“Michael appeared at our ideas conference, ThinkFest, and his talk was the highlight of the day. His speech was eye-opening and entertaining, and his message – about how we became so divided and what we can do about it – is one I wish everyone in America, whether their politics are left, right or center, could hear. Michael was smart, funny and passionate, and we got a great response from our audience.”
Tom McGrath
Editor, Philadelphia Magazine
“Michael Smerconish was the keynote speaker at our annual Healthcare Summit in Philadelphia. His address was professionally, informative, and topical. He is an engaging speaker and approachable. Audience feedback was very positive. I would recommend Michael to anyone considering an event speaker.”
Elizabeth Campbell,
LLR Partners
“In November 2017, Michael spoke at the Walkers Fundamentals seminar in New York, addressing several hundred asset management professionals. Michael was dynamic, engaging and straight to the point. He presented a well researched view of the divisions in society and managed to be both balanced and extremely passionate at the same time. The audience raved.”
Ingrid Pierce,
Global Managing Partner, Walkers
“Michael spoke at our client event last night and it was a huge success. His comments were entertaining, enlightening and timely. He managed to present a picture of the current political environment without alienating people on either side of the political spectrum. Michael also took the time to engage with our guests before and after his prepared remarks. People left the event feeling like they gained some new perspectives on politics in the US, and were entertained along the way. Having Michael at our event helped us strengthen relationships with existing clients, and will hopefully open the doors to some new relationships as well. ”
Nick Filippo,
VP Sales and Marketing, Tower Bridge Advisors
“Phila EO Group had Michael as their keynote for their recent member recruiting event in Philadelphia. EO is a group of local business owners, and we needed Michael to present a balanced program that would interest all sides. And he did. His talk on the great party divide, what causes it and what can be done about it, was balanced and informative. Members commented on the amount of insider information shared by Michael, and it gave them a clearer understanding of the power that drives the government. Michael was also very generous with his time answering follow up questions, and even posing for individual pictures. Thanks again Michael for a fantastic evening.”
Bob Simpson,
EO Philadelphia Learning Chair
“Michael was the keynote speaker for our 2017 Annual Conference & Expo in Las Vegas, NV in early October and kicked off our event. Our attendees were excited to hear from him and to say that Michael exceeded expectations is an understatement. His delivery was flawless, energetic and entertaining. His synthesis and illustration of the substantial issues that confront our country were compelling and, as promised, refreshingly independent. Michael basically articulated what everyone was thinking. We have hosted many high profile speakers over our 30 years of Conferences but none have provided such straightforward insight in such an easily engaging and humorous style. We would have listened for several more hours had circumstances allowed.”
Edward P. D’Alessio,
Executive Director, Financial Service Centers of America (FiSCA)
“The evaluation results for Mr. Smerconish’s presentation were exceptional. Our members were attentive and engaged throughout his speech due to his innate ability to resonate and connect with the audience. His impartial perspective, relevant observations, and personal experiences provided a compelling analysis of our country’s political landscape. And as an added bonus, he even offered persuasive ideas as to what we can do to make the system work again. It was a “grand slam” event thanks to Mr. Smerconish’s presentation. A quote by an attendee sums up the sentiments of the audience — “He was fabulous and I could have listened to him forever.”
Anne Marie Matteo
Chief Executive Officer, Suburban West Realtors® Association
“With so many conferences being offered, the decision isn’t always about the budget, but your ROI! That ROI is multiplied when you attend and/or produce a conference that has a line-up of keynote speakers to inspire, inform and energize. That’s what Washington Speakers Bureau provided with Michael Smerconish for our annual conference. Michael was not only a dynamic speaker but also an engaging personality and very well received by all. He took time for photos with our attendees too as well as book signing and commentary. He was exceptional in every way.”
PerformRX
“Michael delivered the Howard Steele lecture at the 2017 annual meeting of the Scoliosis Research Society. The lecture is endowed to invite a speaker on a topic outside of medicine. Smerconish delivered beyond our wildest expectations. To an audience of 1000, many whom are critical reviewers and deliver many speeches, all were glued to the speaker and the message. It speaks to Michaels style – comfortable, immensely knowledgable , humorous and engaging. He defined the problem, presented data as well as charming anecdotes, and offered some potential solutions. The grade: A+.”
