Musical Artist

Full Band

Downtown Sound delivers an exceptional live music experience, combining outstanding musicianship, dynamic vocals, and infectious energy. With a versatile repertoire spanning Motown, funk, soul, classic rock, pop, and today's biggest hits, the band creates the perfect soundtrack for any celebration.

Available in flexible configurations from an intimate 5-piece ensemble to a full 9-piece band with horns, Downtown Sound brings a polished, engaging performance tailored to weddings, corporate events, galas, and private celebrations.

From sophisticated cocktail-hour music to a packed dance floor, Downtown Sound knows how to set the mood, connect with an audience, and make every event unforgettable.

In-Person

Downtown Sound | Bringing the Soundtrack to Your Celebration

Downtown Sound

Corporate Event

Wedding

Public Event

Festival

Private Party

All Covers

"Downtown Sound is the best wedding band! Solid musicians with incredible energy all night. They tailored their set lists to our preferences perfectly. It could not have been a better vibe!"

Caitlyn, Bride

Katie Robinette

ARTIST

Interactive Experience

Solo

Trio

Let us bring together the perfect combination of singers, carolers, actors, creative activity facilitators, and holiday cheer inducing hospitality. From "White Christmas" to mystical yule, we 'll help your guests engage in the holiday spirit together.

Virtual

From Celtic Christmas to Santa's Elves... Yuletide Music & Joviality

Holiday Carolers & Creativity

No Covers

Some Covers

Lisa Ann Markuson

Speaker

As ex-CEO of the award-winning marketing consultancy, Stephanie Melodia is ranked as one of the UK's Most Influential Female Founders. Following the success of her business, Stephanie now serves as MBA faculty in Entrepreneurship and advises select private scale-up clients. 

Her eye-opening signature topic, Hacking Luck™, features research-backed insights, real-world stories, plus unique frameworks & formulas to stack the odds in our favour.

Trusted by global brands like Soho House, Qatar Airways, WeTransfer, Harvey Nash Group, and international conferences like Web Summit, TechBBQ, and Women in Tech, Stephanie brings a special kind of energy to her bold keynotes and dynamic workshops. 

Her talks on innovation, resilience, and creativity have been described as "pithy, positive and insightful" by Oli Barrett MBE, "engaging, informative, and insightful" by Rupert Englander of WeTransfer, and "engaging, professional, and talented" by Elissa Karakalla of Web Summit. She has a combined social media following of 20,000.

HACKING LUCK™ | MBA Faculty & Guest Lecturer in Entrepreneurship | Accelerating innovation

Stephanie Melodia

"We recently booked Stephanie for a workshop at our business accelerator. I loved how she captivated the audience from start to finish. Her session was informative and delivered with lots of humour and thought-provoking insights. Really excited to get her back again in the future.”

Junior Ogunyemi, Enterprise Advisor at University of Greenwich

“I had the pleasure of working with Stephanie Melodia. I've been in the conference industry for 10 years, I've produced 100s if not 1,000s of events, I've worked with 100's of speakers - and I can honestly say Steph is - without a doubt - the most accomplished, confident, engaging, professional and just easy-to-get-on-with speaker. I couldn't recommend her highly enough. Her presence on stage was powerful yet friendly."

Michael Hughes, Conference Producer at TechEx Events

"As the opening keynote speaker for the Hustle Awards, Stephanie Melodia delivered a highly-inspiring talk which attendees - as well as the winners - came away from feeling like a winner. I would definitely recommend Steph as she knows exactly how to engage and inspire an audience."

Anna Wood, Editor at Startups Magazine

"It was a great joy to work with Steph, both on a professional and on a human level. This keynote speech was absolutely fantastic - so much energy, enthusiasm, interaction, and motivation. We all got really, really positive feedback from the attendees. Thank you for coming to Bolzano, for your passion, your inspiration, and just being an inspirational woman!"

Sonja Tetter, Producer, NOI TechPark

Specialty Performer

Paul Draper is a Comedy Mind-Reader and has been on History, A&E, HBO, Discovery, Hallmark, Travel, HGTV, and shows Hell’s Kitchen, Pawn Stars, Mindfreak, and House Hunters. In Vegas, he’s headlined showrooms for casinos including the Orleans & Planet Hollywood and served as house magician for 7 years at the Venetian. Recently he’s worked as a professor/distinguished lecturer at multiple universities while also performing shows at Disneyland and for thousands of people a week over Zoom.

He’s appeared with Copperfield, Lance Burton, and Penn & Teller on the History Channel and has hosted documentaries on Steven Spielberg’s Poltergeist. The International Magicians Society awarded Draper the Merlin Award for World’s Best Corporate Performer. 

Beyond shows and lectures, Draper is frequently called as an expert in medical anthropology. With the Society for the Anthropology of Consciousness, Draper studies Native American ghost dancers, South American cannibals, and spiritualists.

