Bertrand Piccard is a renowned explorer and psychiatrist, famed for completing the extraordinary feat of being the first person to complete a non-stop balloon flight around the globe. The underlying message of his daring feats is one of environmental impact, emphasising that clean technologies and renewable energy can achieve the impossible. Now the Founder of the Solar Impulse Foundation, Bertrand is reimagining ecology through the lens of profitability, inspiring the use and promotion of clean technologies - awarded the UN Champions of the Earth Award in recognition of his passions. If you are looking for an inspirational explorer, who can also discuss the solutions to environmental problems, hire Bertrand Piccard today.
Born to a family of avid scientific explorers, Bertrand was destined for a life of curiosity and adventure. Taking up hand gliding at 16, Bertrand’s taste for adventure was ignited, going on to become one of Europe’s leading pioneers of microlight flying and hand gliding – even achieving the title of European Hand Glider Aerobatics Champion. It was in 1999 that Bertrand’s sense of adventure was truly demonstrated, as he embarked on the Breitling Orbiter 3. Aboard the balloon, Bertrand and his co-pilot Brian Jones completed the first successful non-stop balloon circumnavigation of the world. In recognition of such a valiant achievement, Bertrand was honoured with the Charles Green Salver, the Harmon Trophy and the FAI Gold Air Medal.
Several years later, Bertrand yet again embarked on another daring feat. In 2003, Bertrand announced his vision to create a solar-powered aircraft – the Solar Impulse. Fast forward to July 2016, Bertrand and André Borschberg successfully completed a circumnavigation of the globe in the Solar Impulse, a revolutionary first for such a vessel – which resulted in the creation of the World Alliance for Clean Technologies and Bertrand awarded the Mungo Park Medal from the Royal Scottish Geographical Society. In addition to his commitments to Solar Impulse, Bertrand also acted as a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Environment Programme, launched the Efficient Solutions Label and set the record for the most miles driven by a hydrogen car. Bertrand has also authored several books, including the titles The Greatest Adventure and A Trace in the Sky.
Spreading the message that innovation and pioneering spirit are the key to solving pressing challenges, Bertrand is now highly sought after as a keynote speaker for a variety of events - with Champions Speakers proudly representing Bertrand Piccard as an official speaker agent. With a decorated background, Bertrand doesn’t just share his adventure story, he taps into his experiences to allow audiences to draw inspiration from them in their own lives. Using his feats with Solar Impulse and the Breitling Orbiter, Bertrand has developed his psychology for life – having spent the past two decades addressing audiences on topics such as human communication, how to deal with uncertainty, stress management, leadership and motivation. Additionally, Bertrand’s background as a psychiatrist also allows him to address medical professionals on the art of psychiatry in hypnosis and self-hypnosis. If you are looking for a decorated speaker with a truly inspirational and thought-provoking story, hire Bertrand Piccard for your next event.
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Books
The Greatest Adventure: The Balloonists' Own Epic Tale of Their Round-the-World Voyage
A Trace in the Sky
Reviews
Bertrand Piccard received a 5 star rating across 5 events in 2023
Agent Recommendation
"Bertrand Piccard is an inspirational keynote speaker whose unparalleled achievements, from pioneering the first non-stop balloon flight around the globe to circumnavigating it in a solar-powered aircraft, epitomise innovation and the spirit of adventure. His advocacy for clean technologies and renewable energy, combined with his background in psychiatry, offers a unique perspective on solving environmental challenges while inspiring personal and professional growth."
How to hire Bertrand Piccard
Contact the Champions Speakers Agency to provisionally enquire about hiring Bertrand Piccard for your next event, today. To get in touch, simply call an official booking agent on 0207 1010 553 or email us at [email protected] for more information.
** We do not accept requests for autographs, signed merchandise, fan mail, birthday messages or any other non-commercial contact with the speakers or acts. Each speaker on the website may not have necessarily worked with Champions in the past but are known to perform such engagements within the industry.
Bertrand Piccard's official speaking topics are listed below:
- Stress Management
- How to Deal with Uncertainty & Crises
- Leadership
- Motivation
- Human Communication
- Teamwork
- Vision
- Innovation
- Creativity
- Energy Policy
- Technology Benefitting the Environment
- Psychiatry in Hypnosis
- Self-Hypnosis
Official Feedback from In-Person & Virtual Events
"Bertrand was superb! Please send him our thanks. It was a pleasure to work with Bertrand and yourselves, the customer advice was excellent." - Phenox
"Fascinating and gripping presentation. We were very impressed and motivated by your wisdom, your attitude and your brilliant advice." - Barry Callebaut AG
- 2023 - Speaker at COP28
- 2021 - Delivered the TEDx Talk "Shifting Paradigms to Solve Climate Change"
- 2021 - Member of the Climate & Environment Advisory Council of the European Investment Bank
- 2019 - Set the record for the most miles driven in a hydrogen car without refuelling
- 2018 - Created the Efficient Solution Label
- 2018 - Awarded the Mungo Park Medal from the Royal Scottish Geographical Society
- 2017 - Founder & Chairman of the Solar Impulse Foundation
- 2016 - Announced the creation of the World Alliance for Clean Technologies
- 2016 - Completed the circumnavigation of the globe with a solar-powered aircraft, Solar Impulse
- 2015 - Goodwill Ambassador of the United Nations Environment Programme
- 2012 - Recipient of the Champions of the Earth award from the UN Environment Programme
- 2010 - Delivered the TED Talk "Bertrand Piccard's Solar-Powered Adventure"
- 2003 - Initiator of Solar Impulse
- 1999 - Awarded the Hubbard Medal & the Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement
- 1999 - President of the Winds of Hope Foundation
- 1999 - Initiator & Pilot of the Breitling Orbiter
- 1992 - Winner of the first trans-Atlantic balloon race, the Chrysler Challenge
- Lecturer & Supervisor at the Swiss Medical Society for Hypnosis
- Recipient of the Harmon Trophy, the Charles Green Salver & the FAI Gold Air Medal in recognition of his circumnavigation of the globe in the Breitling Orbiter 3
- Recipient of the Gold Medal of Youth & Sport
- Awarded the Légion d'Honneur & appointed Officer of the Order of the Alawites
- LinkedIn Top Voice