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Pete Smith · Keynote speaker
Keynotes
Dare to MatterBetter Because You Were There
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Pete Smith · Keynote speaker

Pete Smith / Keynote speaker & author

WHOYOUARE.HOWYOUSHOWUP.WHATYOUDOWHILEYOU’RETHERE.IT MATTERS.

Keynotes about the choices we make, the people we become, and the impact we have on others.

Pete Smith · In action

Pete Smith · Speaker reel · 3 min 7 sec · 1080p · English captions

Let’s talk about your event

Two keynote experiences

Dare to Matter Better Because You Were There
Explore ↓

See Pete onstage

Funny. Engaging. And something to take with you.

The humor opens the conversation. The stories make it personal. The ideas give your people something to put into practice.

“MADE THE TRIP WORTH IT.”
ALA attendee
Pete Smith onstage in his speaker reel

Pete Smith · In action

Pete Smith · Speaker reel · 3 min 7 sec · 1080p · English captions

Watch the stories, the energy, and the audience response.

03:07 / Speaker reel

Organizations Pete has worked with

  • Department of Veterans Affairs
  • Goldman Sachs
  • SHRM
  • GovCIO
  • NetApp
  • Charter Communications

Two keynote experiences

A personal choice. An everyday impact.

Who we are shapes what we do. What we do affects others. Two distinct keynotes explore that idea from different directions.

Compare the keynotes · PDF
01 / KeynoteThe personal lens

DARE TO MATTER

Do I matter?

Surviving a stroke at 35 forced Pete to confront his choices, his identity, and what came next. That experience opens a personal, funny, practical keynote about the choices still available to us—even when life doesn’t follow the plan.

What your audience takes away

  • ↗Recognize the choices still available when circumstances aren’t yours to choose.
  • ↗Separate who you are from your title, role, or circumstances.
  • ↗Respond more intentionally to fear, setbacks, uncertainty, and change.

For audiences navigating change, uncertainty, setbacks, or a new chapter.

Bring Dare to Matter to your event
02 / KeynoteThe outward lens

BETTER BECAUSE YOU WERE THERE

You change the room. The only question is how.

People and places should be better because you were there. Through four connected disciplines, Pete challenges audiences to become more intentional about what they bring to the people, conversations, teams, and places they influence every day.

A framework for everyday impact.

Humility. Gratitude. Optimism. Better.

What your audience takes away

  • ↗Recognize where you can be most useful, and how your choices affect others.
  • ↗Make other people’s contributions seen and valued.
  • ↗Turn good intentions into specific actions that improve a team, conversation, or situation.

For teams and leaders who want to make their everyday contribution more intentional.

Bring Better Because You Were There to your event

Rooms Pete knows

Different audiences. Different realities.

A healthcare audience brings different experiences from a credit union, association, or leadership team. Pete starts with your people: what they’re facing, what matters to them, and what you want them to carry forward.

Tell Pete about your audience
  • 01Healthcare
  • 02Financial services & credit unions
  • 03Senior living
  • 04Government & public sector
  • 05Professional associations
  • 06Technology
  • 07Professional services
  • 08Leadership conferences
  • 09Corporate teams

More organizations Pete has worked with

AHRA · NIGP · LeadingAge · WESPAY · Dakota Credit Union Association · Florida Assisted Living Association

From an audience evaluation

Audience members applauding
“
His content is relatable and something I will take back and actually use.
SHRM attendee
Pete Smith speaking and gesturing
Pete Smith meeting attendees at a book table
Personal stories. Everyday impact.

Meet Pete

A real life. A real reason to matter.

Speaker. Author. Entrepreneur. Stroke survivor.

From rebuilding after a stroke to coaching a wrestling team and opening a neighborhood coffeehouse, Pete knows that how we show up matters. He brings those experiences to the stage with honesty, humor, and a practical way forward.

Get to know Pete

For meeting planners

Make it matter for your people.

Tell Pete what's happening in your organization, what your people are facing, and what you want people doing differently when the keynote ends.

“BEST COURSE I’VE ATTENDED OUT OF 25+.”
EXHIBITORLIVE attendee
01

Two keynotes

Compare the ideas, audience outcomes, and fit.

Download overview · PDF
02

The person

A short introduction to Pete and his story.

Download speaker bio · PDF
03

Your event

Your audience. Your priorities. The right keynote.

Start a conversation

For the team behind the event

Ready for your event.

The introduction, technical requirements, and photographs to help your event team get ready.

  • Stage introduction

    MP4 · 1 min 56 sec · 1080p

    Pete's introduction film, ready to play before he takes the stage.

    ↓

  • A/V requirements

    PDF · 1 page · 1.6 MB

    Projector, screen, wireless lavalier microphone, and audio.

    ↓

  • Speaker portrait

    JPG · 2723 × 4096 · AI enhanced

    A black-and-white portrait for event pages and speaker announcements.

    ↓

  • Onstage photograph

    JPG · 4096 × 2723 · AI enhanced

    Pete in the room, connecting with a live audience.

    ↓

Your people. Their next chapter.

LET'S MAKE THE HOUR COUNT.

What do you want your people to take with them? Let’s start there.

Let's talk about your event
Pete Smith · Keynote speaker

Who you are. How you show up. What you do while you’re there. It matters.

KeynotesWatch PeteAbout PeteFor plannersThe bookContact
pete@smithimpact.com703-593-6811

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How you show up matters.