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2024 Keynote Speakers
Opening Keynote: Big Daddy Tazz
Out of My Mind
A humorous look at life’s triumphs and tribulations through the eyes of someone living with mental illness. After thirty years of denying he had the mental illnesses that were controlling his life, Big Daddy Tazz realized that being a manic-depressive, attention deficit, socially anxious, obsessive-compulsive dyslexic could either destroy or enhance his life: the choice was his.
A strong mental health advocate, who is often described as “one of the most talented comics in the business”, Tazz speaks candidly about his struggles, and ultimately his triumphs, over not only being diagnosed with mental illness, but facing the terrifying stigma that surrounds it. Audience members who live with mental illness and stigma (either their own or someone else’s), will find themselves empowered, inspired and proud of who they are, “warts” and all! Others gain a better understanding of how the ignorance of stigma can negatively impact so many, preventing them from finding the help they seek. All will leave with the tools to make a positive, accepting difference as well as a heart full of laughter, light and compassion.
About Big Daddy Tazz
Join Tazz on his rapid cycle ride down the never-ending road to recovery. Tazz has been delighting crowds at fundraisers, corporate events, and festivals as well as on television for more than 30 years. Equal parts comedian and mental health advocate, he has brought forth light and laughter for those living with mental illness by raising awareness on how stigma affects us all. Tazz believes in educating, embracing, and empowering everyone so that we can all stand tall and give stigma a bad name. His comedy appearances have included the prestigious Just For Laughs festival in Montreal, the Moncton Comedy Festival and the CBC Winnipeg Comedy Festival, which can be seen frequently on CBC Television and the Comedy Network. He is the proud recipient of the 2023 Candy Award (founded by John Candy’s children), for his comedy career and work in mental health.
Keynote: Crystal Washington
Harness Generative AI Like ChatGPT for Enhanced Performance
The future of generative artificial intelligence is here, and you don’t have to look far to see it. Technologies like ChatGPT are quickly becoming the most effective and efficient way for busy business professionals to increase profits and productivity. But if you’re not using it, your competitors certainly will. In this highly customizable keynote, Crystal Washington will share her insights on how you can use this cutting-edge technology to drive performance and take business to the next level.
In this session, you'll learn:
- What Generative AI is and is not; its limitations and best practices
- How tools like ChatGPT will impact your industry
- How to develop strategies for integrating ChatGPT into existing systems to supersize your results
- Best practices and ethical considerations for leveraging ChatGPT in business applications
About Crystal Washington
Crystal Washington, CSP works with organizations that want to leverage technology to increase profits and productivity!
Crystal is a technology strategist and one of Forbes’ Leading 50 Female Futurists. Crystal is a sought-after keynote speaker who has entertained and educated audiences around the globe. Among the companies she's worked with: GE, Microsoft, and Wells Fargo. Crystal has appeared in numerous publications, including Entrepreneur, Bloomberg Businessweek, and Forbes and is regularly called on by major television networks as a tech expert. She is the weekly futurist on season two of Emmy-nominated Life 2.0.
Crystal is the author of two books: One Tech Action: A Quick-and-Easy Guide to Getting Started Using Productivity Apps and Websites for Busy Professionals and and The Social Media Why: A Busy Professional’s Practical Guide to Using Social Media Including LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest, Google+ and Blogs for Business.
