At JLA, we’ve seen an increase in demand for speakers across several strategic areas. Our booking data reveals that geopolitical speaker requests have grown by 350%, AI expert bookings have increased by 221%, and leadership speaker demand is up 76%. These figures reflect a growing emphasis on performance, risk management, and navigating complexity in today’s business landscape.
Geopolitical Literacy: Now a Business Imperative
In 2025 alone, former UK Ambassador to the United States Lord (Kim) Darroch has been booked more than a dozen times in the first half of 2025.Nothing has grown faster in our bookings than geopolitics. With a 350% increase in requests, this area now tops our demand list. Recent global events have made geopolitical awareness more than just relevant; it’s now mission-critical for many businesses.
Clients aren’t just looking for commentary. They want geopolitical speakers who can analyse international trade, diplomacy, market shifts, and conflict, and translate that complexity into business-relevant takeaways.
As we’ve seen, there’s been a clear shift toward more targeted expertise. Organisations are asking us for speakers who can tailor their content to specific regions, industries, or operational concerns. Uncertainty has made understanding the global landscape more vital than ever.
Leadership: Evolving for a New Era
Leadership speaker demand has risen by 76%, and we’re seeing a real shift in what clients expect from these sessions. Today’s organisations want more than traditional takes on vision and strategy; they need speakers who can address remote work, cultural shifts, digital transformation, and leading through volatility.
Clients are asking for speakers who can help leaders deal with the complexity of modern business: everything from AI integration to managing distributed teams to keeping pace with rapidly evolving customer expectations.
AI: From Buzzword to Boardroom Essential
With over 20 bookings already this year, Rahaf Harfoush is in high demand as an expert in Emerging Technologies, Innovation and AI.We’ve witnessed a 221% spike in bookings for AI experts, a clear sign that artificial intelligence is now a top agenda item across virtually every sector. From marketing and HR teams to C-level audiences, clients are asking us for speakers who can cut through the hype and address both the fundamental principles of AI and its real-world impact.
We’re booking speakers who explore everything from how AI works, to its implications for productivity, workplace transformation, and long-term commercialisation. Whether it's strategic overviews or operational guidance, our clients want tailored insights they can act on.
As Jethro Fox, one of our account managers, puts it:
High Performance and Teamwork: Doubling Down on Culture
We’ve also seen a 106% increase in bookings for high-performance and teamwork experts. Organisations are looking for speakers who can deliver real, measurable advice on boosting productivity and improving collaboration.
This reflects a growing desire for practical, culture-focused sessions that move beyond motivation and into lasting impact.
Strategic Thinking Behind Every Booking
Across all categories, our data is showing a more strategic mindset from clients when it comes to speaker selection. We’re seeing clear patterns: leadership, tech, performance, and risk are often requested together, pointing to an integrated approach to capability-building.
Our booking data offers a unique snapshot of corporate priorities in 2025. From AI to geopolitics, leadership to performance, we’re seeing a shift toward conference speakers who can help organisations navigate complexity, embrace change, and build resilience.
At JLA, we see this as more than a trend. It’s a signal of what matters most to businesses right now, and where they’re investing their time and attention for the road ahead.