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Trust AAE Speakers Bureau for Booking Top Professional Speakers. Find a Keynote Speaker Today.
Dave Sanderson

Dave Sanderson

Keynote Speaker: Inspirational Survivor of the Miracle on the Hudson, Author & Nationally Recognized Leadership Speaker

Dave Sanderson Biography

Dave Sanderson is a nationally recognized leadership speaker, accomplished author and inspirational survivor of what is known as "The Miracle on the Hudson." As the last passenger off US Airways Flight 1549 which had to ditch into the river, he took the lessons he learned from that profound experience in the frigid water and emerged from the wreckage with a mission to encourage others to do the right thing and share coping skills to address any adversity they may face.

Named one of Inc.com's Top 100 Leadership speakers, Dave travels the world to share his inspirational leadership lessons and has raised over $14.8M USD for the American Red Cross over the last ten years through his talks.

He lives in Charlotte, NC with Terri, his wife of 35 years and has four children who were very happy their father came home that day.

Contact a speaker booking agent to check availability on Dave Sanderson and other top speakers and celebrities.

Dave Sanderson Speaking Topics

From Turmoil to Triumph: “How to Get Back on the Plane”

For over thirty years, Dave Sanderson was a top producer in some of the largest sales organizations in the world. On January 15, 2009, he was one of the last passengers off the plane that crashed into the Hudson River, best known as The Miracle on the Hudson, considered the most successful ditching in aviation history. Since that unique experience, Dave has built a career as a motivational speaker, mentor, and author and was recently named one of the top 100 Leadership Speakers in Inc.com. After he survived the plane crash, he started getting calls from people all over the world, asking him how he “got back on the plane,” and since the plane crash, Dave has been speaking, teaching, and consulting on how to bounce back and grow from the challenge’s life throws at you and how to turn your Turmoil into your Triumph. Now, more than ever, people need firsthand experience and guidance on how to not only bounce back from tumultuous times but actually grow from traumatic life events and crisis.

100 Days to Triumph

We all know, especially these days, that change will happen, but making progress towards what is most important to you is not. How do you clarify, simplify, and progress towards the significant outcomes that will change your life?

In “100 Days to Triumph,” Dave will share the proven and tested strategy how he was able in 100 days to go back into a place where his life was almost taken from him during the Miracle on the Hudson, beginning from not swimming for over forty years and 100 days later, swimming across the cold and rough Hudson River with the elite Navy Seals, this time leaving on HIS terms.

He will show your audience how they can accomplish any significant goal or initiative they may have within 100 days!

Whether it is obtaining sustainable weight loss, boosting your energy to finish a triathlon healthy, increasing your influence and exceeding your sales goals, creating a passionate long-lasting relationship, or discovering what is necessary to have an extraordinary life of happiness and fulfillment, Dave will simplify these strategies into easy-to-understand concepts that you can implement today, compressing the decades of what he learned and did into techniques you can use today to create the flight plan you desire for your life.

Brace for Impact

Ready to fly home after a quick business trip, Dave Sanderson settled into seat 15A. Shortly after takeoff however, it was evident that something was wrong. Just moments later, the captain said on the intercom " This is your captain, brace for impact"

Three simple words that proclaimed to all 150 passengers on board US Airways Flight 1549 on that cold, crisp New York afternoon of January 15, 2009, that their plane was about to go down in the icy Hudson River.

Three simple words that churned up their fear that the next two minutes would be their final moments on earth and spurred their most heartfelt, spontaneous prayers.

We all know about the stunning tale of survival against all odds that followed.

When US Airways Flight 1549, or “The Miracle on the Hudson” ditched into the Hudson River on January 15, 2009, Dave Sanderson knew he was exactly where he was supposed to be.

As the last passenger off the back of the plane on that fateful day, he was largely responsible for the well-being and safety of others. Risking his own life in frigid water to help other passengers off the plane, despite the hazard to himself, Sanderson thought only of helping others in that moment and he emerged from the wreckage with a mission: to encourage others to do the right thing.

In this stirring presentation, Sanderson shares the story of Flight 1549, revealing the inner strength it took to make it through the day, and how teamwork, leadership, and state management can help overcome any obstacle.

JOLT - How to bounce back even stronger!

How do you not only bounce back but actually grow from a traumatic event? After surviving US Airways Flight 1549 that landed on the Hudson River, Dave Sanderson experienced a major traumatic life event.

The truth is, we all at one time or another will experience a traumatic event.

It could be an accident, but it could also be a job loss or the death of someone close. For many, these traumatic events can be crippling and life changing. On the flips side, for some however, these traumatic events can actually spark growth. This growth mindset approach to adversity is known as Post Traumatic Growth Syndrome.

In this presentation, Dave illustrates and explains the three strategies that anyone can use to grow from any traumatic life event.

Moments Matter

In this stirring presentation, Dave Sanderson reveals the lessons and strategies that helped guide his decisions following the crash of US Airways Flight 1549, or “The Miracle on the Hudson”. Dave not only survived the “crash” but realized that there were key moments in his life that prepared him for how he came through the events of that day. In this 45-minute presentation, Dave shares practical and implementable strategies on resiliency, leadership, and state management anyone can use to not only survive their “personal plane crash” moment but grow and thrive.

Dave Sanderson Videos

Inspirational speaker and author | Dave Sanderson
An Experience with Post-Traumatic Growth Syndrome | Dave Sanderson

How do I book Dave Sanderson to speak at my event?

Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Dave Sanderson for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Dave Sanderson, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Dave Sanderson or any other speaker of your choice.

How much does it cost to book Dave Sanderson for a speaking engagement?

