Topics: International Speakers Bureau, Inc. |
Fee Range: $10,001 to $15,000 (fee note) |
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 Biography: Take a good long look at Neal Petersen and you will see a man conditioned by the sea - lean, sinewy and strong. He greets people with a wide, self-confident smile that sets them at ease immediately and a firm handshake that lets them know he is a man of honor and determination. When he speaks, his is the voice of confidence, and listeners smile at the clipped melody borne of his youth in Cape Town, South Africa. Neal Petersen is a world class yachtsman who in 1999 circumnavigated the world solo in the 27,000-mile "Around Alone" sailing race. It is an unparalleled adventure, the longest, most extreme race for any man or woman, 27,000 miles in a boat, nine months at sea, alone and in a boat Neal built himself, some dubbed "the floating coffin" because of its small size. He is also a speaker whose message and style have been heralded by the American Fortune 100 elite, companies including IBM, Cisco, Motorola and many others. Petersen's keynote presentations are unique as he carries his treasure chest onto the platform - but it is the whole experience of booking Neal that makes him so special. He has demonstrated what can happen when one truly lives by goals, planning and preparation, believing that there are no obstacles so great that they cannot be overcome. In sharing his high-impact extraordinary adventure, Petersen delivers a powerful message that "In life there are no barriers - only solutions!" Petersen has over 12 years experience internationally delivering keynotes. He is known for his energy, humor, ability to hold the audience and deeply connect, adaptability and flexibility. Every keynote is customized, audiences walk away feeling they know him and share in his passion for life. And he is extremely easy to work with. Neal is also a founding partner in an investment bank and award winning author. Powerful messages includes: the importance of setting goals and achieving them through perseverance, determination, dedication; choosing conquest over adversity; learning to turn "perceived" disadvantages into advantages; the power of positive attitude and how it affects one's performance; and with choice there are consequences, so choose wisely. Petersen's goal is to be a part of a conference to assist meeting planners in generating maximum results for their audience. He is willing to do in-house welcome videos, build excitement, media appearances, executive breakfasts and any special requests a client may have to maximize audience impact. He is social and approachable and is often found mingling with guests after the keynote. They love it! He was rated the best speaker ever at IBM's Global Conference and, after the presentation to 8,000 attendees, Petersen personalized 1,000 copies of his award winning autobiography Journey of a Hope Merchant with a solid line out the door for 6 hours! It was IBM history making! Neal is a master storyteller and has a wonderful genuine spirit that captivates. Audiences find the key messages in his real life keynote are not just a topic - rather a realization of Neal's successes and everyday philosophy "In Life There Are No Barriers - Only Solutions" - they too can use it everyday. Petersen has appeared on ESPN, CNN, NPR; PBS has aired a documentary about his life, and thousands of newspaper and magazine articles and photos have been published in over 30 countries. His autobiography Journey of a Hope Merchant won the 2005 National Outdoor Book Award for best book of the year and can do book signings following the keynote. |
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Programs: Neal arrives by walking through the audience carrying a treasure chest to the stage. He does not speak from behind a podium, instead uses the stage as a platform, and at times interacts with his audience. The combination of the treasure chest, red sailing jacket and movie clips make his story come to life. His audience is on the edge of their seats enthralled with his real life adventure. Half way through Neal shows a powerful video - Rounding Cape Horn. Neal's real life story is unique, captivating, humorous, filled with valuable messages of perseverance, determination and dedication, "No Barriers, Only Solutions". His message is supported by his own insurmountable trials and successes and its Neal's engaging personality and captivating storytelling that engages his audience. Neal remains very visible and accessible after his keynotes, attending parties or just being around public spaces where the audience can come ask additional questions, chat, get autographs or photos with him. No Barriers - Only Solutions is Neal's driving theme. Through detailed research via conference calls and sometimes face to face meetings, Neal customizes every keynote to fit his client's theme, industry or company challenge - seamlessly. It's the content in the keynote and Neal's impeccable delivery that bring audiences to their feet and constantly give him standing ovations. |
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