Chris Helder is a business communication genius and master storyteller whose presentations have radically transformed how thousands of people worldwide communicate with clients, customers, colleagues, staff and teams. He's been a professional speaker for 18 years having accomplished over 2,450 presentations across all corners of the globe.

His motivational, high energy, humour and value-adding performance will enhance any event that he is booked for. He is an expert in the areas of communication, sales, influence and mindset, human potential, change, leadership and mastering the face-to-face customer experience - and he relates to all generations.

Chris is the author of three best-selling books The Ultimate Book of Influence which has been published in five languages, Useful Belief is one of the highest selling Australian business books of all time and Cut The Noise about achieving better results with less guilt.

His global client list includes: Citibank, Merrill Lynch, Glaxo Smith Kline, Toyota, Mercedes Benz, Fuji Xerox, Levi’s, Realtor.com and Olympic Winter Institute of Australia.

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From Dr. Mary C. Kelly's days as a naval intelligence officer to her role as one of today’s most influential economists, Commander/Dr. Mary C. Kelly has carved out an unforgettable career in leadership. Former chief of police, professor, realtor and HR Director - Mary has spent over 25 years teaching and training more than 40,000 military and civilian personnel. Mary is now on a mission to spread and communicate her message of success with audiences worldwide, sharing with them the secrets to being a true leader in today’s workplace.

A high-energy keynote speaker, Mary is focussed on using research, laughter, and experience to show professionals how to excel. Mary’s relatable, no-nonsense approach inspires audiences to embrace their roles, surpass their goals - and plan for the future.

Mary is the author of 13 books on business growth, leadership, and today’s economy. She is a speaker, coach and trainer who has worked with hundreds of organizations and companies across the globe.

Michael Kerr (“The Workplace Energizer!”) is recognized as one of North America’s most prolific thought-leaders on inspiring workplace cultures. Michael’s known for his high-energy, humor-filled presentations that are packed with thought-provoking ideas on workplace culture, culture leadership, and how businesses and leaders leverage their humor resources to drive outrageous results.

Michael has traveled the world researching great places to work, so his ideas are based on real world examples – something audiences always appreciate because they can see that these ideas actually work! Michael’s Inspiring Workplaces blog has been recognized as one of the top-30 workplace blogs in the world, and his insights on inspiring workplaces have been featured in Forbes, Fast Company, Business Insider, and scores of publications around the world.

He is also the author of 8 books, including, “The Jerk-Free Workplace: How You Can Take the Lead to Create a Happier, More Inspiring Workplace,” “Hire, Inspire and Fuel Their Fire: How to Recruit, Onboard, and Train New Employees to Live Your Culture Out Loud,” and, “The Humor Advantage: Why Some Businesses are Laughing All the Way to the Bank.”

Michael’s upcoming book will dive into how leaders can step up as truly inspiring culture leaders to build more resilient, collaborative, and service-focused cultures that drive outrageous business results. All of Michael’s presentations include a complimentary teaser video to help you promote your event, copies of his books as door prizes, a follow-up video reminding participants of the key messages and follow up action items, and follow up eResources, including the eBook, 401 Ways to Create a happier, More Inspiring Workplace Culture.

Stuart Knight has written, produced and starred in live presentations that have been seen by over one million people and each year speaks internationally helping some of the world’s biggest companies reach new levels of success. When he is not on the road speaking, you may have seen or heard him on some of Canada’s biggest TV and Radio stations where he is often asked for his expert opinion on high level communication. 

Stuart is the author of two profound books, You Should Have Asked – The Art of Powerful Conversation and The Madness of My Mind and writes a weekly blog that has over ten thousand followers. Personally, Stuart is a world traveler, an avid reader and composes music. He is also the founder of one Canada’s biggest speaking extravaganzas called The Top Ten Event, which has garnered over twenty million media impressions. As a renegade visionary, Stuart Knight has taken gut wrenching risks and came out on top. Today, with hilarious stories and thought provoking insights, he shares the lessons he has learned helping people reach goals they never imagined they could attain.

Victoria Labalme helps people perform at their highest levels by unlocking their hidden genius and unleashing their unique creativity.

With more than 20 years in the Performing Arts - from Broadway to comedy clubs, landmark films to high-profile television - Victoria’s electrifying, custom-crafted Keynotes awaken innate talents in individuals and teams.

Her proprietary systems and strategies have been embraced by C-suite executives at Starbucks, Microsoft, PayPal, as well as Hollywood celebrities, best-selling authors, and top teams in over 700 organizations.

With breathtaking stage skills, gripping stories, and comedic highlights, Victoria takes audiences through a profound experience they'll never forget. Along the way, she shows people how to distinguish their brand, gain competitive advantage, focus their communications and achieve sustainable growth through a surprising blend of art and business.

Her creative projects have been recognized by The New York Times, The Hollywood Reporter, Variety, BBC, and ABC Good Morning America.

A graduate of Stanford University, Victoria is also a director and critically acclaimed film producer, the creator of two online learning programs, and an inductee into the Speaker Hall of Fame.

Click Here to Watch Nicole's Virtual Presentation

• Dr. Nicole Lipkin talks about building great teams by creating high levels of trust and engagement among team members.

