will land better.
When It Actually Works
We’ve seen how powerful a talk from a great online speaker can be. After leadership speaker Angela Duckworth (#1 New York Times bestselling author of Grit) spoke at a virtual event by Hilti, the organizer told us, “Angela was fantastic—her message landed perfectly as a wrap-up to our kick-off week. I heard feedback it was one of the highlights, and have heard people quoting her in various meetings since. It gave our leaders some much needed thought provocations.”
When Nicholas Thompson (CEO of The Atlantic and author of The Running Ground) spoke at a virtual event for CSA Group, the organizer raved, “He was fantastic! So perfectly topical for our members. In a time of online event fatigue, he really managed to keep our attention. When we recorded his talk, I was astonished to find out he had been speaking for 30 minutes—it was so riveting that time just flew by.”
How Booking Works
Step 1: Reach Out
Start by telling us a bit about your event—what kind of audience you’ll have, your goals for the session, and any themes you want the speaker to cover. Not sure yet? No problem. We’re here to help you refine your vision.
Step 2: Get Curated Recommendations
Based on your needs, we’ll suggest a short list of virtual keynote speakers: just 3-5 names whose background, expertise, and presentation style match what you’re looking for. Whether you want someone deeply academic, inspirational, or with a wealth of business experience to draw from, we’ll find the right fit for your event.
Step 3: Finalize the Details
Once you’ve selected your speaker, we handle the logistics—from fee negotiation and scheduling to AV requirements. We’ll ensure everything is clearly laid out in writing, with ongoing support all the way up to event day.
Step 4: Post-Event Support
Want to bring your speaker back for a follow-up session? Need materials for your event recap? We’re still in your corner after the curtain falls.
We’ve love to take some of the work off your plate. If that sounds like a dream, contact us today for help with your virtual event!
Frequently Asked Questions About Virtual Speakers
What is a virtual keynote speaker?
A virtual keynote speaker is someone trained to deliver talks online—for webinars, virtual conferences, and hybrid events. They know how to engage people through a screen, which is a different skill than speaking on a stage. Most have professional setups and know how to use interactive tools.
What does it cost to hire an online speaker?
Fees for online speakers can range anywhere from $5,000 to over $100,000, depending on who you book. That said, virtual events allow you to save on travel and hotels. We can walk you through what to expect based on your budget, and find the perfect speaker for your price point.
What separates a good virtual speaker from a great one?
Great webinar speakers know their subject matter inside and out, obviously. But they also know how to work a camera, use their voice effectively, and keep people engaged when there are a million other tabs open. Plus, they customize their content and handle the tech side smoothly.
What kinds of events work well with virtual event speakers?
Corporate meetings, sales kickoffs, conferences, training sessions—pretty much any online event can benefit from a virtual event speaker. It’s especially useful when your team is spread out or you want to bring in someone who’d normally be too expensive or too far away to hire in person.
How far ahead should I book an online speaker?
The really in-demand virtual keynote speakers book up 6 to 12 months out. But virtual events are more flexible since there’s no travel, so sometimes you can move faster. We’d suggest starting your search 3-6 months before your event to get the best options.