Deborah Gardner, CMP, CVP: Performance Expert

  • Better known by many Fortune 500 companies as “the pit bull in a skirt,” Deborah G is an in-demand global keynote speaker, a swimming champion, founder of three businesses, and author of 6 bestsellers.
  • Deborah’s competitive spirit comes from her background as an Olympic Trials swimmer, the first female broadcaster at CBS Sports, and former hotel sales executive.
  • Her 30+ years of experience in addition to many years as a Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) and entrepreneur, translates into powerful keynote presentations, teaching audiences how to move beyond obstacles to become champions of business.

Travel & Fee Range:**

  • Travels from: Phoenix, Arizona, United States
  • **Fee range: $10,000 - $15,000

Keynote Topics

Obstacles are more than just roadblocks. They prevent a business from achieving goals. Get your team members to view change as an opportunity rather than a roadblock.

Come along for a ride as Deborah G takes you on a journey that explores the Streamline Method. With only a few simple changes, you’ll learn how to reduce resistance to change, move beyond obstacles, and build a proactive team. Instead of being complacent with current level of success, what if you could convince your team that the way forward is moving beyond what they thought was achievable?

Get ready for an exhilarating interactive program that will empower participants to achieve the following outcomes:

  • Learn effective strategies to cultivate confidence and thrive in high-pressure environments, both personally and professionally
  • Discover a simple exclusive method that has been proven to yield great results with minimal resistance
  • Overcome complacency and embrace disruption by taking calculated risks that will enable you to achieve your goals and reach new heights
  • Transform the fear of failure into a powerful catalyst for elevating performance
  • Dominate any stumbling blocks that slow innovation and adaptation – and embrace opportunities to move beyond them

Competitive Performance Expert | Keynote Speaker | Hospitality Powerhouse | Six- Time Bestseller From Olympic Trials swimmer to one of the first female broadcasters with CBS Sports to Mrs. American, Deborah Gardner knows what it takes to compete, win, and lead. Today, she’s a sought-after global keynote speaker and CEO of DG International, whereshe energizes […]

Competitive Performance Expert | Keynote Speaker | Hospitality Powerhouse | Six- Time Bestseller

From Olympic Trials swimmer to one of the first female broadcasters with CBS Sports to Mrs. American, Deborah Gardner knows what it takes to compete, win, and lead. Today, she’s a sought-after global keynote speaker and CEO of DG International, where
she energizes organizations to take ACTION and perform at their highest level with humor, heart, and no fluff.

Known as the “Pit Bull in a Skirt” by Fortune 500 giants, Deborah brings her relatable, high-energy programs that draw from real-life adventures — growing up in a 16-ft trailer, crashing a wedding (on purpose!), running three businesses, and now training to become the oldest woman to swim the 21-mile Catalina Channel this October aiming for Guinness World Records.

Deborah has 30+ years of hospitality experience. A certified meeting professional (CMP) and creator/host of Hospitality Today Live show, Deborah is a respected voice in the industry, producing broadcasts for global hospitality celebrations and thought leadership.

Industry Accolades Include:

  • Top 30 Global Hospitality Gurus
  • Top 50 Successful Meetings Women Leaders
  • CNN’s Top 75 Keynote Speakers Worldwide
  • Eventex Top 100 Most Influential in Events
  • Meetings Today Trendsetter
  • Meetings Mean Ambassador
  • Arizona Fabulous Women to Watch
  • One of the Most Requested Speakers by Meeting Professionals and more

Fun Fact: Meetings & Convention Magazine’s poll by meeting professionals cited Deborah as one of the best speakers ever heard, putting her in the category with Bill Clinton, General Colin Powell, Barbara Corcoran, Les Brown, Magic Johnson, and Tom
Brokaw

Trusted By Top Brands & Organizations:
Walmart · Marriott · Nike · Blue Cross Blue Shield · FOX Restaurants · Fairmont ·
Northstar · Best Western International · Outdoor Industry Association · Direct Selling
Association · PM Hotels · MPI · Smart Meetings · SGMP · PCMA · FleetCon · Teneo
Hospitality · Hotel Interactive · Women Leading Travel · Meetings Today Live · Global
Business Travel · North Carolina Apartment Association · Crown Plaza Hotels and more.

Although Deborah wishes she were a mermaid, off stage, Deborah lives in Arizona with her husband Jerry and their wildly lovable pup, Bear.

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