Rich “The Trigger” Bontrager

Washington, DC

$5,000 and up

Travels up to 200 miles

Get a free quick quote
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Rich "Trigger" Bontrager Virtual Leadership Speaker Reel

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Virtual Leadership: Why Virtual Leadership Isn’t About More AI

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4 Good Leadership Risks

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Defy The Odds: What Limits You?

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Bill Guertin Testimony

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Keynote Presentation

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NSA Pre-Con at Caesar's Palace

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Beyond Epic Interview

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Defy the odds - Keynote

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BLU Talks Miami

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Emcee for Bubble Run Denver 2019

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Leadership: Visual Communication Seminar

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NSA Influence Presentation Panel

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Leadership Development Session

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Keynote Presentation

Overview

I help leaders and teams connect more deeply—through the camera lens, on stage, and in every interaction—using my HEART Method. This isn’t about more AI or technology; it’s about becoming more human, authentic, and impactful. Audiences learn to lead with presence, inspire trust, and create meaningful connections that drive engagement and results.


Reviews

11 reviews

Small thumbnail image for reviewer Parker C.

Parker C.

August 21, 2020
Verified review

Rich was awesome!

Rich was absolutely awesome! My family and I had a cabin where rich came and told story’s!. He was kind, knowledgeable, and extremely entertaining!. My entire family had a blast and if you use this website we HIGHLY recommend him! Well worth the experience.

Hired as: Storyteller

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Rich “The Trigger” Bontrager

Parker and Family,
I had a great time sharing old adventure stories along with other questions and answers. It was an extremely interactive and engaging night. Thanks for having me speak and share my love story with you all!
Trigger


Small thumbnail image for reviewer Lori C.

Lori C.

May 30, 2019

Leadership and Public Speaking

In my career of 27 years, I conduct job search related workshops. I have learned a lot from Rich "Trigger" Bontrager's videos on public Speaking. The information and guidance provided in those videos helped me to expand on some of the ideas and methods I already use in my presentations.

Hired as: Leadership/Success Speaker

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Rich “The Trigger” Bontrager

Lori....
Its great to hear how you are making wise use of my FREE speaking and coaching videos. It's my passion to help people like you rise to the next level . Never stop learning, and continue to watch and subscribe to my channel. Keep up the great work you do!


Small thumbnail image for reviewer Lynn S.

Lynn S.

April 21, 2018

Amazing speaker

Rich (trigger) is an amazing speaker. I had the pleasure to be a part of his ministry for several years. I heard no less than 200 messages of his, and can honestly say there was never one that I did not come away from saying anything but praise. He has an incredible talent for bringing the audience into his message. He has this knack of speaking to you personally not speaking to at you. Rich is a speaker that can relate to anyone at every level.

I had the honor to work with him personally as a leader within the church. He always shown true desire to listen to everyone and every concern.

I look forward to any chance to hear him speak again.

Hired as: Christian Speaker, Leadership/Success Speaker, Storyteller

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Rich “The Trigger” Bontrager

Lynn thanks the review, kind words,and your service over the years


Small thumbnail image for reviewer Jason J.

Jason J.

March 20, 2018

Fun Personality

Rich was a sports broadcaster for our family of stations. Rich would be a great speaker because he has such a unique and interesting background. He's had a lot of different experiences (both good and bad) in his life, but he always bounces back and finds another adventure. He has a lot of energy and was just fun to be around. He knows his sports too, even if he is a Green Bay Packers fan (kidding).

Hired as: Athlete/Sports Speaker

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Rich “The Trigger” Bontrager

Part of my ability to bounce back is because I am Packer Jason! They suffered long and then returned to greatness. Thanks for the suppport and the chance to share my abilities with those in Iowa.


Small thumbnail image for reviewer Bob Y.

Bob Y.

March 17, 2018

Trigger

We have had the opportunity to listen to Rich in multiple settings. As a Pastor, he is a strong and knowledgeable teacher who delivers powerful messages. His messages are strong but he also brings his teaching down to a level that everyone can understand.

As a leadership/motivation speaker, he is gain very powerful, but also funny and entertaining.

I would recommend Rich as a speaker for most any event.

Hired as: Christian Speaker, Leadership/Success Speaker

Small thumbnail image for Rich “The Trigger” Bontrager

Rich “The Trigger” Bontrager

Bob, thanks for being a greater supporter of my ministry and connecting me with others so that I expand my message and circle of influence.

