Corporate magician equals - a fun time of year to be an entertainer

ABSOLUTELY there are groups still having events for the holidays and what they wanted was a corporate magician! This past weekend working for the Dept of Education, ITT Technical Institute, American Family Insurance and private CEO client of a software company.

All of the events entailed the primary objective of "these people have worked hard. Please just let them laugh for a while." And that we did. ABSOLUTELY hysterical. I even brought along a new member of my team; Gordon, the mind reading goose....yeah really.

Thanks to all the great people I met and all the laughs we had. I appreciate the opportunity to be a part of your special events.

**And for those wondering. The US Dept of Education event was funded by employee dollars - not your tax dollars.**

Off to Reno Nevada today to work with BASF for a couple days then back home to Ohio for the remainder of the year. And what a year it has been!

It was SHOWTIME as the corporate magician for Cardinal Health

It was SHOWTIME as the corporate magician for Cardinal Health!

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!


Motivational Speakers
Corporate magician
Master of Ceremony

Microsoft SharePoint Conference - corporate magician

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....

The Fairmont Penthouse in Bermuda...as a Corporate Magician - it's a lot of work!

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!'

Corporate spokesperson

As a corporate magician, sometimes I get to shoot tricks that are mixed with a bit of a message. Here is one we just did for a development company.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QqOBq-oqLcQ

It's SNOWING in Dallas?.......Yes it is !

Yes it did as a matter of fact. In the Hyatt Regency Reunion last week (photo to follow shortly). To kick off the huge 4th quarter sales initiative for T-Mobile I was asked to host their awards ceremony as well as create the largest snowstorm I have ever done. It was breathtaking to see this massive ballroom filled with snow falling remarkably from the "sky". The special effect begins with a small amount of confetti but then truly takes on the form of 'snow' as the flakes that are falling evaporate as they fall and melt once they hit you. (The hotel was more than happy to hear that when discussing clean-up).

How'd we do it? Firstly, An incredible production team that arrived on Saturday and Sunday to begin setup (the event was Wednesday). My tech man in charge: Adam Cope, who became known as "Snowman" throughout the other production team members and hotel staff. Hat's off to you Adam for all your efforts and success. Others credits go to the event producer: Patrick Wall, Tech Director Jan Zabinski and Stage Manager Jim. Additional thanks to coordinators Chris Curry, Rebecca Garforth and Joe Cloud.

Thanks to T-Mobile as well for the opportunity to meet 1200 of your best sales team members and share with them Energy, Entertainment & Inspiration!