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!'

Magic is just science....did you know that?

It's funny how things come along and how they effect you. Recently two such events came up, the first for Columbus City Schools and the second for a school district on a suburb.

The first was attended by just over 3000 enthusiastic 6th graders just a few days ago. I was tasked to engage these 3000 kids into a message on their benefits of STEM (That would be Science, Technology, Engineering and Math for those of us who have not been around the educational market as of late). I setout to learn and I really enjoyed the process. With the help of Shawn Harper (ex NFL player who is now an inspirational speaker for schools and church groups) and the great team of Jen Snively's at COSI (one the coolest hands-on science museums in the world!) I started plugging some pieces of this relatively short program together. The result, was one of the most fun programs I've had the opportunity of presenting.

Did YOU know that magic is just like science? I didn't. But the more I read and investigated the greater the connection became clear. Science is solving a mystery and finding out why something happens, what something is or how something happens. When you watch magic, doesn't your brain go into the "how can that happen" mode? How is that possible? But, unlike science class, your brain also rests on the fact that "of course he can do it, Jon Petz is a magician."

I had the chance to share with these impressionable kids that I was just like them, that the illusions and tricks they had just seen on stage were through no special powers but through engineering, physics and calculations. I challenged them to NOT believe what they saw on stage, but to discuss it on the bus, back in the classroom, with their teachers etc. But to FIGURE OUT WHAT THEY SAW. Yes, I challenged them to find the secret to my magic - and I felt GREAT about it. I truly hope they were in complex discussions of how the money ended up inside the lemon.....it's NOT possible.....but it happened.....now HOW did it happen? I hope some of them tried the levitation (through physics) and even the magic number we demonstrated on stage (a basic algebraic equation).

During my research for the event I had learned from them that if you asked Columbus City School 6th graders 'IF' they plan to attend college, over 90% of them will raise their hands in agreement. However, just two short years later when asked the same question they lose over 40% of those same hands that were raised just a short time ago. Why is this? What is happening during these critical years in middle school when these great kids lose the belief that THEY belong in college? Unfortunately, it's an answer that I don't have in it's entirety, nor does the school system. But at least the superintendent, Dr. Harris, along with the Ohio State University is doing something about it. I hope that my short message encouraged them to continue their study's, plans and dreams and allows them to Reach Higher!

I thank Dr. Harris, David Hoover, Nancy Nestor-Baker and the Athletic Department of the Ohio State University for allowing me to be the keynote speaker for such an amazing event. I was touched and enjoyed the experience.

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!