1. Who is Greg Schwem?

Greg Schwem is a Chicago-based corporate comedian, keynote speaker, and nationally syndicated humor columnist. A graduate of Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, he worked as a TV news reporter before building a two-decade career bringing clean, relatable humor to Fortune 500 companies, associations, and leadership teams.

2. Is Greg Schwem’s comedy appropriate for corporate events?

Yes. Greg’s material is clean, customized, and researched specifically for each client’s industry and culture, making it appropriate for corporate keynotes, conferences, sales meetings, and association events.

3. What topics does Greg Schwem cover in his keynotes?

Greg’s keynotes cover humor in the workplace, resilience, generational differences at work, and turning setbacks into stories, drawing on his own experience as a colon cancer survivor and 20-plus years as a business humorist.

4. Where is Greg Schwem based, and does he travel for events?

Greg is based in the USA and performs worldwide, taking his corporate comedy from Fortune 500 boardrooms to international stages, including cruise ships and overseas events.

5. What are Greg Schwem's fees?

Speaking fee varies depending on the event format, location, and specific requirements. To get an exact quote, contact Eagles Talent Speakers Bureau by calling 973-313-9800, emailing info@eaglestalent.com, or completing the Check Availability form on the speaker’s profile page.

6. How do I book Greg Schwem for an event?

To check the speaker’s availability or request a quote, call 973-313-9800, email info@eaglestalent.com, or visit the speaker’s profile at EaglesTalent.com and complete the booking inquiry form.

Greg Schwem

Corporate Comedian, Keynote Speaker and Corporate Event Emcee

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In-Person Fee Range:

$10,001 - $15,000

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Traveling from:

Illinois

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Corporate Culture Speakers Generational Diversity Hosts & Emcees Comedy Speakers Business Transformation/Change Management

Greg Schwem

Corporate Comedian, Keynote Speaker and Corporate Event Emcee

Add To My Favorites Check Fee/Availability

In-Person Fee Range:

$10,001 - $15,000

Fee Details

Virtual Fee Range:

Inquire for Fee

Traveling from:

Illinois

Why Book

Called “King of the hill in the world of corporate comedy” by the Chicago Tribune, Greg Schwem’s workplace observations will have your audience rolling in the aisles with laughter.
The corporate standup comedian and award-winning, nationally syndicated humor columnist shares his uproarious take on the 21st century workplace, customized to your office environment.
Hiring Greg as your master of ceremonies keeps audience members entertained and engaged all day long.

Biography

Greg Schwem has spent two decades finding the funny in office chaos, deadline stress, and everyday corporate life, then turning it into stories your team will still be repeating at the water cooler weeks later. It’s no accident the Chicago Tribune called Greg “king of the hill in the growing world of corporate comedy.” Whether he’s opening a sales meeting or closing a conference, Greg’s goal stays the same: leave the room lighter than he found it.

From Journalism to Laughter: Greg Schwem’s Road to Comedy

A graduate of Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, Greg Schwem always thought comedy would be just a hobby. But, while working as a TV news reporter in West Palm Beach, Florida, and doing comedy at night, Greg eventually followed his heart. “I realized I liked making people laugh more than depressing them,” he said on a recent podcast. “And that’s what I was doing every night on TV.”

Back in his hometown of Chicago, Greg honed his act in nightclubs while also serving as a trade show narrator for some of the world’s most renowned companies. What he saw on trade show floors eventually became fodder for a new kind of comedy: “The Business Humor Specialist”

In 2024, Greg underwent successful surgery for colon cancer. After receiving a clean bill of health, Greg decided to use his comedy skills on “any stage that would have me.” In addition to corporate work he added cruise ships to his repertoire. He returned to his comedy club roots, testing material at some of the nation’s most popular comedy clubs. “For the longest time, I’d been telling audiences that laughter was a great way to deal with personal and professional crises. Now I had to do that myself,” he recalls.

Since 2010 Greg has written the nationally syndicated Humor Hotel column for Tribune Content Agency. When not on stage, he gives bicycle and walking tours of the Windy City. Visiting Chicago for business or a personal trip? Contact Greg and, if he’s in town, he will be happy to show you around the city he calls home.

Programs

Turning Gut Punches into Punch Lines: A Comedian’s Journey Through Life, Laughter, and Resilience

Drawing on personal experience, including a cancer diagnosis, Greg teaches his audience to find humor in the unfunniest situations, even when everything seems hopeless. Whether you are facing personal struggles or business challenges, Greg says the solution begins by admitting you are the “least interesting person in the room” and letting others provide the laughs.

What this program delivers:

Humor in Hardship: Greg reminds audiences that even during the toughest times, laughter is more than just a relief. It’s a powerful tool for building resilience, strengthening team connections, and helping individuals reframe challenges with positivity and perspective.

Practical Mindset Shifts: Learn practical strategies to transform challenges into valuable stepping stones rather than frustrating stumbling blocks, empowering individuals and teams to adapt, grow, and discover new opportunities for success while maintaining a positive mindset during uncertain or difficult times.

Team Empowerment: Discover how groups can rally together, support one another, and strengthen collaboration during moments of uncertainty, turning unexpected challenges into opportunities for growth, unity, and collective success while fostering a resilient team spirit that endures beyond difficult times.

