About
 Summary
What does the logo mean? The exclamation point with a brain neuron inside of it, in purple and teal colors, conveys what Karen brings to a meeting: energy and well-researched content
How is Karen different? In a survey of over 3,000 people who have seen Karen speak, the top two words used to describe Karen were energetic & inspiring. Karen truly offers “edu-tainment”: educational “cutting edge science” in an entertaining setting. Other common words used to describe her style: enthusiastic, fun/funny, connects with audience/interactive, and real/relatable
What results can you expect for your meeting if you hire Karen? Attendees leave feeling engaged, inspired, and energized
The guarantee: Attendees receive useful material in an engaging way with relevant take-home information to implement immediately
Biography
Want your meeting attendees to say “I didn’t want the session to end”? Does your audience think they’ve seen and heard it all? Want a fun program worth their time and attention?
Described as “one of the best” or “favorite” speakers of entire conferences dozens of times, Karen delivers what she promises, as evidenced by numerous repeat clients. How do attendees describe Karen? “Refreshingly honest”, “relatable”, “contagiously enthusiastic”, “attention grabber and keeper”, “breath of fresh air” and giving “real answers to real life”.
Karen combines a Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Master’s Degree in Environmental Public Policy and nearly 20 years working experience along with extensive training at “The Second City” to empower audiences to make a difference in the session and in their lives.
Throughout the US, Canada, Europe and Asia - from Fortune 100 companies to associations and government - Karen entertains audiences and leaves them feeling energized, inspired and confident. My guarantee? Attendees receive useful material, in an engaging way, and practical tools to implement immediately for success!
Audience Testimonials
"Yours was the best workshop I attended of the three day conference." Kate Kjome, USDA, FSIS
"Your presentation was compelling and useful - even for a skeptic like me." Tim Smith, Ph.D., Wiglaf LLC
"Karen's enthusiasm is contagious. She has internalized her material and therefore presents it with ease and believability." Kristin Whitheld, Innerweave Asian Healing
"Karen's commitment to her audience is sincere. She doesn't come to just present material, but to help participants learn and take something home with them." Kevin McGrath, USDA
"The time flew as Karen's animated delivery of useful material was presented to an engaged audience." Sarah Kuzma, Meyer Real Estate
"Karen doesn't just speak she relates to her audiences thoughts and feelings." Nancy Simonieg, Gaylord Hotels
"Karen's presentation was refreshingly honest - this is life changing stuff!" Jenni Woodward, The Patina Group
"Kept my interest enough to STAND for 75 minutes!" Chris Nisbet, Arlington Heights Park District
"Attention grabber & keeper." David Rowney, Vancouver Convention and Exhibition Centre
"Karen brings an honest approachable energy with her presentation. She doesn't speak fluff!" Erin Moriarty, Hyatt Hotels and Resorts
"She is a real ball of fire - great contact, great content, great presentation." Dennis Molitor, Home Nursery, Inc, Edwardsville, IL
Meeting Planner Testimonials
"Karen Purves provided an enlightening and entertaining session for our conference delegates. I particularly appreciated the fact that she'd done her homework and was familiar with our audience and its interests." Joe David Rice, Arkansas Tourism Director
"One professional speaker and motivator utilized by the NCGA that consistently stands head and shoulders above the others is Ms. Karen Purves. Her unique and effective presentation style, coupled with a deep understanding of the subject matter, has made her a favorite among our diverse audience base. Whatever the topic Karen grabs it by the horns, pours in her heart and soul, and provides an interactive and effective presentation that both entertains and educates. Those in search of that special speaker and motivator needn't look further than Karen - a consummate professional that delivers what she promises and then some." Tim Brackman, Director of Development, National Corn Growers Association
"Karen was exceptional! She held our attention with humor, stories and practical tips. Her message was informative and entertaining. Our membership felt she was one of the best keynote speakers we have ever had at a conference." Denise Obrecht, Marketing/Communications Coordinator, Iowa State Association of Counties
"You were a breath of fresh air and gave everyone really great tools to be successful in any business. You are so energetic and LOTS of fun, our audience, including our President, just loved you." Maura Allen, Vice President, North America and Shareholder Operations, RADIUS
