Futurist Speakers Statistics: USA 2025

By forecasting trends, societal shifts, and disruptive technologies that will have a significant impact on industries and the wider world, futurist speakers offer a glimpse into the future. They’ve become a popular choice as keynote speakers at organizations across various industries, where they inspire curiosity, spark imagination, and encourage innovation.

To find out what 6,050,045 business leaders who have booked futurist speakers for their events in the US’ opinions were, we utilized AI-driven audience profiling to synthesize insights from online discussions for a full year, ending November 11, 2025, to a high statistical confidence level. This is what we found.

Index

• 95% of business leaders who have booked futurist speakers for their events say that their top priority is to encourage digital transformation
• 100% of business leaders who have booked futurist speakers for their events typically use online research and videos to find or shortlist candidates
• Relevant case studies and examples are the qualities 100% of business leaders who have booked futurist speakers for their events value most
• 87% of business leaders sometimes hire futurist speakers for annual conferences 
• 81% of business leaders who have booked futurist speakers for their events say the future of tech and AI is extremely relevant and interests their audience the most 
• 25% of business leaders say that cutting-edge research is absolutely essential for making a futurist speaker memorable for their audience 
• A clear vision for the future is an absolutely essential outcome of a successful keynote for 65% of business leaders who have booked futurist speakers for their events
• 42% of business leaders who have booked futurist speakers for their events use social media and press mentions as a key metric to measure session impact
• 81% of business leaders who have booked futurist speakers for their events say updated, relevant content strongly influences their decisions to rebook speakers
• 100% of business leaders who have booked futurist speakers for their events prefer an in-person keynote presentation format
• 85% of business leaders who have booked futurist speakers for their events represent the healthcare industry
• 100% of business leaders who have booked futurist speakers for their events prefer collaborating with speakers through event managers during preparation
• The main factor influencing 20% of business leaders’ choice of speaker topic is current business challenges
• 95% of business leaders who have booked futurist speakers for their events hold leadership roles
• 87% of business leaders who have booked futurist speakers for their events are based in Los Angeles
• An Increased Demand for Data-Driven Insights
• Methodology

What Is The Main Goal You Hope To Achieve When Hiring A Futurist Speaker?

95% of business leaders who have booked futurist speakers for their events say that their top priority is to encourage digital transformation

Our audience largely has the same goal when booking futurist speakers for their events:

All 100% of business leaders who’ve booked futurist speakers for their events have the same goal in mind when hiring these speakers. This is split into 95% who say it is their top priority and 5% who say it is an important goal. This goal is nothing less than encouraging digital transformation, implying these leaders are only too aware that their organizations are lagging in this area.

Industry analysis by Grand View Research reveals the global digital transformation market is forecast to grow at a 27% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from 2024 to 2030, reaching US$4,617.78 billion. The writing’s on the wall. In the era of AI, businesses that don’t digitize will be left behind.

Daniel Burrus comments: “Digital transformation is no longer a choice, it’s a future fact, what I call a Hard Trend. When 95% of business leaders identify it as their top priority for hiring futurist speakers, they’re not just acknowledging a trend, they’re responding to a deep, strategic imperative. Becoming an Anticipatory Organization isn’t just about reacting quickly; it’s about using the certainty of Hard Trends based on future facts to lead confidently. If digital transformation is the goal, then shifting from a reactionary agile mindset to an anticipatory mindset is essential if you want lower risk and higher reward transformation. Seeing disruption coming allows you to shape it to your advantage, not just survive it.”

How Do You Typically Find Or Shortlist Futurist Speakers?

100% of business leaders who have booked futurist speakers for their events typically use online research and videos to find or shortlist candidates

There’s one way every leader is finding futurist speakers:

Business leaders aren’t likely to hire futurist speakers they know nothing about, making research or prior experience essential. 100% of our audience says they typically find or shortlist the speakers they hire for events through online research and videos, suggesting that either they have no firsthand experience with those they hire or, if they do have prior experience, they still appreciate doing research to confirm whether they’re making the right decision. However, they say they use these sources rarely, indicating they don’t spend much time looking.

This statistic also suggests that many futurist speakers take advantage of video platforms such as YouTube when marketing their services. With 244.3 million digital video viewers in the US, it’s not surprising that digital video advertising spend in the country is as high as $52 billion or that industry experts allocated around 22% of their digital marketing spend toward this format in 2024.

