Global keynote speaker

Keynote Speaker Troy Sandidge

Troy Sandidge is a sought-after keynote speaker, strategist, business advisor, author, thought leader, award-winning podcaster, and human energizer who talks on marketing, strategy, growth, mindset, and motivational themes.

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Troy's most popular keynotes

Most Requested Keynote Tracks

Harness the Power of Social Media: Turn Content Into Business Growth

Social media is more than a content channel. It is a business growth engine. Learn how to choose the right platforms, create content that earns attention, build real community, and turn audience engagement into measurable business impact.

Digital Marketing Insurgency: Winning in the Age of AI

The marketing playbook has changed. AI, automation, shifting buyer behavior, and smarter discovery are rewriting how brands earn attention and drive growth. Learn how to activate smarter marketing systems without losing the human strategy behind them.

Entrepreneurship Redefined: Build, Scale & Sustain Your Business

Building a business takes more than a good idea. Troy gives entrepreneurs practical frameworks to strengthen their mindset, sharpen their marketing, make smarter growth decisions, and build a business designed to sustain and scale.

Avoid Business Failure: Optimize the Customer Journey

Complexity, confusion, and chaos quietly kill growth. Learn how to simplify the customer journey, remove friction from marketing and sales, and create a clearer path from attention to conversion.

Become A Rejection Rockstar: How To Win Through Setbacks & Adversity

Rejection, setbacks, and unexpected pivots are part of every ambitious journey. Using Troy’s Four Rs, audiences learn how to reframe adversity, recover faster, rebuild confidence, and turn difficult moments into momentum.

The Art of Not Being Defeated: Northwestern Medicine Keynote Trailer

Challenges can interrupt the plan without ending the mission. This keynote explores how to release what is holding you back, rebuild trust and clarity, renew your commitments, and develop the resilience to keep moving when life or work does not go according to plan.

Conscious Growth Pathways: A Smarter Model for Sales & Marketing

Modern buyers expect more than funnels and transactions. Conscious Growth Pathways™ brings strategy, experience, education, entertainment, and empowerment together to help organizations align marketing and sales around how people actually discover, decide, and buy.

Modern Social Media Marketing Dismantled: What Actually Drives Growth

Forget trying to win on every platform. Learn how to identify where your brand should show up, what content actually earns attention, which metrics matter, and how to use AI without sacrificing strategy, creativity, or connection.

get the all-star hype treatment for your event

Every Stage, Every Time Troy Brings That 'Super Bowl Halftime' Talk Energy

Troy is a powerhouse keynote speaker who approaches every in-person and virtual event like a Super Bowl halftime show performance, bringing passion, big energy, and creativity to leave audiences with memorable experiences.

With a portfolio that spans 650+ talks across five continents, he’s captivated audiences on stages alongside legends like Oprah, President Barack Obama, Viola Davis, Daymond John, Gary Vaynerchuk, Andrew Huberman, and Russell Brunson, to name a few.
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From marketing, strategy, growth, and business to diversity, equity, inclusion, and culture to mindset, motivation, and resiliency, Troy leaves audiences with powerful takeaways that connect, compel, and convert.

He is committed to educating, empowering, and entertaining communities of all types, sparking the belief to change, explore, learn, grow, take action, and achieve greatness!
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Why Choose Troy Sandidge?

Nontraditional, Unconventional, & Refreshingly Authentic Troy Elevates Keynotes With His Unique Delivery

Troy delivers high-energy keynotes that blend motivation, humor, and insight, making complex ideas accessible and engaging. His unique style incorporates mnemonics, cultural references, and witty analogies, connecting with audiences through modern truths and trends.

Known for his candid and bold approach, Troy infuses each talk with high EQ, inclusivity, and actionable takeaways that resonate long after the event. Every presentation is customized to the audience and event, ensuring a memorable and impactful experience that inspires lasting change.