Write a review

Booking information

Price range: $5,000 and up

Languages: English

Gig length: 30 - 120 minutes

What to expect

When I take to the stage, your audience doesn’t just listen—they engage, learn, and transform.

Highlights:

- Dynamic delivery: Broadcast-level storytelling meets practical leadership insights.

- Actionable takeaways: Techniques for building trust, influence, and emotional connection across screens.

- Interactive engagement: Live exercises and Q&A to practice on-camera and on-mic presence.

- Customized content: Tailored to your organization’s culture, challenges, and goals.

Clients get more than a keynote—they get:
✔ Confidence-building strategies for leaders and teams
✔ Tools to strengthen virtual presence and authentic communication
✔ Heart-centered methods to elevate brand influence and team performance
✔ Best practices to both communicate and connect deeply while on mic and camera

Your audience leaves inspired, equipped, and ready to lead confidently and connect deeply in the hybrid, digital-first world.

About

I wasn’t supposed to become a professional communicator.
I grew up with a severe stutter—something that made even the simplest conversations feel impossible.
But through years of persistence, learning, and stepping into discomfort, I didn’t just find my voice…
I built a career around it.

Today, I train executives, influencers, and media personalities to master presence, storytelling, and emotional connection across platforms. Using my HEART Method™, I guide leaders to stand out, inspire action, and leave a lasting impact.

After 30+ years in broadcasting, live talk shows, and media production, I’ve seen the same challenge over and over: leaders today aren’t struggling with tools or technology—they’re struggling with human connection. And in a hybrid, camera-facing world, connection is the currency of influence, trust, and brand loyalty.

My approach blends:
✔ Executive media & performance coaching
✔ On-camera and on-mic confidence
✔ Storytelling skills that connect to the heart and humanity
✔ Heart-centered messaging for authentic influence
✔ TV, streaming, and live production strategies
✔ Public speaking mastery for any stage or audience
✔ Confidence-building for stutterers and all communicators

I’ve worked with top-tier leaders, authors, entrepreneurs, and on-screen personalities—helping them stop “winging it” and start commanding attention while creating meaningful connections.

For leaders ready to uplevel:

✅ Show up with magnetic presence across screens
✅ Build emotional brand loyalty
✅ Communicate with authority, authenticity, and clarity
✅ Rock any stage—virtual or live

If you’re a high-performing leader, executive, or on-camera personality who knows that excessive automation is eroding genuine human connection, let’s fix that. Your brand, your team, and your influence depend on it.

Additional booking notes

To ensure a seamless and high-impact presentation—whether virtual, hybrid, or in-person—here’s what’s needed:

For In-Person Events:

- Stage or speaking area with adequate lighting and visibility

- Wireless over-the-ear mic, Wireless lapel or handheld microphone

- Projector or large display for presentation slides/videos (if used)

- Audio system with clear amplification for the room size

- Optional: Video recording for internal or post-event use

For Virtual/Hybrid Events:

- Reliable high-speed internet connection (minimum 50 Mbps upload/download recommended)

- HD camera (1080p preferred) and professional lighting

- Clear, high-quality microphone or headset (USB/XLR)

- Access to your preferred virtual platform (Zoom, Teams, Webex, etc.) with host privileges for screen sharing

- Option for audience engagement features (polls, chat, Q&A)

Additional Notes:

- Presentation content is fully customized and delivered digitally for backup or pre-event review.

- Tech rehearsal is recommended for virtual or hybrid events to test connectivity, visuals, and audio.

- On-site AV staff support is preferred for smooth transitions and setup.

This ensures every attendee experiences maximum engagement, clarity, and impact—bringing the full power of Virtual Leadership™ to your audience.

Past booked events

November 2021

18

Thursday

Blu Talks

All-day event

September 2021

23

Thursday

Hospitality Women's Day event

10:30am - 6:00pm

04

Saturday

Unshakable

All-day event

July 2021

21

Wednesday

Freedom Fest

All-day event

March 2021

04

Thursday

Women's Health and Empowermen Expo 2010

All-day event (Fri)

