THE WHITE HOUSE YEARS
Laura Schwartz, the Director of Events for the Clinton Administration, created and executed more than 1,000 White House events including State arrival ceremonies and dinners, America’s Millennium Celebration and NATO’s 50th Anniversary. While producing the President’s events on the world stage, Laura demonstrated the ability to inspire a nation and the world through powerful productions. She arrived at the White House, with no political connections, at just 19 years of age as a volunteer answering phones in the press office. Immediately proving her value, Laura climbed her way up the ranks to Staff Assistant, the Midwest Press Secretary, the Director of Television, and ultimately, the White House Director of Events. Following the administration, Laura travelled the world with Former President Clinton for the Global Initiative.
PROFESSIONAL SPEAKER, EMCEE AND INTERVIEWER
Laura has been taking her empowering presentations to stages across the world since 2001 and is well known for her dynamic keynotes and as a mistress of ceremonies for multi-day conferences and events. Whether addressing an intimate gathering of 30 or a crowd of 30,000, Laura captivates audiences with her positive energy, expertise and enthusiasm. Laura has received high marks for her work as emcee for many prominent corporations including Hewlett Packard, Microsoft, Mercedes Benz, Cathay Pacific, HSBC, BlackRock, Pacific Life, MACY’S, Hilton Worldwide, Oprah Winfrey Network, Hyatt, PepsiCo, Coldwell Banker, Asembia Pharmaceutical and more.
LAURA’S BOOK EAT, DRINK & SUCCEED
In “Eat, Drink & Succeed!” Laura shares the secrets to building powerful, effective partnerships in our companies, communities and beyond, adding color with personal anecdotes from her life and White House years. Through her acclaimed speaking series, she takes those same details to stages, boardrooms, classrooms and ballrooms around the world empowering, motivating and inspiring each audience to Eat, Drink & Succeed!
TELEVISION WORK
Laura’s nonpartisan commentary is well respected both domestically and internationally. She is a regular guest host for Larry King on “Larry King’s Politicking” and is an international television commentator speaking about leadership, networking and world events. She was the on-air political contributor for Fox News Channel from 2004 to 2007, covered the 2008 presidential campaign for “The CBS Early Show” on CBS, a regular on Sir David Frost’s “Frost Over the World,” and the special correspondent to “Larry King Live” at CNN for the 2008 Presidential Elections. Today, Laura appears on the “BBC World News,” China’s CCTV and the BBC. For more on Laura’s work visit her YouTube channel and recent appearances here.
HONORS AND BOARD INVOLVEMENT
Laura is widely recognized for her civic, philanthropic and professional leadership and is humbled to have won numerous awards and accolades. In 2015, Laura was the first American woman to be featured as the cover story of The UAE’s leading entrepreneurial magazine and appeared as a featured contributing writer to Fast Company magazine. She has been recognized by various magazines; named one of the Best Keynote Speakers by Meetings and Conventions magazine, as well as by Successful Meetings magazine. She was also featured in The Meeting Professional magazine of MPI, named an “Elle Boss” by Elle magazine and featured in Glamour and Marie Claire. She serves on the boards of the American Heart Association, the Clean the World Foundation and Common Threads. She was named one of the “100 Most Influential Women in Chicago” by Today’s Chicago Woman magazine and named one of Chicago’s “Most Bold and Beautiful” by Chicago magazine for her community involvement. In 2009, the prestigious Oxford Union in England invited Laura to speak on the Foreign Policy Legacy of the United States and the role of Women in the World.
Laura is a proud member of the National Speakers Association (NSA), Meeting Professionals International (MPI) and the International Live Events Association (ILEA). She travels extensively both domestically and internationally to work with Fortune 500 companies, independent businesses, industry associations, universities and non-profit organizations, motivating people from all over the world to reach their fullest potential!