Troy's mission with every presentation is to inspire, motivate, educate, and ignite curiosity, delivering actionable insights that audiences can immediately apply. His 'vibe' is uniquely down-to-earth, making complex ideas relatable and easy to understand, which is his differential in the speaking space. With a strong emphasis on the elegance of storytelling, Troy captivates audiences, whether on stage or screen, at conferences, schools, corporate events, nonprofits, or panels. Known for his high-energy, thought-provoking delivery, Troy fosters an engaging, two-way conversation that resonates deeply with his audience, making each experience memorable and impactful.
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Custom Presentations, Webinars, & Workshops Tailored To Your Event, Troy Delivers Every Time

Troy’s approach to speaking goes far beyond just delivering a message. It’s about igniting imagination, fostering inclusion, and driving innovation. His presentations are tailored specifically to your event, ensuring they are immersive, purpose-driven, and deeply engaging. Whether in person or virtual, Troy crafts experiences that leave a lasting impact by blending creativity, diverse perspectives, and forward-thinking insights.

Each speaking engagement is designed to inspire audiences to think differently, act boldly, and foster genuine connections that drive real impact. By infusing purpose-driven storytelling with diverse experiences, Troy creates a powerful platform for growth and connection. His presentations are simple and easy to understand, while still vibrant and thought-provoking, consistently elevating and engaging audiences in ways that inspire change and action.

Here is how Troy ignites, includes, and innovates in all his presentations:

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Ignite Imagination

When Troy speaks, he ignites the imagination of his audience by crafting stories and narratives that connect emotionally and spark curiosity. His unique ability to break down complex concepts into clear, digestible insights empowers listeners to think bigger and see new possibilities. His dynamic delivery leaves audiences energized, ready to apply these fresh perspectives to their own challenges.

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Foster Inclusion

Troy fosters inclusion by ensuring his talks represent diverse voices and experiences, making sure every audience member feels seen and heard. Whether addressing global leadership, entrepreneurship, or DEIB topics, Troy incorporates varied perspectives that build a sense of belonging and unity. His inclusive approach encourages active participation and meaningful discussions that resonate long after the event is over.

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Drive Innovation

Troy drives innovation by incorporating the latest trends, technologies, and methodologies into his presentations. He uses culturally adept practices and cutting-edge insights to keep audiences at the forefront of industry advancements. His talks inspire not only creativity but also actionable steps toward innovation, empowering audiences to implement forward-thinking solutions in their own lives and businesses.

Speaking FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Notable Venues Troy Has Spoken At?

âś“ Content Marketing World (2024)
✓ Empowered Podcasting Conference (2024)
âś“ INNOVATE Summit (2024)
âś“ MarkeTech Conference (2024)
âś“ North by Northeast @ Vermont State University (2023)
âś“ INBOUND (2023) ft Reese Witherspoon & Steven Bartlett
✓ Podcast Movement: Denver (2023)
âś“ DigiMarCon Midwest @ Soldier Field (2023)
âś“ GURU Conference (2022) ft Daymond John
âś“ Creator Expo (2022)
✓ INBOUND (2022) ft President Barack Obama & Viola Davis
âś“ DigiMarCon Midwest @ Soldier Field (2022)
âś“ Podcast Movement Evolutions: Los Angeles (2022)
âś“ The Big Push Summit: Q4 & Beyond (2021)
âś“ Afros & Audio (2021)
âś“ INBOUND (2021) ft Oprah Winfrey & Spike Lee
âś“ StreamYard's Level Up Summit (2021) Ft Gary Vaynerchuk
âś“ Entreprehero Summit (2021)
âś“ Social Media Week Lima (2021)
âś“ LinkJoy Social Media Summit India (2021)
âś“ Executive Women International (2020)
âś“ California Department of Conservation (2020)
âś“ Associated Colleges of Illinois (2020)
âś“ Social Media Week Lima (2019)
âś“ Internet Summit (2019)
âś“ Canada International Education Conference, CICE (2019)
✓ Rainmaker Digital Summit: Australia (2019)
âś“ United States-Korea Conference (2019)
âś“ Northwestern University (2019)
âś“ Federal Bureau of Prisons (2019)
âś“ Social Media Week Conference (2018)

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Speaking Bureaus, Representations & Affiliations

Speaking Bureaus & Affiliations‍
✓ Troy is a member of All American Speakers Bureau: Top Leading Speakers Bureau for Top Entertainment, Celebrities, & Speakers
âś“ Troy is a member of the Black Speakers Collection
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Troy is listed as a Keynote Speaker on AAE Speakers Bureau
âś“ Troy is listed as a Global Keynote Speaker on SpeakerHub