Mentalist, Magician, Television Host, and Expert

Paul Draper

Paul Draper exposes the secrets of human nature, breaks the laws of physics, & defies the rules of reality. He is an expert in persuasion & deception: he knows who has something to hide. Watch as he bends metal & minds at will. Draper will make you laugh, gasp, & question the world as you know it.

"Mysteries of the Mind" Stage Show

As featured at the Venetian Hotel, BMW, Kodak, JVC, Apple, Smith & Wesson, and Northrop Grumman. Paul mingles with your guests or is stationed at an elegant table, performing for two to twenty guests at a time.  This entertainment brings people together with laughter and applause.

Paul Draper’s Strolling Show & Formal Close-Up Magic

Give your audiences the experience of an award-winning and internationally acclaimed performer that they will never forget.
 
You and your guests from anywhere in the world will share a private, interactive magic and mind-reading show where everyone has a front row seat!

Virtual Show

-Draw large crowds to your booth every 20 minutes
-Qualify leads in the audience
-Gather information from leads for your sales staff
-Connect potential buyers with the correct sales teams

-All while presenting a high-energy, fun, and engaging show focused on your products and services!

TRADE SHOW

"Paul Draper was great, seriously wonderful. I want to dig through the magical literature to find out how he accomplishes everything he does. I look forward to seeing another one of his shows soon."

J.J. Abrams - Bad Robot

“Paul Draper is an Engaging Performer with well-executed Solid Magic!”

David Copperfield - David Copperfield

“Paul Draper weaves together miracles with song and storytelling. An evening with Paul is an evening well spent. You will find yourself amazed, surprised, and wholly satisfied. Paul Draper gets my highest recommendation for virtual magic wizardry.”

Adam Cheyer - Apple

"Paul Draper is the acknowledged master of translating magic into a delightful, fun, and amazing online experience. You will feel as if he's in your living room, yet you will be transported to a magical land -- the best of both worlds! And he even manages to make it educational! An added plus for all ages!"

John McLaughlin - CIA

"Paul Draper is my favorite guest on our program. I love what he does!"

Mark Steines - Entertainment Tonight

"My department regularly works with the entire gamut of talented performers. What sets Paul apart is his giftedness and craftsmanship in multiple areas of art, from singing, to educating, to performing magic. We were incredibly fortunate to find such an accomplished person who can educate, entertain, and mesmerize an audience and help us put on a show that our fans will remember for the rest of their lives."

Mike Rice - NBC Universal

I have only rarely seen an audience of young people as engaged, educated, and enthralled by a guest speaker as by Paul Draper. He most certainly is not somebody who will easily — if ever — be forgotten. I personally was held spellbound by Paul; and I can’t wait to invite him back

Harvey Goldblatt, Ph.D. - Yale University

"If you’ve got an embarrassing secret, you might want to bring a tin-foil hat."

Rick Lax - Las Vegas Weekly

"Paul Draper wowed the crowd. The crowd responded to Draper with gasps of disbelief and claps of approval."

Yale Daily News  - Yale Daily News 

Vogue M. Robinson – author, poet, educator, & creativity enabler – appreciates human beings who put truth and heart into words. She served as Clark County, Nevada’s Poet Laureate (2017-2019) and is the first Black woman to receive the Silver Pen award from the Nevada Writers’ Hall of Fame. 

Robinson is the author of Vogue 3:16, Selected Poems Vol. 1.  Her work has been anthologized in The Beautiful,  Legs of Tumbleweeds, Wings of Lace, Sandstone and Silver, and A Change is Gonna Come. Vogue’s writing, performances, and workshops are humorous, vulnerable, and empowering. 

Vogue is also a faculty member of the Martha’s Vineyard Institute of Creative Writing. When she’s not writing, she’s spending time with her family or experimenting with fluid art techniques at home in Las Vegas.

Poet, Painter, Creativity Enabler

Vogue Robinson

“Her poetry speaks to the heart of us all.”

Stephanie J. Cress, author

"I do not share this poet's background, yet I find
something in each of her pieces that I can relate to."

Amazon reader

Vogue M. Robinson

Eddie Davenport spent more than 20 years as a Hollywood Stuntman, ranked in the top 2% of Hollywood stunt performers. He doubled for lead actors including Hugh Jackman and Zachary Levi, and for the characters Wolverine and Superman, across 140+ television episodes and 40+ feature films — among them Superman, Logan, Real Steel, Shazam!, Captain America, The Suicide Squad, Stranger Things and The Walking Dead. He is a Satellite Award winner and a two-time Screen Actors Guild Award nominee for stunt ensemble, on Logan and X-Men: First Class.

Stunt work taught him something that has nothing to do with film: the distance between knowing what to do and actually doing it is where most people, and most teams, lose. Eddie now teaches leaders to close that gap.

His keynotes pair cinematic storytelling from the set with two tools he built out of the work. The F.E.A.R. Protocol is a four-step decision process — Focus, Evaluate, Act, Review — for making the best available call before hesitation closes the window. The Pressure Profile is a live audience diagnostic that shows every person in the room which of four tendencies they default to when the stakes rise.

