Motivational Speakers: Where people come for the best motivational speakers who have reached the highest.

If you would like to hire an Everest speaker e-mail us

EverestSpeakersBureau.com

Marketing and Management Company

Prices range from $1000 to 20,000 plus expenses. Below is an sample list of climbers with brief descriptions, who are available as speakers for your functions.

Eric Alexander			Gary Kopff
Robert Anderson			Francois Langlois
Pete Athans			David Lim
Brent Bishop			Andrew Lock
Chris Bonington			Alberto Magliano
Kevin Cherilla			Mike Marolt
Khoo Swee Chiow			Dan Mazur
Brot Coburn			Ricardo Torres-Nava
Yuri Contreras			Jamling Tenzing Norgay
Will Cross			Nancy Norris
Gregory Crouch			Michael O'Donnell
Wade Davis			Clare O'Leary
Andres Delgado			Gary Pfisterer
Matt Dickinson			Andy Politz
Phil Ershler			Thomas Pollard
Susan Ershler			Aron Ralston
Jeff Evans			Doug Scott
Pat Falvey			Eric Simonson
Nancy Feagin			Josef Simunek
Lene Gammelgaard			Byron Smith
Stefan Gatt			Thimo Sommerfeld
Steve Goryl			Geoffrey Tabin
Bear Grylls			Tashi Tenzing
Peter Guggemos			Ed Viesturs
Gary Guller			Sibusiso Vilane
Dr. Peter Hackett			Frits Vrijlandt
Peter Hillary			Nikki Wallis
Tom Holzel			Ed Webster
Jeff Justman			Wilford Welch
Kenneth Kamler			Jim Whittaker
David D. Keaton			Tom Whittaker
Leo and Deryl Kelly			Sharon Wood

Pete Athans: In the spring of 1999 a team of three mountaineers planned to climb Everest, it’s neighboring high peaks Lhotse and Nuptse and conduct a series of experiments utilizing the Global Positioning System network.  Accompanied by two film makers and scientists from National Geographic, the Boston Museum of Science and MIT, the climbers were able to retrieve the most accurate data ever taken from Mount Everest leading to development of the most accurate topographical and geological Maps currently available. From their expedition we learned that Everest is not only still growing taller but is also moving north-east further into Tibet! But Everest Millennium and Beyond is much more than a story about a scientific team on Mount Everest. It is told by Pete Athans, six time Everest summiter, who has been traveling in Nepal, Tibet, China and Pakistan for more than 20 years. A frequent contributor to National Geographic Television, Pete has been on the summit of Everest more than any other western climber and was awarded the highest citation given by the American Alpine Club for his rescue of Beck Weathers in 1996.  His presentation documents the surreal beauty of Everest in still photography and video, from basecamp to the summit. More importantly, Pete illuminates the lives and culture of the Sherpas who reside in the high valleys surrounding the world’s highest mountain.  If you ever wanted to climb Everest or contemplate its sublime beauty don’t miss this show!

Eric Alexander a world-class skier, climber, and mountaineer is achieving his goals while playing an instrumental role in helping others to achieve their own.  Recently he defied the odds and scaled Mt. Everest with his blind- friend Erik Weihenmayer.  Currently he is planning his next adventure to Russia with Erik, to climb and ski Mt. Elbrus, at 18,500 ft – one of the seven summits (the highest points on each of the seven continents).  Making this the first-ever blind ski descent of Mt Elbrus. When not instructing disabled skiers in Vail, Colorado Eric directs Adventures Beyond Limits, an organization that educates and encourages youth with disabilities in the outdoors. 

Jim Whittaker: Highlights

Internationally famous mountaineer, adventurer, speaker and environmentalist, best known as the first American to climb Mt. Everest; May 1, 1963.

Visionary business and community leader; Past President and CEO of one of the country’s largest outdoor retailers, Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI)

Accomplished and inspirational public speaker; has given presentations to hundreds of corporations and organizations over more than thirty years.

For more on Jim see here.

