Greg Schwem
Greg Schwem tells all his clients, “I’m here to make you laugh but, at the end of the day, I want to be your biggest cheerleader too!” That approach is why the Chicago Tribune recently proclaimed Greg “king of the hill in the growing world of corporate comedy while HuffPost calls Greg, “Your boss’ favorite comedian.” Indeed, Greg’s comedic take on the 21st century workplace and work/life balance has landed him on SIRIUS Radio, Comedy Central and the cover of Exceptional People Magazine. During the 2020 pandemic, Greg’s virtual keynote, You Can‘t Quarantine Laughter, was lauded by clients such as Cisco, Verizon, Merrill Lynch and his alma mater, Northwestern University. One participant called it “fantastic and just what everybody needed during this time.” More than just a business humor keynote speaker and sought-after corporate emcee, Greg is also an author, nationally syndicated humor columnist for the Chicago Tribune, award-winning greeting card writer and creator of funnydadinc, voted one of the top Dad humor sites on the web in 2020. His recent business travels have resulted in a hilarious web series, A Comedian Crashes Your Pad, currently streaming on Roku and AppleTV. He has shared the concert stage with the likes of Celine Dion, Jay Leno and Keith Urban.
What sets Greg apart from other corporate entertainers is his ability—and willingness—to customize material for his audience while working within the parameters of the corporate environment. That means no profanity or politically incorrect material. “That’s never been a part of my show anyway,” Greg recently told a reporter.
When Greg presents, live or virtually, at whatever time of day, audiences will see and hear the following:
- A heavily researched and customized presentation featuring material created with the help of Greg’s client. Greg doesn’t “phone it in.”
- Customized multimedia support that includes video, audio and screen grabs from a client’s website.
- A motivational message that uses humor and real world examples from actual companies that show the “do’s and dont’s” of succeeding in business. Let Greg tell your audience about his experiences with the highly successful American Girl Doll company!
Greg’s preparation always includes a conference call with company executives and, in some cases, an onsite visit.
Customized Material from Past Shows
John Hancock: You sell the U.S. Global Leader Growth Fund. Is there a U.S. Regional Follower Growth Fund as well?
Michigan Realtors Assoc.: Your organization has been around since 1915? What kind of sessions did realtors attend at the 1915 convention? “The do’s and dont’s of selling that log cabin!”
Campbell’s Soup: You make “premium organic” baby food? Don’t you realize that, after the baby eats your incredibly healthy food, he’s gonna grab a fistful of the cat’s hair and eat that too?
Greg also is the author of two Amazon best sellers: Text Me If You’re Breathing: Observations, Frustrations and Life Lessons From a Low-Tech Dad and The Road to Success Goes Through the Salad Bar: A Pile of BS (Business Stories) From a Corporate Comedian.
Kim Becking
Inspiring. Engaging. Riveting. Laugh-out-loud funny. Authentic. Highly entertaining. With a rare ability to connect at a deeper level with her audiences, Kim Becking is a sought-after keynote speaker and thought leader on change and resilience who helps leaders, teams and organizations build a “Momentum Mindset” to conquer change, boost resilience, connect and lead more effectively and accelerate success no matter what.
KIM PROVIDES POWERFUL INSIGHTS. PRACTICAL SOLUTIONS. IMMEDIATE IMPACT.
HER PROGRAMS HELP YOUR LEADERS AND TEAMS:
- Become More Flexible and Adaptable
- Inspire Bold Action and Boost Confidence
- Boost Performance and Productivity
- Reduce Stress, Avoid Burnout and Boost Resilience
- Build Better Work-Life Blend While Working Wherever You Are
- Create Stronger Relationships and Connection in This Ever-Changing World
- Strengthen and Enhance Team Connection And Resilience
- Lead with More Confidence and Clarity During Change and Uncertainty
Using humor and vulnerability, Kim has the ability to connect with her audiences at a deeper level. Her authentic, engaging, humorous, and empowering messages of extraordinary resilience, conquering change, and creating success regardless of your circumstances have made her a favorite among her audiences. Her messages would not only inspire and motivate, but would provide tactical and practical skills that your people could apply IMMEDIATELY.
