You
have to love Twitter (sometimes) Here was a photo taken by someone at a
table just before I was about to hit the stage - and 30 secs later it's
a tweet. What did we do before all this? While the original Boring
Meetings Suck publication in 2007 was against using text messages in
meetings, I've now changed the stance to provide effective use of
mobile devices from within the meetings. All this will be revealed in
"Boring Meetings STILL Suck" the 2010 edition - due to hit bookstores
in Late Spring of 2010.
SHOWTIME DEFINITION: "Always being prepared to be at your best, as you never know when you might be in the spotlight"
A
nice high profile event with many members of the senior team in
addition to their Chairman and CEO Mr. George Barret. So a nice
audience....one that I never expected.
What originally began as the master of ceremony for the two day event in addition to the keynote speaker
for a particular segment was interrupted a few days prior when one of
the execs decided to emcee the event themselves. No problem at all -
totally their call and hard feelings. I was then asked to fill that
time in the trade show gallery with some strolling magic, which was
also great. Love to do it.
So about 3 hours into the strolling
magic that day I was interrupted by my client with a request. "The
Chairman is going to be a bit delayed, we need you on stage in 3 hours."
So
how do you react? What do you think? Coincidentally, I heard a great
line yesterday which I quote "You can tell a true professional - not
when things go perfectly, but when things go wrong"
So
we jumped into action. Wardrobe change, additional gear, scripting,
message lines and coordination with the production team all needed to
take place and we did just that. In the end, we had a great show and a
great turnout.
Special thanks to Cara and Michelle for the great opportunity. Thank you!
When asked to be the Corporate Magician in Las Vegas for the Microsoft SharePoint conference - I said.....Let me think about it....YES!
The client was Quest Software who was just fabulous to work with and gain understanding of their product and services that help their partners be ready for 2010. The main annual event for Sharepoint
was a sell out crowd of 7000 from all over the world. The photo above
was taken by Naru from New Zealand (who wants me to come work for his
company in LA in January).
In the end, Quest Software DOUBLED
their leads from last year and were thrilled. Special thanks to
Chrissy, Mandy and Erin for the pre-meetings and strategy to make this
event such a success. After all - look at this crowd....
Funny...I must like to hold my hands up in the air a lot as I look at these pics....
When asked to be the Corporate Magician in Las Vegas for the Microsoft SharePoint conference - I said.....Let me think about it....YES!
The client was Quest Software who was just fabulous to work with and gain understanding of their product and services that help their partners be ready for 2010. The main annual event for Sharepoint
was a sell out crowd of 7000 from all over the world. The photo above
was taken by Naru from New Zealand (who wants me to come work for his
company in LA in January).
In the end, Quest Software DOUBLED
their leads from last year and were thrilled. Special thanks to
Chrissy, Mandy and Erin for the pre-meetings and strategy to make this
event such a success. After all - look at this crowd....
Funny...I must like to hold my hands up in the air a lot as I look at these pics....
What a great night. As the Master of Ceremonies
for the Kettering Health Network Life Experience Awards I had never
seen so many people who have been with an organization for so long.
In
addition to the all the Presidents awards across the hospital network
throughout Dayton Ohio, we gave away two 45 year service award, 101 20
year awards and so many in between as well.
I was also very
proud of the fact that we accomplished what I was asked to do. In past
years the awards program has taken over 3 hours....seriously. The goal
was to spice it up with some very clean fun and laughs but also keep it
moving and flowing smoothly. With that said, I went to work. In the
end, everyone had a great time and we finished the show in 1 hr 45 mins
total. The Kettering Health Network was thrilled.
Special thanks to Carol and her team for an event well done
Having been the motivational keynote speaker for the Boys and Girls Club of America
on a couple of occasions (and hopefully more) I always personally learn
something from each. And this one was no exception while in Atlantic
City this week.
It always inspires me when I can meet so many
people that have sooo much passion for what they are doing. This region
is led by Gene Bailey, just an incredible man who has the vision and
passion to further the movement and continue to inspire and enable all
young people to realize their full potential as productive, responsible
and caring citizens.
They even had two of the children their to
sing during the event and I'm not kidding or exaggerating when I say
they were FANTASTIC! I got THEIR autographs and if they work on it -
they WILL make it.
Thank you for sharing your time with me and
again opening up my eyes to the difference you are making and all the
potential we all have.
While normally the special event emcee for this type of an event I was asked for a new thing......STAY OFF THE STAGE! That's right! Actually, how can I compete with Rascal Flatts anyway who were getting a very special award.
My role? I was brought in to the Make-A-Wish Foundation's 25 yr anniversary celebration and fundraiser to create the script and direct the stage to be the most engaging and inspiring while benefitting the cause of the night; to raise some funds to help fulfill the backlog of 'Wishes.'