• Audiences will learn ways to communicate trust, form alliances and encourage collaboration. Also gives people ideas about how to enhance emotional wellness in the workplace

• Author and CEO of Equilibria Leadership Consulting, a leadership and organizational development firm. Contributor NPR, NBC, Forbes, Entrepreneur, CBS, and other national and international media outlets.

• Past clients include: Berkshire Hathaway, Google, JD Power, Toyota, UnitedHealth Group, Wells Fargo

Dr. Nicole Lipkin is an organizational psychologist, speaker and the author of What Keeps Leaders Up At Night: Recognizing and Resolving Your Most Troubling Management Issues and Y in the Workplace: Managing the 'Me First' Generation. Nicole's aim is to help organizations, leaders and their teams develop behaviors and practices that increase personal and organizational resilience and sustainability by integrating the science of human behavior with practical approaches to business and leadership challenges.

Nicole is the CEO of Equilibria Leadership Consulting, an international business/organizational solutions company based in the US that provides leadership and management development, executive assessment and executive and emerging leader coaching. She also is the owner of Equilibria Psychological and Consultation Services, a mid-sized group psychology practice located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Nicole is a sought after speaker, consultant and coach who has been retained by organizations such as Honda, Toyota, Autotrader.com, Wells Fargo, The American Society of Training and Development, Aqua America, ProObject, National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA), American Academy of Osteopathic Surgeons, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), City Security and Resilience Networks (CSARN) in the UK, LatinNext and HR Academy in Brazil, Global Aware International and Tiny-G in the UK, Security Watch India (SWI), the National Retail Federation (NRF), International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC), Penske Automotive Group, and The Boys and Girls Club of America. She has also been an invited presenter at a number of professional, association and corporate conferences.

Nicole is a regular contributor to the broadcast community and has been featured on NPR, NBC, CBS, Fox Business News, Forbes.com, Entrepreneur Magazine, Arrive Magazine (Amtrak), BusinessInsider.com, New York Times Magazine and numerous other media outlets both nationally and internationally.

She received a doctorate in clinical psychology (Psy.D.), Master of Business Administration (MBA), and Master of Criminal Justice (MACJ) at Widener University. Nicole is an adjunct faculty member at the Center for Creative Leadership. She is a Board Certified Coach and also received her Advanced Certified Personal and Executive Coach Certification and Certified Professional Coach Certification through the industry-leading College of Executive Coaching. Nicole is licensed as a psychologist in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Nicole was a board member of the Independence Arts Studio and is currently an Advisory Council Member of City Security and Resilience Networks (CSARN) in England and a board member of Fearless Athletics.

• Beau talks about how we adapt and thrive in times of change to find solutions to questions that haven’t been asked yet.

• Beau's interactive, and fun presentation will equip people to challenge their own assumptions and beliefs and come away better able to innovate, collaborate, lead, and adapt to new realities.

• Beau Lotto is a three-time TED speaker, a best-selling author, professor and the founder and CEO of two companies –Lab of Misfits, the world’s first neuro-design studio, and Ripple, which holds several highly influential patents in Augmented Reality (AR).

• Past clients include: Cirque du Soleil, L’Oreal, Asurion, Microsoft, Edelman, and The UAE’s Crown Prince’s Court.

Click Here to Watch Beau's Virtual Presentation

The only way to thrive in a rapidly changing world is to change with it. We know that. But the biggest barrier is in our heads. Neuroscientist and entrepreneur Beau Lotto shows why adapting –moving from A to B –means first moving from A to not-A. We needto let go of the assumptions and beliefs that keep us from seeing the world differently. A world-renowned expert in the science of perception, Beau reveals why trading certainty for doubt increases our capacity to adapt, lead, innovate, and thrive in the darkness of “I don’t know.”

A professor with deep academic credentials and critical scholarly works on the subject, Beau is also founder and CEO of two companies –Lab of Misfits, the world’s first neuro-design studio, and Ripple, which holds several highly influential patents in Augmented Reality (AR). A three-time mainstage TED speaker with over 9,000,000 views, Beau has spoken around the world, delivering totally unique, visually stunning, interactive, and fun presentations that help people act differently in the face of change. His message is an ideal conference kick-off –providing powerful, positive, creative context that sets a tone for the content and collaboration that follow. Beau’s latest book is Deviate: The Science of Seeing Differently.

A professor with deep academic credentials and critical scholarly works on the subject, Beau is also founder and CEO of two companies – Lab of Misfits, the world’s first neuro-design studio, and Ripple, which holds several highly influential patents in Augmented Reality (AR). A three-time mainstage TED speaker with over 9,000,000 views, Beau has spoken around the world, delivering totally unique, visually stunning, interactive, and fun presentations that help people act differently in the face of change. His message is an ideal conference kick-off – providing powerful, positive, creative context that sets a tone for the content and collaboration that follow. Beau’s latest book is Deviate: The Science of Seeing Differently.

