Typically 1 to 2 hours, but can range from 30 minutes to 4 hours

The primary focus for most keynote speeches (45 – 75 minutes) is to set the tone for your event and make it entertaining and memorable. Due to the limited time, less focus is placed on technical knowledge or lasting change in the organization. The successful keynote speaker will provide energy, humor, entertainment, and an improved mindset to your audience, while also complementing your event objectives and “setting up” the other speakers for success. Extended keynotes (1 1/2 - 2 1/2 hours) include the same energy and entertainment, however the extra time is spent focusing on improving the collective mindset of the group and their overall level of performance by adding some specific training or insights directly related to the customer’s current issues and needs. A longer event, say 3 to 4 hours, allows the speaker to leverage the relationship and rapport developed with the group in the first half of the program to go past just entertainment and awareness of new concepts. In the longer programs, the speaker can go deeper into important content and add relevant exercises that increases understanding (knowledge), develops new skills (abilities), challenges past conditioning (habits), and ultimately changes behavior (action) that leads to better performance and life fulfillment.

Audience participation and interactive exercises in a keynote are typically limited to simple “call backs” and quick interaction with a neighbor. The extra time provided with an extended keynote allows for more audience participation, but it is still limited when compared to the half day or full day events. The size of the group and the setting for the event also play a factor when considering exercises and audience participation.

By their very nature, keynote speeches require that the speaker and the message be extremely efficient and professionally delivered. To generate maximum impact from every precious minute, most keynotes are based on time-tested, well-crafted material that the speaker has used many times before. The better speakers will also seamlessly weave the customer’s current needs, objectives, and relevant issues into their standard content, making it feel fresh and relevant to the audience.

Even the customized component of the program, which is unique to each customer’s specific needs, should be information the speaker is confident in presenting based on years of experience in that area, with stage material that has been “road tested” for demonstrating value and audience approval.

A single phone call is usually all that is needed for a professional speaker to be successful with any length keynote. However, it is important that the appropriate business leaders be on the pre-event call, not simply the event planner(s) or interested third parties. Since material is being added to address the specific needs of the group, the speaker needs to speak directly with the business leaders that best understand the issues the company is facing.

As an added value to the client, Doug Hanson provides a highly efficient and unique optional online assessment tool. It will not only help direct and solidify the direction of the message, but also provide relevant data for the executive leadership about the needs and wants of their employees.

The most compelling reason you’ll want Doug for your next keynote event is because of his engaging and entertaining style. The key to any speaker's success is their ability to quickly build rapport with the audience. This is where Doug really stands out. Virtually all of Doug’s customers have him come back again and again as their keynote speaker. They most often cite his breadth of content, humble spirit, real life stories, humor, energy, easy to apply distinctions, and ability to associate with the audience as the reasons they keep having him back. Doug has the ability to make your group think, inspire them to improve, and touch their heart as well as their funny bone.

Doug does not approach keynote speeches in the traditional way. He does not have a “canned” speech with a generic motivational message. He has a variety of topics he has refined from his real life experiences as a business man, consultant, top sales executive, collegiate athlete, father of four successful children, marriage of 20+ years, experience as a show director for ESPN televised sporting events, author of several books, and entrepreneur of his own company. His commitment to excellence and his work ethic are second to none. He will over prepare to ensure your event is a success.

When you call our offices about your event, you will not be transferred to a sales person. Instead, we will quickly discuss your needs and answer your immediate questions. Then we will schedule a time for you to speak with Doug personally so the two of you can get to know each other and discuss your event in more detail. Doug is masterful at making these calls beneficial for his clients, whether they actually book him or not. Right from the start you will hear his appreciation for your call and his genuine enthusiasm about your event. Then, through a casual conversation and a series of stimulating questions, Doug will crystallize the specifics of your culture and your group, and how he would complement your event objectives. He will then share some specific insights and possible content for his portion of the event. He’ll make suggestions about the balance of entertainment (fun) and content (learning), types of exercises, and the overall flow of his presentation, including ideas for energy, inspiration, humor, surprises, video clips, activities, and calls to action. If you are interested, you can also leverage Doug’s years of event experience. Doug loves to answer questions and offer tips on event logistics and ideas to maximize your event’s impact such as possible themes, slogans, music, decorations, skits, interactive exercises, parting gifts, and ways to “anchor the event” so it stays alive long after people return home.

Doug has given keynote speeches for companies of all sizes from small groups such as a 15 person retreat, to large audiences like the 6,000 people he addressed in Reliant Stadium in preparation for Super Bowl XXXVIII. His programs have been acclaimed by people from all levels of business including executive leaders, directors, all levels of management, medical professionals, researcher scientist, sales groups, IT professionals, customer service representatives, office administrators and front line workers. And, Doug has addressed companies from a variety of industries including:

• Construction (Beazer Homes, David Powers Custom Builders)
• Consumer Products (Coca-Cola, Proctor & Gamble, Insight, Whole Foods)
• Energy (Occidental, Coastal, Weatherford, Puffer-Sweiven)
• Financial Services (US Bank, H&R Block, HD Vest, 1st Global)
• Hospitality/Restaurants (Drury Inn, Rubio's Restaurant)
• Medical (Roche, Kindred Healthcare, Abbott Labs, Clarient)
• Professional Sports Franchises (Houston Texans, NFL, NASCAR Facilities)
• Real Estate (Stewart Title, Chicago Title, First American Title, Re/Max)
• Software Development (Ventyx, JD Edwards)
• Telecommunications (Verizon, US Cellular, MCI)
• Transportation (Southwest Airlines, DHL Globalmail)
• Universities (University of Texas, Texas A&M, Graceland University)
• Many More