2012 Keynotes
Closing Keynote – Neil Pasricha
Sometimes the simplest things in life can bring us the most happiness. The cold side of the pillow, finding money in your coat pocket, and snow days are only a few of the things Neil Pasricha thinks are awesome. He wants to share all of them with the world. Pasricha’s blog 1000 Awesome Things is an award winning celebration of the little moments we often overlook but can brighten our days and reads “like a snappy Jerry Seinfeld monologue by way of Maria Von Trapp” (The Vancouver Sun). What started as a hobby to try and help Pasricha feel better about life is now an internet phenomenon and has gathered nearly 25 million views. Pasricha’s goal is to post one awesome thing every weekday for 1000 consecutive weekdays over four years. His book, The Book of Awesome is a #1 international bestseller currently being released in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Holland, India, Korea, New Zealand, the UK, and United States.
1000 Awesome Things and The Book of Awesome point out universal feelgood signposts that help us stay afloat in troubling times. Pasricha’s uplifting lists serve not as fluffy distractions or placating gimmicks, but as reminders of why “life really is awesome after all” (The Guardian) and how we can enjoy it to its fullest by focusing on the things that fill us with joy. As a speaker, Pasricha brims with passion and charisma and tells audiences how focusing on awesome has helped him through tough times and can help change your perspective on life.
He has been featured by CNN, BBC, CBS, MSNBC, CBC, NPR, The Guardian, The New Yorker, The Sunday Times, The Daily Mail, The Globe and Mail, The Toronto Star, The Sydney Herald, China Daily, The Jakarta Post, Entertainment Weekly, Esquire, Slate, The Gayle King Show, Martha Stewart Living, The Huffington Post, and WIRED.
Opening Keynote – Sarah Kay
Sarah Kay holds many titles: poetry teacher, founder and co-director of Project V.O.I.C.E., documentary filmmaker, playwright, singer, songwriter, photographer, and editor for Write Bloody Publishing. Growing up in New York City, Sarah began performing her poetry when she was only fourteen years old, becoming a fixture at the famous Bowery Poetry Club. Since then, Sarah has become one of the most sought-after spoken word performers in North America.Sarah has performed in venues across the country including the United Nations, where she was a featured performer for the launch of the 2004 World Youth Report. That year also marked the launch of Sarah’s Project V.O.I.C.E.; she has since taught Spoken Word Poetry to students of all ages in classrooms and workshops all over the world.
In 2006, Sarah joined the Bowery Poetry Club’s Poetry Slam Team, NYC Urbana, and she was the youngest poet to compete in the 2006 National Poetry Slam in Austin, Texas. Sarah was chosen to speak at the 2011 TED Conference, “The Rediscovery of Wonder”, and her video from that performance has captured the attentions of hundreds of thousands of people. She has also performed internationally in the Czech Republic, the United Kingdom, India, and South Africa.
Sarah was featured on the sixth season of the television series Russell Simmons presents HBO Def Poetry Jam, where she performed her poem “Hands.” A published author, Sarah’s work can be found in literary publications such as Foundling Review, Damselfly Press, and decomP, among others.
2011 Keynote
The Buried Life is a team of four young men from Victoria, British Columbia who are on a mission to complete a list of 100 amazing, challenging, seemingly impossible things. Since January 2010, their hit MTV show has continued to grow in popularity and the team of Ben, Duncan, Dave and Jonnie have crossed some amazing things off their list.
The premise of their adventure is simple: to set aside the day-to-day hassles of life and to give everything they have to achieve what matters most. Inspired by the poem “The Buried Life” by Matthew Arnold, these four are trying to uncover everything the world has to offer. They have been courageous, bold and daring in their efforts — and as a result they have been able to accomplish some unbelievable things.
From #2 “Lead a Parade” to #95 “Play Ball with Obama”, not only are these guys going after their dreams but they are encouraging everyone they meet along the way to do the same.
Everywhere they go they ask one question: “What do you want to do before you die?” And every time they complete an item on their list, they help someone else do the same — the pay-it-forward effect is powerful.
At the SLC 2011 this year, rethink your life’s priorities, and ask yourself: What do you want to do before you die?