In 2001, Beau Lotto founded the Lab of Misfits Studio,the world’s only neuroperception creative studio that is also a real neuroscience lab. The Lab’s goal is to foster adaptability and creativity. Their unique process of experiential experiments unites neuroscience expertise and measurement with digital technology and immersive design. They study humans “in the wild” -in theaters, public spaces, even across entire cities -using a combination of digital, virtual, and physical techniques and neuroscientific methodologies. By unveiling the essential truths that drive human decisions, their work deepens connections and creates innovations. Pragmatically, their insights are scientifically unique and quantified, commercially valuable to thestakeholders, and emotional and actionable to public audiences. They havesince created public experiences around the world, including London’s Science Museum, Hayward Gallery on London’s South Bank, and a public art installation in London’s famous Silicon Roundabout. Their past clients include Cirque du Soleil, L’Oreal, Asurion, Microsoft, Edelman, The UAE’s Crown Prince’s Court, and others. Lab of Misfits currently powers the neuroscience offering at Burson Cohn & Wolfe, one of the world's largest public relations and communications firms.

Beau is also CEO and founder of Ripple Inc, which holds five highly influential patents in Augmented Reality (AR) with two further patents pending. Using its technology and exclusive patented IP, the Lab creates digital platforms and custom, proprietary digital interactions that layer the world with immersive digital content. Examples include the GPS-based AR apps Traces, Acoustigram, and W_nder, all of which focus on location-tied storytelling, adding a layer of meaning to the world that has hitherto been impossible.

Matthew Luhn is an accomplished storyteller, author, instructor, motivational keynote speaker, and story consultant, with over 25 years’ experience creating stories and characters at Pixar Animation Studios. Alongside his story work in Hollywood, Matthew works with leaders of Fortune 500 companies, entrepreneurs, and other professionals to craft and tell stories that bridge the gap between business and heart to build stronger brands and business communication.

Matthew’s most recent clients include Adidas, Facebook, BBC, Microsoft, Sony, Warner Brothers, Apple, Google, Clorox and many more.

Matthew’s story credits include Toy Story, Toy Story 2, Toy Story 3, Monsters Inc., Monsters University, Finding Nemo, UP, Cars, Ratatouille and other films currently in development.

With over 25 years experience creating and developing dozens of films, TV shows, and video games, at Pixar, The Simpsons, ILM, and beyond, Matthew Luhn knows what it takes to create memorable stories with enduring characters. From film making to business, Matthew’s story talks are beneficial to anybody wanting to improve their story skills, or learn the persuasion of great storytelling. In Matthew’s story keynotes and workshops, he provides practical strategies that teach and inspire people and teams to connect more effectively with audiences. Matthew uses the power of storytelling to bridge the gap between business and heart, driving your story toward one unforgettable selling point.

Michael Maslansky uses experience from more than a decade of research into the art and science of persuasion to counsel Fortune 500 corporations, industry associations, and non-profits - on how to communicate credibly in this challenging environment. Clients turn to Michael to understand the public mood, challenge conventional wisdom and transform not just what they say to key audiences - but how they say it. We live in a post-trust era, where the public is more skeptical than ever of institutions, their motives and their messages. In this environment - the rules for communicators have changed.

Clients that have sought Michael’s counsel include AT&T, Bank of America, Johnson & Johnson, MetLife, and Toyota. He has also worked with a wide range of industry associations including the Financial Services Roundtable, PhRMA, the Personal Care Products Council, the Direct Marketing Association, and the New Orleans tourism industry.

Michael shares with clients his in-depth understanding of hot-button issues in banking and financial services, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, corporate social responsibility and non-profits, technology and consumer products, and litigation and politics. Over the years, he has helped Fortune 500 leaders and their companies position and differentiate their brands and products during good times - and protect their reputations during crisis.

Michael’s book, The Language of Trust: Selling Ideas in a World of Skeptics reviews the communication challenges that companies and industries face today - and offers proven tools for building trust and credibility with consumers, regulators and the general public.

Michael is a frequent commentator on Fox News, CNN, MSNBC and Current TV. He has conducted hundreds of research projects in over 20 countries using his firm’s trademarked polling and focus group methodology - lauded by The New York Times, The Washington Post, The New Yorker, “60 Minutes,” “Nightline” and PBS’s “Frontline,” among others.

Prior to maslansky + partners, Michael founded MarketResearch.com, a leading market intelligence company where he served as president and board director.  Michael is a member of the Arthur W. Page Society and also serves on a number of advisory boards. Previously, he was a mergers & acquisitions attorney with Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz. He lives in New York City with his wife and two children.

David Maxfield's experience and research into the best practices of leaders and influencers has made him a leading industry expert in communication, behavior, organizational effectiveness, and corporate culture. For more than twenty years, David Maxfield has led high-leverage research initiatives that uncover causes of and solutions to managerial, cultural, and operational inefficiencies that directly affect the bottom line. David's career began with his doctoral work in psychology at Stanford University. Since then, his impact on organizational performance has been wide-reaching as he's helped clients such as General Mills, Harvard Medical School, Pizza Hut, and Spectrum Health increase organizational effectiveness and become measurably more vital.

