Principal Speakers
KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Dave Raymond
Biographical Sketch: The Power of Fun!®
Moving directly from college student to campy green furball, Dave Raymond pioneered the field of sports mascots as the first person to go out on the field as the world-renowned Phillie Phanatic. During his 16 years performing as the Phanatic in 48 states and five countries, Dave’s charismatic showmanship carried the Philadelphia Phillies to World Series victories and unimagined levels of popularity, sparking a revolution in the mascot industry.
Leveraging the unique lessons, he learned from the inside out (literally!), Dave made a seamless transition as an entrepreneur into the world of character branding and mascot development. Since starting Raymond Entertainment Group nearly 20 years ago, he has designed and rehabilitated hundreds of character brands for Fortune 500 companies, sports teams, and colleges and universities. In 2005, he founded the Mascot Hall of Fame.
In the The Power of Fun! keynote, virtual events and best-selling book, Dave shares his “phantastic” story—and how his time as the Phanatic revealed to him fun’s transformative effects as the key to living a content, healthier and more productive life. While others have studied how to unlock the power of fun, Dave actually lived it. Now, he shares his simple-to-implement F.U.N. process for creating sustainable, long-lasting happiness—and building the life of your dreams.
PLENARY SPEAKER: Hoan Do
Hoan Do is an award-winning inspirational speaker, acclaimed author, and city finalist in NBC’s hit show, American Ninja Warrior. Recognized as one of Seattle’s top 25 influential people by the Seattle Magazine, Hoan travels the world empowering professionals to overcome adversity by developing resilience and mental strength.
Hoan has been featured on Good Morning America, Yahoo Finance, and Lay’s chip bags nationwide as a part of the Smile with Lay’s Campaign. Hoan’s engaging style and ability to share important life lessons in a way that resonates with his audiences has earned him the Verizon Wireless Motivator Award.