News Room
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DuPage-based Free Speakers Bureau marks three decades, delivering 1,300 talks a year (opens in a new tab)
How a 1996 article launched FreeSpeakers.org: connecting thousands of local community groups with free expert speakers nationwide. Today, over 450 volunteer speakers deliver hundreds of free presentations across seven major cities, supporting libraries, clubs, and non-profits with valuable expertise at no cost.
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Free Speakers Milwaukee Forms Partnership With International Coaching Federation Wisconsin Chapter (opens in a new tab)
Free Speakers Milwaukee has partnered with the International Coaching Federation Wisconsin Chapter. ICF-WI members can join the bureau at no cost, bringing credentialed coaches to give free talks to Milwaukee-area civic groups, nonprofits and businesses.
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Speakers Bureau Serves Milwaukee Groups for a Decade (opens in a new tab)
Free Speakers Milwaukee marks 10 years as the bureau's first expansion city. Since launching in January 2016 it has filled 611 speaker requests from local groups, and today 35 speakers cover topics from history and health to business. Coverage from Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service.
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Free Speakers Dallas-Fort Worth forms partnership with the International Coaching Federation North Texas Chapter (ICF-NT) (opens in a new tab)
Free Speakers Dallas-Fort Worth has partnered with the International Coaching Federation North Texas Chapter. ICF-NT members can join the bureau for free, bringing credentialed coaches to give free talks to civic groups, nonprofits and businesses across the Metroplex.
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A decade of community service – Milwaukee’s pro bono speaker’s bureau celebrates 10th anniversary (opens in a new tab)
Free Speakers Milwaukee is celebrating its 10th anniversary as the pro bono bureau's first expansion city. Since 2016 it has filled 611 requests from libraries, chambers of commerce, Rotary clubs and other local groups, always at no cost to the group.
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Fort Worth Rotary District 5790 partners with Free Speakers Dallas-Fort Worth (opens in a new tab)
Rotary District 5790, with 63 clubs from Fort Worth to Abilene and from Wichita Falls to Stephenville, has partnered with Free Speakers Dallas-Fort Worth, giving program chairs a free source of speakers for their weekly meetings.
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FreeSpeakers.org Joins Forces with Rotary District 5280: Delivers Expert Speakers to Rotary Clubs in Greater Los Angeles County (opens in a new tab)
Free Speakers Los Angeles and Orange County has partnered with Rotary District 5280 and its 61 clubs across Greater Los Angeles County. Most Rotary clubs need a speaker every week, and the bureau provides them free of charge.
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Chicago Area Groups Returning For Live Meetings After COVID (opens in a new tab)
Speaker requests from Chicago-area groups fell from 1,070 in 2017 to 582 in 2020, then climbed back to 700 in 2022. FreeSpeakers.org's records show clubs and organizations returning to live meetings after COVID-19.
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Free Speakers Chicago addresses climate with new category (opens in a new tab)
FreeSpeakers.org added Climate as a new speaker category in Chicago, with nine local climate experts offering free talks on topics such as food waste, regenerative agriculture and the region's drainage. The launch came as the U.N. released its August 2021 climate report.
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FreeSpeakers.org Goes Virtual With Offerings – Kane County Chronicle (opens in a new tab)
As COVID-19 moved meetings online, most FreeSpeakers.org speakers offered to present virtually over Zoom and similar platforms, and some updated their talks to address the health and financial crises. As always, the talks cost groups nothing. Coverage from the Kane County Chronicle.
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Pro Bono Speakers Bureau Partners With Rotary District 7620 (opens in a new tab)
Free Speakers Washington D.C. has partnered with Rotary District 7620 and its 60 clubs in Central Maryland and Washington D.C. Most Rotary clubs need a speaker every week, and the bureau supplies them at no cost.
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Initiative Offers Pro Bono Public Speakers to Local Groups (opens in a new tab)
FreeSpeakers.org has launched in the Washington D.C. region with 20 local speakers on more than 30 topics, free to any community group. Inside NOVA explains why speakers volunteer: to teach, sharpen their skills, make contacts and give back.
