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A Meeting of the Minds Between Professional Speakers and Meeting Planners

As a  professional speaker, I know how important it is to be engaging during a presentation.  That’s why I proposed to my first (so far) wife from the stage. Sure the meeting planner was a tad shocked, but I got a wife out of it, the audience got to see something different, and most importantly of all, I got a standing ovation from all the women in the audience.

Now, having been on the other end of this audience-speaker romance,  I truly understand the value in engaging everyone effectively in a meeting.  You see, I was recently on a committee that

organized  parts of the convention programming,  and being on the meeting planner end of the sish kabob, I can now confidently speak out of both sides of my conventional mind:

Speaker side: I realize that you don’t pay your speakers for this event, but typically I charge a fee very close to Conan O’Brien’s buyout package, so would it be possible to at least fly me out to Business_Presentation_In_An_Of_456404your convention first class and offer me your first born child as compensation?

Meeting planner side: Our breakfast buffet includes eggs this year.  You’re welcome to go for seconds.

Speaker side: If you want my presentation to engage not only the minds in the immediate room, but to also engage the minds in the hotel next door (through the mysterious science of quantum physics) then I will require an LCD projector and screen,  overhead projector , flip chart, three microphones, a 10-foot extension ladder,  trampoline,  Murphy bed,  small wading pool,  1,000 gallons of diet Root Beer, two tamarind monkeys,  a ’67 canary yellow Ford mustang,  a life-size replica model of Cher, and a black felt marker.

Meeting planner side: Here’s the black felt marker you requested.

Speaker side: This is a very important convention, so it’s the perfect opportunity to test drive some new material that I have never tried out before—even on myself!   In fact, I haven’t even thought through how this sentence is going to…did someone say there would be eggs at this convention?  I wonder if now is the perfect time to show off how much I’ve learned in my three accordion lessons?  I feel like I should be dancing now.

Meeting planner side: Just say what you did that time before. You know, the time before when we saw you and chose you to speak at our convention, because that’s why, you know, we chose you to speak at our convention. Because of those particular words you used that time we saw you.  Just say those same words you used before in the same order you said them, and no one will get hurt.

Speaker side: I have valuable information to impart, and more importantly,  an ego the size of Conan O’Brien’s buyout,  so if I need to go over my time limit by a few hours,  the meeting planner should just breathe deeply and chill in the back forty with the rest of the speakers, who, yes, may have to be bumped, but if you ever watch late night television you’ll actually see that’s just part of the biz when an important speaker (such as me) takes up the bulk of the face time.

Meeting planner side: Speakers who go over their allotted time limit should be shot.  No cutesy little hand signals from the audience. No warning flags.  The emcee should simply walk out onto stage and shoot the speaker. Now, I’m not a rash man, so I’m certainly not suggesting it should be a fatal shot, but a grazing bullet to the left shoulder, or perhaps the kneecap, ought to send the signal loud and clear that your time with us is up.

Speaker side: Forget about the food, the venue, the special events, the fancy place settings on the table, or the convention bags,  the only thing that truly matters at a meeting are the speakers.

Meeting side: Forget about the food, the venue, the special events, the fancy place settings on the table or the convention bags,  the only thing that truly matters at a meeting are the speakers.

Wow, finally the two sides of my conventional brain can agree on something!  Which is just one of the many fabulous things that can happen when two parts of your mind finally get engaged and live happily ever after.

Just like me and my first (so far) wife.

Michael Kerr is a Canadian Hall of Fame Speaker, highly in-demand international keynote speaker, and the creator of the Culture Leadership Online Academy. Michael is also the author of 8 books, including:  The Humor Advantage: Why Some Businesses Are Laughing All the Way to the BankHire, Inspire, and Fuel Their Fire; and The Jerk-Free Workplace: How You Can Take the Lead to Create a Happier, More Inspiring Workplace.  www.MikeKerr.com

