For sales kickoffs
A sales kickoff keynote speaker your team will still be quoting in Q3
Jeremiah Gardner is a keynote speaker for sales kickoffs and company kickoffs. His programs give sales teams practices they keep using after the event. The Unified Team™ shows how teams stay aligned when the pressure rises. The Goldline Effect™ is about performing at a high level without burning out. Both bring rare cave diving footage and stories to the stage, and both turn into habits teams use with each other and with customers.
The problem with most kickoff energy
A kickoff has a hard job. It has to launch the year, carry a new strategy, and send people home believing they can hit a bigger number.
The energy is easy to create and hard to keep. By the first tough quarter, what's left is whatever the team can actually use when a deal slips, a territory changes, or a forecast call gets tense.
So the question for an SKO keynote isn't only "Will the room love it?" It's "What will they still be doing in month four?"
Programs that fit
The Unified Team™: How Teams Stay Aligned When the Pressure Rises. The most natural fit for most kickoffs. Sales teams win and lose on coordination: handoffs, deal reviews, forecast calls, and pursuits with many people involved. This keynote gives teams the protocols elite dive teams use to stay aligned in life-threatening conditions, including pre-briefs, confirmed decisions, and shared awareness.
The Goldline Effect™: How to Explore Without Losing Yourself. A strong fit for kickoffs that ask people to stretch, whether that means a bigger number, a new motion, or a new market. It's about staying anchored under pressure and performing at a high level without burning out.
The Read™: Why Good Leaders Solve the Wrong Problem. Best for the sales leadership session or the frontline manager track. It helps managers diagnose what's really behind a stalled rep, a quiet pipeline review, or a team that agrees too fast.
How it fits your kickoff
- Main-stage keynote (45–75 minutes) for the full sales organization.
- Manager breakout (30–45 minutes) for frontline sales leaders, often paired with the main-stage keynote.
- Workshop for regional or segment teams who want to practice the protocols on their own deals.
- Virtual for distributed or global kickoffs.
Before the event, Jeremiah's team meets with you to understand the year's theme, the number, and what's changing. The keynote is tailored to your sales motion and language.
Why sales leaders book Jeremiah
Jeremiah has delivered more than 100 keynotes in over 20 countries. Organizations including Roche, Nike, eBay, GE, Etsy, ING, Disney, Siemens, Genentech, and Qualcomm have trusted his work. He's a five-time founder who has also led innovation from the C-suite, so he knows what it's like to commit to a goal before anyone is sure the plan will work. He's also a technical cave diver, and the footage he brings is unlike anything else on a kickoff agenda.
"Jeremiah has redefined what our audience expects from a speaker."
Formats and logistics
Keynote. 45–75 minutes. Works for audiences from 50 to 2,000+.
Workshop. Half day (3–4 hours) or full day (6–8 hours) for 20–100 participants. Participants work through the frameworks with worksheets they keep.
Executive session. A half-day to full-day working session for a leadership team of up to 12, built around the team's real situations rather than general examples.
Breakout. 30–45 minutes for conference tracks and parallel sessions.
Virtual. Every program can be delivered live on Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or your platform, with interactive elements built in.
Tailoring. Each program is tailored to your audience, industry, and event theme. Before the event, Jeremiah's team meets with you to align on goals and key messages.
Booking window. Ideally two to three months ahead. Peak conference season fills early. Planning on short notice? Send a short-notice inquiry.
Production. Jeremiah brings his own laptop with all video and audio embedded, so no internet connection is needed. He needs a wireless lavalier or countryman mic and an AV check at least 30 minutes before the session. Full AV rider.
Books for attendees. Bulk event copies of The Read are available.
Travel. Based in San Diego, California. Keynotes, workshops, and executive sessions worldwide.
Frequently asked questions
- What makes a good sales kickoff keynote?
One the room enjoys and the team still uses months later. Look for a speaker with a memorable story and a simple practice people can apply in their next deal review, territory plan, or tough customer conversation.
- Which of Jeremiah's keynotes is best for an SKO?
The Unified Team is the best fit for most kickoffs. Choose The Goldline Effect when the theme is stretch, resilience, or sustainable performance. Add The Read as a session for sales managers.
- Can the keynote reflect our theme and our sales motion?
Yes. Jeremiah's team meets with you before the event, and the examples are built around your theme, your customers, and the changes your team is facing this year.
- Can Jeremiah speak at a virtual or hybrid kickoff?
Yes. Every program can be delivered live on Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or your event platform.
- How early should we book for January and February kickoffs?
As early as possible. Kickoff season is the busiest stretch of the year, so two to three months ahead is ideal. Planning on short notice? Send a short-notice inquiry.
Let's talk about your kickoff
Share your theme, your audience, and what this year has to accomplish.
Field Notes
A clearer way to see what’s next.
Practical notes on leadership, decision-making, and navigating uncertainty. Start with a fresh perspective for your next hard decision. Read a sample.