Eddie speaks at leadership conferences, executive retreats, sales kickoffs and association events, across healthcare, manufacturing, financial services, government and high-performance teams. His work and his story have been featured in Men's Health, Vanity Fair and Radio Times.

Signature programs: Decisive Under Pressure, Built For Impact, and Steady Under Pressure — an immersive breathwork experience.

Hollywood Stuntman turned keynote speaker on decision-making under pressure

Eddie Davenport

Eddie's spell-binding storytelling is delivered with humility and gratitude, winding his unique personal journey into his amazing story as one of Hollywood's top stuntmen.

Lon Gowan - Former CEO, J. Dolan Communication, Inc.

Eddie Davenport is a gifted speaker. His ability to relate fantastical on-set tales from Hollywood's biggest blockbusters into everyday life is joyous, harrowing, moving, and at times, life-affirming.

Christy Lawrence

Mark Stiving doesn't just teach pricing; he transforms how companies capture their true worth. With his Ph.D. in Pricing from UC Berkeley and 25+ years helping hundreds of companies from Cisco to CrowdStrike, Mark brings the calm confidence of someone who's seen every pricing challenge and knows exactly how to solve it.
His obsession with pricing started early. As a kid grocery shopping, he noticed every cereal box ended in .99 and wondered why. That curiosity never left him. But the real breakthrough came from a painful personal experience that taught him you can't solve problems until you truly understand how others think and make decisions. That insight became the foundation of his approach to understanding buyers.

Mark draws audiences in with stories and insights delivered with the quiet authority of someone who's built and sold businesses, authored four books including Selling Value and Instant Profits, and hosts the popular Impact Pricing podcast. He doesn't motivate with rah-rah speeches, he transforms thinking with proven frameworks you can implement immediately.

When he's not helping companies capture their worth, you'll find Mark flying his own plane around the Reno skies, where he lives with his wife, Carol. A former mountain biker, paraglider, scuba instructor, and white-water kayaker, he has always been drawn to activities that require both calculated risk and complete focus, much like the pricing strategies he teaches.

Pricing & Value Creation Expert, Ph.D., Keynote Speaker, Author & Host of the Impact Pricing Podcast

Mark Stiving

“Thank you so much for what you did. The event was a huge success, and your presentation was possibly the best in all 4 days with the highest feedback score. Yes, the questions were challenging, but you were brilliant.”

Senior Director of Sales Excellence at Honeywell Connected

“Probably the biggest thing Mark did was to remove the taboo that pricing is some dark art -- while there is strong science behind it, it's filled with assumptions. By applying the models, you'll get as close as possible to the right price.”

Jeff Beckham, Slack

Alyssa Rayne

I'm LAMARKS, founder and Chief Poetic Officer of Ars Poetica.
I create bespoke language experiences to elevate human consciousness.
I’m a creative capacity builder via the power of poetry.

Working with me, my clients and partners feel their feelings and learn to trust their own creative capacity. This life changing experience allows you to feel more freedom and satisfaction, make decisions, nurture resilient relationships, and create bounty everywhere you invest your attention.

I'd love to create an individualized experience to tap you into your poetic power. Whether 1:1 for a milestone moment, or for a group of up to 10,000 people.

I am based between NYC, California, and Charlotte, NC. It brings me great joy to travel wherever I am called to fulfill my life’s purpose.

Typewriter Poet, Emcee, Intuitive Interactive Performance Artist

Lisa Ann (LAMARKS) Markuson

With over 20 years of professional stage and screen experience as an actor, writer, and comedian, Ross has mastered the art of helping people develop and maintain "The Improv Mindset" —a toolkit for showing up better in both work and life. He has brought his high-energy, interactive style to some of your favorite global brands, serving as a trusted professional MC, moderator, and keynote speaker. 

Ross’s sessions are built on engagement. He blends a fun atmosphere with practical strategies to help teams, such as:
- Foster Radical Connection: How to Build Real Trust.
- Embrace the "Yes, And" Mindset: Turning obstacles into opportunities through collaborative thinking.
- Show Up Better: Equipping individuals with the confidence to be present, adaptable, and impactful.

Whether he’s moderating a panel of executives or leading an immersive workshop, Ross ensures that your audience isn't just watching a presentation—they're practicing the skills that move the needle.

Keynote Speaker, Comedian, Award-Winning-Actor, Improviser, Moderator, MC

Ross Kimball

“The Yes, And Mindset”: Unlocking Effective Communication and Collaboration
Strong communication is the foundation of teamwork, problem-solving, and success in any professional environment. The improv principle of “Yes, And” fosters openness, adaptability, and collaboration—key skills for thriving in dynamic, high-pressure situations. By embracing this mindset, teams can build stronger relationships, navigate challenges more effectively, and drive better results.

Show Up Better Interactive Keynote Experience!

Comedians, Ross Kimball and Rachel LaForce played on the famous stages of Chicago,
then on the sets of some of your favorite television shows and movies in Los Angeles
and now they are bringing you the best of improvisational comedy right here in the
Marietta Square!
Each show, Ross and Rachel take a suggestion from the audience and create an
entirely new show that has never been seen before and will never be seen again!