Todd Albert,
President Scoliosis Research Society
Surgeon In Chief, Hospital for Special Surgery, NY, NY
“During the last week of August 2017, Steel Market Update hosted our 7th SMU Steel Summit Conference for 660 manufacturing and steel distribution executives and Smerconish comments kept our attendees in their seats and glued to his every word.
Americans today are more likely to accept their child marrying a person of a different race than a person of a different political affiliation. Political “party-ism” is the new form of discrimination. It’s observations like this that make Michael Smerconish so interesting and engaging. He really puts the nation’s political divide into perspective and offers hope for the future. We highly recommend Smerconish for a fair and balanced view of the political divide that is the U.S.A. today.”
John Packard
President & CEO, Steel Market Update
“Michael Smerconish was the keynote speaker for our national conference of healthcare leaders, and his comments were superb. His visit coincided with the Senate’s widely publicized debate over Repeal and Replace, and Michael shared insights that were illuminating for our audience. As one of our guests noted, ‘Michael was a voice of reason in a cacophony of partisanship.”
Thornton Kirby,
President/CEO – The South Carolina Hospital Association (regarding a speech to the American Hospital Association leadership summit.)
“Michael Smerconish was the perfect guest speaker for our fundraiser. Great story teller. Engaging. Topical. Entertaining. Insightful. Approachable. We had a wonderful evening discussing politics and current political issues with Michael Smerconish that was pragmatic and substantive without being personal. Very refreshing.”
Bruce D. Armon,
President – Congregation Adath Jeshurun, Elkins Park, PA
“Michael Smerconish was the absolute hit of our annual meeting of bioscience financial officers. When you assemble close to 200 financial executives in one room at a time they are pondering what Washington will do next with healthcare, who are you going to call? Someone whose inside the beltway knowledge and unmatched storytelling abilities can light up a room. Michael did this and more.”
Lou Arcudi,
Co-Chair of 2017 ABFO National Conference
“Michael Smerconish’s talk at one of our recent events was absolutely superb. The audience was composed of individuals who are politically engaged and his remarks hit exactly the right tone. He was witty, insightful, impartial, and tremendously knowledgeable about the politics of the Commonwealth and the US. Highly recommend him.”
Gene Barr,
President – National Aircraft Finance Association (NAFA)
“Michael Smerconish’s keynote speech kicked off our annual conference this year and set the tone for what most of our members considered our best program ever. Michael’s unbiased approach to today’s political issues presented with humor, whit and sincerity were not only entertaining but thought provoking and enlightening. Extremely pleased we were fortunate enough to have him be part of our program this year and look forward to having him back in the near future.”
Chris Miller,
President and CEO – Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry
“Michael Smerconish’s presentation to Illinois Farm Bureau’s Governmental Affairs Leadership Conference was perfection. Our members couldn’t stop talking about the amount of information that was shared within a speech that kept them entertained and enthused. Our association is non-partisan and we try to provide different sides of stories to our membership. Michael did a wonderful job of opening our member’s eyes to new ideas while explaining his thought process. Michael was well received with this group of Illinois farmers.”
Richard Guebert, Jr.,
President, Illinois Farm Bureau
“Michael Smerconish’s keynote address at our IMPACT conference 3 weeks after the election was the talk of the conference. His analysis of Trump’s disruptive win and Clinton’s surprising loss shed light on the political climate that has been brewing over the past 30 years. Smerconish told an unbiased, relatable story that resonated with our audience. His insights were crucial to our attendee’s understanding of the current social landscape effecting their businesses.”
Sean Denham,
Office Managing Partner – Philadelphia, Grant Thornton LLP
“Michael Smerconish’s presention was well-received. The Attendees were engaged and interested. Afterwords, attendees said they loved it and could have listened for another hour.”