Daniel Burrus comments: “When 100% of decision-makers rely on video and online content to evaluate futurist speakers, it signals a powerful shift: your digital footprint speaks before you do. In a world driven by speed and uncertainty, leaders need to see and hear how a speaker performs on stage, not just what they say on a planning call. As a futurist speaker who’s delivered thousands of keynote speeches globally, I can attest to the fact that a strong online presence combined with a long and proven track record of accurate predictions is far more than a marketing tool—it’s a trust-building platform that accelerates decision-making.”

What Qualities Do You Value Most In A Futurist Speaker?

Relevant case studies and examples are the qualities 100% of business leaders who have booked futurist speakers for their events value most

 Opinions are unanimous regarding the qualities most valued in futurist speakers:

Different futurist speakers have different qualities, but when it comes to which qualities our audience values most, the response is unanimous. 100% of business leaders who have booked futurist speakers for their events say they place the most value on speakers’ use of relevant case studies and real examples, and that these are absolutely essential. This implies our audience wants evidence that the speakers they hire are basing their projections or predictions on fact rather than fantasy and are sharing actionable information.

According to a 2025 McKinsey report, the percentage of large companies using some form of smart automation or digital assistant in their daily operations increased from 40% in 2022 to 75% in 2024. This means there’s no shortage of case studies for futurist speakers to draw on. 

One example is a Toyota case study highlighting how the vehicle manufacturer reduced more than 10,000 man-hours annually, improved overall equipment effectiveness, and reported a 40% decrease in inspection times after implementing an AI platform built in collaboration with Google Cloud.

Daniel Burrus comments: “In a world flooded with opinions, relevance is the new currency. When business leaders say they value real-world case studies above all else, they’re asking futurist speakers to be translators of complexity, not just visionaries. Insights grounded in tangible results are what turn a forecast into a strategic roadmap. The future needs to be seen through the lens that empowers attendees to take positive actions now!”

What Type Of Event Do You Usually Hire A Futurist Speaker For?

87% of business leaders sometimes hire futurist speakers for annual conferences 

While booking futurist speakers for annual conferences is the norm, the frequency varies:

Despite organizations in the US hosting a variety of events, our audience of business leaders tends to book futurist speakers for their annual conferences. 87% of our audience say they sometimes hire futurist speakers, while 10% do so rarely and 3% do so always. This may be because annual conferences draw the largest audience from within the company, ensuring that as many employees as possible listen to what these speakers have to say. Another reason may be that annual conferences help set the tone for the coming year.

There are numerous good reasons for business leaders to book guest speakers for their conferences. The right speaker brings authority and credibility, offering valuable industry insights and fresh perspectives that can inspire and motivate employees to take action. Guest speakers also encourage interaction and networking among attendees, using agenda storytelling to connect their message with broader global events.

Daniel Burrus comments: “Annual conferences are more than just meetings, they’re momentum setters. That’s why futurist speakers are often brought in: not just to inspire, but to help organizations see beyond the horizon and align around what’s next. When you speak to the leaders of a company, or to an audience of key customers, you’re not just delivering insights, you’re planting directional seeds of future strategy that all can embrace.”

What Topic Areas Interest Your Audience Most?

81% of business leaders who have booked futurist speakers for their events say the future of tech and AI is extremely relevant and interests their audience the most 

Audiences are interested in a range of topics:

According to 81% of business leaders who’ve booked futurist speakers for their events, the future of technology and AI is the topic that interests their audience the most, as it’s extremely relevant. These leaders emphasize that this topic is highly relevant. This implies their organizations are either in the technology industry or are heavily reliant on technology. 2% also say the topic is quite interesting, while less than 1% say the topic is not relevant to their audience.

12% say leadership in a changing world is extremely relevant and of the greatest interest to their audience. Another 2% mention this topic, saying it’s quite interesting. This may be a result of their organizations’ awareness of how leadership is changing in response to developments in technologies such as AI. Overall, less than 1% of business leaders say their audience is most interested in the topic of workplace transformation, innovation, and disruption, and predicting market shifts, putting the focus firmly on future tech.

Given the potential far-reaching impacts of AI, it’s easy to see why these topics are preferred by our audience. According to The Strategy Institute, AI is transforming key business areas by offering improved predictive insights and enhanced operational efficiency and customer experiences, and by enabling better informed strategic planning.

Daniel Burrus comments: “When 81% of business leaders say their audiences are most drawn to the future of technology and AI, they’re not just chasing hype, they’re seeking clarity in a rapidly changing business landscape. Technology is no longer seen as a single tool or a department; it’s the foundation of every function in an organization. When AI is understood through real, practical business relevance, it becomes more than a buzzword. It becomes a tool of transformation. The key is translating AIs complexity into clarity and the confidence certainty can provide.”