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Pro Bono Speaker’s Bureau Launched to Serve Groups (opens in a new tab)
A new pro bono speakers bureau now serves groups in Washington D.C. and Prince William County, with more than 20 local speakers on more than 30 topics. There is no charge to any group, from the speaker or the bureau. Coverage from Prince William Living.
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After 250 gigs, Larry Bergnach retiring from the free speech circuit – Daily Southtown (opens in a new tab)
After 14 years and 250 free talks, Oak Lawn speaker Larry Bergnach is retiring from the pro bono speaking circuit. The Daily Southtown tells how one of his Riverview Park talks moved an elder care resident with Alzheimer's to share his own memories.
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After Some 250 Gigs, Larry Bergnach Retiring From the Free Speech Circuit (opens in a new tab)
After 14 years and 250 free talks, Oak Lawn speaker Larry Bergnach is retiring from the pro bono speaking circuit. The Daily Southtown tells how one of his Riverview Park talks moved an elder care resident with Alzheimer's to share his own memories.
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Lunch-and-Learn Presentations Bring Excitement to Workplace (opens in a new tab)
Companies are booking more free speakers for employee lunch and learns, FreeSpeakers.org reports, alongside the Rotary clubs, libraries and chambers of commerce that still make most requests. The Arizona Republic looks at what makes a good lunch and learn topic.
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Non-Profit Matches Speakers with Audiences (opens in a new tab)
Maricopa County's clubs, libraries, churches and Rotary clubs often need guest speakers but rarely have budgets for them. FreeSpeakers.org, launched in Phoenix in July 2017, sends speakers to present for free. Coverage from the Arizona Republic.
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Need a Speaker? New Service Offers Speakers Free of Charge (opens in a new tab)
A new pro bono speakers bureau now serves Phoenix and its suburbs. FreeSpeakers.org launched with more than 20 local speakers on more than 25 topics, at no charge to any group. Coverage from the Scottsdale Independent.
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Free Speakers Bureau Comes to Indy (opens in a new tab)
FreeSpeakers.org has opened in Indianapolis with more than 30 local speakers and more than 65 topics, all free to clubs, libraries, churches and other groups in the city and its suburbs. Coverage from the Hendricks County Flyer.
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Pro bono public speaking is an effective marketing tool – Business Ledger (opens in a new tab)
Public speaking is one of the best marketing tools for a business, writes Andy Richardson in the Daily Herald Business Ledger. A free talk puts you in front of a room as the expert, and it works as networking, public relations and community service at once.
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Site Offers Speakers on Variety of Topics Free to Clubs, Groups (opens in a new tab)
FreeSpeakers.org director Andy Richardson visited WISH-TV's Daybreak to explain how Indianapolis groups can book free speakers from a roster of more than 28 local experts on nearly 50 topics, and how to become a speaker.
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Volunteering as a Guest Speaker (opens in a new tab)
On the Biz Connection radio show, Free Speakers Milwaukee director Andy Richardson explains how volunteering as a guest speaker can open doors to new business. Sharing useful expertise, not a sales pitch, helps an audience know, like and trust you.
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Find a Speaker for Your Group (opens in a new tab)
A new speakers bureau in Indianapolis offers free speakers for libraries, Rotary and Kiwanis clubs, church groups and women's clubs. IndyStar's Tell Us Something Good column introduces FreeSpeakers.org and its first 20 local speakers.
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WISH-TV’s Indy Style Features Free Speakers (opens in a new tab)
On WISH-TV's Indy Style, FreeSpeakers.org director Andy Richardson shares tips for speaking to a crowd and introduces the free speakers bureau's launch in Indianapolis, with more than 25 local speakers on health, business, finance and more.
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Free Speakers Bureau Celebrates 20 Years of Growth (opens in a new tab)
At its 20th anniversary, Free Speech Speakers Bureau became FreeSpeakers.org, A Pro Bono Speakers Bureau, with a new name, logo and more opportunities for speakers and groups. Its promise did not change: no charge to any group, from the speaker or the bureau.
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