Smiley is one of the top future of work, company culture & workplace belonging keynote speakers in the world for the meetings and events industry.

Meetings & Events Industry Keynotes

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Future of Work Keynote Speaker for the Meetings & Events Industry Specializing in Workplace Culture, Team Connection & Belonging

Belonging is the Future of Meetings & Events

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The meetings and events industry in 2025 is driven by a commitment to deliver memorable and immersive attendee experiences, and create opportunities for firsts and trying new things. AI is transforming event planning and execution, with a focus on personalized customization for attendee agendas, programming, and networking opportunities. Flexibility and innovation are paramount, with a focus on health and well-being, sustainability, exciting travel destinations, locally-crafted experiences, virtual options for global teams, and experimenting with advanced technologies like AR and VR.

Meeting professionals and event planners 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; the value of meaningful human connection increases exponentially and business is about building belonging for your people, your customers, 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 meeting professionals and events industry leaders to create transformative experiences, attract and retain top talent, increase attendee connection, engage high-performing teams, and create a workplace culture of belonging.

Speaking Reels and Event Sizzles

Belonging in the Future of Work: Event Recap

Culture of Human Connection: Event Recap

2025 Keynote Preview: Smiley’s Most Requested Keynote

2025 Speaker Reel

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Keynote Topics for Meetings & Events Industry.

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How Meeting and Event Planners Can Create Memorable Experiences, Build High-Value Relationships, and Foster Belonging for Attendees in a Digital-First AI-World

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Building Authentic Human Connection and Community at Meetings and Events in a Hybrid World of AI, Overwhelm, and Distraction

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How to Attract, Retain, and Engage Top Talent Across Generations and Thrive in the Future of the Meetings and Events Industry

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Building High-Performing Teams to Adapt to Rapid Change, Transform Culture and Drive Human-Centered Growth in the New World of Work

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Building a Care-Driven Experience to Deepen Client Relationships and Improve Employee and Attendee Well-Being, Connection, and Engagement in the of Hybrid, AI, and Burnout

Speaking Clips

The Power of Talking to Strangers

Leading Teams in the Age of AI

Loneliness at Work

Team Psychological Safety at Work

The Power of Making the Ask

Why Belonging Matters

Generational Differences

Flexibility at Work

Belonging is Everyone’s Job

Start Caring for Others

Build a Culture of Care

The Power of Belonging

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.”

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“One of the Top 12 Speakers who will inspire you.”

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Empowering World-Class Meeting Professionals and Event Planners to Thrive

Next Steps to Book Smiley as your Meetings & Events 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. 

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