Based on Laura’s book, this keynote shows how to use the positive power of networking to your advantage. Laura’s keynote grabs its audience’s attention. It’s motivational, humorous and engaging, but that’s not what makes it powerful. What makes it powerful is that it’s immediately actionable. For the audience, the new networking knowledge can be applied instantly to the conference or event at hand as well as carried back to their offices, shared with their colleagues, team members, clients, partners and put to work in their professional and personal communities. What’s unique about Eat, Drink & Succeed is that it is more than a series of anecdotes; it’s a compelling story that’s packed with networking tools and command of partnerships. Laura’s behind the scenes stories of the White House, DreamWorks, Oprah and beyond illustrate just how useful these skills are for the savvy professional, regardless of background, industry or career path.
One key technique Laura employs is flipping the definition of networking around, empowering your audience to continue growing their networks and opportunities by adopting the mantra, “What can I do for you?” instead of the sometimes more negative mentality that asks, “What can you do for me?” She explains how positive, powerful networking involves mentoring and leading both inside and outside of the office, resulting in beneficial outcomes for all parties involved. She shares her techniques – including insider tips about the effective powers of preparation, introductions and engaging conversations with a message and follow-up among others. She provides attendees with the means to turn a brief meeting, break room conversation, power lunch or “optional” social occasion into a valuable opportunity for themselves, their company or industry association.
Eat, Drink & Succeed motivates, engages, and most importantly, it drives action.
“Laura has such great energy and stage presence! Her message is a good one for people who network/ do sales, etc.”
Our team was truly energized after hearing your insights, guidance and perspective on how to capitalize on making relationships count. Your talk was inspiring and memorable, and now I will think twice before I go home to the remote control vs. spending 20 minutes at that cocktail party!
Boy, did you WOW our group! Your positive nature and enthusiasm is so energizing. And the way that you tied in your session into our profession and attendee demographic was really appreciated. People were talking about it throughout the event. Also, thank you for being so gracious with the audiovisual challenges we had. You handled them as professionally as any meeting planner could hope for.
Your presentation was wonderful, as always, and our team was fully engaged. We received much positive feedback about you as a speaker and the absolute relevance of the subject for our team. As always, you were a big hit!
Lauras talent and command of the audience, as well as a well-presented keynote address made the show for all in attendance. I would highly recommend Laura as a keynote and emcee. I am proud to have worked with her and will leverage the fact that I know her in every circle I can!
She (Laura) is organized and she delivers our members loved her. She worked in association information and SWS details throughout her presentation. She had studied us and knew what we were all about. And we are a tough group as people who hire and hear speakers all the time, we are hard to impress. But Laura brought out the best in everyone and she got outstanding reviews.
I came away from your presentation inspired to network in new ways that I am putting to work for me immediately! Thanks for being a wonderful role model for the modern working woman!
Your presentation received RAVE reviews – ratings and comments were off the charts! It earned wonderful comments not only for the content, but also for your energy and enthusiasm. It was the perfect way to start the day! I also want to thank you for virtually attending the entire Symposium and making yourself available to chat with the participants they so appreciate it when speakers are as open, downtoearth and willing to speak to them as you were.
Laura, you were just terrific at our meeting and we received nothing but rave reviews back from our attending members! I cant remember a time when one of our speakers received such allaround praise from this many attendees. Great job and thank you for making us look so smart by booking you for the event!
Laura, your positive energy, humor and entertaining personality were the hit of the conference and very contagious! I truly enjoyed watching you on stage daily. You made the entire FICP Conference very enjoyable!
Lauras enthusiasm as she presented each and every award kept the audience on their toes. What could have been a lengthy, uneventful program became a true celebration of everyones work to bring United Ways mission to life. She was flawless! Attendees raved that this years program was by far their favorite due in large part to Lauras energy.
Laura you are a pro that can step into any situation and that is greatly appreciated! We cant wait to recommend you for our next job. Thanks again for a fantastic evening!
Thank you so much for honoring us last week. It was the best gala ever, and a HUGE portion is attributed to you. Youre an amazing woman and I am proud to know you.
Your presentation at the ACCE (Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives) Conference was the very best of a fabulous week!
We loved your energy and enthusiasm – you were exactly what we needed! Always a real bonus in any event!
Laura, you were just terrific at our meeting and we recieved nothing but rave reviews back from our attending members! I can’t remember a time when one of our speakers recieved such all-around praise from this many attendees. Great job and thank you for making us look so smart by booking you for the event!