Looking for a keynote speaker that
sparks action, and not just applause?
You’ve come to the right place.
Mike Smith is an acclaimed innovation, travel, and entrepreneurship keynote speaker who helps audiences challenge the status quo, turn limitations into innovation, and design what’s next.
For nearly two decades, Mike has done more than just talk about innovation. He’s built it.
As an award-winning entrepreneur, Mike turned a forgotten warehouse into The Bay, reimagined public education through Bay High, and has collaborated with brands and organizations including Microsoft, Red Bull, Vans, Toyota, X Games, Liquid Death, Jostens, and more.
Mike’s keynotes combine unforgettable storytelling, design thinking, a misfit mindset, and “lessons earned” from actually building things that weren’t supposed to work.
A Stanford-certified Design Your Life Coach, Gallup Global Strengths Coach, award-winning founder, filmmaker, storyteller, and disruptor, Mike brings audiences a simple message:
Big ideas don’t always require bigger resources.
Sometimes they just require a new way of looking at the rules.
Whether he’s speaking about innovation and disruption, leadership and culture, travel and tourism, or designing third places, Mike gives audiences practical tools they can use to rethink what’s possible and take action.
If your event needs creative energy, real-world experience, practical takeaways, and a keynote people will still be talking about after they get home, Mike’s your guy.
Speaking Topics
Breaking the Rules Inside the Lines
INNOVATION & DISRUPTION KEYNOTE
Everyone has constraints. Mike’s field-tested misfit mindset shows audiences how to turn limitations into innovation, challenge the “we’ve always done it this way” mentality, and find new possibilities within existing rules, resources, and systems.
“By Design”
LEADERSHIP, CULTURE &
DESIGN THINKING KEYNOTES
Leadership. Culture. Storytelling. Life. Disruption. These things don’t happen by accident. They happen by design. Choose a keynote or build a customized experience around the challenges facing your people and your organization.
Road Less Traveled
TRAVEL & TOURISM KEYNOTE
The places people remember aren't always the places everyone else is going. Mike shows tourism leaders, destinations, and entrepreneurs how to turn overlooked places, local culture, unlikely stories, and scrappy ideas into unforgettable experiences.
Designing a
Third Place
COMMUNITY BUILDING &
PLACEMAKING KEYNOTE
Somewhere to go. Something to do. People who care. Mike shares his founding principles behind creating places where young people can belong, build relationships, explore interests, and thrive.
“Mike was awesome! Everyone continually brought up some learnings they took away. It also prompted several really key discussions leadership needs to have. Mike crushed it.”
“Mike possesses an extraordinary ability to engage and inspire any audience . . . and consistently delivers with excellence.”
Ready to disrupt your next event?
Here’s how it works!
Check Your Date → Confirm Mike’s availability
Pick Your Topic → Tailor Mike’s content to your audience
Enjoy Your Experience → Watch Mike energize
the room and leave attendees with tangible takeaways
Trusted by Leading Brands & Organizations
Certifications & Awards