"I was impressed with Karen's enthusiasm, humor and wonderful interaction with the audience. She is highly entertaining and she is able to get beneficial ideas across to the audience." Jan Bolte, Omaha Public Library
"CEO's can be a tough audience, but your knowledge base and delivery style impressed the group and provided meaningful food for thought. I found your stand-up skills and ability to deliver relevant material exceptional." Mary Lynn Fayoumi, President and CEO, The Management Association of Illinois
"Karen approached these diverse events with professionalism and solid preparation and her delivery of the material was excellent. At both meetings, the content was well tailored to the audience and the method of delivery was fresh, engaging and thorough." Kevin Mead, IGAF Worldwide
"Karen's natural and honest style is both fun and entertaining. She is enthusiastic and this certainly engaged our tough crowd. Karen was instrumental in helping PCMA Canada West Chapter host our most successful meeting ever and we would love to have her back!" Sonia Baldissera, PCMA Canada West Chapter
Client List
Since most clients
are garnered by referral, I am proud to work with companies and organizations
in a wide variety of areas. Recent audiences have included:
Hospitality
Meeting Professionals International*
Oklahoma Governor's Conference on Tourism
Arkansas Governor’s Conference on Tourism
Idaho Governor’s Conference on Tourism
Professional Convention Management Association*
Worldhotels
Leading Hotels of the World
International Association of Exhibitions and Events
St. Louis Convention & Visitors Commission
Starwood Hotels
Incentive Travel & Conventions, Meetings Asia
National Business Travel Association*
Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International*
Society of Incentive and Travel Executives
IncentiveWorks
International Limousine & Chauffeured Transportation Show
Association of Destination Management Executives
RADIUS
Catersource
Healthcare/Medical/Veterinary
Pharmacia (now Pfizer)
Baxter Healthcare
Healthcare Convention & Exhibitors Association*
American Academy of Dermatology
Consorta*
VCA Animal Hospitals
Vision Expo East and West*
Doctors Eyecare Network*
Healthland
Nevada Sleep Diagnostics
Dental
American Dental Association*
Texas Dental Association
Minnesota Dental Association
Inland Northwest Dental Conference
Cincinnati Dental Society
Financial/Insurance
Services
Baxter Credit Union
Deloitte*
KPMG
Essex National Securities, Inc.
American Credit Union Mortgage Association
American Payroll Association*
Financial & Insurance Conference Planners
Northwestern Mutual
IGAF Worldwide*
NACUSO*
Association for Accounting Marketing
Nursery/Landscape
American Nursery & Landscape Association
Pennsylvania Landscape and Nursery Association
Landscape Ontario
Garden Center Symposium
Kellogg Garden Products
Sheridan Nurseries
Association
American Society of Association Executives
National Corn Growers Association*
SmithBucklin
Texas Apartment Association
Sports Photographers Association of America
Business/Industry
Amerinet
International Truck and Engine
Triad Conferences* (Lawson CUE)
Motorola*
Chicago Metallic Company
Ryland Homes
*Multiple appearances
2010 Calendar
1/28 International Window Cleaning Association Reno, NV
2/1 Go West Summit Sacramento
2/18 Western Veterinary Conference Las Vegas
3/4 West Texas Conference on Aging Midland, TX
3/12 Meeting Professionals International Southern California Chapter Los Angeles, CA
5/13 Virginia Chapter of Meeting Professionals International Richmond, VA
5/19 National Association of Credit Management Las Vegas, NV
5/20 Amerinet Nashville, TN
6/25 American Society of Radiologic Technologists Albuquerque, NM
8/23 AHRA -The Association for Medical Imaging Management Washington DC
10/16 Wild West Veterinary Conference Reno, NV
Finer Points
- Rated as the best speaker at an event on multiple occasions
- Hundreds of presentations conducted, including at Fortune 100 companies and a Big Four Firm
- Numerous repeat clients (see clients listed with * on client list)
- Studied improvisation at ImprovOlympic and “The Second City” and have performed on mainstage at “The Second City”
- Three time game show winner!
- 8 television appearances including talk shows and news appearances
- Published author
- Testified before Congressional Appropriations Subcommittee in Washington DC multiple occasions
- Board Member, Wildlife Orphanage, Inc., Chesterton, IN, 1998-Current
- Adjunct Faculty, Harper College, Palatine IL, Fall 2000, Fall 2002
- CBEST and IL substitute teacher credentialed
Products
NOW
AVAILABLE - Downloadable audio book of my #1 requested
and highest rated seminar: "Communicate With
Strength - Key Words That Undermine Your Effectiveness"!! For only $29, you can get an approximate 75 minute, high quality,
live recording, just moments away with tips to use immediately
to improve your communication and sales! You can listen online
or download to a cd or ipod.
MP3 File - 12.5MB
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Smart talk that makes a difference
