Gail Davis

About Gail Davis

I’m the founder of GDA Speakers and a recognized leader in the global speaker industry, with decades of experience building, curating, and representing world-class talent. My corporate background in large-scale event management gives me a clear advantage: I understand exactly what clients need because I’ve been in their shoes.Before launching GDA Speakers in I spent 20 years managing high-profile corporate events at Electronic Data Systems (EDS). Booking speakers was a critical part of my role, and that firsthand experience shaped everything I later built at GDA. I didn’t just want to represent great speakers. I aimed to simplify, streamline, and enhance the entire booking process for clients, making it easier, more efficient, and more reliable. That perspective led to the development of technology and systems that support our clients end-to-end, removing friction and delivering confidence at every stage.It was during my time at EDS that I discovered Nando Parrado and helped bring his story to the world, beginning with a keynote that ultimately led to Miracle in the Andes, a New York Times best seller, and decades later, the Netflix film Society of the Snow. That partnership set the standard for how GDA operates and continues to guide our approach to speaker representation today.Under my leadership, GDA Speakers has become a trusted partner for organizations seeking vetted, credible, and impactful speakers. We focus on quality, alignment, and long-term success. Clients work with us because they know every speaker recommendation is thoughtful, strategic, and backed by deep industry experience.I’ve served as President of the International Association of Speakers Bureaus and currently serve as President-elect of EO Dallas, where I also served three years as Learning Chair responsible for monthly programming. I host the Backstage Pass podcast, offering behind-the-scenes conversations and real-world insights from leaders across the speaking and events industry. I’m frequently invited to share lessons on entrepreneurship, leadership, and the business of speaking.GDA Speakers exists to help organizations deliver exceptional events without unnecessary complexity. Everything we do is designed to support clients, simplify the booking process, and ensure every speaker delivers real value on stage and beyond.

Experience

1. Learning Chair

   Eo Dallas

   Jul 2023 — Present

Education

• University of Oklahoma

  Journalism, Public Relations

  1975 — 1979

• University of Oklahoma

  Bachelor of Arts and Science, Journalism

  1975 — 1979

Skills

• Speakers Bureau
• Leadership
• Motivational Speaking
• Strategic Planning
• Public Speaking
• Marketing
• Corporate Events
• Marketing Strategy
• Public Relations
• Time Management
• Entrepreneurship
• Small Business
• Team Building
• Social Media Marketing
• Social Media
• Coaching
• Marketing Communications
• Fundraising
• Nonprofits
• Media Relations
• Social Networking
• New Business Development
• Sales
• Leadership Development
• Customer Service
• Online Marketing
• Blogging
• Business Development