Ken Okel: Motivational Speaker
Motivational keynote speaker Ken Okel leverages broadcast journalism experience to deliver creative leadership solutions that boost performance, engagement and everyday execution.
Quick Facts:
- Highlights:
- Former broadcast journalist at WPBF, WSPA, WSIL and KAET
- Covered major hurricane relief efforts
- Author of Stuck on Yellow
- Host of the 2 Minute Takeaway Podcast
- Formats: Motivational Keynote Speaker and Event Emcee
- Audiences: Corporate teams, associations, leadership conferences and organizations seeking stronger execution and creative problem solving.
- Outcomes:
- Practical tools to improve daily performance and execution
- Enhanced leadership and accountability skills
- Renewed engagement through interactive learning experiences
- Travels from: Fort Lauderdale, FL
- **Fee range: $10,001 - $20,000
Talent Services
Keynote Topics:
Accepting The Dare: Your Secret Weapon
Remember, as kids, when you could turn down a dare? Today, workplace challenges may offer you no choice. You have to respond and you need to be at the top of your game.
Busy leaders often find themselves defined by how they perform under pressure. In this keynote session, you’ll change the way you approach challenges, inspire your team, and create a path out of uncertainty.
You Will Learn:
- How top performers maximize their performance on the job.
- The question smart news reporters ask and how it can build your employee culture.
- The role communication plays with your team and your customers.
- What you should be celebrating during challenging times.
- What a ballerina knows about trust that can transform you and your organization.
- This session also includes Ken’s signature piece, The Police Dog Attack Story.
The Comeback: Thriving in Your Busy World
If you feel like you never have enough time to get your important work done, then you’re not alone. The problem isn’t competence but the fact that you don’t get enough time to perform what you do best.
In this engaging session, you will learn actionable strategies designed to end your struggle with the clock. It’s a mindset makeover that will give you back your edge.
You Will Learn:
- How to control distractions that steal your time.
- Understanding how newscasters embrace the challenges of daily deadlines.
- Maximizing your employees, even if it means waving goodbye to the good ones.
- How to avoid costly communication misunderstandings.
- The surprising role toilet paper plays in your ability to delegate.
- This session also includes Ken’s signature piece, The Police Dog Attack Story.
Talent Short Bio
Ken Okel is a motivational keynote speaker and former broadcast journalist who understands what it means to perform at a high level every day. Having worked in television news for stations including WPBF, WSPA, WSIL, KAET and the Cable Ace Award winning Fort Collins Evening News, Ken built his career around delivering under pressure, covering major events such as hurricanes Wilma, Frances and Jean.
Today, he channels that real world performance mindset into engaging leadership presentations for companies and associations. Known for his creative problem solving and relatable storytelling, Ken equips audiences with practical tools to overcome workplace challenges and transform professional performance.
He is the author of Stuck on Yellow and host of the 2 Minute Takeaway Podcast. Over the course of his career, he has marketed everything from global brands to a three legged kitten, reinforcing his ability to connect with diverse audiences and industries.
Read Full Bio
Ken Okel understands the importance of performing at a high level every day, having worked in broadcast news.
Today, as a motivational keynote speaker, audiences enjoy his creative solutions to their problems. (WPBF, WSPA, WSIL, KAET, and the Cable Ace Award Winning Fort Collins Evening News), hurricane relief (Wilma, Frances, and Jean), and professional ballet (not a typo).
Today, as a motivational keynote speaker, audiences enjoy his creative solutions to their problems.
Ken is the author of the book, Stuck on Yellow, hosts the 2 Minute Takeaway Podcast, and has marketed everything from global brands to a three-legged kitten.
Today people know about Ken Okel for his leadership presentations to companies and associations.
Audiences are engaged and entertained as they learn from his experiences and gain the tools necessary to transform their professional lives. Some enjoy taking part in Ken’s famous Paper Hat Exercise.
Ken continues to use his broadcasting skills in interviews, as a Master of Ceremonies, and in webinars. Ken is a Past President and two time Member of the Year of the Florida Speakers Association and a 15+ year member of the National Speakers Association.
View All Speakers and follow us on Twitter
Videos
Interest to Book? Send us your enquiry
No reviews available for this post.
Talent FAQ's
Do speakers charge a flat fee or by the hour?
Speaker fees can vary depending on factors such as expertise, demand, and event specifics. While some speakers may charge a flat fee for their services, others may have hourly rates. It’s best to discuss fee structures directly with the speaker or their representative to understand the pricing model.
What is the typical duration of a keynote speech and what is included?
Keynote speeches typically range from 30 to 90 minutes, with the duration determined by the speaker’s expertise, the event’s agenda, and audience preferences. Keynote speeches often include a combination of inspirational stories, practical insights, and actionable advice tailored to the event’s theme or objectives.
