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Key people at HiCue Speakers.
HiCue Speakers is a speaker agency based in Bogotá, Colombia, that connects organizations with top-tier conference speakers across Latin America. The agency facilitates bookings for high-profile experts, including former presidents, CEOs, economists, and thought leaders, to deliver keynotes on topics such as leadership, innovation, and global issues for corporate events and gatherings. Operating on a commission-based model, HiCue Speakers aims to transform these events into experiences filled with knowledge and inspiration for businesses and event organizers seeking prominent voices. Their extensive roster of speakers has included Nobel Peace Prize winner Juan Manuel Santos, Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak, author Yuval Noah Harari, and former presidents Iván Duque and Mauricio Macri, alongside figures like former Ecopetrol CEO Felipe Bayón. Alina Rodríguez serves as Partner & Strategy Director, with Maria Clara joining as Senior Consultant in 2024 to support growth strategies. HiCue Speakers was founded in 2003 by Santiago Zapata.
Key people at HiCue Speakers.
HiCue Speakers is a leading speakers bureau in Latin America, specializing in curating high-impact content and global speakers for corporate events, institutions, and planners, both in-person and virtual.[1][2][3] Founded in 2003 and headquartered in Bogotá, Colombia, the company connects clients with experts on trending topics like economics, sustainability, leadership, and innovation, serving as content consultants to transform events into inspirational experiences.[2][3][4] With 11-50 employees, it positions itself as the top agency in Colombia and Latin America, proud members of the International Association of Speakers Bureaus (IASB).[2][4]
The agency serves companies, event organizers, and institutions across Latin America and globally, addressing the need for relevant, high-caliber speakers to deliver knowledge and ideas amid rising demand for transformative events.[1][2][3] Its growth momentum is evident in its expansion to worldwide speakers, strategic team hires like operations and IT leaders in recent years, and representation of prominent figures such as Nobel laureate Juan Manuel Santos, former presidents like Iván Duque and Mauricio Macri, and thinkers like Yuval Noah Harari.[2][7]
HiCue Speakers was founded in 2003 by Santiago Zapata, who brings extensive executive experience from Colombia's aviation sector (Avianca, Helicol, Sam), publishing giants (Publicaciones Semana, Casa Editorial El Tiempo), and consulting at Spencer Stuart Colombia.[2] Zapata's transition from these high-level roles to launching the agency marked a pivotal shift toward connecting knowledge leaders with event audiences, capitalizing on his network in media and business.[2]
Early traction likely stemmed from Latin America's growing events market, with the company evolving from a regional player to a leading bureau by joining IASB, a global network of top agencies in the U.S., Canada, and Europe.[2][4] Key team additions, such as the Executive Director in 2016 (promoted to growth strategy), an Operations team member in August 2024, and the IT Department head since 2015, reflect steady professionalization and adaptation to virtual events and tech trends.[2]
HiCue Speakers rides the wave of hybrid and virtual events accelerated by the pandemic, aligning with broader trends in knowledge economies where corporations and institutions seek inspirational content on sustainability, innovation, and leadership to engage audiences remotely or in-person.[2][7] Timing is ideal in Latin America, where economic recovery, political shifts, and digital transformation fuel demand for speakers like former presidents and futurists addressing regional challenges such as security and competitiveness.[2][7]
Market forces like globalization of events and the rise of thought leadership platforms favor its model, as companies prioritize high-ROI experiences over traditional formats.[1][3] The agency influences the ecosystem by elevating event standards, fostering cross-border knowledge exchange, and bridging Latin America with global experts, indirectly boosting professional networks and idea dissemination in emerging markets.[2][4]
HiCue Speakers is poised for continued regional dominance, potentially expanding into more hybrid tech integrations and U.S./European markets via IASB ties, as demand for AI-era futurists and sustainability experts grows.[2][7] Trends like personalized content via data analytics and immersive virtual reality events will shape its trajectory, with recent operations hires signaling scalability.[2]
Its influence may evolve toward full-service event innovation platforms, solidifying its role in inspiring Latin America's next wave of leaders—transforming events from gatherings into lasting catalysts for change, much like its founding vision under Zapata.[1][2]