As the live event host for many high caliber events and understanding the importance of the celebs and special guests that were going to be there, I was honored to take the back stage role here and call the shots for the evening.
This was no small ordeal as there has never been an event quite like this one. Taking place at the Ohio State Stadium with so many unbelievable surprises planned it was awesome to be a part of such a special event.
Phil Vassar (Nashville Recording Artist) and Nuttin' But Stringz also performed that night and a host of celebs and dignitaries were on site to be a part of it.
My favorite was still playing football on the Buckeye Field with some special Make-A-Wish child VIP's. They were truly the stars of the night.
I also did get to put my corporate magician skills to the test as well. The photo shown is me performing sleight-of-hand for Jay DeMarcus (Rascall Flatts) and Mike Vrabl (NFL Pro Bowler). Another photo is Jay accepting the award on behalf of Rascall Flatts and a Make-A-Wish child while being given by Jim Tressell, OSU head coach.
To be asked to perform as the corporate magician
- in the Fairmont - in the Penthouse suite...in BERMUDA! (and pay
me...WELL!) Tough gig to say NO to huh? While I definitely practice
what I teach in the keynote speech about "Passion, and doing your best
work while having the most fun" there is also a great deal of work that
goes behind the scenes.
I certainly get the comments on the Facebook page
and emails about the 'life I lead' with the exotic travels, the people
and celebs I meet the non-stop fun I have, but did you realize about
80% of my time is still spent in an office, researching, testing,
practicing and re-testing?
Look at this event from last night. I
was with the top sales people worldwide in the "Specialty Insurance"
group of this organization. These are truly the "Best of the Best" at
what they do and have hours upon hours of time and effort into their
results - so why shouldn't I? The event planner has worked to create
the optimal experience - so how could I create the greatest amount of
impact on these folks and not just be a 'good magic guy.' How can I
have them leaving and talking the whole next day and until I see them
again next year about what they saw and experienced in their very own
hands?
THIS is creating IMPACT and not merely meeting
expectations and exactly what I talk about in the keynote speech I am
presenting to the same group tomorrow. In this important time we all
need to look for ways to cut costs but without comprising value. HOW? I
suggest you create "SHOWTIME" moments. That is creating points of
impact and creating an experience over simply getting the job done.
That's why I not only did some impressive sleight-of-hand tricks but
also understood their customers, their challenges, their business and
related the tricks to their environment in a fun, engaging and amazing
way.
But what did that take? No magical secret there - it took
work. For the 60 minutes I spent in the Penthouse suite last night
(overlooking the incredible ocean view I might add) there were hours
upon hours in the making. But that's what it takes to be at your best.
I
challenge you to look for opportunities to create those moments of
IMPACT and not simply meet expectations. How can you engage them
better, have it be of value to them and have them talking about you
next time, next month or next year as you took the time to make a
difference and because you understand 'SHOWTIME!'
What a great response from the thousands of attendees at the annual "Exhibitor Show" for trade show professionals in Las Vegas. Jon Petz along with other great trade show magicians performed while twisting product messges into the routines on a split second basis. As companies from BASF to Raytheon came to enjoy the high energy and comical routines at the booth we would instantly ask a few questions to gain an understanding of their value statements and then present those messages to the crowd that would amass and be engaged by the magic.
Excellent time and opportunity to connect with some great clients and meet a few new ones.
The BONK Show makes huge impact for JVC at the annual PMA show in Las Vegas March 3rd - 5th.
With attendee volume down across the board for most annual conventions, exhibitors are fighting for traffic and leads more than ever to confirm their ROI for that particular show. The Bonk show owned the convention last week at PMA. While other exhibitors were looking for traffic, The Bonk Show at the JVC booth had the seats filled bodies and the aisles filled with laughter and energy.
Hosted by none other than professional speaker Jon Petz and David McCreary with the added sparkle and charm of Veronica Tevelde the crowd was in hysterics while also learning about the new releases from JVC.
"Even when the mini shows ran overtime and were 15 minutes long, the audience never left! It just kept growing! It was an awesome venue and great team from JVC to make all this possible." Jon Petz
If looking to increase trade show traffic with a proven return on investment, the Get Bonked Today! The premier comedy game show and corporate game show that customizes the show to fit your needs and messaging objectives.
The Comedy Game Show; "The Bonk Show" to headline annual convention for North Carolina Teachers in May.
Special event and meeting planner Ruth of Quantum special events has been looking to book the Bonk Show
for some time and this "seemed like a great fit to bring some big time
excitement to this annual conference" she said. With almost 1000
attendees at the North Carolina Association of Teacher Assistants the Bonk Show will be customized to bring comedy and situational questions and gags to the energy and comedy filled show.
On behalf of the national BONK Team - we look forward to helping make this event absolutely exceptional with the Bonk Game Show!
