If 2024 was about rebuilding momentum, 2025 was about clarity.

At BigSpeak, we booked over $48M in speaker engagements this year, served more than 70% of Fortune 1000 companies, and supported events reaching 9.2 million audience members worldwide. The takeaway? The speaking industry didn’t just rebound—it matured.

In-person events dominated, accounting for 88% of all bookings, while virtual and hybrid formats settled into their role as strategic complements, not replacements. Cities like Las Vegas, Orlando, Chicago, and Nashville became hubs for high-impact gatherings, while demand stretched across 34 countries and five continents.

Content-wise, Artificial Intelligence led the pack, but not in a “robots will replace us” way. Clients wanted practical, applied insight—how AI changes leadership, culture, and decision-making right now. Inspiration, leadership, and business strategy followed closely behind, signaling a desire for ideas that translate into action.

Perhaps most telling: 78% of our clients booked again. Trust, results, and execution still matter.

As we head into 2026, one thing is certain: audiences want fewer buzzwords, more substance, and speakers who’ve actually been in the arena. The future belongs to ideas that work—and the people who know how to deliver them.

Download and read our full BigSpeak Speaking Industry 2025 Statistics here.