November 2020

25

Wednesday

How To Rock The Virtual Stage

6:00pm - 7:00pm

18

Wednesday

How To Rock The Virtual Stage

6:00pm - 7:00pm

12

Thursday

Corporate Conference - Rock the Virtual Stage

10:00am - 12:00pm

11

Wednesday

How To Rock The Virtual Stage

6:00pm - 7:00pm

10

Tuesday

Manufacturing Engagement Summit

2:00pm - 3:00pm

04

Wednesday

How To Rock The Virtual Stage

6:00pm - 7:00pm

October 2020

28

Wednesday

How To Rock The Virtual Stage

6:00pm - 7:00pm

21

Wednesday

How To Rock The Virtual Stage

6:00pm - 7:00pm

14

Wednesday

How To Rock The Virtual Stage

6:00pm - 7:00pm

13

Tuesday

How To Rock The Virtual Stage - Special

6:00pm - 7:00pm

07

Wednesday

How To Rock The Virtual Stage

6:00pm - 7:00pm

01

Thursday

Network at Noon

1:00pm - 2:00pm

September 2020

30

Wednesday

How To Rock The Virtual Stage

6:00pm - 7:00pm

24

Thursday

Podcast interview on Rain Making (C-suite)

9:00am - 10:00am

23

Wednesday

How To Rock The Virtual Stage

6:00pm - 7:00pm

19

Saturday

How To Rock The Virtual Stage

3:00pm - 4:00pm

16

Wednesday

How To Rock The Virtual Stage

6:00pm - 7:00pm

09

Wednesday

How To Rock The Virtual Stage

6:00pm - 7:00pm

02

Wednesday

How To Rock The Virtual Stage

6:00pm - 7:00pm

August 2020

26

Wednesday

How To Rock The Virtual Stage

6:00pm - 7:00pm

20

Thursday

Personal Occasion

6:00pm - 7:00pm

Centennial, WY

19

Wednesday

How To Rock The Virtual Stage

6:00pm - 7:00pm

12

Wednesday

How To Rock The Virtual Stage

6:00pm - 7:00pm

05

Wednesday

How To Rock The Virtual Stage

6:00pm - 7:00pm

05

Wednesday

Hope Podcast

2:00pm - 3:00pm

July 2020

29

Wednesday

How To Rock The Virtual Stage

6:00pm - 7:00pm

29

Wednesday

FIVE Minute Bark

1:30pm - 2:30pm

22

Wednesday

How To Rock The Virtual Stage

6:00pm - 7:00pm

15

Wednesday

How To Rock The Virtual Stage

6:00pm - 7:00pm

14

Tuesday

Interview Show virtual event

9:00am - 9:45am

14

Tuesday

Interview Show virtual event

7:00am - 7:30am

06

Monday

Interview Show

2:00pm - 2:30pm

June 2020

13

Saturday

Next Gen Leadership

8:00am - 10:00am

10

Wednesday

How To Rock The Virtual Stage

6:00pm - 7:00pm

03

Wednesday

How To Rock The Virtual Stage

6:00pm - 7:00pm

May 2020

27

Wednesday

How to Rock The Virtual Stage Webinar

6:00pm - 7:00pm

20

Wednesday

How to Rock The Virtual Stage Webinar

6:00pm - 7:00pm

20

Wednesday

Defy The Oddds

10:30am - 11:00am

13

Wednesday

How to Rock The Virtual Stage Webinar

6:00pm - 7:00pm

11

Monday

Stutter to stage

4:30pm - 5:30pm

06

Wednesday

How to Rock The Virtual Stage Webinar

6:00pm - 7:00pm

April 2020

29

Wednesday

How to Rock The Virtual Stage Webinar

6:00pm - 7:00pm

27

Monday

How To Rock The Virtual Stage

12:30pm - 1:30pm

24

Friday

How To Rock The Virtual Stage

11:30am - 12:30pm

24

Friday

How To Rock The Virtual Stage

10:30am - 11:30am

23

Thursday

How To Rock The Virtual Stage

8:30am - 9:30am

22

Wednesday

How to Rock The Virtual Stage Webinar

6:00pm - 7:00pm

17

Friday

How To Rock The Virtual Stage

10:30am - 11:30am

15

Wednesday

How to Rock The Virtual Stage Webinar

6:00pm - 7:00pm

09

Thursday

How To Rock The Virtual Stage

12:00pm - 1:00pm

08

Wednesday

How to Rock The Virtual Stage Webinar

6:00pm - 7:00pm

01

Wednesday

How to Rock The Virtual Stage Webinar

6:00pm - 7:00pm

01

Wednesday

Defy The Odds

11:00am - 12:00pm

March 2020

31

Tuesday

Defy The Odds

11:00am - 12:00pm

18

Wednesday

Defy The Odds

12:30pm - 1:00pm

07

Saturday

4 Good Leadership Risk

2:00am - 5:30pm

04

Wednesday

Camp Event

1:30pm - 2:30pm

Erie, CO

November 2019

22

Friday

Life Stories of Liver Transplant Recipient

12:00pm - 1:00pm

October 2019

11

Friday

Defy The Odds - Relationships

2:00pm - 3:00pm

10

Thursday

Stutter To Stage

8:00am - 10:00am

September 2019

09

Monday

Defy The Odds

10:00am - 11:00am

August 2019

03

Saturday

Stutter To Stage

All-day event

July 2019

27

Saturday

Emcee - Bubble Run

All-day event (Sun)

