Book Dr. David E. Guggenheim, the "Ocean Doctor," as a Guest Speaker for your Next College, University, Community or Company Event!
Dr. David E. Guggenheim, the "Ocean Doctor," is a marine scientist, ocean explorer, submarine pilot, and conservation policy leader based in Washington, DC where he is president of the nonprofit organization 1planet1ocean, a project of The Ocean Foundation where he serves as Senior Fellow and Director of its Cuba Marine Research and Conservation Program. He also hosts the ExpeditionCasts podcast series and authors the OceanDoctor blog.
An accomplished public speaker, Dr. Guggenheim offers a unique perspective – from a tiny submarine 2,000 feet beneath Alaska’s Bering Sea to the hallways of Washington, DC – on the wonder of the oceans around us and the critical issues they now face. He is a regular spokesperson on ocean issues and has been featured on National Geographic Today, CNN, and in the New York Times. In early 2009, Dr. Guggenheim embarked on a special "expedition" to deliver speeches to tens of thousands of students in all 50 U.S. states, the Ocean Doctor’s "50 Years – 50 States – 50 Speeches" Expedition.
In Washington, DC, Dr. Guggenheim is a leader in conservation policy, on important issues including global warming, sustainable seafood, coral reefs, and environmental education and is actively involved in international environmental issues.
Dr. Guggenheim is Inspiring Audiences of All Ages Around the World About the Wonders of the Oceans
Recent Testimonials:
"I would like to thank you for your talk at our Rotary Club of Ojai meeting. In my 38 years as a member I have never seen such a positive reception. Thank you again ‘Ocean Doctor’ for opening our eyes to the wonders of the sea and the responsibility that we all share in maintaining it for future generations."John Jacobs, CPA (Jacobs & Jacobs, Ojai, California)
"Thank you for making the Orlando Public Library a stop on your speaking tour. Everyone in attendance enjoyed your talk immensely — all rave reviews!"Tracy Zampaglione, Public Relations Administrator (Orange County Library System)
"There is nothing like seeing your students’ eyes light up with excitement. The Ocean Doctor showed my students a world of wonder and awakened a passion in them even they didn’t know they existed. Simply wonderful!" Linda Southwick, Mathematics/AVID Teacher (Ventura High School, California)
"With impassioned words and impressive pictures, Dr. Guggenheim was able to illustrate many of the issues the class was exploring–from overfishing to the effect of land use policies to our changing relationship with the creatures of the sea."Kelly Samek, Esq., Adjunct Professor (New College of Florida)
"Dr. Guggenheim’s message could not have been more important! He talked to the students not only about his work, but also the work that he hopes that one day they will take on as a challenge. He helped the students realize how their own actions affect the quality and quantity of water that we all depend on for survival. His enthusiasm for his work was evident in his speech and this rubbed off onto the students. Thanks for your work, Dr. Guggenheim!"Carrie Newdigger, Science Teacher (Macksville High School, Kansas)
"Our students thoroughly engaged with Dr. David Guggenheim. His presentation was captivating and his message of greatest importance. He brought science to the top of many student’s lists of what they would like to do in their future work. Our students from 1st -12th grades were truly touched and positively impressed with the importance of our oceans and we all learned a great deal more about this huge part of our world and what is happening in them. I highly recommend support of David’s program."Connie Dennett, Events Coordinator (The Principia School, St. Louis, Missouri)
HOT TOPIC : Dr. Guggenheim speaks about one of the most important issues of our time: Global Warming and Our Oceans: What a Changing Climate Means to Our Oceans…and Our Lives
With Incredible Video & Imagery, the Ocean Doctor Takes Your Audience on an Unforgettable Journey Thousands of Feet Below the Ocean’s Surface
During the summer of 2007, Dr. Guggenheim took part in a landmark Greenpeace-led expedition to explore cold water corals living thousands of feet below Alaska’s Bering Sea. As senior submarine pilot and scientific advisor, he became the first human being to pilot a submarine into the Bering Sea’s two largest canyons: Pribolof Caynon and Zhemchug Canyon, the latter being the largest underwater canyon in the world. He is also in his eighth year of leading important collaborative research in Cuba, taking part in a series of expeditions to explore the most unknown corner of the Gulf of Mexico — the waters of Cuba’s northwestern coast.
