John Cleese is one of Britain's best-known actors, writers and comedians. Famous primarily for his comic efforts, such as the television series Fawlty Towers and the exploits of the Monty Python troupe, he has also become a well-respected actor in his own right and has co-written books on psychiatry entitled Families And How to Survive Them and Life And How to Survive It.

Erik Peterson sits at the intersection of global economics, geopolitical changes, and future trends. His riveting presentations are eye-opening glimpses into how we can and should address some of the most challenging global issues of our time. He maps the key long-range trends transforming the opportunities and risks and traces the simultaneous and significant global shifts in the areas of population, resources, technology, economy, security, and geopolitics. He untangles these complex trends for audiences and examines the real-world implications—both present and future.

Joe Studwell is an expert on China and the emerging Asian marketplace and the best-selling author of ten books, including The China Dream, Asian Godfathers, and How Asia Works. He has worked as a writer, journalist, and broadcaster around the world, and his expertise has been featured in publications including The Economist, titles of the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), The Financial Times, the Asian Wall Street Journal, the Far Eastern Economic Review, the Observer Magazine, Asia Inc., and the Evening Standard as well as on television and radio. Joe's talks are always lively and positive, filled with anecdotes and humour, and thought-provoking for policy-makers, management strategists, and portfolio investors alike.

Ted Fishman is a veteran journalist and former commodities trader on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange who has emerged as a leading expert on two subjects: aging and China's development as a world power. He is known for taking complex topics – particularly how global economic trends influence people’s everyday experiences – and making them understandable and meaningful. He also customizes his talks to his audience so as to ensure his presentations contain the most relevant and dynamic content possible.

A first-generation American immigrant, turned American soldier, combat veteran, and now a professional touring stand-up comedian, Thom Tran turned a literal lifetime of war and tragedy into a successful comedy career. On 3 April 2003, his 4th day in Iraq, during a gunfight Thom was struck in the back of the head by a sniper’s bullet. On April 3, 2003, his 4th day in Iraq, during a gunfight Thom was struck in the back of the head by a sniper’s bullet. Since starting his comedy career, Thom created the GIs of Comedy tour, a group of combat veterans turned stand-up comedians.

From the Baltimore Opera to QVC shopping channel, Executive Producer and TV Host Mike Rowe has had hundreds of jobs and relished his role as a chronic freelancer. He’s best known as the “dirtiest man on TV,” a title he earned on the hit TV series Dirty Jobs, where he traversed all 50 states; completed 300 different jobs; and transformed cable television into a landscape of swamps, sewers, and coal mines. He has narrated hundreds of documentaries about space, nature, dinosaurs, and how stuff works. Mike also runs the mikeroweWORKS Foundation, a 501(c)(3) public charity that works hard to debunk myths about the skilled trades and help close the skills gap.

Multimedia presenter whose presentations feature funny video clips and a high degree of audience interaction. Ross Shafer has the most intriguing Comedy & Business background of any speaker on leading through change, reinvention, and resilience. Ross’s funny and energetic style was honed as a headlining comedian and host of TV’s Match Game (ABC), The Late Show (FOX), Almost Live! (NBC and Comedy Central) and Love Me, Love Me Not (USA). Embracing his humorous world view explains why Ross risked buying and selling 23 companies (each rescued from bankruptcy) and earning the savvy to author ten insightful business books. Ross’s fresh takeaways are fun and sticky … and he delivers the creativity to ignite and inspire front line staff as well as senior executives.

Michael Colopy is a global trends, foreign policy, and China affairs expert. He co-founded the International Commerce Consultants Incorporated, a firm specializing in trade issues in East Asia. He has advised major corporations on China’s political and economic agenda, and his record of accurate predictions stands out. He has served as staff in the U.S. House and Senate, a partner in a lobbying firm, and a consultant to foreign governments. His presentations are dynamic as he addresses global trends and the global challenges businesses face, especially in dealings with China.

Frank Caliendo is an American comedian and impressionist who is best known for his work on the Fox Network television series MADtv. He is also the in-house prognosticator for Fox NFL Sunday.

Scott gives fresh global perspective to his programs about the changing worlds of employee engagement, customer engagement, branded customer service, personal branding, humor as a tool in sales, service, public speaking, and change management.

With hilarious observations, clever wordplay, and just the right amount of snark, corporate comedian Greg Schwem proves there's always a place for comedy in the workplace. He's been called "America's favorite corporate funnyman" and "king of the hill" of the growing corporate comedy world.

Shayla Rivera is an aerospace engineer and former NASA rocket scientist turned salesperson, corporate trainer, and now international keynote speaker, TEDx speaker, radio host, emcee/host, comedian, actor, writer, producer, seminar facilitator, panel moderator and, as of 2017, director of the ENGR[x] program and Professor of Practice with the College of Engineering at Texas A&M University. However, none of these labels tells you much about her. She best describes herself as a spiritually irreverent mystic and awareness expert. What many would call a Renaissance Woman.