Smiley is one of the top future of work, company culture & workplace belonging keynote speakers in the world for the associations industry.
Associations Industry Keynotes
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“Smiley was an outstanding opening keynote speaker for us."
-Meredith Rollins, Executive Director, PCMA Foundation -
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“Smiley was relatable, entertaining, engaging and offered practical takeaways. He knew how to captivate a crowd and shared relevant research, practical tips and best practices that everyone, no matter level or experience, could take back to their teams to implement. He customized for the association industry and was a pleasure to work with.”
- Alec Rosofsky, CAE, CMP, Director of Learning & Events, Association Forum
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“Smiley shared cutting-edge data, insights, and actionable tips on navigating the multigenerational workforce, hybrid work, AI's impact on employees, and how to build a culture of belonging in challenging times. Smiley also dedicated additional time to interviewing multiple EO members, integrating their insights on work culture into the content to tailor it for our audience. Best of all, many of our members have already begun implementing Smiley's ideas and strategies at their companies. .”
- Jess Owens, Learning Manager, Entrepreneurs Organization (EO) -
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“Smiley gave an incredible keynote and workshop at our annual ACAM-CEO Mindshare Retreat. His insights and perspectives left a lasting impact on the entire audience. Smiley's ability to connect with the audience and convey complex ideas in a relatable and practical manner was amazing. Not only that, Smiley took the time get to know our attendees and industry prior to the conference and gracefully address challenging and complex questions during his workshop. Our audience loved everything about Smiley's session and our attendees walked away with valuable tools to take back to their offices and implement immediately.”
- Andrea Daigle, Executive Director, ACAM-CEO -
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“Smiley provided key takeaways on the cross-generational workforce and engagement for the future in a clear, actionable way. One of our best speakers on this topic!”
- Tina Marie Wehmeir, CMP, CAE, Chief Executive Officer, AMC Institute -
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“Energetic, inspiring, thought provoking, and fantastic. Smiley provided practical and actionable tips to bridge generational gaps and build a high-performing culture of belonging. Smiley was easy to work with, stayed for a breakout Q&A with CEOs, and showed up fully for our employee owners."
- Amanda Rushing, Vice President of Events & Education, The ESOP Association
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“It was absolutely a pleasure to work with Smiley and his team. Smiley was a HUGE hit! Smiley really took the time to get to know us, our member organizations, and our industry's challenges; so impressive, and so much appreciated by our attendees, a 10!”
- Joyce MacDonald, President & CEO, Greater Public
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Keynote Speaker for the Associations Industry Specializing in Workplace Culture, Collaboration, Team Connection & Belonging in the Future of Work
The Future of Associations is Human Connection
The associations industry in 2025 is driven by a commitment to attract new Gen Z members while engaging members across generations, and deliver memorable and immersive member experiences at meetings and events, amidst rapid technological change and disruption. AI is transforming association membership, with a focus on creating highly-customized and personalized programming and learning opportunities for members, hybrid and virtual networking, and diversifying revenue streams beyond traditional membership dues. Flexibility and innovation are paramount to prioritize financial sustainability, navigate complex regulatory environments, and improve well-being in the age of distraction and overwhelm.
Association leaders have a critical role in the Age of AI and Overwhelm: to harness the power of human connection to drive profitable growth and business innovation. With so many coworkers and colleagues not seeing each other regularly in a hybrid workplace, meetings and events have become the new office. The annual meeting isn’t just a meeting. It’s the most critical moment of the year.
In a nonstop, disengaged, overwhelmed workplace; with wall-to-wall Zoom meetings, 24/7 Teams messages, AI agents, and the rapid adoption of GenAI & ChatGPT; the value of meaningful human connection increases exponentially and business is about building belonging for your people, your event attendees, your partners and stakeholders, and your community. High-levels of employee belonging create a 56% increase in job performance, lead to a 50% drop in turnover risk, and can save a company $52 million a year.
Smiley’s practical keynotes provide an actionable toolkit for associations industry leaders to create transformative experiences, attract and retain new and existing members, increase membership connection and engagement, engage high-performing teams, and create a workplace culture of belonging at our associations and our member organizations.
Speaking Reels
Belonging in the Future of Work: Event Recap
Human Connection in the Age of AI: Event Recap
Culture of Human Connection: Event Recap
2025 Keynote Preview
2025 Speaker Reel
Keynote Topics for Associations Industry.
How Meeting and Event Planners Can Increase Member Engagement, Build High-Value Relationships, and Create Belonging in a Digital World
Building Connection, Value and Community at Associations in the Age of Disruption, AI, and Evolving Member Expectations
How to Attract, Retain, and Engage Members Across Generations and Thrive in the Future of the Associations Industry
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Building High-Performing Teams to Adapt to Rapid Change, Transform Culture and Drive Member-Centered Growth in the Evolving Associations Industry
Building a Care-Driven Member Experience to Deepen Relationships, Foster Connection, Improve Well-Being, and Increase Member Engagement in the of Era of Hybrid, AI, and Burnout
Speaking Clips
The Power of Making the Ask
Leading Teams in the Age of AI
Human Connection in the Age of AI
Team Psychological Safety
A Culture of Making the Ask
Create a Sense of Belonging
Communicate Across Generations
Flexibility at Work
Belonging is Everyone’s Job
Start Caring for Others
Culture of Care
Employee Engagement
The Business Value of Belonging
Culture Transformation
From Hustle to Human Connection
The Myth About Workplace Belonging
Audience Customization Example
Hybrid is How We Connect
8 Reasons to Book Smiley to Speak
Smiley’s practical keynote talks are action-based and designed to increase workplace connection and build better relationships starting today.
All smiles, humble, kind, and drama-free.
Smiley delivers a memorable performance.
Seasoned Future of Work thought leader, trusted by the world’s leading meeting professionals, associations, event planners, and companies.
Resonates across generations with youthful expertise, positive energy, and practical tips.
Globally recognized expert on friendship, workplace culture, belonging and human connection.
Champion for human connection and building high-value relationships in the Age of AI.
Smiley goes above and beyond.
“One of the Top Human Resources Keynote Speakers.”
“One of the Top 12 Speakers who will inspire you.”
Empowering World-Class Associations and Association Leaders and Members to Thrive
Next Steps to Book Smiley as your Associations Industry Keynote Speaker
Reach Out
Complete the Speaker Request Form to share your event details and confirm Smiley’s availability.
Prep
We’ll schedule a pre-event call so you can share your event’s goals and how Smiley can best customize his presentation to meet your audience’s unique needs and priorities. If needed, we’ll also schedule a prep call two weeks before the event to go over logistics and A/V, and make sure everyone is ready to go.
Customize
Smiley will schedule several additional calls with leaders, clients, key stakeholders, or employees, so he can build their personal stories and wisdom into his presentation, to make it resonate perfectly with your audience.
In addition to delivering an outstanding and highly actionable motivational keynote presentation, Smiley will show up for your people. Whenever possible, he’ll stay for client dinners, attend post-event cocktail receptions, moderate Q&As or discussion groups, sign books, do video interviews or podcasts, and make cross-promotional social media posts.
Show Up
After his presentation, Smiley will share his slides and create a custom 1-pager with key takeaways, article links, recommended books, and follow-on resources for audiences to engage with after his talk. Smiley will review audience feedback, and is happy to discuss planning a 6-month follow-up discussion group or interactive workshop, so your team can keep fostering belonging at work, long after Smiley’s keynote.