Ross Kimball and Rachel LaForce two-person Improv Show

Through interactive exercises, group activities, and real-world simulations, this course aims to foster creativity, adaptability, effective communication, and collaboration within a business context. By the end of the course, participants will have developed the ability to think on their feet, respond confidently to unexpected situations, build trust and rapport with colleagues, and leverage the power of improvisation to generate innovative ideas and solutions. Ultimately, this course seeks to empower individuals to become more agile, resilient, and impactful professionals in today’s dynamic and fast-paced business environments.

Improv Workshop (team building, corporate event)

"We couldn’t have asked for a better MC for our Sparks Awards Dinner. From the moment he arrived, Ross jumped right in, quickly reading the room's vibe and connecting with the crowd naturally and engagingly. He took the time to introduce himself, learn about VEG, and understand the roles and stories behind the people in the room. This allowed him to add meaningful context and detail to every introduction. He was incredibly easy to work with, adaptable, and thoroughly professional throughout the night. We’re so grateful he was part of such a special evening and would be thrilled to work with him again."

Megan Ordway - VEG ER for Pets

"Ross has an engaging style that is second to none. His insights are incredibly impactful. Highly recommend!"

Steve Hamman, Blue Cross Blue Shield Illinois

“Our team’s time with Ross was so valuable! His teaching style ensures you come away knowing how to use what you’ve learned and can put it to practice right away! He’s entertaining, engaging, and most importantly, genuine. It’s obvious that Ross feels a calling to help others and finds joy in seeing them grow and succeed! We can’t wait to have Ross back to continue working with us.”

Jake Brewer, Sweetwater Restoration

Jeff Salzenstein was a top 100 world-ranked tennis player, two-time Stanford All-American, NCAA Champion, and team captain turned leadership speaker, performance advisor, and coach to leaders, teams, and organizations. He knows firsthand the pressure, stress, and setbacks that come with competing for over a decade on the world's biggest stages, including the US Open, Wimbledon, and the French Open, and training alongside legends like Roger Federer, Andy Roddick, Michael Chang, and Pete Sampras.
After overcoming two career-threatening injuries and becoming the oldest American to crack the top 100 for the first time at age 30, Jeff learned that pressure itself is not the problem. It is how we carry it, respond to it, and work with it that determines whether we break down or rise higher. 
His journey expanded far beyond the court when he helped his younger brother, Erik, rebuild his life after addiction, mental health struggles, prison, and 52 days in solitary confinement. Erik's improbable comeback revealed a truth that now sits at the heart of Jeff's work: success without fulfillment and inner alignment often leads to more stress, burnout, and disconnection. The same principles that rebuild a life can elevate a leader.
Today, Jeff works with leaders, teams, and organizations helping them handle more pressure without breaking down, recover faster, regulate emotions, and unlock a higher level of performance. When organizations apply these tools, they can become up to 20% more profitable, 12–20% more productive, and 3x more creative, while improving culture, energy, engagement, productivity, and overall well-being.
His approach blends performance psychology, neuroscience-backed strategies, and inspirational storytelling to help high performers show up with greater clarity, composure, and confidence. Backed by decades of peak performance experience, Jeff teaches that the next level of leadership is not powered by more hustle. It is built on stronger fundamentals that transform how leaders think, feel, and perform.
Jeff's message is both personal and practical. Through his keynotes, workshops, and coaching, he equips high performers and organizations with the tools to build resilience, strengthen culture, and thrive under pressure. Excellence is not about grinding harder. It is about performing at your best in the moments that matter most.

Top 100 World-Ranked Tennis Pro, Stanford All-American & Performance Keynote Speaker

Jeff Salzenstein

“Jeff was a game-changer for our event. His Own Your Zone keynote was powerful, practical, and inspiring—delivering real tools to reduce stress, elevate focus, and build resilience. His energy and care deeply impacted our audience. I highly recommend Jeff for your next event.”

-Rod Clough, President, HVS Americas

"Jeff absolutely knocked it out of the park. Everybody walked away as a closer team. All of us walked
away with skills that we didn’t have before and Jeff helped us maximize our team performance and
individual performance. I couldn’t recommend Jeff more highly. He really, really provides a unique
and valuable perspective."

John Perkins, CEO, Lumexa Imaging

“Delivered a captivating and memorable speech; he also taught pragmatic methodologies we can
all use to manage stress and optimize our performance.”

Ronni Klaypas, Chief Integration Officer, Lumexa Imaging

"We wanted a speaker who could help us become a better organization by helping our people become better humans. Jeff did exactly that. He inspired action with tangible tools,and the way he delivered the message was revolutionary. It challenged us to think deeper and lead differently. Thank you, Jeff!

Darius Wise, CEO, Red Rocks Credit Union

“Jeff is a pro’s pro on stage. His tennis background and real-world insights help leaders perform under pressure with more calm and clarity. If you’re looking for a speaker who inspires, teaches, and truly cares, Jeff’s your guy.”