PETER HILLARY … in brief

·        25 years experience in extreme risk environments

·        Climbed Mt. Everest twice; most recently in 2002 for a National Geographic Documentary

·        Forged a new route across Antarctica to the South Pole

·        First to traverse the length of the Himalayas

·        Assists his father Sir Edmund Hillary in raising funds for the people of Nepal

·        Appeared on The Late Show with David Letterman and with Diane Sawyer on Good Morning America

·        In 2003: celebrating the 50th Anniversary of his father’s historic first climb of Mt Everest

Author of five books with his latest – In the Ghost Country – due for release in May 2003. More here.

Kevin Cherilla: brings you his inspiring story of setting goals and making them happen as he relates his experiences as Erik Weihenmayers’ climbing partner and friend.  A former master teacher and champion coach for inner-city students, Kevin served as base camp manager for the NFB 2001 Everest Expedition during which Erik became the first blind person to summit Mt. Everest.  Since 1993, Kevin has traveled the world with Erik; rock and ice climbing, running marathons, biking and mountaineering.  As a team they have learned how to communicate and create systems to be more efficient and effective both on the mountain and in everyday situations. Together, they have exceeded the limitations society imposes on us and have shattered the perceptions of what can be accomplished. Kevin shares his adventures, the challenges and hardships that had to be overcome in the face of fear and danger, and the lessons learned while accompanying Erik.  His story highlights the power of positive thinking and the importance of motivating the team to focus on the tasks ahead. Kevin describes the need for teamwork and coordinating the talents of people from diverse backgrounds in his successful role as base camp manager. Audiences are captivated by Kevin’s tales of daring mountain rescues and critical decision-making on summit day. Kevin’s multimedia presentation gives his audience the ambition to achieve more, reach into the unknown, set goals for success and overcome the challenges and obstacles we face every day.  His energetic, love-of-life personality will give you the motivation and desire to “Reach Beyond Convention” and “Summit Your Own Everest One Step At A Time.”

Khoo Swee Chiow: climbed Mt Everest in 1998. In 1999, he skied to the South Pole, covering a distance of 1,125km in 57 days. In 2000, he completed the Seven Summits and became the 1st South East Asian to achieve this feat. The Seven Summits are the highest mountains on each of the seven continents in the world. In 2001, he climbed Shishapangma (8027 meters) in Tibet without oxygen aid. Having worked for Singapore Airlines in the IT division for 6 years, Swee Chiow quit his job in January 2001 to attempt skiing to the North Pole. But he had to abort the mission after 9 days due to some frostbite injuries. Not one to give up easily, he made a 2nd attempt the following year. After 45 days, he reached the North Pole. He is now the 1st South East Asian and the 4th person in the world to complete The Adventure Grand Slam, that is, the South Pole, the North Pole and the Seven Summits. Besides planning, organizing and training for expeditions, Swee Chiow gives motivational talks to a wide range of audience from schools to corporations. He is also in the process of writing a book on his adventure journeys. The title is called “Dare To Dream”.

Yuri Contreras: (Mexico)

Andres Delgado (Mexico): With the conquest of Mt. Everest in his pack, Andres is now a keynote speaker and wants to share his experiences and to collaborate with your company in order to impulse your members to that great success in that particular project that you now have in mind.  Approach Andres, he’ll for sure have that advice, comment or recommendation that you’ve been looking for. Motivate yourself and join him in the quest for the summit. Some of the companies with whom Andres have worked with: 3Com California, Banamex (Banco Nacional de Mexico), Coopers & Lybrand, Femsa- Coca-Cola, Gates Rubber de Mexico, Hoechst-Celanese, Roche-Syntex, SAP for more on Andres see here.

Susan Ershler:

Jeff Evans: Adventurer, climber, Physician Assistant and public speaker…Jeff has spent over half of his life traveling the continents in search of adventure. From guiding the Duchess of York on a rock climb to leading a blind man to the summit of Mt Everest, Denali, and El Capitan, Jeff has sought out challenges that require intense preparation, teamwork and commitment. Jeff colorfully translates the lessons he has learned from his adventures into applicable themes we can use in our daily professional and private lives. He draws on many of the metaphors hidden in the world of adventure and brings them to his audience in a humorously inspiring way.

