Monday Keynote Speaker:
Roger Crawford

Tuesday Keynote:
Mack Dryden

Special Guest Speaker:
Lieutenant Rich Hampton

Roger Crawford, CPAE Before Roger Crawford inspired others as a best selling author and Hall of Fame speaker on Center Stage, he achieved phenomenal success on Center Court—despite a physical challenge affecting all four limbs.

Not only did Roger become the first and only athlete with four impaired limbs to compete in a NCAA Division One college sport, he also became a Hall of Fame Division I athlete.  As a result of his athletic accomplishments, Roger was inducted into the Loyola-Marymount University Athletic Hall of Fame. His compelling story of how he became a tennis champion communicates and demonstrates the power of an “I Can!” attitude to redefine the possible!

Sports Illustrated has recognized Roger as “one of the most accomplished physically challenged athletes in the world,” and in 2013 he was selected as the winner of the ITA Achievement Award, presented by The International Tennis Hall of Fame.  The award is the highest honor bestowed by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association.

Whether you’re looking to inspire the troops or just make them laugh ’til they hurt, Mack is a guaranteed hit, as hundreds of thrilled clients are happy to attest. He’s been delighting audiences for years with his relaxed stage presence, hilarious material, and uniquely engaging delivery.  As a comedian he’s performed on dozens of TV shows, including The Tonight Show with both Johnny Carson and Jay Leno. As an actor he’s appeared in several movies and on many other TV shows, including JAG and a recurring role as a judge on ABC’s The Guardian.

Creating hilarious custom humor for each client comes naturally to the former staff writer for Politically Incorrect with Bill Maher, and his stories of surviving two battles with cancer, a stay in an African prison, “sharks in showbiz who stab you in the front,” and one “near-fatal marriage” are as inspiring as they are laugh-out-loud funny.

Several years ago, after hearing of Mack’s harrowing survival stories, a friend asked him to speak to a group of graduating students. Mack’s presentation was so moving and funny that he was asked to speak to other groups, and since then has shared his inspiring story and unique, clean humor with thousands at corporate and association meetings nationwide. His ability to create custom comedy constantly amazes. As one client put it,

“You took a dry subject like manufacturing software and made it funny, like you’d been in the industry yourself!”

From humble beginnings as “the funniest paper mill employee in Mississippi,” Mack earned a black belt in karate even as he was earning his Masters in Creative Writing. He won two Associated Press writing awards as a reporter in his home state, and finally became a professional comedian whose talent and perseverance landed him numerous TV appearances and got him hand-picked by Bill Maher to write on the acclaimed show.  Now based in Louisville, KY, he spends his time writing and traveling the country bringing his special brand of Motivation, Inspiration and Jubilation to thousands each year. It hasn’t been an easy road; but, as he says, “Falling on your face is still moving forward!”