Kim has been featured in national media such as People, SELF, The New York Times, USA Today, Good Morning America and Lifetime Television for her expertise on resilience and thriving in the midst of change. She knows a thing or two about change and challenges through her own experiences in business and life. As an attorney, serial entrepreneur running 2 successful businesses, communications strategist and “recovering” political consultant, Kim has conquered the ever-changing tough worlds of business, government, and politics. She’s also conquered cancer and other life challenges.
Kim has boosted communication, collaboration and consensus building capabilities from Fortune 100 companies, to small and medium sized businesses, to associations, government, and non-profit organizations. Her Momentum Mindset framework provides practical tools, strategies and tangible takeaways for leaders to effectively manage change, boost resilience, connect better and deal with difficult people, tough conversations, and hard issues.
Kim graduated with honors from Missouri State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in marketing and received her Juris Doctorate with honors from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law. She is a member of the National Speakers Association, the International Association of Business Communicators, the Association of Talent Development and holds a Certificate of Public Participation from the International Association of Public Participation. A best-selling, award-winning author, Kim recently launched her Momentum Mindset series of business success tip books focusing on change, resilience, leadership and communications. Kim resides in Columbia, Missouri with her blended family of five and delivers programs virtually, hybrid and in-person throughout the world for conferences, conventions, and events.
Kim knows that no two audiences are the same. That’s why she creates highly customized content for you using her Momentum Customization Process. She creates additional value including engagement pre-event with customized promo videos, interviews and/or a survey if wanted and ongoing engagement and interaction during the program. Kim also helps you create Momentum after the program with additional Momentum Boosters including a recap video or article to keep the momentum going long after her program is over.
Theresa Rose
Imagine your to-do list is done.
Your day – no, your WEEK – is highly productive. And the energizer bunny is jealous of your energy levels. That describes personal development expert Theresa Rose on a slow day.
Like most people, Theresa used to look for more hours in the day and dreaded the tasks on her to-do list. And then she discovered how the power of mindfulness reduced distractions and increased her ability to get more done in less time. Since then she has worked with organizations from small businesses to Fortune 100 companies to increase productivity and boost bottom-line results.
Today, Theresa is an energizing catalyst who transforms cultures and mindsets for growth-minded organizations and individuals to play big and create the outcomes they want. She will help you cut through the noise to become a high performing ninja while figuring out how to actually relish life instead of enduring it.
Theresa has seen how the power of mindfulness can create exponential growth in your business and in your personal life. She knows the secret to milking more out of the day so you can enjoy every To-Do.
Clients, attendees and followers are magnetized by Theresa’s powerful-but-playful energy and the mind-body mastering strategies she shares on the stage, the page and the screen.
Meredith Oliver
For More Information, or to talk directly to Meredith, call: 877-234-6086
Meredith Oliver, CSP
Meredith Oliver, CSP is known as The Digital Interpreter. She inspires and educates businesses on how to utilize digital marketing to generate more traffic, leads, and sales. Enthusiastic, fun, and relevant – when Meredith speaks audiences say WOW!
Meredith is the Cofounder and Chief Digital Strategist of Meredith Communications, a digital marketing agency located in Raleigh, NC. Meredith holds a Master’s Degree in Communication Technology, and she is the author of three books: FANtastic Marketing, FANtastic Selling, and Click Power.
She holds the prestigious CSP (Certified Speaking Professional) designation; the highest earned designation conferred by the National Speakers Association. She has spoken at prominent industry events and conferences such as the International Builders Show, National Auto Dealers Annual Conference, High Five Conference, Volkswagen After Sales National Conference, and MozCon.
Chris Norton
Whether I’m inspiring people to change their lives, or helping them access recovery resources through my foundation, my purpose is to help others overcome any challenge they face. Life isn’t about getting knocked down – it’s about getting back up. Stand in the face of adversity. Stand for an idea. Stand to empower the world.
