News Room

• Chicago Area Groups Returning For Live Meetings After COVID

  February 8, 2023

  FreeSpeakers.org in Chicago receives hundreds of requests for speakers each year from groups and organizations throughout the Chicagoland area. With records starting in 2016, FreeSpeakers.org can demonstrate the trends influenced by COVID-19.

  The highest number of requests through the speaker’s bureau in Chicago was 1,070 in 2017, dropping in half to 582 during the pandemic in 2020. However, requests are up to 700 in 2022. (more…)

• Free Speakers Chicago addresses climate with new category

  August 12, 2021

  The United Nations-appointed Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change published a new report Monday, August 9, 2021, summarizing the latest scientific information about the climate.

  While the U.N. was developing its report, local Chicago area climate experts joined FreeSpeakers.org, a pro bono speaker’s bureau.

  “Climate” is a new category in FreeSpeakers.org. To date, there are nine climate speakers and several topics about climate and climate change. (more…)

• FreeSpeakers.org goes virtual with offerings – Kane County Chronicle

  May 13, 2020

  Many of the speakers who belong to FreeSpeakers.org are willing and able to present topics virtually.

  In fact, some speakers have updated their topics to reflect the financial and health crises due to COVID-19, a news release stated.

  The community service project, FreeSpeakers.org, is a pro bono speakers bureau serving the region’s clubs and organizations for nearly 25 years. It was started in Hinsdale, IL.

  FreeSpeakers.org normally serves the community through live, in-person seminars and speaking engagements. Rarely do the speakers engage in virtual meetings. However, a lot has changed due to the coronavirus.

  (more…)

• After some 250 gigs, Larry Bergnach retiring from the free speech circuit – Daily Southtown

  October 15, 2018

  Larry Bergnach was giving a presentation about Riverview Park, the old Chicago amusement destination that closed in the 1960s, when an elderly man in the audience chimed in with his own memories of Riverview.

  The talk was at an elder care facility, and Bergnach later learned the man was in an advanced stage of Alzheimer’s disease and had not spoken at that length “on any topic for four years,” Bergnach said.

  Those kinds of experiences were why Bergnach, of Oak Lawn, worked the pro bono speakers circuit.

  “After I would do a speech, the people were so appreciative,” he said. (more…)

• Pro bono public speaking is an effective marketing tool – Business Ledger

  October 12, 2016

  Whether you love it or dread it, public speaking is a fabulous marketing tool for your business, product or service. The post-talk objective is to have a line of people waiting to shake your hand and ask for a business card or two (or three).

  Many people find that public speaking yields wonderful advantages both personally and professionally. First, it’s a great form of networking; second, it’s terrific public relations; and third, if it’s a pro bono presentation, it’s goodwill and community service. (more…)