Does the scale of the event and audience size affect a speaker’s fee?
The scale of the event and audience size can indeed impact a speaker’s fee. Larger events with a broader reach or higher attendance may command higher fees due to increased exposure and demand. Conversely, smaller events or niche audiences may offer opportunities for more flexible pricing arrangements.
Travel expenses and other costs
Travel expenses such as transportation, accommodation, and meals are typically negotiated separately from the speaker’s fee. These costs vary depending on the speaker’s location, travel distance, and event duration. It’s important to clarify travel arrangements and expenses during the booking process to avoid misunderstandings.
Deposits and securing a booking
Many speakers require a deposit to secure a booking, with the remaining balance due closer to the event date. Deposits are often non-refundable and serve as a commitment from both parties. It’s advisable to discuss deposit requirements and payment terms with the speaker or their representative when finalizing the booking.
Additional tips and takeaways
- Virtual speaking appearances are a cost-effective alternative to high speaking fees, often 10-50% cheaper than in-person rates.
- There is typically no difference in fee for a 15-minute speech versus a 60-minute speech.
- Some motivational speakers are open to discounting their fee if hired for more than one event by the same organization.
- When browsing speakers, consider their location to keep travel costs down.
- Personal connections to your organization or event location can increase your chances of securing a renowned speaker.
- Be upfront about your needs and expectations to ensure a successful partnership.
- Speaker bureaus like Speakers Inc help guide you through the booking process to negotiate the best deal with favorable terms.
Ready to find the perfect speaker for your event? Use our advanced search feature or contact us to get started today!
You may be interested in...
- (9)
Dr. Anne Harbison is an executive leadership educator known for her work with some of the world’s greatest organizations and thought leaders. Beginning her career in Brand Management at Procter & Gamble, she then served as a management consultant specializing in organizational change and learning. Anne was a Principal Strategic Consultant in Gallup’s executive leadership practice, […]
- Travels from: Minneapolis, MN
- Leadership Speakers
- (61)
- Featured
- (9)
Tom Turcich, the tenth person to walk around the world and the first to do so with a dog, captured the world’s imagination with his remarkable journey. After the death of a close friend, Tom resolved to make the most of life. The day before his twenty-sixth birthday, he stepped out his front door to […]
- Travels from: Cincinnati, OH
- Motivational Speakers
- (11)
- (5)
Ron Garan is not your ordinary speaker. He’s a former NASA astronaut, highly decorated combat fighter, and a true explorer of both outer space and the depths of human potential. With 178 days spent in space and over 71 million miles traveled aboard the International Space Station (ISS), Ron Garan brings a wealth of experiences, […]
- Travels from: Houston, TX
- Motivational Speakers
- (10)
Hello, my name is Frank Kitchen…Yes, my last name really is Kitchen. I’m known as the “Mindset Master Chef.” I’m a Husband, Father, Friend, Son, Brother, Volunteer, Professional Speaker and Author. I’m far from perfect, and understand that I need to work everyday to get a little better at each. My passion is working with […]
- Travels from: Goodyear, AZ
- Motivational Speakers
- (23)
- Featured
Sebastian Thrun is working, through robotics and artificial intelligence, to change the way we understand the world. Formally a fully tenured professor at Stanford, Sebastian Thrun left in 2007 to become a Vice-President and Fellow at Google. He founded Google[x], Google’s hardware innovation shop, to create a factory for moonshots. It generated Google self-driving cars, Google […]
- Travels from: San Francisco, CA
- Artificial Intelligence
- (16)
A globally recognized keynote speaker, Tiffani is known for igniting stages and equipping audiences with actionable strategies that drive real business results. With more than 1,000 keynotes across six continents, she brings unmatched energy, credibility, and insight to every audience. She’s not just a speaker—she’s a force in the business world. A former Global Growth […]
- Travels from: Los Angeles, CA
- Culture Speakers
- (28)
Chef Sean Sherman has dedicated his career to supporting and promoting Indigenous food systems and Native food sovereignty. Sean’s cooking style is based on pre-colonial Indigenous food systems, using only ingredients that are native to North America. His menus are inspired by the seasons and the land, featuring traditional ingredients like bison, hand-harvested wild rice, […]
- Travels from: Minneapolis, MN
- Chefs Speakers
- (130)
Danica Patrick has become a global icon, not just in the world of motorsports but also as a symbol of determination, bold ambition, and female empowerment. Her journey from a ten-year-old girl with a dream to an internationally recognized race car driver has captivated millions. With her groundbreaking career in IndyCar and NASCAR, she shattered […]
- Travels from: Austin, TX
- NASCAR Speakers
Disclaimer
These remain the property of its owner and are not affiliated with or endorsed by Speakers Inc.
Fee Range Information
All talent fees exclude VAT, travel and accommodation where required.