Chris suffered a spinal cord injury while playing football at Luther College (Iowa). The doctors gave Chris a 3% chance of moving anything below his neck again. Four years later, he defied the odds and walked across stage at his college graduation with his fiancé, Emily Summers. The video went viral twice, garnered 300 million+ views, and caught the eye of the country’s top media outlets (Good Morning, America, TodayShow.com, NBC Nightly News, CBS, USA Today, Sports Illustrated, etc.).
Three years later, Chris attempted another incredible feat – this time, perhaps the most important walk of his life – down the aisle with his wife, Emily. As with his Graduation Walk, Chris prepared relentlessly, spending four hours per day in the gym. Chris and Emily joyfully conquered the challenge – and walked seven yards down the aisle after their wedding ceremony. Seven yards symbolized the seven-year anniversary of his injury. Their beautiful story once again captured the heart of the world, with coverage ranging from nearly all of the top-tier U.S. media outlets to media in Germany, Italy and London, to name a few.
Chris is a well-respected motivational speaker and speaks at numerous events across the country. He was named to the ITA Group’s Hottest Keynote Speakers List, alongside Michael Strahan, Magic Johnson and Mark Cuban. Chris’ message focuses on the fact that we all face challenges, but our circumstances don’t define us – we do. With inspiring anecdotes and positive action steps, Chris connects with his audience in a genuine, entertaining and impactful way. His message resonates with all of us: adversity is universal, but we all have the Power to Stand. Additionally, Chris has written a book; he and Emily are working on their second book; and a documentary is being made about them.
Chris’ story is now on Prime Video and AppleTV! “The world watched as I took ten impossible steps on my college graduation day. That was just my beginning. 7 Yards: The Chris Norton Story shares my story of how I battled unbelievable odds with a faithful determination to discover that life’s lowest moments can be our greatest gifts. This film will redefine your outlook on how to overcome adversity with strength and resilience, but also the importance of family and friends. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that we all have the Power to Stand.”
Eric Alexander
Renowned Mountaineer, accomplished speaker, and celebrated author, Eric Alexander has been a pioneer and advocate for people with disabilities. Most notably Eric stood atop mount Everest leading his blind friend, Erik Weihenmayer to a successful summit of the world’s tallest peak, and was called Erik’s guardian angel for safely guiding his descent from the summit. This multi-record setting team has been called, by Time magazine, the greatest team in history to climb Everest, and this ascent ranked among it’s top 5 climbs ever by Outside magazine.
Climbing some of the world’s highest and most daunting peaks with people who have disabilities has set Eric’s climbing career apart and given him unique and innovative insights into the essence of leadership and teamwork. As a faithful team-mate, and as a leader of world class teams and expeditions around the globe, Eric captivates audiences worldwide through his engaging story telling, drawing his audience into these experiences, with emotion, laughter, truth and vulnerability in ways that will leave a lasting imprint on their lives.
Whether it’s business or personal, we live in a world of uncertainty where fear and doubt can get the best of us. Eric has pushed through his own fears and doubts having come back from near fatal falls, pulmonary edema, pneumonia, and tragic losses, to learn that it is not all about “my” summit, but about helping others to reach theirs. It is this principle, on which Eric speaks, that will help your team get to the top.
When engaging an audience Eric likes to share his “recipe” for success speaking of the fundamentals of team spirit (because it is more than just work), trust, courage, faith and integrity. Today, Eric continues to climb and look for new challenges both personally and in the outdoors while challenging people to overcome the “Everest’s” in their own lives redefining the limits of what we can achieve.
Tim Gard
Humorous Keynote Speaker, Corporate entertainer and Stress Reduction Authority. Energize, unite and inspire your attendees with a Hall of Fame tears-in-your-eyes-laugh-out-loud keynote speaker who teaches how to be more resilient and inspires employee enthusiasm and creativity both virtually and at in-person events.