Volunteer & Pro-Bono Speaking Affiliations

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Troy is listed as a Keynote Speaker for pro-bono work on FreeSpeakers.org Chicago and FreeSpeakers.org Indianapolis
✓ Troy is a Plenary Speaker and Business & Marketing Workshop Facilitator for SCORE (Greater Chicago, Greater Indianapolis, & Nationally)
âś“ Troy was a volunteer speaker for motivational, inspirational, and career-focused themes for Communities in Schools (Chicago) speaking to over 20 Chicago Public Schools (youth through high school) and is still a certified Chicago Public Schools Volunteer
âś“ Troy has spoken at hundreds of events for Chambers of Commerce, youth groups, grade schools, middle schools, high schools, nonprofit organizations, churches, social good initiatives, charity events, impact missions, and more across the country. Many of these have been offered at a discount or for free as part of his business philanthropy efforts.
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What's Troy's Speaking & Presentation Style?


Troy's speaking style is a vibrant mix of motivation, energy, and insight, brought to life through his signature use of mnemonics, acronyms, cultural references, and comedic-worthy analogies. He skillfully taps into current trends, insights, and modern truths, delivering content that is not only dynamic and informative but also deeply engaging.

Known for being candid and bold, Troy infuses high EQ, inclusivity, and equitable processes into every performance, ensuring his message resonates on a personal level with every audience. His goal is to provide digestible, tweet-worthy, and actionable takeaways that stick long after the event ends.

Troy takes audiences on a compelling journey, blending humor, insight, and powerful storytelling to create a memorable experience. His talks, keynotes, workshops, and sessions are always customized to fit the specific audience, theme, and goals of the event, ensuring a big impact and lasting connection.

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How Much Notice Is Required For A Speaking Request?

To ensure Troy can prepare and bring the best version of himself for your event, developing a presentation and experience tailored to your audience, please submit your speaking request at least 2 to 3 months in advance to allow adequate planning, customization, and any necessary coordination with your event team.

Virtual events may allow for shorter lead times. If your event is last minute, Troy will do his best to accommodate based on availability, travel, and event needs. Additional costs may apply for expedited planning or travel.

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What Are Troy's Speaking Requirements?

For speaking engagements, Troy typically requires the following:

1. Event Details: Date, time, location (if applicable), duration, and expected audience size.
2. Topic and Objectives: Information on the theme of the event, your vision, and the key messages you want covered.
3. Technical Setup: Access to AV equipment, microphone (headset preferred), layout of the stage or platform being used.
4. Logistics: Travel arrangements if the event is in person (travel and lodging are usually expected to be covered if flying or beyond reasonable miles from Troy's location, whatever comes first) or access details for a virtual event.
5. Audience Information: Insights into the audience's background, interests, and any specific challenges or knowledge they are seeking to absorb.
6. Marketing and Promoting: Access to all promotional materials and approval of imagery and language used as well as collaboration on expected marketing efforts to maximize event visibility. Accurate tagging across social platforms and expectations on content creation.
7. Pre and Post-Event Activities: A detailed event agenda, including speaking times and expected activations before and after the event. Access to any recordings and photography taken along with opportunities to network and do follow-up meetings if relevant to the event goals.

Note: Deeper breakdown of requirements can be provided during correspondence and coordination.

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Does Troy Do Free Speaking Sessions?

Yes, Troy does offer a percentage of free speaking sessions each year, primarily reserved for youth, schools, nonprofits, and social good organizations. (Learn why)

He’s also listed on Chicago's FreeSpeakers.org and Indianapolis' FreeSpeakers.org sites, as he frequently travels between the two cities and surrounding areas.

Additionally, Troy often participates in live or virtual events for free (or drastically reduced cost) with organizations like SCORE, Chambers of Commerce, and other nonprofits. (See examples here)

If your budget is tight and you're part of a nonprofit or social organization, feel free to reach out. He’d love to explore how we can make something work.

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What Is Troy's Speaker Fee Range?

Troy’s speaking fees are thoughtfully determined based on the specifics of each event, including the topic, location, travel requirements, audience, and overall expectations. While this approach allows flexibility, it also means the fee can vary widely depending on the details. To give you an idea, Troy's in-person keynote fees range from free (yes, free!) to around $25,000 for the day or agreed duration. This fee includes all travel and lodging expenses, so you don’t have to worry about those details.

