The Keynote Curators Podcast

Sandro Forte's journey to success began with a valuable lesson learned in adversity. When his entrepreneurial father passed away prematurely, leaving Sandro to support his family, he discovered the power of hard work and making smart decisions over innate talent. This experience instilled in him a profound belief––that every individual possesses brilliance waiting to be unlocked through learning and consistency.Today, Sandro is a seasoned veteran in the financial services world, with over 30 years of entrepreneurial success at Forte Financial. His track record of shattering sales records and his global acclaim as a sought-after speaker attest to his exceptional expertise. Sandro has shared his transformative sales and marketing strategies with audiences in 90 countries, coaching over 400,000 advisors.Join me for an enlightening conversation with Sandro as he delves into: Insights from his latest book, Dare to Be Different Challenging conventional wisdom The correlation between consistency and success Overcoming the 'discouragement club' The dynamics of left and right-brain decision-making The "key" difference between a story and a message on stage #daretobedifferent #growthmindset #success #keynotespeaker #eventprofs

My guest today has a rich history in corporate events, leading teams at Fortune 50 companies like Dell and IBM. Liz Lathan is an expert in engagement and a community strategist, reshaping how to approach events and community building to enhance attendee event experiences. Throughout her career, she’s transitioned from crafting event spaces to orchestrating meaningful networking experiences that transcend traditional event structures, such as her Spontaneous Think Tanks. Tune in as we talk about: Elements that make events genuinely engaging and memorable (Wall of Woe) Her distinctive engagement initiatives at events (family-style breakfasts and sticky notes) The conversation and shared experience-based think tanks she’s co-founded for event professionals— check out Club Ichi! Finding a balance between the networking that attendees want, and the talk time executives want Our shared love of outer space and why impactful events are like a bowl of good vanilla ice cream #eventprofs #eventinsights #engagingevents #eventexperience #networking

🎾 His journey may have started in tennis, but it led him to an entirely different destination. Today, he's using a holistic approach to guide high-performance seekers to "the Zone of Excellence"— a destination where body, mind, and soul are sagely blended and balanced. ✨ Join me as I engage in a thought-provoking and emotional conversation with Success Coach and Former Top 100 World Ranked Tennis Player Jeff Salzenstein. After facing a great deal of personal and professional adversity and competing as a professional tennis player with greats, including Pete Sampras and Michael Chang, Jeff began a 25-year-plus journey toward becoming a success coach. He knew he was destined to share his findings about the optimal balance of physical, mental, and emotional well-being required to reach the Zone of Excellence. 👇 Our poignant conversation touched on topics including: The self-talk and imbalances that disrupt our journey toward the Zone of Excellence. Why the secret sauce to success is a coach, whether you're on a court or in an office. His 17-year journey alongside his brother as he suffered from and succumbed to mental health challenges and substance abuse. Recognizing when pressure and chronic stress due to external validations are affecting your performance and quest for success. The science and statistics behind self-talk and how it can be the biggest saboteur of success. 🎧 This conversation was especially enriching for me. I hope it offers valuable insights and resonates with your personal and professional growth journey. #eventprofs #zoneofexcellence #successcoach #keynotespeaker

🎧 In today's episode, we're joined by Eliz Greene, a job stress and wellness expert who has developed a comprehensive roadmap for minimizing stress at events. 💓 Eliz's passion for stress management is palpable; she finds the body's chemical reactions to stress fascinating and readily discusses the topic anywhere, even in line at the grocery store. Surviving a heart attack at 35 while seven months pregnant with twins propelled Eliz to recognize stress management as a vital survival skill. Her journey of enduring open-heart surgery before embracing motherhood just days later inspired her mission to encourage others to prioritize their health. 🎧 Tune in as Eliz shares practical, research-backed strategies to help event professionals manage stress and thrive in their careers. From conventional techniques to unexpected methods, she provides valuable insights into lowering cortisol levels and achieving success in high-pressure moments. If you've ever been stressed on the job, today's podcast is for you. Download her free e-book, The Stress-Proof Event Professional: 5 Steps for Low Stress and Great Success in High-Pressure Moments, today.

💫 The evolution of the events industry is at the forefront of my conversation with Ike Kehal, who recognized the need for a more cost-effective alternative to traditional in-person events. As technology continues to shape the landscape, Ike's insights into the future of events are invaluable. Discover where he sees this dynamic industry heading. It's no secret that events are vital tools for marketing, branding, and client engagement, with technology playing a pivotal role in their execution. Virtual events offer numerous connection opportunities, whether driving sales or fostering community. As the co-founder and CEO of Social27, Ike has spearheaded the development of an innovative event platform that facilitates dynamic digital and hybrid communities worldwide. Esteemed organizations such as Microsoft, the United Nations, United Airlines, and Norwegian Cruise Line have all benefited from his platform's capabilities. ​🎧 Listen to our episode and explore how virtual events are reshaping the way we connect and engage. #eventtechnology #virtualevents #eventprofs #futureofevents #eventindustry