Talented, Innovative and Memorable, TIM provides amazing take-home value delivered with his one-of-a-kind presentation style. Becoming more resilient is not about telling jokes or laughing at everything. Instead of making light of serious issues, Tim shines a light on unseen possibilities for solutions to difficult situations. He demonstrates how to be professional, yet light-hearted throughout all his programs. Tim is an internationally recognized authority on stress reduction and conflict resolution, and his easy-to-implement techniques provide ways to diffuse, deal with, and even avoid intensely stressful encounters. Tim “walks his talk” as a successful business owner himself for more than 20 years. Before starting his business, he worked in the Sales Industry, as well as State and Federal Government in Human Services, as a fraud investigator and is a navy veteran. Recognized as a pioneer in humor based training, Tim’s down-to-earth style and real-life humor leaves a lasting impression that you will benefit from for years to come. His skillful use of ordinary items in extraordinary ways and extraordinary items in everyday ways make him one of the most popular main stage speakers on the platform today.
Tim is a certified speaking professional (CSP) & a member of the Speaker Hall Of Fame, an elite honor held by fewer than 150 speakers worldwide. The author or co-author of Just Plane Funny, My Policy Manual, Motivational Leaders he also is an inventor of stress reduction office products that are marketed and enjoyed worldwide . In his 23-year career as a professional speaker, Hall of Fame Speaker Tim Gard has spoken worldwide at more than 2500 events. Audiences from Texas to Tasmania and everywhere in between love him and his easy to implement ideas.
Steve Patterson
Steve Patterson is a veteran entertainment television and radio show host, whose energy and quick wit keeps audiences engaged from beginning to end! His ability to read a room and go off the cuff, combined with his skill to smoothly execute a show flow sets him apart as a truly unique talent.
Patterson hosts the long-running afternoon TV show Twin Cities Live, in addition to co-hosting the Donna and Steve radio show on MyTalk 107.1FM. He’s gained national recognition for his numerous appearances on LIVE! with Kelly and Ryan, where his subzero weather reports have gone viral. Before coming to the Twin Cities, Steve spent 4 years working for Hubbard Broadcasting in Los Angeles, California and Albuquerque, New Mexico for the company’s entertainment cable news network REELZ. During his time there, Steve served as a correspondent and anchor for the network’s daily entertainment news program, interviewing many of the biggest stars in Hollywood along the way.
Steve enjoys writing in the third person. He doesn’t think anyone actually reads an entire bio. So if you haven’t given up on this just yet, kudos! You done good, kid.
Joan Steffend
Joan used to be an actress, who studied at Warner Brothers. She used to be a national Emmy-winning news reporter and anchor at KARE-11(NBC) in the Twin Cities for almost two decades. She tried her hand as a television host of “Decorating Cents” on HGTV for ten years – hosting many “Dream Home” specials, and rating record setting “Christmas at the White House” specials. She was a guest on “Entertainment Tonight”, “The Today Show”, “The Oprah Show” and “Live, with Regis and Kelly.”
Today Joan speaks for organizations across the United States. She has a gift for lifting people up. She connects people to their own magnificence and to one another. A sense of community is only one of the many reasons to invite Joan to speak for your organization. One of her favorite topics is: reclaiming your most brilliant self…and using it to change the world for the better.
Joan is also encouraging others with her two books ( “…and she sparkled” and “peace in, peace out” ). Her non-profit, “peace begins with me” is her latest effort to ask the world (that’s you, by the way) to be a little kinder to itself.
When she heard that the Dalai Lama had said that the Western woman will save the world, Joan thought, “Let’s get started.”
Steven Iwersen
Steven Iwersen, CSP is the President of Aurora Pointe, LLC, an international speaking and leadership development firm. He has been a professional speaker for more than 30 years and has been in active leadership roles since 1981. He is the author of The Porcupine Principles: How To Move Prickly People to Preferred Outcomes and Porcupine Philosophy: 365 Leadership Points to Ponder.
As a Keynote speaker and relational leadership expert, he has spoken to 700+ audiences during the last 12 years on the subject of creating a leadership culture. His expertise is in leading people and organizations through change.
Steven is a professional member of the National Speakers Association and is a Certified Speaking Professional (CSP) – a designation that only 1200 speakers worldwide have earned. He was the Co-Host of the NSA “Voices of Experience” Audio & Video Magazine in 2015-16.