Michael Aronin

Michael is a nationally acclaimed speaker who encourages people to improve their skills in the workplace while lifting their spirits and making them smile. Also a skilled comedian, he shows audience members how to get past personal shortcomings and move forward in their careers in entertaining and enlightening ways.

As a physically challenged member of the business community, Michael combines his personal experience with facts to provide a unique perspective on overcoming obstacles that goes far beyond "textbook knowledge." www.michaelaronin.com

 Luther Beauchamp, J.D.

            A short lawyer with a tall sense of humor, Luther delights hi(EmptyReference!)s audiences every time. Luther’s two books, I’ll Try to Be Short… and Legal Shorts…Not Briefs, are collections of humorous stories from Vanderbilt Law School, 30+ years of law practice, and his life experiences.

            In addition to his inspirational messages loaded with humor, Luther presents humor-filled seminars on estate planning. Here’s what one client said: “His material is side splitting funny as is. But he did his homework. He weaved in bits and pieces about our company and key individuals that made folks feel like he was part of the family.” www.LutherBeauchamp.com

Ronald P. Culberson, MSW, CSP

Ron, who is Director of Everything! at FUNsulting, etc., helps people have more FUN while preserving the integrity of the work they do and the lives they lead. He works with organizations that want their people to use humor to manage stress and be more effective.

An exrerienced hospice social worker, a senior manager, and a 20-year researcher of the benefits of humor, Ron has provided FUN presentations to 50,000+ people in more than 500 corporations, associations, government agencies, and non-profit organizations. www.FUNsulting.com

Tim Gard, CSP

Tim is fall-out-of-your-seat, tears-in-your-eyes, laugh-out-loud funny! He’s an outrageous speaker who uses props and brilliant timing to weave stories and playful moments into his presentations.

His interactive Comic Visions program gets people to adopt strategies that harness laughter in their lives. As a result, they learn to see the world through their own Comic Visions. Tim’s Toys (his fun and funny props) serve as visual reminders to act on—not react to— life’s stressful moments. 

From Singapore to Sioux City, Tim has been “cracking ’em up” as a professional speaker since 1984. As he says, “Remember, laughter becomes you." www.timgard.com

Izzy Gesell, MS Ed, CSP

Izzy is a keynote speaker, professional facilitator, and presentation coach. The author of PLAYING ALONG: Group Learning Activities Borrowed From Improvisation Theater, Izzy is among the first speakers to bring the concepts of improv theater into business.

Originally from Brooklyn, New York (where a sense of humor is a survival skill), he has earned a BA in psychology, an MS in education, and a P∑ (that’s 1/3 of a Ph.D.). Nationally known as an expert in helping organizations and their people prosper during changing times, his clients include NASA, Microsoft, the National Wellness Conference, and the Texas Dental Association. www.izzyg.com

Andy Hickman, CSP

Andy is a favorite speaker for most of the Fortune 100 companies in America. Perhaps his most important presentation was to the survivors of the Oklahoma City bombing.

Andy draws on his experience as a businessman who has owned three businesses simultaneously: a mortgage/finance company, a property management group, and a real estate development and construction company.

He honed his skills as a professional illusionist working with David Copperfield’s “Project Magic.” His keynotes and presentations combine clean humor, amazing magic, and customized messages that move people to action.

He is also the author of Stuff That Really Matters — Establishing Priorities for Your Business and Your Life.  www.andyhickman.com

Mark Mayfield, CSP, CPAE

A former corporate lobbyist and nightclub performer, Mark is one of America’s finest humorists. Content-based and comedy-driven, his presentations address serious stuff in a hilarious way. He is the author of the popular book Mom’s Rules, a comedic yet poignant look at those things “Mom” said to us when we were kids. Mark has been called “one of the very few, really funny, thought-provoking people in America today.” (His mother also said that after a small bribe.)

Mark has earned the Certified Speaking Professional designation and CPAE Speaker Hall of Fame recognition from the National Speakers Association. www.markmayfield.com

Brad Montgomery, CSP

Brad never planned to be a business humorist; he planned to be a lawyer. He decided to be a comic and magician for a while, then “get serious.” To date–as a hilarious motivational speaker and corporate entertainer—he’s still waiting to “get serious.”

Brad urges audience members to notice how their lives are filled with humor and magic. His programs are very funny, and leave his audiences with springs in their steps, and good feelings about themselves, the meeting, and the future.

He’s cracked-up folks in 47 states and on four continents. And although he’s proud of his many awards and national credits, he’s convinced his best “tricks” are his wife and three small kids. www.BradMontgomery.com

Brad Nieder, M.D.

Dr. Brad Nieder has successfully combined the seemingly disparate worlds of humor and health care. He has often been compared to the famous Patch Adams, as exemplified by this statement: “Compared to Patch Adams, Brad Nieder is not very famous.”

As an undergraduate student at Stanford University, Brad was a founding member of the SIMPS comedy troupe. While a medical student at the University of Colorado, he frequently performed stand-up comedy.  He then took his unique style to the Medical College of Virginia for his residency. Now a general practitioner in Denver, he travels throughout the country spreading his message that “Laughter is the Best Medicine.” www.healthyhumorist.com

Kathleen Keller Passanisi, PT, CSP

Recipient of the 2003 Lifetime Achievement Award from the Association for Applied and Therapeutic Humor, humorist Kathleen knows what she’s talking about. Not only is she funny and a quintessential platform presenter, she’s a licensed healthcare professional and an expert on the relationship between laughter and health.

Working with thousands of people each year, Kathleen shows them how to shift their perspective and find humor in everyday life. In a world forever changed by 9/11, she shares her tools for coping with the unexpected, the unavoidable, and, sometimes, the unbearable circumstances of life. www.kathleenpassanisi.com

Mike Rayburn

Mike is known as the “World’s Funniest Guitar Virtuoso.” A veteran of more than 4,000 presentations, Mike has headlined at Carnegie Hall four times, receiving standing ovations each time. In a readers’ poll of 3,400 colleges and universities, Mike was voted “America’s Campus Entertainer of the Year” three times in four years.

Using his hilarious songs and parodies, his amazing guitar creations, and a contagious zest for life, Mike challenges his audiences to leap beyond their perceived limitations. He draws from experiences as a comedian, adventurer, business owner, author, and philanthropist to deliver presentations that are inspirational and musically amazing. www.mikerayburn.com

Greg Risberg, CSP, MSW

Greg is a warm, funny motivational speaker whose presentations have been described as “hilariously informative.” Greg has addressed everyone from nurses and teachers to bankers and farmers, traveling to 48 states, as well as Canada, Great Britain, and Australia. In his “humor with a message” programs, Greg offers useful ways to improve communication, handle stress, and increase humor and hope in people's lives.

The National Speakers Association has recognized Greg as a Certified Speaking Professional. Greg has a B. A. degree in Psychology and a Master’s Degree in Social Work. He is the author of two books: Touch: A Personal Workbook and the soon-to-be-published 52 Ways To Fill Your Life with Humor, Happiness and Hope! www.gregrisberg.com

Craig J. Zablocki

A nationally known speaker and consultant, Craig has shared the platform with President George W. Bush, Tom Peters, and Al Gore. Craig presents to Fortune 500 companies, legislators, public service and healthcare professionals, college students, non-profit service organizations, and victims’ rights groups. He was the first outside speaker to address the student body of Columbine High School after its tragedy.

Craig inspires audience members to see life in a different way and to take action that brings positive results. One participant even wrote, “We should try to harness Craig’s energy—it could power a small city. His passion and commitment are contagious!" www.positivelyhumor.com