April 2019

12

Friday

Experts on Stage TV interview

All-day event

December 2018

09

Sunday

Snapshots of Christmas - HOPE

9:00am - 12:15pm

November 2018

21

Wednesday

Frederica Coaches Show - Saint Simmons Island

7:00pm - 7:30pm

16

Friday

Football Broadcast - 103Q FM

7:00pm - 10:00pm

14

Wednesday

Frederica Coaches Show - Saint Simmons Island

7:00pm - 7:30pm

07

Wednesday

Frederica Coaches Show - Saint Simmons Island

7:00pm - 7:30pm

02

Friday

Football Broadcast - 103Q FM

7:00pm - 10:00pm

October 2018

31

Wednesday

Frederica Coaches Show - Saint Simmons Island

7:00pm - 7:15pm

26

Friday

Football Broadcast - 103Q FM

7:00pm - 10:00pm

24

Wednesday

Frederica Coaches Show - Saint Simmons Island

7:00pm - 7:30pm

24

Wednesday

Hustle 4 Life - Interview

3:00pm - 4:00pm

19

Friday

Sports Remote - BHS vs Glynn Football Game

7:00pm - 10:00pm

17

Wednesday

Frederica Coaches Show - Saint Simmons Island

7:00pm - 7:30pm

17

Wednesday

Thrive in Life - Radio Interview

12:30pm - 1:15pm

12

Friday

Football Broadcast - 103Q FM

7:00pm - 10:00pm

10

Wednesday

Frederica Coaches Show - Saint Simmons Island

7:00pm - 7:30pm

05

Friday

Football Broadcast - 103Q FM

7:00pm - 10:00pm

04

Thursday

Interview with Zaheen

2:00pm - 3:00pm

03

Wednesday

Frederica Coaches Show - Saint Simmons Island

7:00pm - 7:30pm

01

Monday

National Bully Month Event

12:00pm - 1:00pm

September 2018

28

Friday

Football Broadcast - 103Q FM

7:00pm - 10:00pm

26

Wednesday

Frederica Coaches Show - Saint Simmons Island

7:00pm - 7:30pm

21

Friday

Football Broadcast - 103Q FM

7:00pm - 10:00pm

19

Wednesday

Frederica Coaches Show - Saint Simmons Island

7:00pm - 7:30pm

14

Friday

Football Broadcast - 103Q FM

7:00pm - 10:00pm

12

Wednesday

Frederica Coaches Show - Saint Simmons Island

7:00pm - 7:30pm

07

Friday

Football Broadcast - 103Q FM

7:00pm - 10:00pm

05

Wednesday

Frederica Coaches Show - Saint Simmons Island

7:00pm - 7:30pm

02

Sunday

Dynamic Community

9:00am - 12:00pm

August 2018

29

Wednesday

Frederica Coaches Show - Saint Simmons Island

7:00pm - 7:30pm

24

Friday

Football Broadcast - 103Q FM

7:00pm - 10:30pm

22

Wednesday

Coaches Show

7:00pm - 7:30pm

17

Friday

Football Broadcast - 103Q FM

7:00pm - 10:30pm

July 2018

24

Tuesday

Heart Abandoned Youth Conference - Leadership

9:00am - 10:00am

23

Monday

Heart Abandoned Youth Conference - Bullying

7:00pm - 9:00pm

Influences and inspiration

Those who have inspired and influenced my career are numerous and diverse, from legendary media figures like Johnny Carson, Bob Costas, Walt Disney, and James Lipton, whose mastery of presence, timing, and storytelling has shaped their approach to communication.

Working with top leaders and authors reinforced the power of authenticity, emotional connection, and trust in any audience. And through my own journey of overcoming a lifelong stutter, I have developed techniques that I now teach to help leaders lead confidently and connect deeply—on camera, on stage, and on mic.

One very special influence was my childhood pastor, Fred Finks. He taught so much about storytelling and sharing from the heart in a way that deeply impacted people each time that he spoke or stepped up to a mic.

Setup requirements

Mic (headset perfered)

Visual screen (in some settings)

Bottle water

Lively crowd

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