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Available for
Keynote, Emcee, ModeratorFee Ranges
US East: $10,000 – $20,000*
US West: $10,000 – $20,000*
Europe: Please inquire
Asia: Please inquire
Other: Please inquire
* Ranges are presented as a guideline only. Speaker fees vary by engagement type and are subject to change without notice. For an exact quote, please contact Gravity Speakers.
Traveling From
Illinois, USAAbout
The Huffington Post calls Greg Schwem, “Your boss’ favorite comedian.” That’s because Greg’s clean, razor-sharp wit, and family-man stage presence has made him a favorite for audiences worldwide. More than just an entertainer, Greg is also a best-selling author, nationally syndicated humor columnist for the Chicago Tribune, and award-winning greeting card writer.
A graduate of Northwestern University’s prestigious Medill School of Journalism, Greg never envisioned a career in laughter. Instead, he settled in Florida, becoming an on-camera reporter for NBC-owned WPTV in West Palm Beach. But the comedy bug bit Greg hard and he returned to his hometown of Chicago, where he honed his stand-up act in nightclubs, eventually graduating to bigger rooms and larger audiences. Greg’s media appearances include stints on Comedy Central, VH-1, and Sirius/XM Radio, where he can be heard regularly on Laugh USA. He has appeared in concert with the likes of Celine Dion, Keith Urban, Jay Leno, and Enrique Iglesias. As a corporate entertainer, Greg’s clients have included Microsoft, McDonald’s, IBM, and Southwest Airlines. And when he travels, Greg often stays at Airbnb and other “home sharing” properties, treks that have resulted in a hilarious, ongoing web series, A Comedian Crashes Your Pad.
Greg blogs regularly for the Today Show and is the author of two Amazon best sellers: Text Me If You’re Breathing: Observations, Frustrations and Life Lessons from a Low-Tech Dad and The Road to Success Goes Through the Salad Bar: A Pile of BS (Business Stories) From a Corporate Comedian.
Topics
You Can't Cancel Laughter
Live, Virtual or Hybrid
The Presentation:
The Will Smith slap. The Dave Chappelle/Netflix controversy. High-profile incidents like this have corporate America talking about the role of humor in the workplace and the definition of “funny.” What Gen X finds uproarious, Gen Z might find “offensive” or “inappropriate” Who is correct? In a hilarious yet thought-provoking presentation, renowned business humorist and award-winning Chicago Tribune humor columnist Greg Schwem challenge his audience to realize that curtailing humor in the workplace also stifles creativity, teamwork, and employee wellness. For those who say, “we aren’t a funny company” or “this isn’t a good time for us to be laughing,” Greg disagrees. Using real-world examples, Greg explores how companies have increased sales and overcome negative publicity through humor. Unlike speakers who dub themselves “humor experts,” yet provide no answers, Greg, a 30-year standup comedy veteran, offers suggestions for navigating this slippery slope while laughing the entire time. Learn how to “engage but never attack” and why it’s best to avoid the “humor cop.” Greg also shows how humor helped lift this country’s emotions during the COVID-19 crisis while assisting businesses to cope with the worst possible scenarios. Don’t believe that’s possible? Then you haven’t heard of the suburban Chicago restaurant that offered a free roll of toilet paper with every takeout order!
Greg has delivered this presentation to the toughest audiences, including the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM) and the Society of Government Meeting Planners (SGMP). Hey, if those groups can laugh, so can yours. The ability to research his audience and tailor his content is why companies such as Microsoft, McDonald’s, Southwest Airlines, and even The CIA have turned to Greg for laughs, and why HuffPost referred to Greg as, “Your boss’s favorite comedian.”
Work, Laugh, Repeat
Perfect for any audience looking to laugh while also seeking a motivational message
Rock, Roll & Laugh Your Way to the Top!
Loaded with live concert footage from every musical genre, an upbeat, hilarious and LOUD talk that spotlights the similarities between successful rock stars and successful businesses.
Emcee / Host
Performing live or virtually, Greg can host an event separately or in addition to one of his three keynotes
Videos
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Virtually Live! You Can't Quarantine Laughter with Greg Schwem
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Hilarious Corporate Humor Demo 2020
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Greg Schwem '18 funniest corporate comedian performance
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Rock Roll & Laugh Your Way to the Top - Greg Schwem
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Greg Schwem Emcee Reel
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Articles
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Parade: Greg Schwem Makes Fortune 500 Companies Laugh at Themselves
Books
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The Road to Success Goes Through the Salad Bar
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Text Me If You're Breathing: Observations, Frustrations and Life Lessons From a Low-Tech Dad