What Makes A Futurist Speaker Memorable For Your Audience?

25% of business leaders say that cutting-edge research is absolutely essential for making a futurist speaker memorable for their audience 

Opinions differ about why audiences find  futurist speakers memorable:

The majority of business leaders were evenly split on the topic of what makes a futurist speaker memorable to their audience. 25% say cutting-edge research is absolutely essential in making a speaker memorable, and 21% say this adds a lot, while 24% say their audience finds actionable insights most memorable and are therefore crucial, while 21% say these insights add a lot. The former obviously appreciate insights grounded in well-researched facts, while the latter want information they can use.

6% of business leaders who have booked a futurist speaker for their event say a strong visual presentation is most memorable and absolutely essential, while 1% say this doesn’t matter. This may be because an effective visual presentation makes it easier for the audience to recall information. As for the rest, 4% say audience engagement is absolutely essential as it makes speakers more memorable, while 1% say humor and storytelling add a lot. 

Daniel Burrus comments: “What makes a futurist speaker memorable isn’t just what they say, it’s how deeply it resonates with each individual creating the catalyst to act on what they have learned. Cutting-edge research creates credibility. Actionable insights drive change. Both are critical. A memorable speaker connects future trends to immediate relevance. They don’t just inform; they equip. When audiences walk away thinking differently and acting strategically, that’s when the message sticks.”

What Is The Most Important Outcome Of A Successful Keynote?

A clear vision for the future is an absolutely essential outcome of a successful keynote for 65% of business leaders who have booked futurist speakers for their events

Opinions about the most important outcome of a successful keynote differ:

Business leaders who’ve booked futurist speakers for their events have diverse ideas about what the most important outcome of a successful keynote is. 

For 64% of our audience, the most important outcome is a clear vision for the future. This segment goes as far as saying this outcome is absolutely essential, which makes sense, given that futurist speakers are focused on the future. However, while 9% say this is a very important outcome, they don’t regard it as essential. Another 9% don’t think this outcome is important at all. 

5% of our audience say the most important outcome is strong audience feedback, describing this as ‘absolutely essential,’ while 1% say this is a very important outcome. This may be because audience feedback indicates those attending the keynote paid attention and engaged with the information imparted by the speaker. Another 5% believe that practical tools for innovation are an absolutely essential outcome, while for 2%, a motivated and inspired team is an essential outcome; however, for another 2%, this outcome is very important rather than absolutely essential. 

The remaining 1% say the most important outcome is a fresh perspective on challenges, and that this is absolutely essential.

While different segments of our audience emphasize different outcomes, none of them are incorrect. A Digital Journal article points out that keynote speakers, be they futurists or others, do more than provide entertainment. 

They’re catalysts for change who turn complex insights into actionable strategies, inspire groups of people, drive memorable audience engagement and participation, and help bridge theory and real-world applications. They also facilitate networking opportunities, make events more memorable, and help position events and organizations as industry leaders.

Daniel Burrus comments: “The most valuable keynote isn’t the one that just gets applause, it’s the one that creates strong take home value. When 65% of leaders say a clear vision for the future is the most essential outcome, they’re highlighting a critical truth: clarity drives action. To ensure high take home value, near the end of my speech, I ask each audience member to write one Hard Trend they know will happen and a related opportunity, this takes 90 seconds. After the event, I put them into a report that is sent to all attendees two weeks after the conference. Executives and planners are always amazed at the high take home value this creates. In times of uncertainty, a large list of opportunities based on future facts creates the confidence and urgency to make bold moves.”

How Do You Measure The Impact Of A Futurist Speaker Session?

42% of business leaders who have booked futurist speakers for their events use social media and press mentions as a key metric to measure session impact

Different metrics are used for measuring the impact of futurist speaker sessions:

42% of our audience says that they use social media and press mentions to measure the impact of futurist speaker sessions, calling it an essential metric. Another 44% agree that these sources are somewhat important. This may tie in with the power of futurist speakers to help position organizations or events as industry leaders, as mentioned above. 

The emphasis on social media here isn’t surprising, considering how it has become crucial for businesses by driving marketing, lead generation, and revenue. More than 96% of businesses use social media to improve brand visibility, sales, and customer connections. According to Statista, the total spend on social media advertising is expected to reach around $277 billion in 2025. 

However, for 7% of business leaders who have booked future speakers for their events, a somewhat important metric for measuring the impact of these sessions is the employee discussions that happen after them. 