Lasting Takeaways:

Attendees leave not only laughing, but also equipped with fresh, practical perspectives they can immediately apply in both their professional and personal lives, fostering resilience, creativity, and a renewed sense of confidence to face future challenges with optimism.

Work, Laugh, Repeat

Why the title Work, Laugh, Repeat?

When Greg meets with clients, the comment he hears most is, “We just need to laugh right now.” When Greg asks, “Why aren’t you laughing?” the answers vary. But whether it’s organizational change, a new software system, Artificial Intelligence or anything that causes workplace stress or angst, Greg is ready to explore the lighter side through good-natured, clean, customized humor.

Why Humor Succeeds in the Workplace?

Sure we’ve all heard the stories about how laughter stimulates your heart, lungs and muscles. Laughter releases those feel-good endorphins in your brains. Greg doesn’t need to remind you of that. Also, he’s not a scientist or a physician. He’s a former TV journalist who decided he enjoyed making people laugh more than depressing them. Greg began his comedy career as a club comedian but eventually started freelancing as a tradeshow presenter.

Speaking at tradeshows in industries ranging from technology, to medical to automotive, Greg noted how audiences responded when he incorporated humor into the presentations. “They were more likely to stay for the entire presentation,” he recalls. “Some even saw it multiple times. It made me realize it was possible to entertain, inform and motivate people simultaneously. I guess that’s how ‘Work, Laugh, Repeat’ was born.”

What this program delivers:

Greg’s Unique Style: Greg realizes comedy can be a tough sell at corporate events. “Clients worry about what might come out of a comedian’s mouth,” he says. “Maybe they’ve been burned before.” Which is why Greg approaches his craft differently: “Trust me, everything you will hear is ‘HR-approved,’” Greg says.

Audience Reaction: “Nothing pleases me more than when audience members approach me after keynote presentations and say, ‘Thanks, we needed that,’” Greg says. It reassures me that my message made an impact, sparked fresh ideas, and encouraged them to take meaningful action in their work and lives.

Success stories: Even clients who work in industries one would never label “funny” can cut loose. “I’ve made funeral directors laugh; I’ve made emergency room nurses laugh. I’ve even made the CIA laugh,” Greg says. “You have to find time to laugh, no matter what you do at work all day.”

Customization: Every keynote Greg delivers is different. Why? Because every audience is different. That’s why Greg works with clients beforehand, asking questions about what topics will deliver big laughs and, more importantly, what topics to avoid. The result is not only sharp, fresh material but also an accompanying PowerPoint or Keynote presentation that clients review and approve prior to Greg’s appearance.

Humor is Serious Business: But We Should Still be Laughing

Why Humor in the Business Workplace Matters?

Think of humor like WD-40 for communication; it helps things move smoothly. Whether you’re leading a team, onboarding new employees, or giving a keynote at your annual retreat, humor builds trust, diffuses tension, and brings people together. And no, I’m not talking about turning your Monday meeting into a stand-up special. I’m talking about using smart, clean, relatable humor to connect. When done right, humor in the business workplace:

Boosts engagement and morale
Breaks down communication barriers
Encourages creativity and open thinking
Makes messages more memorable

Part keynote, part interactive exercise. As companies struggle to answer the questions, “What is funny?” and “What is appropriate?” Greg offers a different perspective: There ARE no right answers. Instead, he feels all employees, from the new hires to the C-level executives, must formulate their own answers by working together, instead of running from one another.

Rock, Roll & Laugh: Learn how to become a rock star at work

Motivational, fun, and LOUD. Combining hilarious stand-up, live concert footage, and a musical soundtrack featuring everything from country to hip-hop, Greg shows why today’s most successful musical artists thrive by treating their craft as a business. Every company has rock star potential. Are you ready to achieve yours?

What this program delivers:

Rock ’n’ Roll Energy: Audiences discover that, much like a great band, successful teams thrive on passion, practice, and collaboration. Greg blends humor with rock ’n’ roll spirit, inspiring groups to find their rhythm, stay motivated, and perform in harmony together.

Leadership Through Lyrics: Using iconic rock stories and timeless lyrics, Greg highlights lessons in resilience, adaptability, and communication. Attendees learn that strong leadership isn’t about volume—it’s about keeping everyone in tune, striking the right notes, and guiding teams toward a shared encore.

Laughter and Connection: At the heart of every performance is humor, and Greg uses it to build lasting connections. By laughing together, audiences rediscover camaraderie, reduce stress, and strengthen engagement, leaving with practical tools for creating a more fun, collaborative workplace culture.

Rediscovering the Love: Employees leave inspired to reconnect with what they love about their work and colleagues. Through comedy, music, and storytelling, Greg shows how to reignite passion, boost morale, and create a workplace where people feel energized, valued, and truly “in tune.”

Corporate Event Emcee

Looking for a corporate event emcee who keeps your event professional, entertaining and on schedule? Greg Schwem is a professional event emcee, corporate event host and business humorist trusted by companies across the U.S. to host conferences, annual meetings, leadership summits, awards ceremonies and corporate events.