ONE WORD: FACULTY

DARREN LACROIX, CSP, AS, WCPS

In 2001, Darren LaCroix, the World Champion of Public Speaking, outspoke 25,000 contestants from 14 countries to win that title. That was just a benchmark. Since that victory, Darren has traveled the world, demystifying the process of creating a powerful speech. He has roused audiences in faraway places like Saudi Arabia, China, Oman, Malaysia, and Taiwan with his inspirational journey from first-rate chump to first-class champ, proving anything is possible if you are willing to work for it.

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MARK BROWN, CSP, WCPS

Nationally acclaimed speaker Mark Brown is the 1995 World Champion of Public Speaking. He defeated more than 20,000 other contestants from 14 countries, in a grueling six-month long competition sponsored by Toastmasters International, the largest public speaking organization in the world. He has dedicated his career to delivering uplifting messages to people all over the world. With his “tell it like it is” approach, he challenges some of the most serious issues facing schools today. He uses a unique combination of humor and poignancy to reach the most diverse audiences, and he is committed to continually inspiring people from all walks of life.

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FORD SAEKS, CSP, Hall of Fame Keynote Speaker

Ford Saeks has redefined the formula for business success. His efforts have helped companies generate a total of over a billion dollars in sales worldwide. From start-ups to Fortune 500’s, Saeks is widely recognized as a Business Growth Profit Innovator. With over 20 years’ experience (ranging from retail to wholesale), he has founded over ten companies, authored four books, secured three U.S. patents, and received numerous industry awards.

Tenacity and innovation are what fuels this revenue-generating powerhouse. From grassroots to Google, Ford provides his clients with fresh perspectives and doable tactics to resolve marketing, operations, and growth challenges. As President and CEO of Prime Concepts Group, Inc., an integrated marketing services firm, Ford specializes in helping businesses attract loyal and repeat buyers, monetize social media, and ignite creativity.

MICHAEL HAUGE

MICHAEL HAUGE helps business leaders, entrepreneurs and speakers stand apart from their competition, multiply their revenue and grow their businesses by telling emotionally powerful stories. He has been one of Hollywood’s top story experts since 1985, and has empowered countless screenwriters, filmmakers and novelists to improve their stories, advance their careers, and reach huge audiences. Michael has consulted on projects starring (among many others) Will Smith, Julia Roberts, Morgan Freeman, Charlize Theron, Alec Baldwin, Chris Pine and Margot Robbie. Applying those same, powerful storytelling principles, Michael coaches executives, consultants, speakers and marketers on using story to transform the lives of their audiences, clients and customers.

Michael is the best selling author of Storytelling Made Easy: Persuade and Transform Your Audiences, Buyers and Clients – Simply, Quickly and Profitably. Michael has presented seminars, lectures and keynotes in person and online to more than 100,000 participants worldwide. According to Will Smith, “No one is better than Michael Hauge at finding what is most authentic in every moment of a story.”

KEVIN BURKE

Kevin Burke, Las Vegas Headliner & Guinness World Record Holder. He is the star of the Vegas comedy show, Defending the Caveman. This show holds the record as the longest-running solo play in Broadway history and the longest-running Broadway play in the history of Las Vegas!

A native of Chicago, Kevin has been featured on Oprah, The CBS Morning News, NPR’s Talk of the Nation, TheDr. Laura Berman Show on XM Satellite Radio, NBC-TV’s Friday Night, and ABC-TV’s America’s Funniest People which awarded Kevin its grand prize.

ED TATE, CSP, WCPS

Ed Tate is a former training director for Rocky Mountain News. He started his professional speaking career working for a popular seminar company. Ed’s success in business has spanned more than two decades. For 14 years, he was a successful national account executive, selling over $500 million in products and services to corporations and entrepreneurs throughout the United States. In 1998, he formed his company, Ed Tate & Associates, LLC, a professional development firm that provides keynote and endnote presentations and workshops. His tools and expertise are in the areas of leadership, executive presentation skills, challenges of change, management, and sales presentation skills. He is known as “the speaker who energizes, educates, and entertains.”

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JENNIFER LEONE, WORLD-CLASS SPEAKING COACH

Jennifer Leone has assisted many people in small businesses, in large corporations, in non-profit organizations, and individually to improve public speaking and presentation skills for people of different positions, ages, and backgrounds. Once you meet Jennifer you will see that she is passionate about what she does and will go the extra mile in helping you to “let your light shine.” Jennifer’s style of teaching is very much her own, and that style is creative and entertaining. Her seminars are motivating, educational, and filled with all the information you require to be a better speaker, presenter, and communicator.

Jennifer is eager to show you how committed she is to helping you achieve your own personal speaking style.

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MIKE DAVIS, CERTIFIED WORLD-CLASS SPEAKING COACH

When asked how he earned the moniker “The Storytelling MD,” Michael Davis replies, “Although I greatly admire the work doctors do to earn their MD, I took a different route. I didn’t go to school for 8, 10, or 12 years. I have studied public speaking and storytelling skills since 2001.  Also, I was born with the initials MD.  Combine the two, and you get ‘The Storytelling MD.’”

Michael’s passion for storytelling and public speaking was not obvious early in his life. As a child, he was shy and reserved, not an indication he would grow up to be a professional public speaker and presentation skills coach.

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