Stefan Gatt (Germany) Everest Summiter in 2001 without oxygen; First climber to snowboard down from the summit of Everest.

Peter Guggemos: (Germany)

Gary Guller: A native of Britain, Gary Guller grew up in the Southeastern United States.  He has spent much of his life climbing and exploring the world, including over 35 trips to the Himalayas.  Currently Gary operates his own adventure travel company Arun Treks & Expeditions with offices in Austin, TX and Kathmandu, Nepal. He is very active in his local community and is known throughout the world for his passion for exploring and promoting the potential of people with disabilities.

In 1986, Gary lost the majority of his left arm in a mountaineering accident.  He was forced to face with his own limitations, both physically and mentally, after serious introspection, Gary began climbing again, surmounting the barriers that stood in the way of realizing his dreams to explore. He has inspired others ever since to continue onward, forward and upward.

When Gary is not traveling the world and running his business, he is a highly motivational speaker and inspiration to everyone that he meets. His down-to-earth style of speaking reaches into the souls of his audience; he is one of those people that you never forget. He talks of how his experiences have shaped his philosophy that “Anything is Possible” and shows how one can apply this philosophy to succeed in business and in life. His images, stories and affable nature inspire each of us to look deep within ourselves to accomplish more in all areas of our lives.

Gary speaks from his heart about what he has learned over the past 20 years of mountaineering and exploration.  He has certainly earned the right.  From an early age, Gary has inspired countless people to achieve their maximum potential and to pursue their dreams and goals.  He has challenged both children and adults to reach beyond what they perceive as their limitations and to succeed. 

Gary is currently organizing a Spring 2003 expedition to Mt. Everest, Team Everest ‘03.  He will lead a group of people with disabilities to the base camp of Mt. Everest before himself attempting the summit. This expedition alone speaks of his integrity, perseverance and his ability to motivate and inspire those around him to accomplish their dreams and to reach their fullest potential. He encourages others to look further into themselves, motivating them to set goals to maximize their potential, placing fear and doubts aside and pushing through the barriers to success in business and in life.  Gary leaves everyone knowing that anything is indeed possible.

Tom Holzel: The mystery of Mallory & Irvine has attracted the attention of generations of climbing and armchair mountaineers because theirs is a thrilling saga of great daring on slender resources. Tom Holzel has spent 30 years researching this enduring story, and-astonishingly-- predicted in 1971 that the body of Mallory or Irvine could still be found on the 8200m snow terrace along with a camera that could solve the greatest mystery of 20thcentury exploration: Did Mallory reach the summit of Mt. Everest in 1924 before perishing on the descent. Holzel's search for answers is itself a fascinating historical detective story. Laced with ridicule at the thought of finding anything on Everest's bleak slopes, he finally mounted the first expedition to seek the answer. When Mallory's body was discovered in 1999 a few meters from where he had predicted, new clues were uncovered that revealed the certain fate of the two pioneers of Everest. And the mystery has finally been solved.

David D. Keaton is the fifteenth mountaineer to have completed both versions of the Seven Summits, and in 1995 became the first person to complete both the Seven Summits and the highpoints of the fifty U.S. states. More recently, David has been pursuing exploratory mountaineering and photography in some of the world's lesser known regions, making significant first ascents in Tajikistan's remote Muzkol Pamir, Greenland's Lindbergh Field, and the long forbidden northside of Turkey’s Mount Ararat. He has spoken to numerous audiences on the subjects of mountain exploration, goal-setting, and achievement.  Corporate speaking engagements are of particular interest because of his background in telecom marketing and education (Wharton Graduate School of Business).

