AI is a prediction engine but creativity is about becoming unpredictable.
Darrell Keezer
a pro at spreading knowledge
growth focused marketer
no canned presentations
Keynote speaker, two-time author, award-winning entrepreneur, founder of Candybox Marketing which has won the top 500 growing companies in Canada 8 years in a row.
Darrell takes the stage at over 50 keynote-speaking events across North America each year where he teaches businesses how to accelerate their companies with AI and launch digital marketing strategies that actually work.
As the winner of the Top 10 Great Places to Work in Canada (2022-2025) along with the Fastest Growing Companies in Canada, Darrell is now presenting his latest tell-all keynote for business leaders: Flipping the Script on AI
What made Darrell’s keynote stand out was his no-BS approach to AI.
He didn’t sugar-coat anything or waste time on hypotheticals. Instead, he shared real-world examples of companies achieving over 40% efficiencies by leveraging AI in their operations, proving how we could do the same. His relatable style and practical insights cut through the noise, showing us exactly how to get ahead of our competition.
This presentation wasn’t just an introduction to AI, it was a wake-up call for how we can innovate, streamline, and lead in our industry. I would highly recommend Darrell for business leaders and managers looking to unlock the true potential of AI.
– Jason Wilcox, Co-Founder of Waste Solutions
The future doesn’t belong to those who use AI to replace their marketing; it belongs to the leaders who use it to amplify their value. Right now, the market is being flooded with “AI slop”; generic, soulless content that can alienate customers and destroy brand trust. While the vast majority of businesses are using these tools to cut corners and blend in, an elite 7% of companies are doing the exact opposite, leveraging technology to accelerate creativity and gain a competitive edge.
In this high-stakes keynote, award-winning CEO Darrell Keezer cuts through the sci-fi noise to introduce the concept of Augmented Intelligence. This isn’t about replacing your team; it’s about exponentially increasing your marketing power by integrating AI into the very architecture of your business. You will learn how to navigate the shift toward AI-driven search and agentic browsing, ensuring your brand remains visible, relevant, and authentic in an increasingly automated landscape.
This is a practical, no BS presentation designed for leaders who refuse to be generic. You’ll leave with an understanding of how AI can intersect with a marketing strategy that actually works. The future of your company won’t be determined by the software you buy, but by your ability to augment your unique human capabilities to be the 7% who win.
Target Audience: Business owners, franchise owners, marketing professionals, sales professionals, business development leaders.
The era of the “numbers game” is over. As the market becomes saturated with automated LinkedIn spam and generic AI-generated outreach, buyers are retreating behind digital walls. While the average salesperson is using AI to create more noise, elite sales leaders are using Augmented Intelligence to do the opposite: they are becoming more human, more researched, and more effective than ever before. This isn’t just a shift in tools; it’s a total reinvention of the sales process from prospect to close.
In this high-energy keynote, award-winning CEO Darrell Keezer reveals how his own team moved from the uncertainty of a shifting market to record-breaking results in just 90 days. He cuts through the technical jargon to show sales professionals how to use AI as a competitive suit of armor; augmenting their ability to research opportunities, master product knowledge, and engage clients with surgical precision. You will discover how to eliminate the friction of administrative “busy work” so your team can focus on what they do best: building relationships and closing deals.
This session is a practical, no AI-BS roadmap for the modern closer. Darrell shares the exact strategies being used today to drive hyper-personalized outreach that doesn’t sound like a robot. You’ll leave with a clear understanding of how to leverage agentic search and AI-driven insights to stay ahead of the curve and ensure your sales engine thrives in an AI-driven environment. The future of sales isn’t about the tools you have; it’s about how those tools make you an unstoppable force in the room.
Target Audience: Sales leaders, business development managers, inside sales agent, outside sales agent, independent sales agents (mortgage broker, Realtors)
AI is equal parts opportunity and existential threat, and for the modern executive, there is no middle ground. While most leadership teams treat AI as a “tech project” relegated to the IT department, an elite 7% of organizations are using Augmented Intelligence to fundamentally re-architect their businesses and how they work. This isn’t just another technology cycle; it is the most significant disruption to the global business landscape since the birth of the internet. The question is no longer “what is AI?” but “what is your plan to lead through it?”