Depending on the package you select, Troy’s involvement can also include a book-signing session with a discounted case of books, social media promotion, and an entire day at your event. He’s all in for participating in round-table discussions, panels, breakouts, workshops, and delivering a keynote—all within the same event. (Troy thrives on this marathon-like experience and has done it multiple times, as long as he gets a few breaks in between.) He’s committed to making the most of his time with your audience and may even offer free strategy or consulting sessions with a select group of attendees post-event.

To lock in your event, a minimum 25% deposit is required, with the remaining balance due after the experience is delivered. Think of his fees like booking a vacation rental: during peak times, you might pay a premium, but in slower periods, you could secure the same premium experience at a fraction of the cost.

If you’re interested in seeing how Troy’s fees align with your event, feel free to fill out this form, and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible to discuss further!

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Speaking Testimonial Highlights

Real Words,
Real Experiences

Here are a few testimonials — real words from real experiences — showcasing Troy's powerful delivery, unique insights, approachable and empathetic character, and engaging style. Discover how he has left a lasting impression on audiences, inspired change, and driven results, becoming an invaluable partner to event organizers and brands looking to educate, empower, and elevate.

Goes Above & Beyond On Stage!

Troy is excellent on stage, super hospitable, and was a genuine delight for all our teams to work with, going above and beyond as a good partner for HubSpot's INBOUND experiential global events team.

Courtney Dagher
Head of Global Events & Community, HubSpot

He Did A Keynote + 2 More Plenary Sessions

Not only was he our keynote speaker for MarkeTech Conference 2024, he did two additional talks! As the event coordinator he was such a breeze to work with—super clear in his communication and always on the ball with his presentations. What really impressed me was how Troy didn't just talk and leave. He stuck around, answered questions, participated in every single social media request and interview, and even followed up with extra resources for anyone who wanted more info post-conference. He really goes above and beyond, and it was great having him as part of our event.

Tonja Hahn
Event Coordinator, MarkeTech Conference

A Performer, Showman, & True Energizer!

Troy brings energy on stage and offers warmth and hospitality backstage, our speakers and backstage crew alike could feel it with him hosting our Main Stage featuring President Barack Obama to Viola Davis and more!

He's a performer, a showman, and a true energizer. It's refreshing to see someone, especially someone of color, who can bring so much love across the stage and then show it back to everyone else who works so hard to make the event possible. Can't recommend him enough!

Ashley Hong
Content Strategist, INBOUND Conference

He Put In The Work At Our Event

Troy is an amazing and fun speaker! I really appreciated all the work Troy put into our series of live events and virtual keynote. He had great speaking topics that matched well with our select group of Entrepreneurs, Business Owners and Founders. He also helped to promote our events and our audience really enjoyed him as a speaker. Troy showed up on time, he was patient with me and my tech, he stayed late during the Q&A part of the event and he didn't mind using LinkedIn Messenger to communicate with me at any time of the day. He makes time, has a deep passion for this, and we really enjoyed as well as appreciated working with Troy!

Ericka Bates
Virtual Event Strategist & Coordinator, Talk Virtual

He Communicates Things Differently

Troy explained how brands and people communicate differently and that there isn't an absolute single way to get things across through your marketing but instead mutual language that connects. And coming from someone whose job is outside that work, he explained it all in a way where it made sense to me as a non-marketing professional which I'm sure many other entrepreneurs in the room appreciated.

Kate O'Malley
Business Professional

I Learn New Things From Him All The Time.

Troy has a way of making every person feel important and heard. His knowledge in marketing is top-notch. I learned new things from him all the time, more than I ever picked up from any book.

Janelle Cardozo
Digital Marketing Expert

Did A Fantastic Job The Entire Day

We appreciate Troy being part of our team for the Chicago Public Schools IT Team Town Hall At Google Chicago Headquarters. He did a fantastic job providing insights throughout the day, bringing great energy and connectivity with audiences while also moderating the panels keeping us on track.

Anne Marie Spehar, MS, MA, CCMP
Global Change & Transformation Executive

His High Energy Was Contagious!

Troy's high energy throughout the day was contagious and he provided one of the best introductions I've ever had that got me so electrified to go on after and deliver a great and insightful workshop.

LaTonya Wilkins
Keynote Speaker, CX Coach, & LinkedIn Top Voice