Kevin J Crenny,
Vice President – Federated Securities Corp
“Michael Smerconish gave a riveting keynote address that captivated the audience and sparked many thoughtful conversations. He has great insights into our contemporary political culture and shared them in a thoughtful, very entertaining way. I assumed he’d make an excellent presentation; I was thrilled that his work exceeded my already high expectations.”
Maida Milone,
Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts
“I conducted an interview with Michael Smerconish before a packed crowd of Lehigh University alumni in Philadelphia City Hall. Our topic was timely and important: the 2016 U.S. presidential election, then less than eight weeks away. Michael, of course, provided expert commentary and insight. But he provided much more. He offered the audience in-depth historical perspectives into U.S. politics and social life. He offered wonderful, personal anecdotes into his own life and times in American politics. And, in the questions and answers that followed, he connected with the audience with such warmth, humor and generosity that I felt we all were gathered together in a family living room. I began and ended the interview with the same sentiment: Michael Smerconish represents the best in American journalism.”
Dr. Jack Lule,
Professor and Chair, Department of Journalism and Communication, Lehigh University
“Just two weeks prior to the 2016 national elections, our C-suite audience was excited to get the perspectives of Michael Smerconish. He did not disappoint! Michael provided an impassioned and reasoned point of view on today’s political environment bolstered by fascinating sociological insights on how we got here. At a time when talking heads are hell-bent on polarizing, we heard from a thinker who knows his audience and understands what shapes public perception and opinion. In so doing, Michael shined a light on potential paths back to more productive dialogue and legislative action. This was the perfect way to set the stage for our conference!”
Art Flanagan,
Vice President, Communications, CASRO
“As the only trade association in Washington comprised of the top-ranking officials in corporate government affairs offices, the Business-Government Relations Council (B-GRC) serves as a networking platform for our members to share insights into how key decision-makers operate at the intersection of public policy and the political process. As the closing speaker of our 50th anniversary annual meeting, Michael engaged our membership in a dialogue that took us far beyond the headlines to a keen understanding of all of the dynamics at play in the 2016 electoral season — political, media/technology, demographic — all grounded in rich, fact-based historical context. The Smerconish hallmark sincerity, objectivity and humor were in abundant supply at our annual meeting – just as they are on television, radio and in print. As it becomes harder and harder to find straight shooters who see the problems our country faces from both sides, thinkers like Michael Smerconish are an increasingly rare commodity every organization should seek out.”
Evan A. Knisely,
Business-Government Relations Council Past President and Member, Board of Directors
“Michael Smerconish was one of the best resources that we have had in a long time when he spoke recently to our group of business leaders in Philadelphia. Michael was able to cut through the fog of the 2016 election, no small feat, with both conviction and clarity, and was engaging to the point where we had to cut of questions or else we might still be there. We will have him speak to our group again.”
Gregg Epstein,
President/CEO, Perry Videx LLC, Philadelphia YPO Gold
“Thanks to Michael Smerconish for a powerful, educational and transformative presentation! I have recieved comments that this was the best PAC speach ever!
Dennis George,
Kansas Hospital Association, Convention 2016
“Nothing’s ever clear in politics, but what is crystal clear is Michael Smerconish’s rank as one of the premier speakers on American politics.”
Roger Masse,
Kansas Hospital Association, Convention 2016
“Michael Smerconish presented a rousing speech packed with a factual, refreshingly honest breakdown of our country’s political landscape.”
Dr. John Jeter,
Kansas Hospital Association, Convention 2016
“Michael’s closing keynote presentation at our annual Healthcare Conference absolutely entertained our audience. His material was personal and informative, giving the audience numerous occasions to smile and laugh – as well as to gain real insight about today’s polarization in politics. His friendly and honest style, coupled with compelling data and great story telling, had our diverse audience thoroughly engaged, no matter their political leaning. As evidenced by this attendee comment — “Probably the best presentation ever at one of these events!” — Michael is a home run for any event and we were very pleased to have him participate.”
