As this is the month where many celebrate Halloween, and the tricks and treats that accompany it, we thought it would be fitting to offer a roundup of speakers who surprise audiences with some frightfully good gimmicks that not only entertain, but also teach and inspire.
Dan Thurmon, SpeakInc
The author of two books and a recognized expert on delivering motivating performances -- both on stage and in the workplace -- Thurmon juggles and performs acrobatics while speaking to audiences. As president of Motivation Works, Inc., he has worked with hundreds of clients and delivered thousands of presentations worldwide that help organizations implement action plans.
Bill Herz, BigSpeak
Two-time winner of the International Magical Performers Award and theatrical consultant for Broadway shows, major films, and television commercials, magician Bill Herz astonishes audiences with his wide range of tricks and sleights of hand. Herz customizes his performances to each audience and setting, and can speak about teambuilding or serve as an entertaining emcee.
Tan Le, BigSpeak
As co-founder and CEO of Emotiv Lifesciences, a bio-informatics company focused on identifying biomarkers in the brain for mental and other neurological conditions, Le hopes to one day craft inexpensive monitors to catch early signs of autism, epilepsy, and other conditions. As part of her motivating and inspiring talks, Le invites audience members up on stage to try her bio-informatic headset live.
The Passing Zone, SpeakInc
It was fate when Owen Morse and Jon Wee met at a juggling convention in 1986. They soon formed The Passing Zone, a popular corporate act in which they demonstrate innovation and collaboration through juggling and humor. They customize performances with a company's products and slogans.
Haim Goldenberg, Parallel 49 Agency
Haim Goldenberg amazes audiences through his real-life, genius mentalism. Goldenberg is well respected in his field, traveling the world to educate others in his profession, and he has his own television show in Canada, "GoldMind." Goldenberg does not claim to possess supernatural or psychic powers -- rather, he says the tools he uses are the same ones inside each and every audience member.
Chester Elton, BigSpeak
Elton -- a.k.a. one half of The Carrot Guys (with Adrian Gostick) -- is a corporate recognition expert who throws stuffed carrots out to his audience in allusion to his best-selling book The Carrot Principle. The book outlines research that definitively proves the effectiveness of frequent and effective recognition. Elton has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post, and more.
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This article appears in the October 2014 issue of Successful Meetings.