-Kyle Krpata, Partner at Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP

"Jeff's presentation was truly outstanding, a solid 9.5 out of 10. He absolutely hit it out of the park, bringing a refreshing energy to our event that captivated the audience. What made Jeff's keynote even more impactful was his thoughtful integration of our company’s core pillars in a way that resonated deeply with everyone. Jeff’s presence extended beyond the stage, making a lasting impression. Highly recommended!"

Brandon Wells, CEO, The Group Real Estate

“Jeff is a ‘can’t miss’ speaker. Jeff powerfully addresses the fascinating topic of managing counter-
productive stress and more, drawing from his experience as a top professional tennis player and also
from some quite difficult life challenges. He integrates the best of the most current research into a
very interesting, motivational, and easy to grasp presentation.”

- Randy Welsch, Founder, Jibu

Patricia Velásquez is an award-winning actress, humanitarian, entrepreneur, transformational keynote speaker, author, and mother. Best known for her iconic roles in “The Mummy”, “The Mummy Returns”, “Arrested Development”, and “The Curse of La Llorona”, Patricia also became the first Latina supermodel gracing the covers of major fashion magazines like ‘Vogue”, “Elle”, and “Harper's Bazaar”. She has been the face of campaigns for top brands such as “Chanel” and “Cover Girl”. 
Born in Venezuela, Patricia's early life was marked by resilience and purpose. Growing up in Maracaibo, she carried water up 15 flights of stairs for her family, an experience that taught her the power of determination and community. That’s when her certainty was born. This deep sense of purpose inspired her lifelong commitment to giving back, leading her to establish “The Wayuu Taya Foundation” in 2002. Founded to improve the lives of unprivileged communities across Latin America, the foundation has benefited over one million people through education, health, water access, and sustainable development programs, all while respecting their traditions and cultures. 
Her humanitarian work has earned her global recognition. Patricia serves as a “UNESCO Artist for Peace” and a “Goodwill Ambassador for the Organization of American States (OAS)”. She has been honored by the “United Nations” and the “Human Rights Campaign” for her dedication to creating opportunities and improving quality of life for those in need. 
As a transformational keynote speaker, Patricia shares her journey with global audiences, empowering them to move through fear with certainty, lead with courage, take action rooted in values, draw from wisdom, and create lasting change in their lives and communities. Her powerful storytelling has inspired thousands at major platforms, including “Stanford University”, “TEDx”, the “Milken Institute”, the “Clinton Global Initiative”, and many more. Patricia’s message speaks to the universal desire for growth and purpose, offering actionable steps to transform challenges into opportunities. 
Patricia is also an accomplished author, sharing her journey and insights to inspire others to embrace their truth and break through limitations. Her experiences as a Latina, a mother, an entrepreneur, and a lifelong supporter of education and community development shape the authenticity and depth of her message. 
Whether on stage, in front of the camera, or working directly with communities through her foundation, Patricia Velásquez lives the principles she speaks about certainty, courage, action, wisdom, and change. Her story is one of purpose, resilience, and a commitment to empowering others to lead with heart, authenticity, and confidence.

Global Keynote Speaker on Resilience & Transformational Leadership, Actress, Humanitarian & Author

Patricia Velasquez

Patricia has an incredible ability to light up a room and inspire not just the people in it, but entire communities and cultures. Patricia does what no one else has—she bridges worlds with her passion, authenticity, and relentless commitment to making a difference.

Ann Lee, CORE Response founder

Standing on stage, Patricia speaks passionately on behalf of those who are often voiceless, bringing the struggles and triumphs of indigenous peoples to the forefront. I am confident that through her leadership, we will continue to advance their rights, preserve their rich cultures, and uphold their traditions. Her dedication ensures that these communities receive the recognition, dignity, and opportunities they so rightfully deserve.

Betilde Muñoz-Pogossian, Ph.D., Department of Social Inclusion, Director - OAS

From the moment Patricia Velásquez participated in the Ford Supermodel of the World contest, her strength, grace, and authenticity set her apart. Watching her grow into a true supermodel and then use her platform to inspire young girls has been incredibly rewarding. She continues to inspire and uplift everyone around her, especially the next generation of young women.

Katie Ford, Founder of Ford Models

Patricia Velásquez was an exceptional keynote speaker for El Centro de Corazón’s annual Making a Difference luncheon. From the moment she began speaking, she connected with the audience in a way that was personal, genuine, and deeply engaging. Her message of leading with purpose—grounded in certainty, courage, action, wisdom, and change—aligned beautifully with the spirit and mission of our luncheon. I would enthusiastically recommend her to organizations seeking a speaker who can inspire an audience while creating a genuine and memorable connection.

