The Civic Hall

The Speaking Guild helps event planners book professional keynote speakers, conference emcees, moderators, coaches, and subject-matter experts for corporate meetings, association conferences, leadership retreats, awards dinners, and virtual events. Our speakers cover cybersecurity, AI, leadership, communication, disability inclusion, healthcare resilience, entertainment, and customer experience.

Educational and entertaining keynote that blends cybersecurity with mentalism. Gary S. Chan is a performing mentalist known for blending keen insight, psychology, and a touch of mystery into unforgettable experiences for his audiences. Gary's presentation explores the intersection of deception, intuition, and the human mind. Whether in intimate gatherings or larger venues, his style emphasizes connection, wonder, and the deeper mysteries behind what it means to think and believe. Testimonials: • “Gary performed as a keynote for a conference I help organize and he was awesome! The audience loved him and his presentation was wonderful. He was also really easy to work with and an amazing professional.” – Alex W. • “In addition to his phenomenal stage performance, Gary was great to work with behind the scenes as we discussed the finer details around planning the event. His show is well-designed and planned to perfection, and he comes ready with everything needed to deliver a high-value performance.” - Jodi S. • “Gary was a keynote speaker at the annual Gateway to Innovation conference in St. Louis. Gary was very easy to work with prior to the conference. He was very responsive on all communication and questions. Gary delivered a great keynote with mind-boggling exercises that engaged the entire audience of 1,500 attendees. The audience participation, exercises, and messaging all worked very well together in delivering an awesome presentation.” - David K. • “Gary recently performed a mentalist act at our company meeting with over 500 people in attendance and had everyone laughing and at the edge of their seat! Fabulous 5 star performance, very creative, highly recommended!” – Jamie B. Speech Summary: Another day, another phish. With the advancement of research in psychological behavior and tools like ChatGPT, it is increasingly difficult for organizations to protect themselves from their weakest link — their employees. What happens when one moves beyond phishing emails to predictive analytics? Find out with acclaimed mentalist Gary S. Chan, a mind-reader who will show you that it's possible to predict human behavior under real-world conditions and influence people to "freely" make the choices you want. This is social engineering on a completely different level. This is . . . Extreme Social Engineering. https://gschan2000.com Learning Objectives: • Increased awareness and appreciation for the breadth and effectiveness of social engineering • Importance of being observant and skeptical Trailer (with audio): https://gschan2000.com/trailer Sample video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBKSgSyvubk Past reviews: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Gary+the+Mentalist/@38.6731679,-90.4346444,17z/data=!4m7!3m6!1s0x8adf5b5e31f7d53b:0x1abdd10387defa8e!8m2!3d38.6731679!4d-90.4346444!9m1!1b1 Bio: Gary S. Chan is a security mentalist, an intellectual who uses game theory and math to predict and influence people. As a highly sought after speaker, Gary’s unique approach blends cybersecurity with the magic of mentalism to help audiences around the world learn to be more observant of how criminals use predictable human behavior to exploit others for gain. Gary is trained in behavioral profiling, conflict management, negotiation, interrogation, and mediation. He is currently System VP and CISO at a large US-based healthcare system, has architected anti-fraud systems for state agencies, has led the information security teams for a large-cap technology company, and was an evaluator and mentor for cybersecurity start-ups as part of a venture capital fund. He served as President of the FBI St. Louis Citizens Academy Alumni Association and Technology Officer for the Greater St. Louis Association of Certified Fraud Examiners. He holds four security certifications and a degree in Electrical Engineering & Computer Science from MIT. Washington University article about Gary: https://commonreader.wustl.edu/how-to-become-a-mentalist/ Insured by Specialty Insurance Agency as a mentalist, emcee, and public speaker while in the US. Proof of insurance available.

Bring your team together through the power of creativity! Your offsite, office, retreat, virtual - or at our home studio in Austin, TX.

The Agility Groups’ interactive keynotes and workshops lead audiences through activities and exercises that give them the Three Rules of Improvisation: Deep Listening, Being Present in the Moment, and Collaboration that “Yes …and” brings. Instead of learning about comedy they learn how to be agile when needed. The bottom line? Our keynotes & workshops deliver increased trust and a culture of innovation for your group - the drivers of success.

Music for any event, from chill and romantic to party and interactive shows! A born showman, Kevin DelMastro brings a visual and musical spectacle to lounges, cocktail parties, weddings, romantic dates, and corporate events. Offering jazz, Latin, soul, dance, and instrumentals of pop and rock favorites, Kevin loves entertaining and starting the party with his big sax sound and professional backing tracks. He specializes in giving a unique experience to his clients by catering to their taste and style. If the event is mellow, he blends in with smooth background music. If the event is high-energy, he amps it up with high energy music, often dancing with guests as he plays. Engaging, personable, and dynamic, Kevin was the featured entertainer at UC San Diego’s commencement ceremony in front of 7000 people, pushing the limits of audience engagement, building epic solos, and creating the ultimate show. Based in San Diego, California, he travels to any market worldwide.

Since 2001, ParsonsKellogg has stood apart in the $30 billion promotional products industry. Our “right size” means we are large enough to wield sourcing leverage and small enough to focus intently on each client. We deliver excellent products and services efficiently, expertly and easily and have earned our place as a top-50 distributor of promotional products by making your priorities our priorities.

For over 40 years, Magicorp has been the largest agency of magicians and mentalists in the world, bringing exceptional talent to events of every kind. From intimate cocktail parties to Fortune 500 events, our performers—including engaging magicians, mentalists, and MCs—know how to captivate a room, spark conversation, and create unforgettable moments. What sets us apart is our deep knowledge of both performers and events. We don’t just send talent—we thoughtfully match the right performer to your audience, energy, and goals, ensuring the experience feels seamless and perfectly suited to your event. With a global roster of world-class artists, we’re here to help you transform a typical gathering into something guests will truly remember.

If you need a high-impact experience that scales effortlessly from intimate teams to large-format corporate events—Pour Paint Party delivers. Our turnkey creative sessions consistently generate exceptional engagement, whether for employee appreciation, global hybrid events, or large-volume gifting experiences shipped worldwide. One recent holiday program continues to be referenced by leadership and staff weeks later, underscoring the lasting impact and shareability of the experience. PourPaint Party provides a fully managed process, professional facilitation, global kit fulfillment, and an inclusive activity design that works for every participant no artistic skill required.

Beckon Entertainment is a full-service event production and entertainment agency specializing in corporate conferences, brand activations, private concerts, and large-scale festivals. We leverage deep industry relationships and a high-touch approach to deliver turnkey solutions across event production, talent buying, and experiential strategy. Our team has partnered with global brands including Live Nation, Anheuser-Busch, MLS, Coca-Cola, and the NFL. From creative design and technical execution to securing world-class talent, Beckon simplifies the process and ensures every detail aligns with your vision to deliver maximum impact.