Scott Tillema Speaking Fee, Schedule, Bio & Contact Details

Scott Tillema

SWAT Crisis Negotiator. FBI-Trained Hostage Negotiator. Expert in High-Stakes Communication.

Scott Tillema

Biography

Scott Tillema is a nationally recognized FBI-trained hostage negotiator, SWAT crisis negotiator, and senior law enforcement leader with over 20 years of experience in high-stakes communication. Known for his calm authority and precision under pressure, Scott has become a trusted voice on how people communicate, make decisions, and lead when the stakes are highest.

He holds a bachelor's degree in behavioral science and an advanced degree in forensic psychology, and completed advanced negotiation training at Harvard Law School’s Program on Negotiation. He later returned to speak and teach at Harvard events. Scott rose through the ranks to become a lead negotiator on one of the country’s largest SWAT teams, where he navigated life-and-death scenarios that shaped his deep understanding of human behavior.

His expertise in emotional intelligence, decision-making, and conflict resolution has been trusted by Fortune 500 companies, healthcare systems, government agencies, and top professional associations. His TEDx talk on negotiation has surpassed 1 million views, and his insights have been featured in Newsweek and on the Power of Connection podcast by Perkins Coie.

Scott is widely recognized for his lived experience in high-stakes negotiation, applying what he knows when it matters most. His work continues to shape how communication is taught, practiced, and applied in environments where trust, clarity, and connection are critical.

I expected great stories, which I got. What I hadn't quite expected was Scott's ability to translate his wealth of knowledge and experience into practical and applicable models we can use in business and in life.

The Recruitment Network

Having worked in sales for decades, I know Scott's life-saving processes that work under the gun also work in boardrooms, car lots and classrooms. Scott brings real world processes and techniques that produce results!

The Aspen Project

We invited Scott Tillema to speak in Texas for our 2023 conference and I highly recommend him as the keynote speaker to any CIT conference across America. If you want your keynote to be memorable, Scott is your speaker!

Texas CIT Conference

Meaningful and engaging. Scott had our audience's attention within the first minute.The positive impact of his keynote was seen through the remainder of the conference.

Lightning Protection Institute

Scott Tillema is one of the absolute best speakers I have worked with in my many years of event planning! From the very first contact he was helpful and kind, always going above and beyond our expectations. Scott's talk was engaging and interesting, delivering content that was helpful and immediately actionable for our staff, I cannot recommend him highly enough!

Conference Event Planner

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers to some of the most common questions about booking Scott Tillema for your event.

How do I book Scott Tillema for my event?

Booking Scott Tillema 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.

Scott Tillema

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