Planning an event in Austin, Texas and searching for local keynote speakers? You’re in luck! Cut down on travel costs and choose a speaker from our list of Austin area keynote speakers. 

With their diverse backgrounds and presentation styles, there’s no doubt that you’ll find a speaker that matches your needs and event theme. Whether you’re seeking insights on leadership, success, activism, teamwork, or the economy and how to prepare for the future, our keynote speakers in the Austin area are sure to elevate your event to the next level. Don’t wait – start exploring our selection now to find the perfect keynote speaker for your Austin event!

Top Keynote Speakers in Austin, Texas

Terri Broussard Williams 
Terri is a top leadership keynote speaker, lobbyist, best-selling author, and 2021-2023 Business Council Chair of the African American Mayors Association. Her inspirational and pragmatic approach motivates leaders to ignite meaningful change in both their organizations and communities. Her most distinguished accomplishments include the passage of key pieces of legislation, such as The Louisiana Smoke-Free Air Act. As one of Austin Business Journal’s Most Influential Women in Central Texas, Terri’s commitment to creating meaningful, groundbreaking, and systemic change is clear.

John Livesay 
John Livesay, aka The Pitch Whisperer, shows people how to tug at people’s heartstrings so they open their purse strings. A sales keynote speaker on the power of storytelling, he has a new business fable set in Austin -The Sale Is in the Tale His TEDx talk: “Be The Lifeguard of Your Own Life” has over 1,000,000 views.

Justin Wren 
Justin “The Big Pygmy” Wren is a mixed martial artist, humanitarian, and founder of the non-profit Fight For The Forgotten. A native Texan and a high-school wrestling powerhouse, Justin won 10 state championships, and was a 5 time All American and a 2 time National Champion before becoming one of the youngest professional MMA athletes at the age of 19. Shortly after, he became the youngest heavyweight cast on the most watched season of The Ultimate Fighter TV show at 21 years old. After battling depression, suicide, and drug addiction, Justin experienced a life changing journey living with the Mbuti Pygmy people of the Congo Basin Rainforest. When he returned he founded Fight For The Forgotten, which today has expanded their impact to serve the Batwa Pygmies of Uganda. To date, the organization has helped 1,651 people find freedom from modern-day slavery, provided clean water to over 50,000 people, replanted 10’s of thousands of trees, started 4 sustainable farms, and built 32 families 32 two and three bedroom homes. In 2023 Fight For The Forgotten is focused on building a school, hospital, community gathering space, with a market and whole community infrastructure and development.

Sara Canaday 
Sara Canaday is a leadership expert, engaging speaker and author who helps companies maximize the contributions of their leaders for bottom-line impact. Drawing on 13 years of corporate experience, Sara has a unique gift for connecting with her audiences and ensuring they walk away with actionable strategies for positive change — strengthening leadership skills, improving business relationships, and enhancing performance. Using her passion, energy and warmth, Sara has shared her expertise with thousands of talented, high-potential professionals in Fortune 500 companies, entrepreneurial start-ups, top industry groups and trade organizations.

John Daly
John Daly is one of the most talented golfers and polarizing personalities in the history of the game.  Daly is a two-time major winner, having triumphed at the 1991 PGA Championship and 1995 British Open.  He has won five times on the PGA Tour and three times on the European Tour.  Well known for his long drives. Daly became the first player in PGA Tour history to average over 300 yards a drive in a season. Daly has the distinction of winning both the PGA Tour Rookie of the Year and the Comeback Player of the Year Awards. 

Amy Henry
Amy Henry is a top technology keynote speaker, a born-and-bred Texan, and a formidable businesswoman who has spent the past 10 years working for leading technology companies across the United States. Amy Henry is also the author of the highly praised book, What It Takes: Speak Up, Step Up, Move Up, where she shares her secrets and in-your-face advice for success in the modern workplace. Amy Henry’s book has now been translated into six languages and is making an impact on young professionals across the world. 

Hal Elrod 
Hal Elrod is on a mission to elevate the consciousness of humanity, one morning at a time. As one of the highest-rated keynote speakers in America, creator of one of the fastest-growing and most engaged online communities in existence and author of one of the highest-rated, best-selling books in the world, The Miracle Morning—which has been translated into 27 languages, has over 2,000 five-star Amazon reviews and is practiced daily by over 500,000 people in 70+ countries—he is doing exactly that.

Patti DeNucci
Patti DeNucci is an award-winning author, top business keynote speaker, workshop facilitator, consultant, and business leader who helps motivated people Live, Work & Connect at a Higher Level™. Patti holds leadership positions in the National Speakers Association (NSA) at both the local and national levels. She is a founding board member, a past president, membership chair, and founder of the writers group of the Austin chapter.

Jason Schenker 
Jason Schenker is a futurist, economist, and author who prepares leaders for the future. Jason has given over 1,000 keynote speeches and over 1,000 television interviews. He has been a Guest Host on Bloomberg Television and an occasional columnist for Bloomberg Opinion. Almost 1 million students have taken Jason’s 20 LinkedIn Learning courses on business, leadership, economics, risk management, and finance. He is the author of 36 books, including 15 bestsellers on emerging technologies, finance, energy, leadership, and the economy.

Rusty Shelton 
Rusty Shelton first spoke at Harvard on the changing world of PR and marketing at the age of 23. He is the Founder & CEO of Zilker Media, the country’s premier agency for authors, thought leaders and brands who want to build a platform and make an impact in the new media landscape. He is the co-author (alongside Barbara Cave Henricks) of Mastering the New Media Landscape: Embrace the Micromedia Mindset (Berrett-Koehler, 2016), which debuted at #2 on the Austin American-Statesman bestseller list and is endorsed by David Meerman Scott, Tom Rath, Sally Hogshead and many others. Rusty’s commentary on the changing world of PR and marketing has been featured in Forbes, Inc. Magazine, Wharton, Huff Post and many other top media outlets.

Ready to make your event in Austin, Texas one to remember? Contact info@bigspeak.com to inquire about booking today.