David is the coauthor of two New York Times bestsellers, Change Anything: The New Science of Personal Success and Influencer: The Power to Change Anything. A respected academic, David has taught at Stanford University and the Marriott School of Management at Brigham Young University. David is the recipient of the Motorola University's Distinguished Teaching Award and Stanford University's Dean's Award for Innovative Industrial Education.

Drawing from extensive academic and corporate experience, David delivers topics that are grounded in solid research and application. Speaking in front of more than five hundred audiences ranging in size from small retreats to large keynote events, David has been featured at prestigious venues including Stanford and Georgetown Universities, the American Association of CriticalCare Nurses, and the National Association of Children's Hospitals. With an unrivaled ability to connect to his audience through engaging stories and captivating examples, David brings concepts to life-motivating listeners to put their newly-found skills and knowledge to immediate use.

Currently, David is the vice president of research at VitalSmarts, an innovative corporate training company that teaches skills which deliver significant improvements to the results companies care about most. In the past thirty years, VitalSmarts has helped thousands of organizations, including more than three hundred of the Fortune 500, realize widespread and lasting results through its award-winning training programs. Named the 2008 Business of the Year by The Association of Learning Providers, VitalSmarts has also been ranked four times by Inc. magazine as one of the fastest growing companies in America and has taught two million people worldwide.

As vice president of research, David has led a series of research projects on a variety of subjects including the role crucial conversations play in the healthcare industry, and how the ongoing failure rate within enterprise projects is consistently linked to the avoidance of a few key crucial conversations. David has also led research projects about diversity, leadership, and influence.

Since 1980, Eileen McDargh has helped organizations and individuals transform the life of their business and the business of their life through conversations that matter and connections that count.  She has become known as a master facilitator, an award-winning author, and an internationally recognized keynoter and executive coach.

She draws upon practical business know-how, life's experiences and years of consulting to major national and international organizations that have ranged from global pharmaceuticals to the US Armed Forces, from health care associations to religious institutions. Her programs are content rich, interactive, provocative and playful—even downright hilarious.

In both 2020 and 2021, Global Gurus International, a British-based provider of resources for leadership, communication and sales training, also ranked her third as one of the World’s Top 30 Communication Professionals following a global survey of 22,000 business professionals.

Her eighth and newest book, Burnout to Breakthrough: Building Resilience to Refuel, Recharge and Reclaim What Matters has been generating great response and interest.

Click Here to Watch Nick's "How to Connect in a Virtual World" Video

Dr. Nick Morgan is one of America’s top communication speakers, theorists and coaches. A passionate teacher, he is committed to helping people find clarity in their thinking and ideas – and then delivering them with panache. He has been commissioned by Fortune 50 companies to write for many CEOs and presidents. He has coached people to give Congressional testimony, to appear on the Today Show, and to deliver an unforgettable TED talk. He has worked widely with political and educational leaders. And he has himself spoken, led conferences, and moderated panels at venues around the world.

Nick’s methods, which are well-known for challenging conventional thinking, have been published worldwide. His acclaimed book on public speaking, Working the Room: How to Move People to Action through Audience-Centered Speaking, was published by Harvard in 2003 - and reprinted in paperback in 2005 as Give Your Speech, Change the World: How to Move Your Audience to Action. His book on authentic communications, Trust Me, was published by Jossey-Bass in January 2009. His new book on communications and brain science, Power Cues: The Subtle Science of Leading Groups, Persuading Others, and Maximizing Your Personal Impact, was published by Harvard in May 2014. His latest book Can You Hear Me? How to Connect with People in a Virtual World was published by Harvard in October 2018.

Nick served as editor of the Harvard Management Communication Letter from 1998 – 2003. He has written hundreds of articles for local and national publications, and appears frequently on radio and TV. Nick is a former Fellow at the Center for Public Leadership at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government.

After earning his Ph.D. in literature and rhetoric, Nick spent a number of years teaching Shakespeare and Public Speaking at the University of Virginia, Lehigh University, and Princeton University. He first started writing speeches for Virginia Governor Charles S. Robb and went on to found his own communications consulting organization, Public Words, in 1997.

Nick attributes his success to his honest and direct approach that challenges even the most confident orators to rethink how they communicate.

When companies want to increase workplace belonging, human connection, and team engagement, they call Adam “Smiley” Poswolsky. He is an internationally renowned keynote speaker, workplace belonging expert, and bestselling author of three books that have been translated into multiple languages, including The Quarter-Life Breakthrough and Friendship in the Age of Loneliness.

Smiley shares industry-shaping insights and practical tools to attract and retain top talent across generations, create a culture of belonging, and engage hybrid teams, at the world’s most influential organizations like Apple, Google, Verizon, JPMorgan Chase, and the U.S. Navy.

Smiley’s TED talk has been viewed 2 million times, and he has delivered 600 keynotes in front of 250,000 people in 25 countries. Smiley’s work has been featured in 100 media outlets, including Harvard Business Review, the Wall St. Journal, Fast Company, the New York Times, the New Yorker, and the World Economic Forum.

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Clint Pulver is a motivational keynote speaker, author, musician, and workforce expert. He’s also fun, dynamic, entertaining – and the no-stress speaker clients love to work with.