Speaking fees for Dave Sanderson, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Dave Sanderson are $10,000 - $20,000 for live events and Below $10,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Dave Sanderson, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.

What topics does Dave Sanderson speak about?

Dave Sanderson is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Teamwork & Teambuilding, Personal Growth, Overcoming Adversity, Motivational, College, Resilience, Sales, Human Resources, Business, Leadership, Business Leadership and Thought Leadership.

Where does Dave Sanderson travel from?

Dave Sanderson generally travels from Charlotte, NC, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances.

Who is the agent for Dave Sanderson?

AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Dave Sanderson for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Dave Sanderson for your next private or corporate function.

What is a full-service speaker booking agency?

AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Dave Sanderson or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.

Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?

If you’re looking for the best speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.


Dave Sanderson is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics including Teamwork & Teambuilding, Personal Growth and Overcoming Adversity. The estimated speaking fee range to book Dave Sanderson for live events is $10,000 - $20,000, and for virtual events Below $10,000. Dave Sanderson generally travels from Charlotte, NC, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Libby Gill, Eric Boles and Carey Lohrenz. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Dave Sanderson for an upcoming event.

Dave Sanderson Speaking Topics

  • From Turmoil to Triumph: “How to Get Back on the Plane”

    For over thirty years, Dave Sanderson was a top producer in some of the largest sales organizations in the world. On January 15, 2009, he was one of the last passengers off the plane that crashed into the Hudson River, best known as The Miracle on the Hudson, considered the most successful ditching in aviation history. Since that unique experience, Dave has built a career as a motivational speaker, mentor, and author and was recently named one of the top 100 Leadership Speakers in Inc.com. After he survived the plane crash, he started getting calls from people all over the world, asking him how he “got back on the plane,” and since the plane crash, Dave has been speaking, teaching, and consulting on how to bounce back and grow from the challenge’s life throws at you and how to turn your Turmoil into your Triumph. Now, more than ever, people need firsthand experience and guidance on how to not only bounce back from tumultuous times but actually grow from traumatic life events and crisis.

  • 100 Days to Triumph

    We all know, especially these days, that change will happen, but making progress towards what is most important to you is not. How do you clarify, simplify, and progress towards the significant outcomes that will change your life?

    In “100 Days to Triumph,” Dave will share the proven and tested strategy how he was able in 100 days to go back into a place where his life was almost taken from him during the Miracle on the Hudson, beginning from not swimming for over forty years and 100 days later, swimming across the cold and rough Hudson River with the elite Navy Seals, this time leaving on HIS terms.

    He will show your audience how they can accomplish any significant goal or initiative they may have within 100 days!

    Whether it is obtaining sustainable weight loss, boosting your energy to finish a triathlon healthy, increasing your influence and exceeding your sales goals, creating a passionate long-lasting relationship, or discovering what is necessary to have an extraordinary life of happiness and fulfillment, Dave will simplify these strategies into easy-to-understand concepts that you can implement today, compressing the decades of what he learned and did into techniques you can use today to create the flight plan you desire for your life.

  • Brace for Impact

    Ready to fly home after a quick business trip, Dave Sanderson settled into seat 15A. Shortly after takeoff however, it was evident that something was wrong. Just moments later, the captain said on the intercom " This is your captain, brace for impact"

    Three simple words that proclaimed to all 150 passengers on board US Airways Flight 1549 on that cold, crisp New York afternoon of January 15, 2009, that their plane was about to go down in the icy Hudson River.

    Three simple words that churned up their fear that the next two minutes would be their final moments on earth and spurred their most heartfelt, spontaneous prayers.

    We all know about the stunning tale of survival against all odds that followed.

    When US Airways Flight 1549, or “The Miracle on the Hudson” ditched into the Hudson River on January 15, 2009, Dave Sanderson knew he was exactly where he was supposed to be.

    As the last passenger off the back of the plane on that fateful day, he was largely responsible for the well-being and safety of others. Risking his own life in frigid water to help other passengers off the plane, despite the hazard to himself, Sanderson thought only of helping others in that moment and he emerged from the wreckage with a mission: to encourage others to do the right thing.

    In this stirring presentation, Sanderson shares the story of Flight 1549, revealing the inner strength it took to make it through the day, and how teamwork, leadership, and state management can help overcome any obstacle.

  • JOLT - How to bounce back even stronger!

    How do you not only bounce back but actually grow from a traumatic event? After surviving US Airways Flight 1549 that landed on the Hudson River, Dave Sanderson experienced a major traumatic life event.

    The truth is, we all at one time or another will experience a traumatic event.

    It could be an accident, but it could also be a job loss or the death of someone close. For many, these traumatic events can be crippling and life changing. On the flips side, for some however, these traumatic events can actually spark growth. This growth mindset approach to adversity is known as Post Traumatic Growth Syndrome.

    In this presentation, Dave illustrates and explains the three strategies that anyone can use to grow from any traumatic life event.

  • Moments Matter

    In this stirring presentation, Dave Sanderson reveals the lessons and strategies that helped guide his decisions following the crash of US Airways Flight 1549, or “The Miracle on the Hudson”. Dave not only survived the “crash” but realized that there were key moments in his life that prepared him for how he came through the events of that day. In this 45-minute presentation, Dave shares practical and implementable strategies on resiliency, leadership, and state management anyone can use to not only survive their “personal plane crash” moment but grow and thrive.

Dave Sanderson Videos

Inspirational speaker and author | Dave Sanderson
An Experience with Post-Traumatic Growth Syndrome | Dave Sanderson
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DAVE SANDERSON

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