Thom Singer’s first job was a busboy at “The Big Yellow House Restaurant” in Southern California. It was in this role that he discovered the importance of customizing his work for whomever he had the honor to serve. From the vast number of customers who dined in the restaurant, to the three or four wait-staff whom he helped each night, Thom realized that you have to make personal connections. Finding ways to relate differently to each person is key if you want to find more success.
Having worked as a keynote speaker and professional master of ceremonies for almost ten years, he has become an advocate for creating strong experiences for conference attendees. He has come to see the role of a speaker as more than a commodity that fills a space in the agenda. He knows that the speakers can set the tone for the whole event, and he takes his job very seriously.
In today’s distracted work environment there is a disconnect between social media “likes”, “links”, “shares” and “follows” and real meaningful business connections. Thom’s work centers around helping people get back to the basics of relationships that lead to better opportunities and more sales. He focuses on the importance of helping everyone get closer to their own potential, and the potential of their organization.
Thom has authored twelve books on the power of business relationships, sales, networking, presentation skills and entrepreneurship, and regularly speaks to corporate, law firm and convention audiences. He sets the tone for better engagement at industry events as the opening keynote speaker or the Master of Ceremonies. The unique Conference Catalyst Program has become a “meeting planners” favorite in how it transforms the conference attendee experience.
As the host of the popular “Cool Things Entrepreneurs Do” podcast, Thom interviews business leaders, entrepreneurs, solopreneurs, and others who possess an extra dose of the entrepreneurial spirit. The information compiled from these compelling interviews is shared with his clients, as he challenges people to be more engaged and enthusiastic in all their actions.
Thom earned the prestigious Certified Speaking Professional (CSP) designation in 2014. The Certified Speaking Professional designation, established in 1980, is the speaking industry’s international measure of professional platform skill. The CSP designation is conferred by the National Speakers Association (NSA) only on those speakers who have earned it by meeting strict qualifying criteria. The letters CSP following a speaker’s name identify that speaker as a speaking professional with a proven track record for understanding and delivering value from the platform.
Thom lives by the motto “Try New Things”. After being a couch potato for most of his life, Thom is now an avid runner and completed his first half-marathon. As a life long “city kid” he has recently discovered the joys of nature. And after a life of admiring stand up comedians, he recently started performing in open mic nights and comedy shows.