Bill Geist

Emmy Award-Winning Correspondent and Commentator for CBS News

Request More Info

Add To My List

Profile Links

Biography

FAQ

Fee Range

$25,000

Travels From

New York, New York, United States

Bill Geist
Biography

Bill Geist is an Emmy Award-winning correspondent and commentator for CBS News, contributing to CBS Sunday Morning, CBS Evening News and 60 Minutes.

He has also added his unique insight and observations to various CBS Sports productions, including the 1992, 1994 and 1998 Olympic Winter Games, several Super Bowl games, NCAA Final Four Basketball tournaments and the World Series.

Geist is the best selling author of six books: "Fore! Play"; "The Big Five Oh: Facing, Fearing and Fighting 50"; "Monster Trucks and Hair In A Can - Who Says America Doesn't Make Anything Anymore?"; the New York Times bestseller "Little League Confidential"; "The Zucchini Plague and Other Tales of Suburbia" and "City Slickers." He has contributed to dozens of magazines from New York magazine to Chicago magazine, Forbes to Rolling Stone, Vogue to Esquire.

Prior to joining CBS News, Geist was a columnist for The New York Times (1980-87). His "About New York" column for the paper appeared twice a week. Before that, he worked for The Chicago Tribune, where he was a reporter and columnist (1972-80). Geist served as a combat photographer with the First Infantry Division in Vietnam.

In addition to an Emmy Award, he has won numerous awards for his work as a humorist, commentator and reporter in television, newspapers and magazines, but seems most proud of taking third in the Illinois State Fair Bake Off.

He graduated from the University of Illinois (Champaign Urbana) in 1968 with a bachelor's degree in communications, and from the University of Missouri in 1971 with a Master's degree in communications. Geist and his wife, Jody, have two children, Willie and Libby, and live in New York City.

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers to some of the most common questions about booking Bill Geist for your event.

How do I book Bill Geist for my event?

Booking Bill Geist with Premiere Speakers Bureau is a streamlined 4-step process:

Availability Check: Contact us with your event date and budget to verify if your desired speaker is available.
Hold Date: We place a temporary "hold" on the speaker's calendar while you finalize internal approval.
Contracting: We issue a contract outlining the fee, cancellation policy, and event expectations.
Logistics: Once signed, our event management team handles all travel booking, itinerary, and AV requirements.

Why should I partner with Premiere Speakers Bureau rather than contacting speakers directly?

Partnering with Premiere Speakers Bureau provides a comprehensive safety net for your event that direct booking cannot match. You get the same speaker for the same price, but with a dedicated team with over 30 years of event experience handling contracts, logistics, and are prepared for any emergency. We know what it takes to run an excellent event.

What makes Premiere Speakers Bureau unique compared to other agencies?

Premiere Speakers Bureau distinguishes itself by having over 30 years of experience while partnering with more than 35,000 events. PSB has also built a streamlined, fully online process that makes booking a speaker, handling travel and payments extremely easy for anyone looking to plan a speaker led event.

How does Premiere Speakers Bureau's 'Zero Cost Service' model work?

Premiere Speakers Bureau operates on a 'Zero Cost Service' model for event planners. Our services—including research, booking, and logistics—are always free to the client. The speaker covers our commission from their standard honorarium as payment for our role in marketing and managing their engagements.

How are speaker fees structured, and what is typically included?

A speaker's fee typically covers the keynote presentation, a pre-event planning call, and standard customization. Travel expenses are usually billed separately.

What are the standard policies for speaker travel and expenses?

Travel expenses are negotiated during contracting. We generally recommend a flat travel fee for simplicity, though we also offer line-by-line invoicing when preferred. PSB ensures these expenses adhere to professional standards, and our Event Portal allows for easy tracking and invoicing.