This implies these leaders booked futurist speakers with the goal of providing employees with valuable insights into the potential roles AI or other technologies can play in business operations. Another 7% say that leadership alignment on strategy is not a major factor when measuring session impact, and the remaining 1% say they consider event engagement levels a somewhat important metric.

Daniel Burrus comments: “Measuring the impact of a keynote by social media traction as an important measuring stick makes sense, because in today’s connected world, influence is visible. But the real impact goes deeper. A tweet may capture attention, but post-event conversations and strategic alignment stimulate transformation. The most powerful measure? When the conversation sparked by the keynote drives action well after the event ends.”

What Factor Most Influences Your Decision To Rebook A Speaker?

81% of business leaders who have booked futurist speakers for their events say updated, relevant content strongly influences their decisions to rebook speakers

Various factors influence decisions to rebook a futurist speaker:

For the majority (81%) of our audience, updated and relevant content has a strong influence on their decision to rebook a futurist speaker for the organization’s events. However, this factor has a minor influence on the remaining 19%. 

This makes sense, whether the influence is major or minor, as every year brings new developments that futurists should take into account and adjust their forecasts accordingly.

Daniel Burrus comments: “The future doesn’t stand still and neither should a futurist speaker’s content. When 81% of leaders say updated, relevant content is what brings a speaker back, they’re saying: help us stay ahead, not just catch up. Looking back at the over 3,000 keynote speeches I’ve delivered, 70% were repeat clients. Being rebooked is about more than being great, it’s about being highly relevant, future-focused, and delivering high value that evolves with the world around us.”

What Is Your Preferred Presentation Format?

100% of business leaders who have booked futurist speakers for their events prefer an in-person keynote presentation format

Everyone agrees on the preferred presentation format:

100% of our audience agrees – an in-person keynote address is the top choice and preferred format for a talk by a futurist speaker. There are good reasons for this, at least one of which is backed by science. A study published in Public Relations Review found that in-person/face-to-face interactions provide more satisfying communication, encourage deeper connections, and are more effective for complex and emotionally nuanced exchanges. 

Additionally, in-person events provide opportunities for collaboration, connection, and trust, which digital or virtual events do not. They also provide opportunities for attendees to establish or strengthen relationships with contacts such as old and new colleagues and industry partners, build a foundation for future sales, and understand customer pain points.

Daniel Burrus comments: “When 100% of leaders prefer in-person keynotes, the message is clear: presence matters. In an age of digital everything, the physical room still holds unmatched power. Face-to-face delivery brings energy, nuance, and connection that no screen can replicate. Virtual meetings and speeches will continue, but higher levels of trust and transformation still happen best in the room.”

What Industry Do You Represent?

85% of business leaders who have booked futurist speakers for their events represent the healthcare industry

A wide range of industries in the US are represented:

Our audience of business leaders, who have booked futurist speakers for their events, represents various industries, with healthcare being the most represented at 85%. That healthcare has a large representation among our audience isn’t surprising, as this industry employs an estimated 19 to 20 million people in 2025, which is approximately 12% of the US’s entire workforce. 

9% of our audience represents the education industry, 3% technology, and 3% manufacturing. The remaining 1% work in the finance industry. These lower numbers are interesting as they are all industries that are heavily impacted by digital transformation. However, it is likely that there are simply more people involved in healthcare overall, putting it on top. 

Daniel Burrus comments: “Based on the large number of keynote speeches about the future of technology driven change and AI I deliver every year, I find this surprising. I have found that finance and technology lead the way, followed by healthcare, retail, manufacturing and education in that order. Based on this survey and 85% representation from healthcare, this industry recognizes that staying ahead of change isn’t optional. Whether it’s AI assisted diagnostics, surgical robotics, or predictive personalized medicine, the forces reshaping healthcare demand innovation led by strategic foresight. The future of every industry requires leaders who can anticipate and take action, before the need becomes urgent.”

How Do You Prefer To Collaborate With Speakers During Preparation?

100% of business leaders who have booked futurist speakers for their events prefer collaborating with speakers through event managers during preparation

Despite the many possibilities, there’s one preference for collaborating with futurist speakers:

There are various ways that business leaders can collaborate with the futurist speakers they book for events. However, when it comes to our audience, 100% say they prefer collaborating with speakers through event managers. This may be because these business leaders are concerned about keeping event managers in the loop.

Daniel Burrus comments: “When 100% of business leaders prefer collaborating through event managers, it highlights something vital: preparation is a team collaboration. The best outcomes happen when communication flows smoothly and alignment is clear. Great futurist speakers know that tailoring a message starts with understanding the audience, and event managers are most often a key bridge to that insight.”