Leo and Deryl Kelly: The father and son climbing team have climbed together since Deryl was six years old. Hear about their unique relationship and how setting extra-ordinary goals as a family can impact your life. In the spring of 2001 as they both stood at the foot of the Khumbu ice fall they were about to begin the biggest challenge of their life on the worlds highest and one of the most deadly mountains in the world, Mt. Everest. Experience first hand the successes and set backs they faced and the difficult decision that was made that would for the first time ever on a mountain separate the two. Hear and experience the many parallels between climbing, business and relationships as they speak from the heart with passion.

Francois Langlois: French Canadian Climber and Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch; gives an outstanding and motivating presentation on the similarities between his successful climb of Mount Everest in May 2001 and his successful strategies in investing for his clients: " I have learned three rules in life, and confirmed them once again on Everest : CALCULATED RISK, DISCIPLINE and PATIENCE!"  This will be a highly entertaining event on how to overcome the obstacles and achieve your goals!

David Lim is best known in Asia and abroad for leading the 1st Singapore Mt Everest Expedition in 1998 which succeeded in placing two members on the summit. The climb captured the imagination of the entire country and helped reset the parameters of what could be achieved by the small and flat island nation. A week after returning from Everest, he experienced a life-and-death struggle with Guillain-Barre Syndrome, a serious nerve disorder. The disorder totally paralyzed and hospitalized him for six months.

David is now partially disabled as a result. His return to the great mountains of the world has been huge struggle and a constant source of inspiration and new insights into leadership and personal empowerment. Combining his media, legal and mountaineering background, David lectures internationally, sharing his views and thoughts about life-management skills, overcoming obstacles and leadership. He also presents uniquely Asian perspectives on international expeditions Popular lecture topics include A View From the Top: Lessons From Mt Everest.

Andrew Lock is Australia's most accomplished Himalayan climber. His achievements in over thirty expeditions to the world's highest summits and most remote areas have been acclaimed internationally. Successes include: The only Australian to climb nine of the world's 8000 metre peaks, including Everest and K2 ; The only Australian to lead a commercial expedition to the summit of Mount Everest; The first Australian ascent of four of the world's 8000 metre peaks; Solo ascents of Broad Peak and Lhotse; Success has not come easily. He has survived avalanches, crevasse falls, frostbite, bivouacs at extreme altitude without equipment and watched friends perish. His exceptional achievements in the face of such adversity have demanded supreme levels of endurance, motivation and leadership. These experiences have empowered Andrew to enthuse others, both individually and in groups. A sought after Key Note Speaker, he imbues his mountain accomplishments with a strong message of teamwork, motivation and achievement. He has thrilled audiences from 50 to 500 at public presentations, business seminars and international conferences. Clients have included: Deutche Bank, Toyota, Sunglass Hut, Baxter Pharmaceuticals, Moranbah North Coal, Achievement Concepts, Capcoal, Halley & Mellowes, Outdoor Life Group, Lions International, Outdoor Insights, Rotary and many others. Andrew can tailor an address to meet your specific goals. He will work with you to reflect the focus that you wish to present.

Dan Mazur: (American)

Ricardo Torres-Nava: First Latin American to summit Mount Everest and to complete the double version of the Seven Summits. Named “The Sportsman of the Century” by the Mexican government and awarded an special prize by former President Ernesto Zedillo. Also decorated as “Sportsman of the Year “ by former President Carlos Salinas.

Gary Pfisterer:

Michael O'Donnell a world-class mountaineer for 30 years, is one of the most respected corporate trainers and personal life coaches in the world today. O'Donnell's life is a story of challenge, commitment and survival. When not guiding blind or physically challenged climbers to the summits of the world's highest peaks, O'Donnell assists top executives from around the world develop new insight for leadership and organization. In May, 2001, O'Donnell and teammates summited Everest. On the expedition, he served as a guide to climber Erik Weihenmayer, the first blind man to reach the top of the world.  O'Donnell has perfected a guiding and coaching technique that enables the blind and physically challenged to reach new levels of achievement in difficult mountain environments.  He brings that same passion for instruction into the corporate environment. When guiding or motivating a work force through a tumultuous business atmosphere, O'Donnell delivers with the magic of an alchemist. Michael O'Donnell delivers a high impact multi-media presentation designed to give his audience "take it to work and use it tomorrow" principles and techniques.