In this practical C-Suite-focused keynote, award-winning CEO Darrell Keezer cuts through the noise to provide a high-stakes roadmap for business leaders. Darrell shares the No-BS reality of how he reshaped his own organization, moving from the fear of obsolescence to driving record-breaking revenues in just 90 days. You won’t find any tech wizardry or futuristic pontificating here. Instead, you’ll get a clear-eyed look at how to leverage AI to boost efficiency, protect your market share, and change the trajectory of your company’s growth.
This is a strategic blueprint for the leader who refuses to be generic. You will learn how to identify the “AI Slop” currently draining your resources and how to replace it with a high-performance culture of Augmented Intelligence. The future of your business won’t be determined by the software your team uses, but by the clarity of your leadership in the face of this disruption. You have two choices: watch the change happen, or join the 7% who are driving it.
In a candid conversation with The Edge Magazine, Darrell gets real about hitting the target in digital marketing. Starting with the success of Candybox, Darrell shares his journey of growing his business from a one-person start-up to one of the fastest-growing companies in Canada.
In today’s day and age, we have an unruly fear of picking up the phone to chat with potential clients, employer’s, you name it – all thanks to the overwhelming fear of sounding unconfident to a stranger. In pick up your freakin phone, Darrell discusses the grit and resilience he had built to turn potential leads into clients by simply developing meaningful relationships with them. A huge part of the reason for his success? Simply doing something that his competition had not been – picking up his phone and generating relationships that built revenue.
My AI keynote is built for executives, business owners, sales teams and marketing leaders who want clarity, speed, and growth; without drowning in tools or jargon. It works for mixed audiences too, because I teach AI in plain English and tie it to real outcomes.
I speak on AI adoption and marketing and deliver practical keynotes across Canada for conferences, associations, leadership teams, and marketing audiences. My focus is real-world AI adoption and how to use AI responsibly to improve performance without hype or fear. If you want a keynote that’s clear, energetic, and actionable, this is built for you.
“Practical” means your audience leaves with clear next steps, role-based examples, and a simple way to apply AI without turning it into a massive IT project. I focus on how to integrate AI into real workflows including leadership decisions, marketing execution, and team productivity; without pretending AI is magic. The goal is confidence and momentum on Monday, not inspiration that fades by Friday.
Right now, I’m focused on keynotes in Canada, but occassionally do destination events.
I’m a business operator. I run a marketing agency and bring that “in the trenches” perspective into every keynote; what actually works, what breaks, and what teams need to adopt AI responsibly. My job on stage is to make AI engaging, helpful, and usable, not theoretical.
You can expect clarity, confidence, and a practical adoption path your team can apply quickly (with a dose of humour). Audiences walk away understanding what AI can do for their role, how to start safely, and how to avoid common traps (generic content, over-automation, and trust erosion). The outcome is movement; not just motivation.
I address it directly and reset the conversation: AI is best used to augment people, not replace them. When teams understand where AI helps, researching, summarizing, ideation, automation and workflow acceleration, they become less fearful and more capable. That shift is often the difference between AI adoption and internal resistance.
Always. I tailor examples, stories, and takeaways to match your audience including executives, marketers, franchisees, association members, or mixed groups. The customization starts with a pre-event intake meeting so I know what matters most to your attendees. The goal is a keynote that feels like it was built for your room, not copied from the internet.
Conference audiences want energy and clarity, and associations need content that works across mixed experience levels. My keynote is designed to be accessible, engaging, and immediately applicable, so attendees leave with value regardless of where they are on their AI journey. If you need a keynote that’s high-impact and still grounded, that’s what I do.
Yes. I deliver two core tracks: AI for Executives and AI + Marketing (Grow Your Business). Some events book one; others book both (executive session + mainstage keynote). If your event needs a unified theme, I can connect leadership adoption with marketing execution in a way that feels cohesive.
High-energy, plain-English, and growth-oriented. I’m direct, but focused on positive outcomes. My goal is to cut through confusion and leave people feeling confident and knowledgable. If you want “no fluff, no fear, and no vendor pitch,” you’re in the right place.
I speak to leadership groups, team offsites, and conference audiences, from smaller executive teams of 20 to large events of 1000+. The delivery and content will change based on room size and format, but the goal stays the same: practical value and momentum.
I can provide a post-event resource pack depending on the package you choose; this can include a summary, key takeaways, or practical tools to support follow-through. The point is to help the audience implement, not just applaud. We’ll match the materials to your audience and goals.