Rave Reviews

“Your presentation was beyond excellent! You have the unique ability to both entertain and educate. It was the perfect mix of a serious business message, along with a very funny delivery.”
Dave Thompson, CFO & President, Sandvik Canada, Inc.
“Michael was brilliant! An incredible session that received a standing ovation. The content was a welcome and valuable divergence from typical educational sessions. If you need to leave your audience energized with great content, I highly recommend Michael Kerr!”
Dana Cooper, Executive Director, Orthotics Prosthetics Canada
“Michael held the full attention of our senior management team for a full 4-hour presentation! His management philosophy is a fantastic approach that I have encouraged my team to carry forward.”
Martine Rothblatt, Chairman & CEO, United Therapeutics
“It was evident, almost from the first word you spoke, that you would be one of the most memorable parts of the two days. Your high energy, fast-paced, powerful style had everyone on the edges of their seats. Beyond being incredibly entertaining, you gave the leaders pragmatic tools and ideas that are easily transferable to their jobs.”
Mark Breslaw, Human Resources Business Partner, Telus
“Michael’s Leading and Laughing During Turbulent Times was the best presentation I have seen in my 40 years in business.”
Rodney Meadows, Director East Alabama Home Medical
“That was one of the best virtual presentations I have been on and the best one since this pandemic! It was the highlight of my week and gave me a resurgence of positivity, motivation and energy.”
Natasha Purnell, Chief Culture Officer, Park Insurance
“Michael Kerr delivered an absolutely outstanding performance – virtually! His energy and humorous content had our event attendees wanting our company to book him again!”
Kylene Donaldson, Western Financial Group
“Michael Kerr’s humor, messages and energy was not lost at all in the virtual format and allowed us to continue an important tradition of having fun and being together. His messages on how to  build resiliency were delivered in an engaging way that really hit home!”
Brier Albano, Associate Registrar, Medicine Hat College
“With his high energy and animated presentation of over 90 minutes, he had everyone’s full attention!”
Jolaine Arsenault, Retail Market Analysis and Liaison Specialist, Co-op Atlantic
“Just wanted to say “WOW!” – that was awesome! We’ve had many speakers over the years, but none the likes of Michael Kerr.”
Richard Dansereau, President, NAPA Autopro BDG
“One of the most enjoyable keynote speakers we have worked with. Not only was it entertaining, it contained valuable lessons for our managers to take back to the office.”
Peter Panaritis, President, Brinks Canada Limited
“Many of the head office staff thought you were the best keynote speaker we’ve ever had! Thank-you for your invigorating and energizing keynote presentation.”
Tanya Dusyk, Territory Manager, Shell Canada
“Your dynamic and interactive presentation was the highlight of our conference. To this day, years later, we will often refer to the topics you enlightened and enriched our lives with!”
Steve Enns, Vice President and General Manager, TGS Harvard Management
“I wanted to share with you the amazing customer comments below. We’ve been employing various techniques that you described and I wanted you to know that your work makes a difference!”
Kevin Walsh, Chief Marketing & Sales Officer, Showdown Displays
“Yours was one of the most effective, enlightening, and entertaining presentations we’ve ever had at a conference (and we’ve had a lot!).”
Mario Bernardi, Executive Director, ClimateCare Co-operative
“You were by far the best rated speaker. Michael’s energy influenced my entire experience at the conference.”
Mary Anne Yurkiw, Food Matters Conference Chair
“YOU ROCK! Michael had everyone in stitches and offered amazing workplace food for thought.”
Janice Vilaca, Program Administrator, Co-operative Education, Wilfred Laurier University
“I’ve seen Michael four times – he’s amazing. You come away with knowledge on how to make your workplace better and you don’t even realize you were being taught because you are so busy being entertained.”
Michelle Kimura, Owner, MicAr Marketing
“Thanks to your suggestions, staff feel engaged and empowered to start creating an inspiring workplace. You have made a huge, positive impact in just 90 minutes!”
Paola Zurro, Senior Director, Real Property Branch
“Michael exceeded our expectations in every aspect. He was nothing short of the star of our event. By far, the best speaker we’ve ever had!”
Rod Smith, VP, Business Development, Century Vallen
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