A professional drummer for over 20 years, he’s played with top headlining fellow musicians in venues like the Vivint Arena, the Stadium of Fire, and the Kodak Theater in Hollywood. He founded the UVU Drumline known as the Green Man Group, which he directed for six years and went on to direct the Drumline for the NBA’s Utah Jazz until 2015.

Clint was featured in Business Q Magazine as one of their “Top 40 Under 40” as a premiere Corporate Keynote Speaker. He has appeared on America’s Got Talent and in feature films with actors such as Jack Black (School of Rock) and John Heder (Napoleon Dynamite).

Known as the Leading Authority on Employee Retention, Clint helps organizations retain, engage - and inspire their team members from the front desk to the board rooms and everyone in between. He expertly helps audiences navigate generational complexities, communication challenges, leadership mis-steps, and culture cues.

As the president and founder of The Center for Employee Retention, Clint has transformed how corporations like Keller Williams, AT&T, and Hewlett Packard create lasting loyalty through his work and research as “The Undercover Millennial”. For over a decade, he has been a self-motivated Entrepreneur who is well versed in business start-up, leadership, change, sales management, management training, and helping teams grow multi-million-dollar accounts. He uses that experience to create teachable relationship and business strategies based on trust, service, support, connection, and consistent follow-through.

Clint strongly believes that a single moment in time can change a person’s life. He has traveled the world speaking to a wide spectrum of diverse audiences, challenging them to dream, excel, connect, and believe - both in themselves and in the power of others. For over a decade, Clint has dedicated his heart to helping organizations understand the younger generation and helping the younger generation better understand themselves by living a life of significance - rather than just a life of success. His mantra? “It’s not about being the best in the world… it's about being the best FOR the world.”

• Freddie talks about how leaders can challenge and inspire organizations to discover their untapped potential through the power of Active Listening & The Music of Leadership, using music focused stories to help leaders build stronger teams.

• Audiences learn how to enhance interpersonal and professional leadership skills, amplify engagement and clarify their desired goals and outcomes.

• Bilingual Speaker (English & Spanish) Freddie Ravel is a GRAMMY nominated maestro & performer, Founder of "Life in Tune," and Business Success Expert. His clients have described his keynotes & emcee services as the "ideal balance of entertainment and content."

• Past clients include: IBM, Toyota, Red Bull, NASA, Apple, Blue Cross, Prudential, Google and Citi.

Click Here to Watch Freddie's Virtual Video

Freddie Ravel is the GRAMMY-nominated Keynote Maestro - who combines his expertise for business breakthroughs and virtuoso piano performances with a clear and concise application of music’s communicative and scientific powers to inspire, ignite and lift the minds, hearts and potential of audiences around the world.

Backed by number one hits and collaborative successes with Madonna, Earth, Wind and Fire, Prince and Carlos Santana to leading the teams of J Lo, Jimmy Kimmel and Lady Gaga - the #1 chart-topping composer is the Founder of “LIFE IN TUNE," a worldwide program that delivers customized peak performance experiences - to reveal how the structure of music enhances leadership, innovation and productivity for entrepreneurs to major corporations alike. Dubbed the “Keynote Maestro” by the City of Los Angeles, Ravel received the city’s Award of Recognition for creating a music-based system to “renew the national and international economy” - while his film, TV, radio and recording credits include CBS, FOX, CW, Universal, iHeart and XM Sirius. Straddling sectors across Media, Tech, Healthcare and Wellness, Diversity and Inclusion, Communications, Social Impact and Financial Services - clients refer to him as “The ideal balance of Entertainment and Content”.

These include IBM, Toyota, Red Bull, NASA, Apple, Blue Cross, Prudential, Google and Citi where he continues to serve as a captivating access point through which to transform corporations, education, entertainment and the human condition. Based on decades of entrepreneurial and corporate training, scientific research and directing and performing with many of the music legends of our time - conference planners often engage Freddie and his team in the program planning process to help design and incorporate their meeting objectives into a rich, harmonious and rewarding experience. Having performed in over eighty countries, Freddie is in tune with cultural nuances and sensitivities delivering the universal language in both English and Spanish - as well as collaborating with translators to uplift your audience to success.

• Michelle talks about how you can embrace, manage. and anticipate change with renewed confidence

• Audiences learn to lead themselves and their teams with greater effectiveness in the new world of work

• Michelle Ray is a Leadership & Change expert with more than 25 years of experience helping people build outstanding workplace relationships and cultures. Author of Leading in Real Time: How to Drive Success in a Radically Changing World and Lead Yourself First! Indispensable Lessons in Business and in Life.

• Past clients include: Microsoft, Dell, Proctor & Gamble, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Shell, Xerox, Paypal, Qantas Airways, Price Waterhouse Coopers, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation

Click Here to Watch Michelle's Virtual Presentation

With more than twenty-five years of experience researching leadership, accountability, change and workforce trends, Michelle Ray has a deep understanding of new realities demanding the attention of leaders. Specifically: A dramatic shift in where and how we work, generational change, employee voices rising on a host of social issues, post- pandemic talent shortages and ongoing digital transformation impacting every industry. Michelle advises leaders on how to lead in real time; to remain ready, responsive, and relevant against the backdrop of a world forever changed.

