Behind every Hall of Fame moment is a community of clients, colleagues, and family
When you stand on stage to accept one of the highest honors in your profession, you are often faced with what feels like an impossible challenge: finding the words to thank everyone who has made the journey possible. And if you have ever been asked to deliver those thanks in a few short minutes, you know just how impossible it feels. The truth is, a recognition like the Speaker Hall of Fame is never about one person; it is about the countless people who believed, supported, challenged, and stood alongside you, over many years.
This post is my chance to do what an acceptance speech cannot: to slow down, to reflect, and to offer a genuine thank you. Above you can also find the video of my Hall of Fame induction speech. But more importantly, I want to use this space to further honor those who made the moment possible, and those who continue to make the work meaningful.
Key Takeaways
- The Hall of Fame is about consistency and lasting impact, not applause.
- Clients who trusted bold ideas made innovation possible.
- Behind every keynote are unseen champions who make it work.
- Mentors and colleagues shape growth through generosity and wisdom
- Families and teams provide the support that sustains the journey.
- For newcomers, excellence is built choice by choice, not overnight.
- Gratitude is not a moment but a practice that defines true legacy.
Beyond the Applause: What the Hall of Fame Really Means
The Speaker Hall of Fame (CPAE) is not about a single keynote or a standing ovation. It is about consistency over time, about showing up again and again with excellence, even when no one is watching. It represents trust earned from audiences, loyalty built with clients, and respect from peers. To be welcomed into this circle is not just an achievement, it is a responsibility to keep serving at the highest level.
Over the years, my own definition of excellence has shifted. Early in my career, I measured success by the applause at the end of a presentation or the excitement in the room. Now, I understand that true excellence is quieter and more enduring. It shows up in the email from an attendee weeks later, in the small change a leader makes in how they approach their team, in the confidence a professional feels long after the event has ended.
The Hall of Fame reminds me that this work is not about collecting moments of recognition, but about creating ripples of impact that reach far beyond the stage.
The Clients Who Said “Yes” When It Wasn’t Easy
Every client who opened their stage to me, who allowed me to experiment with bold ideas and ambitious technology, is part of this honor. You trusted me with your audience, your time, and your message. Some of you said “yes” when my vision sounded unusual, maybe even a little risky, and for that, I will always be grateful. You are the reason my work continues to evolve and push boundaries.
I still remember the clients who first said, “Yes, let’s try holograms” or “Yes, let’s adjust the stage design to make this vision work.” Without your trust, innovation would have remained an idea instead of a reality. Your courage to take a chance allowed me to explore new ways of reaching people, and your openness has not only shaped my career but has shaped the way entire audiences experience messages that matter.
Thank you for your trust, for your willingness to invest in ideas before they were even proven, and for showing me that true partnership means believing in possibilities together.
The Unseen Champions Who Make Magic Happen
No keynote happens in isolation. It happens because of AV teams who work magic in darkened control booths, bureau partners who advocate behind closed doors, and meeting professionals who balance a thousand moving parts to create seamless experiences. Recognition in the Hall of Fame is as much yours as it is mine, because you are the ones who transform ideas into unforgettable moments.
There are so many faces most audiences will never know: the stagehand who fixes a microphone seconds before I walk on, the producer who calms nerves in the green room, the lighting tech who knows exactly when to brighten the stage for impact. Each of you creates the conditions that make inspiration possible. You remind me that the most important moments often come from people who are not in the spotlight but without whom the spotlight would not exist.
Thank you for your precision, your care, and your craft, for taking pride in every unseen detail, and for always having my back.
Wisdom Carried Forward from Colleagues and Mentors
Throughout my career, I have been shaped by those who went before me. Mentors who modeled generosity, peers who challenged me to stretch, and colleagues who reminded me that stage presence matters most when it is paired with humility. Every piece of advice, every moment of encouragement, every example set by others became part of my foundation. The Hall of Fame honor is shared with each of you.
Your words have guided me in rooms large and small. I have learned that growth is not just about being inspired by others but also about allowing yourself to be shaped by their example. To my colleagues, you have shown me again and again that this profession is strongest when we support one another.
Thank you for sharing your wisdom so openly, for leading with generosity rather than competition, and for demonstrating that our industry thrives when knowledge is shared freely.
The Family and Team Behind Every Standing Ovation
Behind every keynote, there is a family and a team that make sacrifices unseen by the audience. For me, that means loved ones who manage my home while I am away, children who remind me of what truly matters, and a professional team that believes in me even when ideas seem audacious. This recognition is theirs, too, because none of it would exist without their love and loyalty.
There were nights of missed dinners, weekends where rehearsal notes were spread across the kitchen table, and times when I came home exhausted but never once felt unsupported. My family has been my anchor, reminding me that the best standing ovation is waiting at home. My team has been my compass, helping me navigate choices, opportunities, and challenges with care. This honor belongs to them just as much as it belongs to me.
Thank you for every unseen sacrifice, for carrying the weight when I could not, and for proving that real success is built on the love and loyalty of those who stand beside you.
A Note to Those Just Starting Out
When I walked into my first industry conference years ago, I was overwhelmed, intimidated, and unsure if I belonged. To anyone just beginning, whether in speaking or in any profession, let me say this: your journey will be shaped one choice at a time. You may feel out of place at first, but that is often the best sign that you are exactly where you need to be. One day, you may also find yourself with the impossible task of trying to thank everyone in a few minutes, and you will know how rich your path has been.
If I could give one piece of advice, it would be to stay curious and stay kind. Find the people who push you to grow, even when it feels uncomfortable, and build relationships that sustain you through the highs and lows. Do not rush the journey; every step matters, even the ones that feel uncertain. Excellence does not come overnight; it comes from choosing, again and again, to show up with intention.
Thank you for daring to begin, for showing courage when uncertainty feels overwhelming, and for reminding us all that every extraordinary journey starts with a single, uncertain step.
The Thank You That Will Never Feel Finished
Gratitude is not just a fleeting moment when recognition arrives. It is a practice that builds trust, sustains relationships, and anchors leadership. The Hall of Fame may be an award, but gratitude is the real legacy. To my clients, colleagues, audiences, mentors, team, and family: thank you. This is your honor as much as mine.
If there is one thing I hope others take from my Hall of Fame moment, it is this: gratitude is not something you express once, it is something you live.
At the end of it all, my heart comes back to one simple truth: none of this is possible alone. Every client who welcomed me, every audience who leaned in, every colleague who encouraged me, every mentor who guided me, and every family member or team member who supported me—you are all part of this moment.
This recognition may have my name on it, but it belongs to a much larger circle. It belongs to those who believed when the vision was unclear, who celebrated small wins, and who stood by me when things felt uncertain. Your fingerprints are on every keynote, every story told, and every life touched.
So this is my final thank you, offered with humility and deep gratitude. I am proud to carry the title of Hall of Fame speaker, but even more proud to know it was earned together. May this honor stand as a reminder that legacies are built collectively, choice by choice, and always with others at our side.
As a CPAE Hall of Fame speaker, I know the real influence of a keynote begins well before the first word is spoken and extends far beyond the final applause. My presentations combine immersive storytelling, emotional intelligence, and innovative stagecraft designed to spark action and transformation. Each keynote is crafted with purpose and care, created not only to share ideas but to change perspectives. Because speaking at its best is never about the speaker—it is about the lasting impression left on every audience.
Curious about how this comes to life on stage? Explore my keynotes here.