Mark Cranston,
AVP Corporate Marketing, TriZetto Corporation
“Michael’s presentation was very well received by a hundreds of financial services industry executives and professionals. His style – humorous and engaging, with just the right balance of personal anecdotes and facts – was perfect for our audience. He was a terrific part of our program. ”
Cheryl Crispen,
EVP Communications, SIFMA, The Voice of the U.S. Securities Industry
“I’ve been told by members of our synagogue that our program with Michael Smerconish was, by far, the best event we ever held. Our congregation is over 40 years old! That’s some compliment! The e-mails were flying with gratitude and appreciation for the program in which he was our Guest Speaker. As we honored two very special congregants, we also invited him to help us focus on this election year, this astounding and shocking presidential campaign. We asked him for an inside look and we got it! His remarks were insightful, educational and enlightening. And, his warmth and humor made him that much more engaging. Michael really understood our audience. How great for us! Here are more comments … “I could have listened to Michael the whole night.” “I didn’t want it to end,” etc., etc. I know I speak for my co–chairs when I say, “We highly recommend Michael Smerconish.” With great respect and gratitude. ”
Sharla Feldscher,
Co-chair, M’kor Or Award Dinner Honoring Linda and Steven Angstreich, Congregation M’kor Shalom, Cherry Hill, NJ
“Michael Smerconish was a huge hit as the Keynote Speaker at the Ohio Association for Justice Annual Convention President’s Dinner in Columbus, Ohio. Regardless of your political ideology, Michael’s comments were “spot on” with regards to the state of today’s political affairs. Michael has a unique ability to connect with the crowd and his presentation incorporated all of the necessary elements of a first rate speech, including humor and a touch of personal history. I would encourage any group or organization looking for an engaging and well versed speaker, to reach out to Michael. You won’t be disappointed!”
Paul Grieco,
President, The Ohio Association for Justice
“Thoughtful, relevant and entertaining, Michael Smerconish accomplished something rarely seen in Orange County, California, a place long known for its conservative Republican majority. He captured the attention of a sold out ballroom and held it for nearly an hour as he told the story of modern American politics and the growing gridlock that has paralyzed our nation’s capital and angered millions who no longer have faith in those who lead us. You could hear a pin drop as Republicans, Democrats and Independents alike listened to Michael’s compelling tale of how the extremes on both ends of the spectrum are hijacking the political process at the expense of the majority of Americans stuck in the middle. With his signature insight and wit that is characteristic of his national radio show and TV commentary on CNN, Michael not only painted a picture of mounting dysfunction but he offered hope for a healthier tomorrow if the vast majority of Americans re-engage in how and who governs from Main Street to Washington. When he finished, many cheered Michael’s remarks as fresh and reassuring. Orange County Business Council has been fortunate to host some of the biggest names in business and politics through the years at its annual dinner. Michael was clearly one of the best at leaving the crowd wanting more.”
Lucy Dunn,
President and CEO, Orange County Business Council
“The Jewish Community of Philadelphia was privileged to have Michael speak to our Joshua Society donors. His remarks were informative, interesting, entertaining and relevant. The standing room only crowd listened with intent to his knowledge of the issues, his passion for what he does and his interest in our community. His insight is delivered with both honesty and integrity and we enjoyed having him as our guest.”
Bud Newman,
President, Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia
“Michael Smerconish was a terrific keynote speaker at the recent Fulbright Enrichment Seminar dealing with Democracy in Action: U.S. Politics and Elections, held in Philadelphia, PA. This seminar was hosted by the U.S. Department of State and the Fulbright Commission. His talk “Caught in the Middle with You: How Did We Get Where We Are (Politically), and What Will It Take to Get Out” was an interesting and insightful presentation of how politics has become so very polarized. Historical examples related to politics as well as the current presidential election cycle were addressed. He did a wonderful job with the Q&A. In attendance were Fulbright graduate students, the best and the brightest, from about 140 countries around the world. Everyone in attendance was impressed by his clear, entertaining and thoughtful presentation. His years of close personal experience with politics provided much credence to his talk. Like his work on CNN and POTUS he was a consummate professional. I am sure that everyone in attendance will remember his talk for quite some time. We were thrilled to have him.”
William L. Rosenberg, PhD
Professor of Political Science, Drexel University
Consultant to the Philadelphia Fulbright Enrichment Seminar
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