How do we answer the call? How do we reset? The answers can be found through Michelle’s powerful content and real-time leadership solutions.

Michelle Ray is a Hall of Fame business keynote speaker, leadership and change expert, author and educator who has worked with renowned brands that include Microsoft, Dell, PayPal, McDonalds, Xerox, and Shell. Originally from Australia and now residing in Vancouver, Canada, Michelle is the CEO and Founder of the Real Time Leadership Academy. Michelle has taught leadership skills to the Australian Army, the FBI, and C-Suite executives in an array of industries, including financial institutions on the list of the world’s top 50 banks.

Michelle is as an unstoppable, inspiring force on stage, creating memorable experiences for her audiences, utilizing her masterful methods of audience engagement, storytelling, and dynamic stage presence to instantly build rapport. She a frequent guest on podcasts and current affairs programs and is the author of two books; her latest, Leading in Real Time: How to Drive Success in a Radically Changing World, was released to rave reviews.

Why Michelle Ray can add value to your conference:

• Proven track record as a seasoned presenter at corporate and association meetings throughout North America as well as internationally since 1995
• Renowned business motivational speaker for numerous annual conferences and professional development events
• Qualified as a “Certified Speaking Professional”, the National Speakers Association’s highest – earned designation held by less than 10% of members
• From thousands of entries received, Michelle Ray reached the Top Ten Finals of “North America’s Next Greatest Speaker” Contest.
• Undertakes due diligence with in-depth research prior to every engagement
• Consistently engages audiences with humor, passion and a powerful message
• Delivers a return on investment with solid content; tailored for each client

It’s an impersonal world, where so many products and services are seen as easily-replaced, indistinct commodities. Whether you stand out or get lost in the crowd is a choice. A mindset. Ken Schmidt faced those same challenges himself and gained acclaim for his role in the extraordinary turnaround of the legendary Harley-Davidson Motor Company. That transformation was based on a change in mindset and a focus on answering three key strategic questions. While times have changed, what humans want and need from the businesses they buy from and work for hasn’t.

In his high-energy speeches, Ken inspires companies and individuals to shift their thinking and ride a path to success by becoming memorable – not for what they do or what they make, but for how they connect with people.

Ken is author of Make Some Noise: The Unconventional Road to Dominance. He’s also host of the Tailgating with Geniuses podcast and co-founder of Torque Sessions Leadership Training. In all of his endeavors, Ken brings an unconventional perspective that helps organizations and individuals reframe how they engage with their marketplace.

Ken Schmidt’s career in the motorcycle industry began in 1985 as a specialist in corporate positioning and media relations for the then-struggling Harley-Davidson. He was tasked with helping the company restore its image, improve its competitiveness, and create demand for its motorcycles. Within a few short years, sales of Harley-Davidson motorcycles skyrocketed, and the company returned to prominence as one of the most respected, profitable, and frequently reported-on companies in the world.

In 1990, Ken became director of Harley-Davidson’s corporate and financial communications, serving as its primary spokesperson to the media and the financial communities. He frequently appeared in mainstream and business media to offer insights on nontraditional communications, customer attraction, and brand-building. His expertise and success at Harley-Davidson ultimately led to consulting assignments and speaking invitations from all over the world.

In 1997, Ken left Harley-Davidson to take an ownership position with a highly successful Chicago-based marketing firm, VSA Partners. In addition to Harley-Davidson, VSA served a virtual who’s who of the world’s best-known brands. In 1999, he sold his portion of VSA to start his own business, Ken Schmidt Company, to combine two of his greatest passions, motorcycling and speaking. He uses motorcycles as a metaphor to expose people to proven ideas and concepts they’ve likely never imagined.

After all he has accomplished, Ken remains committed to his philosophy of standing out, taking risks, and having fun in both his personal and professional life. He says, “Never do what’s expected, make yourself as noticeably different as possible, and have a lot more fun than you’re supposed to.”

Tommy Spaulding is President of the Spaulding Companies Corporation, a national leadership development, speaking, training, consulting, and executive coaching organization. A world-renowned speaker on leadership, Tommy Spaulding has spoken to hundreds of organizations, associations, educational institutions, and corporations around the globe. His first book, It’s Not Just Who You Know :Transform Your Life and Your Organization by Turning Colleagues and Contacts into Lasting, Genuine Relationships, published by Random House in 2010, is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal and USA Today national bestseller.

Tommy’s new book, The Heart-Led Leader: How Living and Leading from the Heart Will Change Your Organization and Your Life, published by Penguin Random House in October, 2015 is a New York Times and #1 Wall Street Journal national bestseller. In The Heart-Led Leader, Spaulding discusses the 18 Inch Journey which is the distance from your head to your heart.

Spaulding rose to become the youngest president and CEO of the world-renowned leadership organization, Up with People (2005-2008). Up with People is a global education organization which aims to bring the world together through service and music. The unique combination of international travel, service learning, leadership development and performing arts offers students an unparalleled experience and a pathway to make a difference in the world, one community at a time.