My executive AI keynote is a practical roadmap for leaders who need to make smart decisions fast, without getting buried in hype, tools, or jargon. I focus on how to use it as an executive and include topics suchas adoption, daily habits and ongoing education. This is designed for CEOs, senior leaders, boards, and business owners.
“Flipping the Script on AI: Mastering Augmented Intelligence” It’s built for leadership teams who want clarity on what to do now, not futuristic pontificating. If your event theme is transformation, disruption, growth, or relevance, this keynote fits cleanly.
No. I keep it executive-level and business-first. We’ll talk about AI's function, new aspects of usage, workflow integration, and the realities leaders need to manage, without turning it into a deep technical ML lesson. But if your group has questions, I'm happy to answer the questions as I have the technical background.
Leaders leave with a clear understanding of where AI helps with everyday tasks, exciting features they've never considered, and what the first steps should look like inside their organization. I aim for confidence and alignment so the leadership team can move from “AI is coming” to “here’s our plan.” The takeaway is direction, not overwhelm.
I address it with stories where companies experience a triple win with AI: staff, customers and the company itself. AI is often perceived as a threat, and that fear blocks adoption. I reframe AI as Augmented Intelligence (using AI to amplify human capability) so teams feel safe learning and leaders can guide change without forcing it.
I’m explicit that AI can’t live in IT alone if you want real results. Leaders have to treat it as a complete transformation of their daily jobs; workflows, culture, expectations, and performance. This keynote is built to help leadership teams guide that shift.
Always. I tailor the language, examples, and use-cases to your audience (association leadership, professional services, construction, finance, franchising, etc.). We start with a short intake so the keynote feels like it was built for your room. I'll use your industry terms so it won't sound out of place.
It works for small leadership sessions and large conference keynotes. The content scales well because it’s plain-English and outcome-driven. The format (and how interactive it is) adjusts to the room.
Yes. I can deliver it as a mainstage keynote, an executive briefing, a fireside chat, or a leadership workshop. If you want a more private, higher-trust session (boards/c-suite), we can tighten the focus and increase discussion time.
Yes. I’m the CEO of a Canadian marketing agency, Candy Marketing, which grows ~20-40% per year. I speak from what I’m applying in the real world. I use that operator lens to make the content grounded, relevant, and immediately useful.
Executive buyers care about credibility and track record. My agency has been recognized on The Globe & Mail’s Top Growing Companies eight times, and we’ve been recognized as a top workplace in Canada for the past number of years. Those are proof signals that I understand growth and leadership at a practical level.
Yes. I provide a ready-to-read verbal intro for hosts to use, which is a small detail that makes events run smoother.
Yes. I’ve delivered over 300 keynotes for Canadian organizations and events across industries, including associations and well-known institutions. If your members range from AI-beginners to advanced users, I structure the keynote so everyone gets value.
Yes. I deliver an AI + marketing keynote designed for organizations that want growth without sacrificing brand trust. It’s built for business owners, marketing leaders, franchise groups, and sales teams who want practical moves, not generic theory.
“Augmented Marketing: The AI Advantage — Scaling Authenticity in the Era of the Algorithm.” It helps teams grow while staying distinct and human, even as AI floods the market with generic content.
AI can accelerate any marketing plan into new levels of success, the only limit is your imagination. At the same time, the market is being flooded with AI slop; generic, soulless content that can damage trust and make brands blend together. This keynote shows how to use AI to amplify what makes your business different instead of automating your uniqueness away.
AI helps your team move faster and smarter, but your strategy, voice, and differentiation stay human. AI can support research, ideation, drafts, and execution, but your brand still needs judgment, taste, and clarity. That’s how you grow without becoming generic.
It can be either. Many events book it as a keynote, then add a workshop for marketing teams who want hands-on application. If your audience is mixed (execs + marketing + sales), I can shape the content so it lands for everyone.
Yes. I address the shift toward AI-driven search and “agentic browsing” so your brand stays visible and relevant as discovery changes. The goal is practical: how to think, structure, and execute content so it performs in the world we’re in now.
No, tools change fast but principles last. I focus on how to think and execute so the keynote stays relevant long after the event.
Teams leave with a clearer content strategy, stronger positioning around authenticity, and practical ways to use AI without damaging voice. They’ll understand how to avoid generic content traps and how to create marketing that sounds like you, not like everyone else.