Andy Politz was a member of the 99 Mallory and Irvine Expedition as well as the 2001 Mallory and Irvine Expedition. In total Andy has been on 7 Everest Expeditions: 1985 (West Ridge); 1986 (West Ridge); 1988 (Kangshung Face); 1991 (Tibet, Northeast Ridge, to summit); 1993 (Nepal, South Col); 1999 (Tibet, Northeast Ridge); 2001 (Tibet, Northeast Ridge)

Thomas Pollard is an award winning Director of Photography, Producer and Editor who has filmed extensively, domestically and across the globe. As reporter/producer for Springfield, Massachusetts NBC affiliate WWLP in the mid-1980’s he gained valuable experience both in front of and behind the camera.  He has taken that experience and over the last two decades worked in some of the most demanding situations on earth, from 27,000 windswept feet on Mount Everest to the dark and dangerous back alleys of New York City. Pollard has worked on dozens of corporate and educational films, television documentaries and national commercials.  He has earned many awards as D.P. , Producer and Editor in the corporate and educational field, as well as the documentary field.  His work has been featured on all the major networks and can currently be seen on National Geographic Channel’s National Geographic Today program.

He has worked one-on-one with dozens of major companies and corporations in the role of Producer, Director of Photography and Editor.  A short list of these companies includes Spalding Sports Worldwide, LEGO, Lincoln Financial Corporation, Stanley Home Products, IBM, Aetna, Snapple Beverage Group, NOAA, Eastern Mountain Sports and many others.  Thom brings with him a sensitivity to a client’s needs that cannot be taught in any classroom.  Inherent in his work is a natural ability to relate with any person, goal or idea.  At the same time, he adheres to a firm moral and ethical foundation that has guided him throughout life.

Pollard served as High Altitude Cameraman and web-producer for PBS’ NOVA and the British Broadcasting Corporation during the 1999 Mallory and Irvine Research Expedition on Mount Everest during which time the body of George Leigh Mallory was discovered 75 years after his disappearance. As a documentary producer his credits include Alive On Everest: A NOVA Special Presentation, as well as more than a dozen other documentaries which have aired both locally and nationally. His most recent projects include The Viracocha Voyage, produced for Outdoor Life Network about an historic reed ship voyage from South America to Easter Island in 2000 and Alaskan Reminiscences: 60 Years of Adventure With Bradford and Barbara Washburn for PBS. 

Eric Simonson's background as one of the world’s premiere mountaineering expedition leaders provides him with a wealth of experience, knowledge and perspective on the topics of leadership, planning, execution and success. He addresses these themes in keynote speaking engagements to corporate, educational, civic and non-profit groups around the world. Drawing upon real-life adventures in settings where the physical survival of climbers depends upon his personal skills in leadership, preparation and execution, Eric shares with the audience his own formulas for success.

Eric will customize the content and emphasis of each speaking engagement to meet the needs and expectations of his hosts. His own goal in each case is to inspire and motivate his listeners to believe in themselves and their ability to accomplish that which may seem impossible, to be willing to risk failure in order to achieve success, and to move toward their goals well-prepared and ready for the challenge.

Eric can modify the duration of his presentation to meet each group’s requirements. Typically he will speak for about 45 minutes and then offer a Q & A session that may continue for 15-30 minutes. He has found that evening appearances following group meals are often enhanced with audiovisual content, which he can include.