In 2000, Tommy Spaulding founded Leader’s Challenge, which grew to become the largest high school civic and leadership program in the state of Colorado. He is also the founder & president of the National Leadership Academy, a leading national non-profit leadership development organization. Previously, Spaulding was the Business Partner Sales Manager at IBM/Lotus Development and a member of the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) program.

Spaulding received a BA in Political Science from East Carolina University (1992); an MBA from Bond University in Australia (1998), where he was a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar; and an MA in Non- Profit Management from Regis University (2005). In 2007, Spaulding received an Honorary PhD in Humanities from the Art Institute of Colorado. In 2002, he received the Denver Business Journal’s “Forty under 40 Award.”

In 2006, Spaulding was awarded East Carolina University’s “Outstanding Alumni Award,” the highest distinction awarded to an alumnus of the university. In 2009, he was appointed the university’s first “Leader in Residence.” In September 2012, Spaulding was named by Meetings & Conventions Magazine as one of the Best Keynote Speakers in the nation.

• Robert talks about how companies and organizations can recreate the success of retail powerhouses like Nordstrom and Amazon by focusing on customer experience.

• Audiences leave with valuable lessons and insights into the world's most successful retail brands including how to innovate and adapt to stay ahead of the competition, and leverage customer experience for an outstanding culture for consumers and employees.

• Robert Spector is an author and regular contributor to The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal, and included in the “100 Best Keynote Speakers” by DataBird Research Journal, as well as “World's Top 30 Customer Service Professionals” by Global Gurus Research.

• Past clients include: Pfizer, Charles Schwab, J.D. Power, McKesson and Starwood Hotels and Resorts.

Robert Spector is one of America’s leading experts on customer experience and employee experience.

He is author of the business book classic The Nordstrom Way: The Inside Story of America’s Number One Customer Service Company. BusinessWeek says, “For anyone looking to understand customer service at its best, this book bubbles with insights.” The all-new Third Edition is The Nordstrom Way to Customer Experience Excellence: Creating a Values-Driven Service Culture, which Forbes magazine selected as “Top Business Book of 2017”.

Robert gives entertaining keynotes to a vast array of companies, organizations, trade associations, conventions, corporate retreats, governmental agencies, non-profits, and special meetings in 27 countries. His keynote sets the stage for creating, encouraging, and maintaining a superior customer experience built on a non-negotiable set of core cultural values. By steadfastly encouraging and employing those values, which are built on trust and respect, your organization will:

• Cultivate a culture dedicated to customer experience excellence
• Support, recognize and reward the achievements of the people on your teams
• Improve communication and collaboration at every level
• Generate a better ROI on leadership, mentoring, and employee-orientation programs
• Earn the enduring loyalty of team members, customers, partners and vendors through trust and respect, which are the foundation of long-term relationships
• Continually innovate and adapt in order to stay ahead of your competition
• Encourage having fun and giving back to your community
• Become the Nordstrom of your industry

He is included in the “100 Best Keynote Speakers” by DataBird Research Journal, as well as “World's Top 30 Customer Service Professionals” by Global Gurus Research.

His other books include Amazon.com: Get Big Fast - The Definitive Story of the Company, which has been translated into 18 languages, and The Mom & Pop Store: True Stories from the Heart of America, a memoir of practical customer service lessons learned working in his immigrant family’s butcher shop.

Robert contributes articles to many publications, including The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal. He is a guest on national and local television, radio and podcasts, and is quoted in publications throughout the world.

He is currently working on a new book, The Seattle Effect, which explains the customer-focused strategies of Seattle-based icons Nordstrom, Amazon, Starbucks, Costco, Boeing, Microsoft, REI, and Pearl Jam.

Click Here to Watch Curt's Virtual Presentation

• As the founder and CEO of Focuswise, he has consulted with North America’s top companies, such as Deloitte, JPMorgan Chase, Nike, AT&T, and many more.

• As a leader at Venus Aerospace, he is building a future-facing workplace that proactively fights to preserve a positive workplace, defending the organization against stress and inefficiency, the relationship between focus and accountability, and productivity.

• As a frequent keynote speaker, he addresses the theory behind these ideas, but also presents practical applications that his audiences can put to use immediately.

• As a writer and influencer, he shares his expertise on leadership strategy, brain science, generational differences, and technology trends through his podcast and regular Forbescolumn.

Curt Steinhorst is a leading authority on workplace dynamics and productivity and author of the bestselling book Can I Have Your Attention?. With over a decade of experience researching the science of attention, he has developed innovative methods to remove distractions and improve communication in organizations.

Steinhorst is the founder and CEO of Focuswise, a consultancy that helps leaders develop focused teams. He joined Venus Aerospace as the Head of People and Culture in 2021. At Venus, Curt is at the helm of building a world-class employee experience. Steinhorst enjoys and is responsible for Venus’ commitment to innovation by forging a team that changes the world and yet still gets home for dinner - a core company value.

His unique perspective and entertaining speaking style keep him in high demand with large organizations like AT&T, Deloitte, JPMorgan Chase, Nike, SAP, Southwest Airlines, and the US Naval Academy, to name a few.

Curt is also a regular Forbes contributor and host of the Focus in Five podcast.