Dr. Guggenheim speaks to a wide range of audiences at a wide range of events, including college and university events, charity events, business meetings and conferences, for groups ranging from 20 to 2,000, kindergarten to seniors. His programs are captivating and inspirational, capturing the wonder of the oceans and the magic of discovery while also providing an important message about the state of our oceans and their future. Guggenheim draws from his personal accounts around the world, illustrating his personal adventures and experiences with his stunning photographs and underwater videos set to music.
Recent Popular Speech Topics Include:
Lessons from the Deep: Discovering Our Humanity at the Bottom of the Sea
The New Green is Blue : What the Oceans are Telling Us and Why it Matters
Global Warming and Our Oceans: What a Changing Climate Means to Our Oceans…and Our Lives
Lessons from Our Youngest Frontier: From Lewis & Clark to Alvin: The New Era of Discovery in Our Oceans
Beneath The Deadliest Catch: Discovery, Challenge and Hope 2,000 feet Below Alaska’s Bering Sea
Which Fish Should I Eat? : Your Choices, Your Oceans, Your Health
Cuba’s Underwater Mysteries Revealed
Submarine Crash Course: Learn to Pilot a Sub in 60 Minutes!
Selected Invited Talks:
Opening Speaker: Scottish Parliament: Climate Change: Getting it Right – Edinburgh, Scotland (2009)
Featured Speaker: 50 Years – 50 States – 50 Speeches: A 50-state speaking tour to more than 100 elementary, middle and high
schools, colleges and universities across the U.S. (2009-10)
Keynote Speaker: Ontario Ministry of the Environment Annual Conference. Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada (2008)
Featured Speaker: 15th Anniversary Dinner of the Marine Fish Conservation Network. Washington, DC. (2008)
Keynote Speaker: First Annual Coral Reef Symposium – San Juan, Puerto Rico (2007)
Keynote Speaker: 29th Annual Conference – Florida Association for Water Quality Control (2006)
Invited Speaker: World Oceans Day Event – University of Havana, Cuba (2006)
Featured Speaker: Ben Franklin Global Forum – School Outreach Programs, Philadelphia (2006)
Featured Speaker: Naples Underwater Fim Festival (2006)
Featured Speaker: Dive into Ocean Careers, Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (2005-2006)
Keynote Speaker: University of Costa Rica (2004)
Additional Biographical Information:
Dr. David E. Guggenheim is a marine scientist, ocean explorer, submarine pilot, and conservation policy leader based in Washington, DC where he is president of the nonprofit organization 1planet1ocean, a project of The Ocean Foundation where he serves as Senior Fellow and Director of its Cuba Marine Research & Conservation Program. In 2007 he was scientific advisor for an expedition to explore deepwater corals in the Bering Sea where he piloted the first-ever manned submersible dives into the Bering Sea’s largest underwater canyons. Dr. Guggenheim was formerly Vice President for Conservation Policy at The Ocean Conservancy in Washington, DC. Prior to that he was President & CEO of The Conservancy of Southwest Florida in where he also co-chaired the Everglades Coalition. Dr. Guggenheim was inducted into the Explorers Club in 2008.
For a free, no-obligation quote for your speaking event, please complete the form below. Speaking fees vary depending on travel time, preparation effort, and participation in additional activities. A discounted rate is provided for schools and nonprofit organizations.
Dr. David E. Guggenheim, the "Ocean Doctor," is a marine scientist, ocean explorer, submarine pilot, and conservation policy leader based in Washington, DC where he is president of the nonprofit organization 1planet1ocean, a project of 
