The Partnership Promise
Before, during, and after — you have a partner.
Good events do not happen by accident. The prep work matters. The communication matters. And what happens after the event matters too. Here is how I approach every engagement.
Before the Event
Discovery & Alignment
Every engagement starts with a questionnaire — but more importantly, I want to understand your audience, your goals, and what is already on the table before I write a single slide.
Dedicated pre-event discovery call
Tailored content built around your event theme
Coordinated logistics and advance communication
A response within 24 hours on all planning questions
During the Event
Energy, Substance, and Adaptability
I read the room and adjust. I bring high energy and a genuine connection with audiences, but never at the expense of the substance your people need.
Warm, engaging delivery grounded in real experience
Interactive, not just inspirational
Customized content — not a generic talk with your logo on it
Every session ends with a clear plan of action
After the Event
Follow-through That Sticks
Inspiration fades. Application sticks. For workshop and retreat engagements, I offer follow-up resources so your team can keep the momentum going after the room empties.
Post-workshop follow-up resources available
Workshop add-ons to extend learning over time
Consulting services for continued growth
Genuine interest in how it goes — not a one-and-done
What Planners Say
The people who actually did the planning.
These are the people who brainstormed the idea, coordinated the logistics, managed the event, and worked with me directly on the planning side.
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“Austin is a true professional and a pleasure to work with. He was very intentional about customizing his keynote for maximum impact with our leaders. I would have no hesitations about inviting him back.”
Indiana State University
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“He was amazing to work with because he customized his keynote to include specific relevant issues to our community. His presentation style was natural, engaging, and entertaining.”
Baldwin Wallace University
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“Austin was a beacon of light for our student leaders at our annual Leadership Conference. Many ‘ah-ha’ moments were had by all.”
Alpha Rho Chi Professional Fraternity
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“Austin’s organizational, communication, and presentation skills made his time with us one of the most talked about events our company participated in.”
PAR Technology
Why Austin
What makes working with me different.
These are the things planners and clients mention most after we have worked together.
Customized
Every program is customized around your audience, your event theme, and the specific challenges your people are actually dealing with.
Easy to Work With
Responsive, organized, and communicative throughout the planning process. You should not have to chase your speaker — and with me, you will not.
Action-Oriented
Inspiration without action is just a good feeling. Every program leaves participants with something concrete — a plan, a framework, or a first step.
Genuinely Human
My warmth is not a performance — it is how I show up. Audiences feel it, and planners feel the care behind the planning. Both matter.
Planning Resources
Everything you need in one place.
Download what you need to make a decision, pitch it internally, or get the logistics moving. Most documents come in two versions — one for higher education audiences, one for everyone else.
Official Bios
Full bios by audience, formatted to adapt for event programs, speaker listings, and promotional materials.
Stage-Ready Intros
Ready-to-read scripts for your emcee or host. Choose the version that fits your audience and adjust to your script.
A/V and Tech Requirements
Everything your A/V partner needs to set up the room — microphone preferences, screen requirements, audio setup, and staging notes.
Headshots
Click any photo to open the high-resolution version. Additional photos available by request.
Planner FAQ
The questions planners ask most.
The logistics answers you need to make a decision, pitch it internally, or get a contract moving.
How do I book Austin for our event?
For colleges, universities, K-12 schools, and education-focused associations and nonprofits, book through CAMPUSPEAK — they handle contracting and logistics. For corporate teams, nonprofits outside the education space, and everyone else, reach out to me directly through the contact form. Either path starts with a conversation about your event.
How long is a typical keynote or workshop?
Keynotes usually run 45 to 60 minutes. Workshops flex a lot more: a 90-minute deep dive following a keynote, a half day or full day built around your goals, or a multi-day retreat. We land on the format together, based on what you are trying to accomplish and what your agenda can actually hold.
How far in advance should we book?
Two weeks is ideal for a keynote
Four weeks for a shorter workshop
Six weeks for longer workshops and retreats
These runways protect the customization work, which is where a lot of the value lives. That said, I am flexible, and I have said yes to tighter timelines. Just ask.
What does Austin charge?
There is no rate card. Every proposal gets built after a discovery call, once I actually understand your audience, your format, and what you need this program to do. What you get back is all-inclusive, travel included, so you are not reconciling flight receipts three weeks after everyone has gone home.
Do we cover travel costs separately?
No — I have that covered. I am based in Nashville and travel for engagements, including internationally, and travel is built into the fee. Your proposal is the number. No surprise line items showing up in your inbox after the fact.
Can Austin do more than one session at our event?
Yes, and honestly it is the best use of a single trip. That might be a keynote plus breakout workshops, a Q&A hosted on stage by someone from your team, a meet and greet with participants, or joining a dinner or happy hour. I would rather know your people than just present to them.
What do you need from us before the event?
A questionnaire to start, and then a dedicated discovery call, which matters more. I want to understand your audience, your theme, your goals, and what is already on the agenda before I write a single slide. From there we coordinate logistics and advance communication with your team — ideally with an advance call on the books with your planning and production teams at least two weeks out.
How responsive are you during planning?
You will hear back within 24 hours on planning questions. Planners tell me this is one of the reasons they would book again. You should not have to chase your speaker for a signed contract or an updated bio ten days out.
Can you customize the program to our conference or event theme?
Yes, and it is baked into the process, not sold as an upgrade. Content gets built around your theme, your audience, and the actual challenges your people are facing. One client described the program as customized 100% to their community — that is the standard I am aiming for every time.
Where can I find your bio, headshots, tech rider, and speaker intro?
All of it is right on this page under Planning Resources. No form, no email exchange, no waiting on me. Most documents come in two versions — one for higher education audiences and one for corporate, nonprofit, and association audiences. Need a different headshot than what is posted? Just ask.
What are your A/V requirements?
The full tech rider is in Planning Resources above, with microphone preferences, screen requirements, audio setup, and staging notes. Download the version that matches your audience and hand it straight to your production team.
Do you host or emcee events?
Yes — and I love doing it. Alongside keynotes, workshops, and consulting, I host and emcee conferences and events, holding the energy and continuity together across a multi-day agenda. If you need someone to carry the room between sessions, mention it when you reach out.
What happens after the event?
For workshops and retreats, follow-up resources are available so your team can keep momentum after the room clears out. Workshop add-ons can extend the learning over time, and consulting is there for organizations ready to go further. And I genuinely want to hear how it goes — expect me to check in.
Ready to Move Forward?
Make your event one they will still be talking about.
Whether you are in early planning or ready to confirm a date, I would love to learn about your event and see if it is a good fit. Reach out and let us figure it out together.