Jeff Tobe is a motivational speaker who believes in the power of creativity to manage the  change that is inevitable with innovation and to look at what one does from an entirely new perspective. His trademark - Coloring Outside the Lines - presentations can be applied to areas essential to your organizational success, including customer service, sales, teamwork and communication. He helps participants not only to cope with transition, but also to creatively embrace and thrive from it. He teaches organizations that to grow, and increase their bottom line, they must first implement strategies that have a fresh approach.

As a Certified Speaking Professional Jeff Tobe's credentials are impressive. Insider Magazine dubbed him, The Guru of Creatively Thriving from Change.

Using humor, wit and a contagious energy, Jeff presents more than 100 programs each year and consults with organizations that urgently need to stay ahead of their marketplace. His client list reads like a Who's Who in corporate America and Canada and includes IBM International, Nestle USA, ReMax International, Ethicon Pharmaceuticals and many others. Jeff's background as an award-winning sales and marketing entrepreneur has made him the leading authority in creativity-in-business. Having owned his advertising business for over ten years, Jeff gained his perspective on creativity from both the agency and vendor side. Combine that with his insight into a changing business world and you have a winner!

Jeff is the Primary Colorer at Coloring Outside the Lines. He is one of only 400 speakers worldwide to have earned the designation of Certified Speaking Professional, the highest accreditation of the National Speakers Association. Tobe was also named one of the top 15 Speakers in North America for 2001 by readers of Conventions & Meetings Magazine.

Jeff is the author of the best selling book, Coloring Outside the Lines-Business Thoughts on Creativity, Marketing & Sales . He is also the co-author of The Sales Coach, The Communication Coach, and the most recent Anticipate: Knowing What Customers Need Before They Do. In addition to his books, Jeff's new audio series includes, The Waiter Brought a Tray of Food for Thought, the full course in advanced sales and personal development, and Coloring Outside the Lines, Managing & Thriving From Change and Creative Thinking & Problem Solving.

Chris Tuff is a bestselling author and highly sought after keynote speaker who has presented for Nike, Home Depot, Verizon, and several other Fortune 100 companies.

He began his career as a pioneer of the social media marketing space, becoming one of the first marketers to work directly with Facebook on advertising.

His first book, The Millennial Whisperer, is a USA Today bestseller that explores the importance of empathy and relationships in the workplace, and it equips leaders with tools to attract and retain young talent through genuine connection. A global movement soon followed, as Tuff shared lessons on empathy and genuine connection at work on some of the largest stages in the world including such Fortune 100 companies as Nike.

In the interests of making a more immediate impact on ROI, Chris shifted his message to include genuine connections outside of the office, which resulted in publishing his most recent book, Save Your Asks. The book shares interviews and stories from some of the world’s greatest leaders and entrepreneurs about using authenticity and connection to become better salespeople and networkers.

In 2021, Tuff shifted toward connections outside of organizations in writing his latest book, Save Your Asks. He’s interviewed some of the world’s greatest leaders and entrepreneurs and is publishing this handbook to equip everyone with the tools to become better salespeople and networkers through a focus on authenticity and connection. In this book, he highlights real world examples of “askholes” and such sales techniques as “shawshanking.” Tuff

He’s a graduate from Vanderbilt University and lives in Atlanta with his wife and two daughters. He loves kiteboarding, travel, and Air Jordans.

Click Here to Watch Garrison's Virtual Presentation

• Talks about how understanding yourself could be the key to financial and business success

• Audiences learn the self-sabotaging behaviors that get in the way of being financially and professionally successful.

• Author of the Amazon bestseller The Real Truth about Success, the Amazon #1 bestseller The Cowbell Principle, and has been featured in Forbes & Inc. Magazines

• Past clients include: American Express, Sherwin-Williams, Mass Mutual, Carrier, Walmart

With talents that established him as a Fortune 500 leader and professional stand-up comedian, Garrison Wynn, CSP, fuses comic timing and research to deliver motivational business expertise. For 26 years, he has given keynote presentations to clients (such as American Express, Amazon, Caterpillar, Walmart, Berkshire Hathaway, Intel, McDonalds, the NFL, and NASA) at corporate and association events.

He is also an Amazon #1 bestselling author who has been featured in Forbes and Inc. Magazines. In his teens he helped debut the world’s first video console gaming system (Odyssey) and as a young man spent 6 years as a pro standup touring comedy clubs with the top names in the business. He went on to become the youngest department head in a Fortune 500 company’s history where he researched and designed processes for 38 company locations nationwide, and developed and marketed products still being sold in 30 countries.

Scott Zimmer has over 20 years of experience delivering keynote speeches to audiences around the world. During his career, Scott worked for one of the most reputable generational consulting firms in the country, where he had the opportunity to travel to global Fortune 500 companies to help organizations bridge the generational gaps that can occur in the workplace. Today, he continues to help organizations create a workplace culture where every generation feels valued, respected, and understood.

Scott works hard to learn every client’s desired outcome and customizes each presentation to curate an experience focused on achieving your specific organizational goals. His presentations are informative, engaging, and fun – giving audiences both an experience they’ll remember and actionable takeaways they can use to strengthen workplace relationships and culture.