What Factor Most Influences Your Choice Of Speaker Topic?

The main factor influencing 20% of business leaders’ choice of speaker topic is current business challenges

Choice of topics is influenced by a range of different factors: 

Futurist speakers aren’t likely to make an impact if the topics they speak on are irrelevant to their audience. Given this, business leaders need to put careful thought into their choice of speaker topics. 

20% of our audience say their choice is influenced mostly by current business challenges, 12% say this is a strong influence, 8% say it has a minor influence, and 5% say it is not a factor at all. 19% say emergency industry trends are the main factor influencing their choice, and 11% that this topic has a strong influence. 

Some of these trends are among those identified by McKinsey as the current top technology trends. Just some include AI’s growing reach, agentic AI, application-specific semiconductors, advanced connectivity, cloud and edge computing, immersive reality technologies, digital trust and cybersecurity, quantum technologies and quantum computing, and the future of robotics, mobility, bioengineering, space technologies, and energy and sustainability.

Event theme or vision also has an impact, with 3% saying it’s the main factor and 19% it has a strong influence. Lastly, 2% say that executive team interests are the main factor when deciding on a speaker’s topic.

Daniel Burrus comments: “When 20% of business leaders say their top priority in choosing a topic is addressing current business challenges, they’re sending a clear message: relevance is key. A futurist keynote isn’t just about what’s next, it must connect to what’s now and what’s coming in the future. The best speakers translate tomorrow’s trends into today’s strategies that address the challenges that are already knocking at the door as well as the predictable future challenges that can be pre-solved.”

What Is Your Current Job Title?

95% of business leaders who have booked futurist speakers for their events hold leadership roles

Business leaders fulfil different roles in their respective organizations:

95% of our audience holds a leadership role of some sort in their organizations. The remaining 4% are event planners or coordinators, and 1% are a marketing or communications lead. This shows that the majority of those making decisions about hiring futurist speakers are in leadership positions, meaning they are likely focused on finding speakers who can deliver strategic value and not just entertainment.

Daniel Burrus comments: “When 95% of those booking futurist speakers are in leadership roles, it reflects a powerful truth: strategic vision starts at the top. These aren’t just event decisions—they’re investments in future readiness. Great leaders look for speakers who can go beyond inspiration to deliver actionable strategic foresights—because the right insight at the right time can shape the direction of an entire organization.”

 Which City Are You Based In?

87% of business leaders who have booked futurist speakers for their events are based in Los Angeles

Our audience is based in different locations around the US:

87% of business leaders who have booked futurist speakers for their events are based in LA. This is likely because LA is becoming an AI hub, with the region having captured venture capital investments worth $1.8 billion for AI startups over 31 different deals in the third quarter of 2024. The Greater LA area ranked as the second biggest market for AI investments, moving up from its ranking behind Silicon Valley, New York, and Boston in the second quarter of last year.

While LA dominates, the remaining 9% of our audience are based in New York, and 4% are based in the Windy City. 

Daniel Burrus comments: “I’m surprised by this statistic. I have found that both the west coast with Los Angelese and Seattle being the two biggest, and the east coast with New York and Washington DC are equally large.”

An Increased Demand for Data-Driven Insights

These statistics provide a variety of insights into the motivations and methods of business leaders in the US who book futurist speakers for their events. We’ve seen how our audience isn’t interested in fortune tellers who make up things as they go along but wants experienced futurists who base their actionable insights on the latest trends and research, addressing the challenges facing organizations and supporting their strategizing and wider goals. 

Essentially, they want the real deal, recognizing that the benefits of booking such speakers go far beyond the annual company conference.

Daniel Burrus comments: “Today’s business leaders are making one thing clear, they don’t want hype, they want foresights that provide a clear path forward. The increased demand for data-driven content reflects a shift from inspiration coupled with a list of new technologies, to actionable strategic foresights. When a speaker combines credible research with strategic clarity, they become a catalyst for transformation, not just at the conference, but long after the applause fades.”

Methodology

Sourced using Artios from an independent sample of 6,050,045 United States Business Leaders who have booked futurist speakers for their events, opinions across X, Reddit, TikTok, LinkedIn, Threads, and BlueSky. Responses are collected within a 95% confidence interval and 2% margin of error. Results are derived from opinions expressed online, not actual questions answered by people in the sample.

About the representative sample:

• 41% of United States Business Leaders who have booked futurist speakers for their events are between the ages of 45 and 64.
• 51% identify as female and 49% as male.  
• 34% earn between $200,000 and $500,000 annually.