Renowned international and local thought leaders converge at USB Unlock 2017 | The Planner

The Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) industry is eagerly anticipating Unique Speaker Bureau’s Annual Speaker Showcase β€˜Unlock 2017’ next week in Johannesburg on 16 January. The showcase is unique in that it gives corporate event teams and Professional Conference Organisers (PCOs) here in South Africa first hand exposure to over 35 of the best professional speakers and thought leaders on a single day – and their new material for the 2017 conference circuit.

The line-up includes the best locally-based top international professional speaker brands, as well as SA’s very own talented and globe trotting favourites.

This year, it will also feature β€œGURUS”, a Q & A session in the afternoon with ten of the most elite who will be interviewed by SA-based Justin Cohen, a highly acclaimed author and thought leader himself. The ten include: Nadia Bilchik, RenΓ© Carayol, Derek Mills, Pa Joof, Andy Preston, Ryan Hogarth, Siphiwe Moyo, Alex Granger, Michael Jackson and Edward Kieswetter. Those interviews will be aired across various business media platforms at a later date.

Each of the ten captivating interviews will delve deep into the minds and experiences of these unique individuals who are achieving, teaching and inspiring audiences around the world. They will also be filmed and aired across various business media platforms.

The 35 speakers being showcased in the morning session include the industry’s most recognised and best loved programme directors, facilitators, business speakers, entertainers, musicians and comedians. Each will take to the stage and deliver a five-minute sample of their inspired genius.

CEO of Unique Speaker Bureau (USB) Paul McConnon says β€œNot many know that corporate event organising teams seldom book key note speakers and programme directors based on their biographies and β€œcelebrity” status alone. Β Masterful PCOs constantly find time-efficient ways to orientate themselves to who is new and exciting on the conference circuit. They like to gain first hand exposure to the professional speaker and β€œfeel” the delivery of their presentation. It is enormously effective for them.”

He continues, β€œSecuring the availability of each of these 35 individuals to share the stage on just one day was an ambitious challenge because they are all constantly travelling. It is also a competitive industry and it’s wonderful to know everyone participating is excited and eager to see how collaboration can grow the pie.”

Date: 16 January 2017

Time: 09h00 – 14h00 for showcase of 35 speakers and 14h30 – 17h00 for the β€œGURUS” Q&A session

Venue: Montecasino Ballroom, Fourways

About the show’s host:

Justin Cohen is no stranger to media and the fascinating world of the professional speakers he interviews. A dynamo with unbounded curiosity, he has interviewed some of the world’s top experts on achieving success and is the author of multiple print and audio books on the topic of human potential. A Southern African Speaker Hall of Fame inductee, Cohen rose to fame through his memorable motivational and keynote presentations delivered to virtually every industry in 20 countries over a span of 15 years.

About the show’s guests:

Derek MillsYou can set all the goals you want but what you do each day determines whether you achieve any of them.
RenΓ© CarayolTransformational guru on leadership and business culture.
Nadia BilchikCNN journalist, networking, building relationships, professional presence.
Pa JoofEconomic dynamics, corporate mechanisms and leadership development.
Andy PrestonInternationally acclaimed sales and business growth guru – sell more, more often.
Ryan HogarthDigital communications trends analyst and B2C relationship specialist.Β  Innovate and transform, or become irrelevant.
Siphiwe MoyoHuman capital development, strategic change management and organisational behaviour expert.Β  Be prepared to work hard for success.
Alex GrangerGlobal business speaker with senior blue-chip company leadership experience. Marketing and sales maverick. Entrepreneur.
Michael JacksonStrategic business strategist, television and radio business presenter and prolific writer. β€˜The Change Guy’ helps employees understand their role in this fast-changing world.
Edward KieswetterWhere theory and practice collide. Sought after academic with a knack for human behaviour and leadership. Leadership is a privilege and service its purpose.

Media are warmly welcomed to attend.

Kindly confirm your attendance soonest by emailing jacqueline@twigacommunications.co.za or call her on (011) 024 3986.