- El Centro De Corazon

Brandon Gibson is a keynote speaker, actor, and creator of The Pivot Principle, a practical framework that helps leaders and teams adapt faster, collaborate better, and thrive in uncertainty.
With over 30 years in Hollywood, Brandon has appeared in 40+ network television shows and 70+ national commercials, sharing the screen with icons including Robin Williams, Brie Larson, Randall Park, and Anthony Anderson. His background in professional improvisation gives him a rare perspective on real-time decision-making, communication, and performance under pressure — skills that translate directly to today’s fast-changing workplace.
Brandon brings the principles of improv beyond entertainment and into leadership, learning, and culture-building. Through dynamic storytelling, interactive experiences, and actionable tools, he shows organizations how to replace rigid thinking with adaptability, build psychological safety, and turn disruption into momentum.
As the creator of The Pivot Principle, Brandon delivers high-energy keynotes that blend humor with substance, helping audiences move from reacting to change to leading through it. His sessions don’t just inspire — they equip teams with practical strategies they can apply immediately to increase engagement, unlock creativity, and perform at their best when plans shift.
Because when the script changes, success belongs to those who know how to pivot.

Hollywood Actor, Second City Improv Expert & Leadership Keynote Speaker

Brandon Gibson

My favorite session of the conference was "The Pivot Principle." It started as a speech about how improv could be used to help move us forward, but on a deeper level, it touched on the importance of creating space for ourselves and our teams to grow through missteps as we move toward greatness. His session wasn’t just another feel-good speech about theory and ideas; there were childhood-like exercises we participated in that drove home adult applications. I volunteered for one of the exercises, and while I was a little nervous, I had a genuine blast. The impact of the experience is one I will definitely take forward with me.

Floyd Sturdifen - GOSHRM

One of the highlights of Brandon’s session was how he incorporated improv games to bring the content to life. These moments encouraged participation, sparked connection across the room, and demonstrated in real time the skills he was teaching—listening, flexibility, collaboration, and confidence in the face of the unexpected. It was refreshing to see learning happen so organically, and our audience stayed engaged throughout.

Liz Yovich | WBN

I want to extend my sincere appreciation to Brandon Gibson for the outstanding job he did presenting The Pivot Principle at our recent Town Hall. Brandon brought incredible energy, authenticity, and engagement to the session, making the content both memorable and immediately applicable. Through his interactive approach and real-world examples, he beautifully brought our Collaboration, Communication, and Initiative competencies to life, helping employees connect these concepts to their day-to-day work in a meaningful way. His ability to inspire participation, encourage new perspectives, and reinforce the importance of adaptability left a lasting impression on the organization. Brandon's presentation was not only informative, but truly motivating, and played an important role in advancing our competency relaunch efforts.

Lana Simon - SVP & Chief Brand Officer | Sun-Maid

Genevieve was a successful television marketing executive in New York City until a sudden inner voice challenged her direction and she dramatically altered the path of her life. She found her true purpose when a simple question from a six-year-old girl in an emergency shelter changed everything. In 2001, she jumped off the corporate ladder and founded the hugely successful national nonprofit, Pajama Program, this year celebrating 25 years with a new name and expanded purpose, "Beyond Bedtime." To date the organization has delivered more than nine (9) million pajamas and books through its 40 chapters around the U.S. 

After 20 years as Executive Director, Genevieve passed the ED baton and created the Purpose ACER training program, and 12 Masterclasses, all focused on management excellence and team building. She has produced and hosted two national Purpose Summits in New York.

Genevieve’s first book, Purpose, Passion and Pajamas, How to Transform Your Life, Embrace the Human Connection and Lead with Meaning, is an Amazon bestseller and winner of 7 awards. This book lives in the Forbes Executive Library. The book’s message and Heart of the Matter life and leadership lessons after every chapter dovetail perfectly with our Nation’s growing interest in finding purpose and rekindling our human connection. Her TEDx talk: “1 Idea + The Human Connection = 7 million Pajamas” debuted with this book. Her second book, Purpose, Passion and Moxie: How to Lead the Way and Leave a Legacy, is a workbook to help you start a nonprofit from scratch to success. Book #3 is in the works! 
Today Genevieve teaches, speaks, and writes on how to Stop Bossing. Start Loving. because the world needs leaders who put people first. Her newsletter, Leading with Love - Tips from a Friend, offers heart-centered guidance designed to support modern leadership journeys.

In her presentation, Genevieve guides her audience in embracing four universal truths that ignite movements and build a lasting legacy through their impact on others.

Geneveve’s journey has taken her from Marketing VP in NYC’s television business to a little girl's q

Genevieve Piturro/The Human Connection Speaker

APPA Annual Facilities Summit
Dear Genevieve - we are inundated with topics from presenters but there was something about your work that was more appealing and "different" from the usual leadership/motivation themes out there. I really enjoyed your session. Thank you for working with APPA. 
- Steve Glazner, Director, Management for APPA

APPA Management Symposium

HAIP (Honolulu Association of Insurance Professionals)

"Thanks again for knocking it out of the park today! Spectacular! After several hours, I continue to experience the emotions evoked from your presentation and I suspect others do as well." - K. Nohr, Esq, HAIP member

"I was moved beyond my expectations, so much so that my tears overflowed and my heart exploded with the passion and the human connection we experience in our association." - M. Carvalho, Program Chair

HAIP (Honolulu Association of Insurance Professionals)

Genevieve Piturro

It's not that technology is advancing too quickly. It's that human skills are advancing too slowly. There's no big mystery as to why trust, the #1 key to business, is experiencing a crisis during the artificial age. People want something REAL - and if you don't give it to them, then your competitors will.