Carolyn Strauss knows how to become a #WorkingGenius and shares the secret in today's podcast. #EventProfs will want to use the online assessment tool she recommends!🎤✨ No one knows the art of persuasion and how to read an audience better than her. With nearly 20 years of on-camera experience at the Home Shopping Network, where she generated $160 million in sales, Carolyn is a sales and persuasion expert who has collaborated with top experts in business strategy, gender communication, and marketplace transactions. Her energy, expertise, and experience behind television cameras translate to her role as a moderator and emcee in front of every type of conference audience. Take advantage of our information-packed conversation and find out why she's so in demand with #EventProfs as we talk about these topics and more: Her favorite scripts and tips for #EventProfs to use when managing up How to get the most productivity and joy from work and become a #WorkingGenius The mastery that's most important in professional moderators and emcees The significance of curated content and connecting with audiences 💬 What's your favorite tip for managing up? Listen to the episode and share your insight with us!

🪄 Meet Nicola Kastner, a renowned event strategist known for creating impactful experiences. With a wealth of advisory experience and a commitment to data-driven approaches, Nicola is poised to transform her clients' events. She firmly believes that a strategic framework should guide every event tactic. We're exploring many topics today, including: The changing dialogue and mindset within our industry about the powerful impact of events; The definition of a successful event and how relevant content plays a critical role in driving impact; The advantages for #EventProfs in collaborating with speaker consultants (like The Keynote Curators) to select keynote speakers that bring relevance and credibility to events. Before founding The Event Strategist, Nicola held various roles in brand and agency settings. As the Global VP of Event Marketing Strategy at SAP, she crafted and optimized event strategies for gatherings ranging from 25 to 25,000 attendees. 🌟 Nicola's contributions to the industry have earned her recognition, including induction into the Canadian Meeting Hall of Fame, acknowledgment as a "Top Woman in Events" by Event Marketer Magazine, and inclusion in Eventible and Bizzabo's "2022 Top Event Marketers" lists. #eventstrategy #eventstrategist #powerofevents #impactfulevents #EventProfs

What Ted Lasso Teaches Us About Authenticity?​🎧 Join me as I engage in a thought-provoking conversation with my longtime friend Jack Hannibal, a former acting instructor turned psychotherapist, presentation coach, and mindfulness meditation instructor. Our discussion spans from the unassuming wisdom and complex layers of Ted Lasso and the crucial role of authenticity in today’s world to the pursuit of happiness and the habitual patterns we find ourselves in within our relationships.🎭✨ Jack’s journey is truly inspiring. His 20-year career as a professional actor and presentation coach, working with esteemed clients like Twentieth Century Fox and Sony Picture, honed his skills and deepened his understanding of our shared humanity. This profound realization paved the way for his transition into mindfulness meditation and psychotherapy, where he continues to make a significant impact.This conversation was particularly enriching for me, and I hope it offers you valuable insights and resonates with your journey toward personal growth.#eventprofs #authenticity #emotionalintelligence #personalgrowth #sharedhumanity

🎧 Drawing from her extensive experience orchestrating content, strategy, production, and logistics for the most influential tech event in the world, Kara Dickerson has established herself as a prominent figure at the nexus of technology, marketing, and event management. ✨ Today, as the founder of Content with Impact, Kara leverages her expertise to help global brands and event organizers enhance visibility and drive revenue through impactful speaking engagements and purposeful programming. 🚀 With a wealth of knowledge in strategic planning, event execution, and audience engagement initiatives, Kara and I delve into a broad spectrum of topics, ranging from her client engagements aimed at shaping forward-thinking event content creation strategies to the essential elements that elevate a keynote presentation to memorable heights. #eventprofs #eventinsight #contentwithimpact #eventindustryexperts #eventmanagement

Emotional health and well-being are taking center stage in the events industry. Today’s guest, Janice Cardinale, founded Event Minds Matter, a revolutionary community where like-minded event professionals are actively "building brave spaces to amplify the industry's conversation on mental health and wellness." Today, we're diving into this important dialogue and others, including: Psychological safety, trust in leadership, and human sustainability The importance of emotional health and well-being training for CMPs The fact that event planning is considered the 6th most stressful career, but only the first five are mandated for mental health training How burnout is a hidden consequence of emotional health repression The strategies that event professionals can incorporate into events that expand one’s emotional fitness muscle Janice is a trailblazer recognized as one of the Top 100 Most Influential People in the events industry by the 2023 EVENTEX INDEX and has graced BizBash's "15 over 50" list, solidifying her position as a force to be reckoned with. Her relentless creativity, visionary prowess, and capacity for innovation have secured her a place in the 2023 Smart Women in Meetings Hall of Fame, and she’s a leader propelling the events industry forward. Don’t miss her insights on emotional health and wellness within our industry. #eventmindsmatter #mentalhealthwellness #wellbeing #emotionalhealth #EventProfs