Keynote Speaker

Make your next event memorable

Keynote Speaking Designed for Impact

Looking for a keynote speaker that energizes the room and leaves people thinking differently?

Phil Mershon is a strategic event architect and culture designer who has spent more than 30 years engineering transformational experiences for organizations, associations, and global conferences.

As Director of Experience for Social Media Marketing World, he helped shape one of the largest marketing conferences in the world, earning:

90%+ “Would you refer this event?” ratings year after year
Consistently sold-out experiences
A fiercely loyal returning community

Phil’s keynote speaking blends:

Storytelling that moves the room
Behavioral science and memory research
Real-world strategy and case studies
Actionable frameworks leaders can apply immediately

Audiences don’t just leave inspired. They leave equipped.

More speaking samples (click links):

“No one speaks to the art and science of building memorable experiences with more insight than Phil Mershon. He’s lived his advice many times over, and he’s also an engaging, creative and flat-out likable speaker. Expect a highly authentic presenter that goes above and beyond.”
— Zach Phillips, Director of Member Services, NAMM

Signature Keynotes

How to Create Unforgettable Customer Experiences That Drive Loyalty and Growth

Why do some experiences get forgotten by Friday while others shape decisions for years?

In this keynote, Phil reveals the science and strategy behind memorable experiences and how they drive retention, referrals, and revenue.

Drawing from his book Unforgettable: The Art and Science of Creating Memorable Experiences and decades of hands-on experience design, he breaks down what actually creates loyalty.

Audiences will learn:

The three elements that make experiences Memorable, Meaningful, and Momentous
Why memorability is a growth strategy, not a creative luxury
How to design emotional peaks without gimmicks
How to build repeat engagement into your customer journey

Ideal for: marketing leaders, founders, event professionals, and customer experience teams.

“Bringing in Phil was a game-changer for our event. His creativity and outside-the-box thinking was refreshing and ignited our audience’s imagination and sparked innovative ideas. With a blend of insightful anecdotes and practical strategies, he challenged conventional wisdom and left everyone inspired and enthusiastic, with new tools and fresh perspectives. We’re grateful for the impact he made!”

–Zack Grant, Chief Executive Officer, SEAS Productions

From Unforgettable to Impactful: Turning Events into Strategic Catalysts

Too many events are expensive line items. The best ones are growth engines.

Phil shows how to transform events into strategic catalysts that strengthen community, reinforce brand identity, and increase lifetime value.

Participants will discover how to:

Architect connection instead of leaving networking to chance
Increase retention and referral rates
Design agendas that serve the audience, not just the spreadsheet
Measure impact beyond applause

Perfect for: corporate event teams, associations, and leadership teams investing heavily in live experiences.

“Phil Mershon brought strong energy and thoughtful perspective to the AGM Retail Conference stage. Drawing from the principles in his book Unforgettable, he shared practical ideas around creating more intentional and memorable customer experiences.

Phil has a natural ability to connect with a room, and his focus on relationship-building and the human side of business resonated well with our golf retail audience. His session left attendees with useful takeaways and a fresh lens on how small moments can shape the overall customer experience.”

Jennifer Morton, Chief Executive Officer, Association of Golf Merchandisers (AGM)

Transforming Culture Through Experience: From Values on the Wall to Behaviors in the Room

Culture is not built through mission statements. It is built through repeated experiences.

In this keynote, Phil demonstrates how leaders can intentionally design experiences that reinforce identity, shape behavior, and drive cultural alignment.

Audiences will learn:

Why experience is the fastest lever for shaping culture
How to move from stated values to observable behaviors
The hidden signals that either strengthen or erode trust
A practical framework for designing culture intentionally

Best for: founders, executives, HR leaders, and organizations navigating growth or transition.

“Phil was one of our general session speakers, and he did an excellent job crafting a presentation that perfectly suited our attendees’ needs! His passion for creating memorable and meaningful experiences was felt throughout every bit of his session, and attendees walked away inspired to reenvision their own church attendee experiences in powerful ways.”
–Stephanie Lippi, Event Director, EH Media – House of Worship Events

Who is Phil Mershon?

Phil Mershon helps organizations design unforgettable experiences that drive engagement, retention, and transformation. As director of experience at Social Media Marketing World and author of best seller Unforgettable: the Art and Science of Creating Memorable Experiences, Phil brings decades of insight into what makes events truly impactful. He delivers practical inspiration that turns attendees into raving fans.

Customers include: NAMM, IMEX, Reuters Events, Association of Golf Merchandisers, Social Media Marketing World, Social Media Week Lima, and many more.