Where there is human connection, there is real magic. Productivity improves in a way that science can't explain. Innovation strikes like lightning from a clear sky. Ordinary people transform into extraordinary teams. You don't have to wait or hope, this can be built.

Join award-winning mentalist, bestselling author, and top-rated speaker Tim David for an interactive, amazing, science-based, (and also HILARIOUS) program that helps participants experience how quickly authenticity, empathy, and trust can be built in teams using practical frameworks and action-items that can be applied immediately.

The Future Belongs to the Most HUMAN

Tim David

"It was the largest attended Spring Leadership in the history of AWI and the conference as a whole received a 83 NPS, which is unbelievable still to me 3 weeks later.

Great speaker for our event."

Doug Hague - Architectural Woodworking Institute

"The members thoroughly enjoyed your presentation, Tim. They commented that it was high in take-away value. You are an engaging presenter, your 'magic' is a real differentiator and the presentation content reflected your experience and knowledge."

Diane McIlree, WPO

I help leaders and organizations build the resilience, confidence, and human connection skills needed to thrive through change. My international award-winning storytelling, practical leadership strategies, and riotous humor help equip audiences with tools they can immediately apply to navigate uncertainty, strengthen relationships, and inspire others to act. My perspective is grounded in decades of executive leadership, higher education—and forever shaped by surviving a catastrophic spinal cord injury that left me paralyzed. That journey taught me that resilience is not a personality trait or a motivational slogan; it's a reflex that can be developed through intentional choices, authentic leadership, and meaningful human connection. Whether speaking on resilience, leadership, or the power of story, I challenge audiences to think differently, lead with greater purpose, and leave with practical ideas they can put to work the very next day.

Energizing Rooms & Educating Audiences - Developing Resilient Leaders in Organizations.

Trent Theroux

"Trent is a remarkable speaker.  The audience laughed and cried with him through the entire presentation."

Elizabeth Weaver, United Spinal Association

"I've never seen a room come alive the way it did during Trent's presentation. The audience was chanting, laughing, and completely engaged from start to finish. His energy is absolutely contagious."

Adam Hecht, Wells Fargo

"Your story and message of resilience coupled with your sincere and thoughtful delivery truly resonated with me.  You raised the bar for for speakers next year."

Crystal Ferrigan, FM Global

"Trent didn't deliver a speech.  He delivered an experience

Tamara Dominick, LEGO Group

Teams that work in an empowering culture are more innovative. So how do you inspire your leaders to be empowering and your teams to be innovative? They both start with one magic ingredient…Curiosity. 

For 18+ years, Nash walks a unique path as a professional magician by day and a crisis line volunteer by night. Both seemingly different paths taught him one unifying lesson: the power of curiosity. From the crisis line, Nash learned we can empower others by using our empathetic curiosity to listen, to understand, and support. From creating illusions, he learned how curiosity is the spark that drives innovative ideas.

Now as an award-winning TEDx keynote speaker, he unveils the curtain and teaches leaders how to channel their empathetic curiosity to create an empowering human-centric culture; and inspire teams to adapt curiosity-based strategies to drive in more innovative ideas. 

In both keynotes, Nash uses magic, engaging stories, and interactive exercises to guide his audiences to experience the key messages. His presentations had inspired global audiences like Meta, Amazon, Microsoft, TEDx stage etc..  People are the heartbeat of your organization, if you are equally interested in inspiring them to be more curious, innovative, and empowering for each other, let’s have a conversation!

Curiosity Keynote Speaker who uses magic to inspire

Curiosity Keynote Speaker & Magician

"The presentation went above and beyond the expectations – to be able to incorporate our leadership principles into it whilst also making it fun and interactive was so impressive"

Phoebe Dunn, Amazon - EMEA division

“Nash was one of our highest rated speakers at our Intern Day global summit. His keynote was unique, engaging, and so much fun; it was the perfect kickoff for our conference! We love how he tailored our Amazon Leadership Principles into his presentation which really connected with our audience! ”

Davilla Gose -Program Manager - Amazon

“Nash doesn’t just create magic on stage, his real magic is in his preparations. Weeks prior to our event, he was working with our leadership team to fully immerse himself with our team’s challenges, event goal, and messaging needs.

The day before the event, he came to set up the stage and worked with our A/V team to ensure everything would run smoothly. 

As planners, we really appreciate the peace of mind his dedication & preparations provided us.
It was no surprise that on the day of our event, we were able to sit back and watch his keynote hit every benchmark we envisioned.

