Where We Started
Speaker Highlights Along the Way
The young firm frequently featured spirited debates between the iconic William F. Buckley and long-time Senator George McGovern.
As the motion picture Apollo 13 rocketed to the top of the box office, Keppler took great pride in re-introducing the world, and the speaker’s circuit, to NASA astronaut Captain Jim Lovell.
Frank Abagnale, was depicted on the big screen in Catch Me If You Can, with Leonardo DiCaprio as Abagnale and Tom Hanks as the FBI agent fast on his heels. Audiences love Abagnale’s crusade to help prevent cyber-scammers from succeeding.
Meanwhile, up on top of the world, Dr. Beck Weathers became the lone survivor of the 1996 Mount Everest tragedy. Shailee Basnet led the first female team to climb the highest peak on every continent. Jamie Clarke, reached the frozen summit twice. Each of these adventurers returned with inspiring stories of self-discovery and leadership in the most extreme of conditions.
2015 was the beginning of a very long year for Captain Scott Kelly, the NASA astronaut who spent a historic Year in Space aboard the International Space Station. His inspiring story reveals lessons on teamwork, leadership, and the courage to push the limits.
In February of 2021 Chief Engineer of the Mars 2020 Mission Adam Steltzner, and his team made history as the Perseverance Rover completed its 300-million mile journey to the surface of Mars. “A new breed of leader,” audiences embrace Adam’s uplifting stories of teamwork and resilience while chasing the boldest of goals – navigating not only space, but the innumerable challenges presented by the onset of a global pandemic.
As the world grappled with the devastating impacts of Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch joined Keppler to share her deep expertise on global affairs, drawn from her distinguished diplomatic career.
The inspiring story of Anthony Robles, the three-time NCAA wrestling champion born with one leg, became a major motion picture from Matt Damon and Ben Affleck’s production company in partnership with Amazon MGM Studios. The film featured an all-star cast—including Jennifer Lopez—and received rave reviews.
In 2024, the International Association of Speakers Bureaus honored Jim Keppler with the IASB Lifetime Achievement Award, in recognition of his exceptional leadership and contributions to the industry; and honored Randy Ehman with the John Palmer Award, for his exemplary service to the association and bureau industry.
After leading one of the most pivotal peace negotiations in modern history—the 2025 ceasefire and hostage release between Israel and Hamas—legendary diplomat Brett McGurk returned to the speaking stage. A uniting force in divisive times, Brett draws from his experience advising four U.S. presidents to offer invaluable lessons on diplomacy, leadership, and global affairs.