ASAE SPEAKER HALL OF FAME • 1,500+ KEYNOTES DELIVERED

Keynote

Speaking

A great keynote should give people something worth taking back to work. That is the standard I bring to every presentation.

Every program is built around your event goals, your audience, and what you want people to do differently when they leave. I do not deliver off-the-shelf presentations. Every presentation is built specifically for your audience.

I have delivered more than 1,500 keynote presentations, from small executive team sessions to main-stage events of up to 10,000 attendees. I am a member of the ASAE Speaker Hall of Fame and was named by Inc. Magazine as one of "100 Great Leadership Speakers for Your Next Conference." I have presented in more than 40 countries for organizations ranging from startups to Fortune 10 enterprises.

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Built Around the Outcome You Want

Before I develop a presentation, I want to understand what success looks like for you. What does your audience need? What are they dealing with? What do you want them to understand? And what do you hope they will do differently afterward?

Those answers shape the presentation. I don't deliver the same speech to every audience. I adjust the emphasis and examples, create new slides, combine material from different programs, or develop new content when the situation calls for it.

The objective is to make the presentation as relevant to your audience as possible.

More Than a Keynote

I work on a daily rate, which gives you the flexibility to make the most of my time at your event. In addition to the keynote, that might include breakout sessions, workshops, executive discussions, panels, podcasts, interviews, sponsor events, or other activities you have planned that day.

One day. One speaking fee.
More ways to create value for your audience and organization.

Extending the Impact Before and After the Keynote

Every engagement includes additional resources and support designed to reinforce the ideas from the presentation and help attendees continue using what they learned after the event.

Pre-event planning with your conference or leadership team
Custom slides, frameworks, and practical tools
A custom pre-event video to help build interest and attendance
A custom resource page with slides, white papers, videos, worksheets, and additional material
A custom follow-up video reinforcing key ideas from the presentation
Direct access to me after the event if attendees have questions

Business Expertise That Works from the Stage

I draw on more than 35 years of working directly with leadership teams to bring stories, examples, and frameworks that make every presentation feel immediately relevant to the people in the room. Complex business and leadership ideas become clear, practical, and memorable.

People will enjoy the presentation, but they will also leave knowing what to do with what they learned.

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Keynote Topics

These are some of the subjects I speak about most often. Each can be delivered as a keynote, breakout session, or workshop.

The Future of Leadership

What great leaders will need to succeed in the years ahead.

High-Performance Teams

The essential elements of teams that consistently deliver exceptional results.

Culture Matters

How to build a culture that attracts talented people, creates engagement, and maintains high standards.

Strategic Thinking

How to sharpen strategic focus, make better choices, and create meaningful competitive advantage.

The Formula for Business Excellence

The foundational elements organizations need to get right to achieve sustained success.

Leadership as Stewardship

A practical approach to leading with responsibility for both current performance and the long-term health of the organization.

Building Resilience

How individuals and organizations can strengthen adaptability and perform effectively through uncertainty and change.

Strategies for Success

A strategic planning process for your life that helps you examine your values, priorities, goals, and the direction you want your life to take.

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Common Questions

Do you customize the keynote for our event?

Yes, always. I don't deliver the same speech to every audience. Before I build anything, I want to understand your goals, your audience, and what you want people to do differently afterward, and I shape the emphasis, examples, and slides around that.

How does your speaking fee work?

I work on a daily rate rather than a per-session fee. That one day can also include breakout sessions, workshops, executive discussions, panels, podcasts, or interviews, so you get more value from the same investment.

Can a topic be delivered as a workshop or breakout?

Yes. Each topic can be delivered as a keynote, a breakout session, or a workshop, and I often adapt or combine material to fit your format and the time you have.

testimonials

What Clients Say

“I have had the utmost pleasure of working with John Spence several times as a keynote speaker and each time was phenomenal. John keeps the audience completely engaged and provides a myriad of takeaways that leave members feeling motivated and inspired. John and his team are a delight to work with and always make my job easier while making me look good.”

Anne Swanson, CMP

Event Manager
United States Swim Schools Association

“John Spence delivers. He delivers more content per hour than just about anyone I can think of. His delivery is engaging and brings people together in creative ways so that they learn and enjoy the experience. I have worked with John multiple times over the years and could not be happier with the outcome each time.”

Amith Nagarajan

Chairman
Blue Cypress

“I have had the pleasure of knowing John for nearly 20 years. He excels at running sessions and infectiously motivates participants. John is an expert in effective business strategies, and his honesty helps him get the most out of everyone he interacts with. He is an outstanding human being of the highest integrity.”

Bill Davidson

Chief Operating Officer
Amionx

Let's Talk About Your Event

If you're considering John for an upcoming conference, meeting, or leadership event, tell us about your audience and what you would like to accomplish. My team and I will help you determine the topic, format, and approach that best fit your objectives.

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