Josef Simunek born in Jicin in northeasten part of the Czech republic better known as Bohemian Paradise, now live in Prague. In 1998 graduated in land survey engineering at the Czech Technical University. He began climbing when he was 17th on the famous Czech sandstone rock towers in the Prachov area close to his hometown Jicin. His mountaineering experiences continued in the Slovakian High Tatras. In 1990 when Iron curtain has been opened, he went for the first time to Caucasus in Russia and a year later made an attempt on a 7000-meter peak in Pamir. In 1992, he founded with his friend Bouda and others a group of mountaineers team called HIMALAYA 8000. The team has organized nine expedition to eightthousanders to this time, six of them led by Simunek. Personally summited Shisha Pangma in 1995, Makalu 1998 and Lhotse 1999 all tops without artifical oxygen. In 1993 he began to film the group's expedition and some of this footage has been shown on the Czech TV. He is currently cooperating with Czech TV on project called "Czech Himalayan Adventure" which is a chronicle documentary about Czech mountaineers on the highest summit in the world. Member of the jury of the Mountain Film Festival in Slovakia and member of jury of 50´s Film Festival of Mountain and Exploration in Trento Italy in 2002.

Byron Smith was the leader and climber of the Everest 2002. A mountain climber, CEO, and author of the book "Byron Smith, See You at the Top". Byron has delivered over 1,000 presentations to corporate and professional audiences totaling more than 500,000 people in many countries worldwide. He is an award winning car dealer.

Motivational Presentations From his opening question Byron Smith challenges, inspires, and motivates audiences with an emotionally engaging and awe-inspiring multimedia presentation. A rare combination of husband, father, successful businessman and mountain climber, Byron tells an incredible story of risk, reward, and success as he relives with audiences his fascinating journey to the top of the world - Mount Everest. At the heart of Byron Smith: See You at the Top™, however, is an essential and universal strategy for setting and achieving goals. Drawing clear and practical parallels between his Everest 2000 Expedition and his proven business processes, Byron offers profound insight on:  Personal leadership,  Overcoming adversity, Goal-setting, Commitment, Motivation, Problem-solving, Risk management and Success in life. Personally and professionally, Byron Smith: See You at the Top ™ is guaranteed to inspire and motivate you to explore your own "Leader From Within”.

Tashi Tenzing is a successful business owner, author and mountain climber.   He motivates corporations and organizations with his knowledge of the work ethic, focus and determination of his people, the Sherpas of Mount Everest.   Organizations around the world use his keen insight as guide for refocusing their staff to achieve the ultimate business goal, completion of the job at hand.  From the sales staff to the boardroom, your organization can benefit from Tashi Tenzing's lessons from the mountain.

Frits Vrijlandt: is the first and only Dutchman to summit Everest via the North side. He climbed six of the seven summits and plans for 2002/2003 to climb Mount Vinson and Kanchenjunga North Face. He lives in Amsterdam and has been a motivational speaker for many companies and organizations. Frits gives lectures in Dutch and English.

John Waechter reached the summit of Mt. Everest (29,035 feet) on May 25th 2001.  With the ascent of Mt. Everest, he successfully completed climbing the highest peak on each of the world’s seven continents, becoming the 58th person to conquer the Seven Summits (including Kosciuszko).  The other six mountains are Mt. Kilimanjaro in Africa, Mt. Kosciuszko in Australia, Mt. Elbrus in Russia, Mt. McKinley in Alaska, Mt. Aconcagua in South America, and Mt. Vinson in Antarctica.  John’s presentation focuses mainly on his ascent of Mt. Everest, but also includes pictures and stories of these other mountains.  With his background in business, mountaineering, and other endurance commitments, including the completion of seven marathons, John’s presentation is well suited to outdoor enthusiasts and business audiences.

Many other climbers are available and will be added soon, e-mail us. Prices range from $1000 to 25,000 plus expenses.

To achieve the summit of your next business conference, club meeting, training seminar or social function, contact us

EverestSpeakersBureau.com

Marketing and Management Company

Disabled climbers like American Gary Guller who climbs unguided (he is a guide and expedition company owner!) with only one arm! Up and coming stars like Eric Alexander and Greg Crouch. We believe the leading Asian speakers in the world in Khoo Swee Chiow and David Lim and more! gear