The only people who were surprised? Our attendees. At first some were unsure what they could learn from a magician, by the end they were all pleasantly surprised that his tips on curiosity & innovative thinking were highly tangible and relevant to their roles at Microsoft. 

Nash came prepared, dedicated himself to our event goal, crafted an engaging & inspiring keynote that delivered OUR message! We highly recommend him, you’ll love working with him.”

Amy Brucks & Carrie Bollacker, Executive Admins - Microsoft

Nash Fung

Gianna Gaudini spent two decades designing some of the most memorable experiences in technology, finance and luxury - leading events and executive programs for Google, AWS, Airtable, SoftBank Vision Fund and organizations like YPO. That work left her with an unusual insight: the same principles that make an event unforgettable can make an ordinary life unforgettable too.
Now, as founder of Gianna Gaudini, LLC, she translates the psychology of event design - anticipation, surprise, ritual, meaning-making - into a framework for everyday living. She helps individuals and organizations fight burnout, create more intentional experiences with their customers and employees, and infuse joy and delight into moments at risk of being flattened by repetition (or) forgotten due to habituation).

She's the Amazon best-selling author of The Art of Event Planning, teaches at six universities, sits on the advisory board of five event-industry startups, and speaks internationally on the science and art of memorable experience design
Her Signature Talk “Your Life Is The Event - Make It Worth Attending guides people to live the days in between more meaningfully and will be delivered on the TED stage in 2027.

Your Life Is The Event - Make it Worth Attending (a framework from Google's Head of Events)

Gianna Gaudini

“Gianna is the whole package when it comes to a speaker. She connects with listeners and delivers a relevant message with uncommon magnetism. Best of all, Gianna promises an experience for your audience that is meaningful and memorable and goes far beyond the usual keynote speaker. Today’s audiences are desperate to engage and be moved–they don’t want to be talked at or lectured to. Gianna is a master at this. ”

- Jen Oliver, TEDx Executive Producer, Event Curator, Podcaster

“Gianna has been formative in how I think about and execute events and how she creates an experience in a keynote in and of itself.  I'm truly grateful for her influence and leadership. Her impact will continue to show up in the programs we run going forward. Thank you, Gianna, for the thoughtfulness, flexibility, and partnership you brought to the team.”

— Zach Diamond, Head of Revenue Marketing, Cognition AI

“Bringing Gianna on to speak at our all-employee event truly changed the game for us. She brought vision, organization, and critical events expertise, and the leadership and polish we needed to ensure a successful event that met all of our objectives. Thank you Gianna!”

— Becca Gelenberg, Chief People Officer, Upstart

Kristin Ericksen is a keynote speaker, TEDx speaker, and peak performance coach with more than 25 years of experience coaching 3,000+ clients across 20+ industries, including celebrities, elite athletes, executives, and entrepreneurs.

Peak performance is in Kristin's DNA. She grew up around it, watching her father, a strength coach for the Utah Jazz, train NBA greats like Karl Malone and John Stockton. That early education shaped a 25-year career at the intersection of fitness, kinesiology, and human performance, where she optimized the bodies and wellbeing of some of the most recognizable names in entertainment, including Linda Hamilton, Cindy Crawford, Olivia Newton-John, Jerry Bruckheimer, Jeff Goldblum, and Gary Sinise.

When she lost her fitness business overnight, Kristin rebuilt in a completely new industry. Within 18 months, she rose to the top 2% in sales for a leading financial services company. She knows the drive to achieve from the inside, along with the decisions that make performance sustainable, especially when circumstances change.

We measure results, revenue, and return on investment. Kristin believes those numbers tell only part of the story. Her Return on Energy perspective asks people to examine what they spend to produce those results and what that investment is doing to their health, relationships, and ability to keep performing when the pressure rises and the ground shifts.

On stage, Kristin speaks to corporate and association audiences, leaders, high-performing teams, and women in business about how to sustain peak performance through change, uncertainty, and difficult times: performing under pressure, protecting their energy, building resilience, avoiding burnout, and leading through transition. Through personal stories, humor, and audience interaction, she challenges people to ask: "Is the energy I'm spending worth what I'm getting, and is what I'm getting worth what it's costing me?"

Audiences leave with a way to spot where their energy is being drained, rethink what they have been calling success, and make a more deliberate choice about where to invest themselves next, so they can keep performing at their peak no matter what changes around them.

Your energy is always becoming something.

Keynote Speaker on Peak Performance, Resilience and Leading through Change

Kristin Ericksen

"Kristin is extraordinary and truly changing lives"

Kevin Harrington

"Kristin is one of the most committed coaches and speakers I've ever met. She's full of energy, full of wisdom and a resource to every room she steps into."

Darryll Stinson | Seeding Greatness

"What truly sets Kristin apart is her presence. She connects with people at a human level, inspires trust, and challenges others to rise without ever losing empathy or warmth."

Sabrina Torrella CLTC, RICP-Northwestern Mutual

"Kristin approaches her craft with boundless energy, passion for and belief in her mission and a relentless pursuit to make a significant difference in the lives of her audiences and clients."

Talent