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Robert Atkinson

Robert Atkinson

Keynote Speaker: Founder & President of the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation

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  • Speaking Fee:
    Live Event Fee: $10,000 - $20,000
    Virtual Event Fee: Below $10,000
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Robert Atkinson Biography

Dr. Robert D. Atkinson is one of the country’s foremost thinkers on innovation economics. He has conducted ground-breaking research on technology and innovation and authored three books, including Big is Beautiful: Debunking the Mythology of Small Business (MIT Press, 2018). Atkinson is a sought-after speaker and valued adviser to state, national , and international policymakers on topics ranging from tax policy to advanced manufacturing, productivity, and global competitiveness.

As founder and president of the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF), recognized as the world’s top think tank for science and technology policy, Atkinson leads a prolific team of policy analysts and fellows that is successfully shaping the debate and setting the agenda on a host of critical issues at the intersection of technological innovation and public policy.

Before founding ITIF, Atkinson was Vice President of the Progressive Policy Institute and Director of PPI’s Technology & New Economy Project. He received his Master’s in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Oregon and was named a distinguished alumnus in 2014. He received his Ph.D. in City and Regional Planning from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1989.

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Robert Atkinson Speaking Topics

Winning the Long Economic War With China

Unlike other nations, China is not seeking to comparative advantage being good at some industries and importing others. It is seeking absolute advantage in all advanced industries and it is willing to do whatever it takes to win. What does this mean for the future of the global economy and the United States, including U.S. firms in a wide array of industries. Equally important what does the U.S. government need to do to win this war, and what are the barriers that are getting in the way.

Productivity is Everything

Rich economies became rich by being more productive. However, in the last 15 years labor productivity growth has declined to all-time lows, making it harder to raise incomes, grow companies, and expand the economy. What accounts for this productivity slowdown? Will emerging technologies like autonomous systems, AI, 5G, IOT and other technologies make enough of a difference? What should industry do? What should the federal government do, and what exactly would a national productivity strategy look like?

Time for a Real U.S. Industrial Policy

For almost half a century the term "industrial policy" has been a derogatory one, suggesting the government intervening where it shouldn't. But the rise of advanced industries in China, threatening both U.S. military and economic security, has brought the term back to some level of respectability in Washington, in part reflected by the recent passage by Congress of the Chips and Science Act. Why is industrial policy getting more attention, and what are the politics of it in DC? How do Democrats and Republicans look at it differently? How can industry help shape industrial policy. And what kind of industrial policy does the nation need?

Robert Atkinson Videos

Big Tech: Free Markets and Democracy at Stake with Robert Atkinson
Conversations on Innovation | Robert Atkinson & James Lewis
Debunking the Mythology of Small Business | Robert Atkinson ...

How do I book Robert Atkinson to speak at my event?

Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Robert Atkinson 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 Robert Atkinson, 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 Robert Atkinson or any other speaker of your choice.

How much does it cost to book Robert Atkinson for a speaking engagement?

Speaking fees for Robert Atkinson, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Robert Atkinson are $10,000 - $20,000 for live events and Below $10,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Robert Atkinson, 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 Robert Atkinson speak about?

Robert Atkinson is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Finance, Technology, Innovation, Government, Authors, Publishing and Political.

Where does Robert Atkinson travel from?

Robert Atkinson generally travels from Washington, DC, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances.

Who is the agent for Robert Atkinson?

AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Robert Atkinson 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 Robert Atkinson for your next private or corporate function.

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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 Robert Atkinson 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.


Robert Atkinson is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics including Finance, Technology and Innovation. The estimated speaking fee range to book Robert Atkinson for live events is $10,000 - $20,000, and for virtual events Below $10,000. Robert Atkinson generally travels from Washington, DC, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Jeffrey Rosen, Vali Nasr and Shibley Telhami. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Robert Atkinson for an upcoming event.

Robert Atkinson Speaking Topics

  • Winning the Long Economic War With China

    Unlike other nations, China is not seeking to comparative advantage being good at some industries and importing others. It is seeking absolute advantage in all advanced industries and it is willing to do whatever it takes to win. What does this mean for the future of the global economy and the United States, including U.S. firms in a wide array of industries. Equally important what does the U.S. government need to do to win this war, and what are the barriers that are getting in the way.

  • Productivity is Everything

    Rich economies became rich by being more productive. However, in the last 15 years labor productivity growth has declined to all-time lows, making it harder to raise incomes, grow companies, and expand the economy. What accounts for this productivity slowdown? Will emerging technologies like autonomous systems, AI, 5G, IOT and other technologies make enough of a difference? What should industry do? What should the federal government do, and what exactly would a national productivity strategy look like?

  • Time for a Real U.S. Industrial Policy

    For almost half a century the term "industrial policy" has been a derogatory one, suggesting the government intervening where it shouldn't. But the rise of advanced industries in China, threatening both U.S. military and economic security, has brought the term back to some level of respectability in Washington, in part reflected by the recent passage by Congress of the Chips and Science Act. Why is industrial policy getting more attention, and what are the politics of it in DC? How do Democrats and Republicans look at it differently? How can industry help shape industrial policy. And what kind of industrial policy does the nation need?

Robert Atkinson Videos

Big Tech: Free Markets and Democracy at Stake with Robert Atkinson
Conversations on Innovation | Robert Atkinson & James Lewis
Debunking the Mythology of Small Business | Robert Atkinson ...
[Keynote Session] Robert Atkinson - International Technology and ...
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