Yes. Franchising, professional services, associations, retail, finance and other association events needs different examples and different growth constraints. We’ll align the keynote to your reality so it doesn’t feel like a one-size-fits-all talk. I typically update more than 50% of my content for the audience while keeping the foundations the same.
Yes, especially if your organization wants marketing + sales alignment. I also offer “The Augmented Closer” for sales teams that want a dedicated session on outreach, research, and modern closing.
It’s a high-energy keynote that shows sales teams how to stand out in a world full of automated outreach and generic AI messages. The focus is becoming more human, more researched, and more effective, using AI to remove busywork and increase precision.
Never and I'm strict about not self-promoting. There will never be a point where I solicit business or direct audience members to buy a specific tool. The message is that your future isn’t determined by the tools you buy, it’s determined by how you augment your people and protect your differentiation.
Yes, I have over 100 testimonials that consistently mention the no-BS, practical, energetic style and the fact that people leave with real insight and action. If you want to include specific numbers from testimonials (like efficiency gains), I recommend we mark them for review unless you have supporting proof to publish.
Yes, I've spoken at over 300 events including CEO conferences, executive summits, associations events, sales conferences and more. My media package includes a long list of past events and organizations. This is strong credibility for planners who want a proven speaker.
You can book me for a keynote, executive briefing, workshop, fireside chat, or keynote + Q&A package. If you’re building a full-day program, I can deliver an executive session and a second keynote for marketing or sales audiences. Please note this changes the price based on the event requirements.
Most events book 45–60 minutes, often with Q&A. If your agenda needs 75–90 minutes or a keynote + workshop combo, we can structure it so the audience stays engaged and the content stays practical.
I customize the examples, industry language, and takeaways to your audience and event theme. We start with a one-hour pre-event intake so I understand your goals, what your audience cares about, and what you want them to do after the keynote.
My goal is to create momentum: clarity, confidence, and action. Whether it’s executives or marketers, I want the audience to leave knowing what to do next and feeling capable doing it.
Yes. I can keep the message simple enough for beginners while still delivering depth for advanced attendees by grounding everything in real examples and practical application. Typically I'll have advanced and beginner users in the same session and they'll both find value.
Yes, depending on the package. This can include key takeaways, a resource list, custom AI prompts, or follow-up material that helps teams apply what they learned.
Yes, the media package includes a promo video link planners can use internally when presenting speaker options.
High-energy, engaging, and practical. I aim for “laugh, think, and leave with actionable steps.” That’s the consistent feedback across testimonials.
Yes, I provide a host-ready intro so your MC can confidently set the stage.
Yes. Themes like transformation, relevance, innovation, growth, and leadership in disruption are a natural fit. I’ll align the opening, examples, and closing call-to-action so it feels like part of your event narrative, not a random talk.
Yes. I can build in lightweight interaction (quick reflection prompts, simple audience participation) that keeps energy high without needing tables, laptops, or long exercises.
Yes. I structure the keynote in layers so beginners get clarity and confidence while advanced attendees still get new framing and practical ideas.
Yes, if your event needs it. In-person is often highest impact, but virtual delivery can still be strong with the right format and AV setup. My agency has a studio with two fiber internet connections, professional lighting, 4K recording and a live audio engineer. We have a professional studio for excellent delivery.
I focus on memorable language (like “AI slop” vs. authentic growth), practical frameworks, and clear next steps. The goal is that attendees can repeat the ideas internally and act on them quickly.
My typical 60-120 minute keynote speaking fee is typically $10,000 CAD for in-person events within ~2 hours of Toronto, $12,500 CAD for events requiring travel within Canada (and destination events), and $8,000 CAD for virtual keynotes, with custom pricing for audiences over 1,000 based on production/multimedia needs. All engagements are plus applicable taxes and typically plus travel/accommodations/expenses from Toronto, with a 50% deposit due at booking and the balance (plus travel costs) invoiced closer to the event. I have charity/non-profit discounts.
The main variables are: keynote vs workshop, customization depth, audience size and format, and travel within Canada. Multi-session days (exec session + main keynote) are priced differently than a single keynote.
Yes. Companies can add a workshop onto the keynote session to drive real follow-through. If you want the audience inspired and equipped, a bundle can be the best value.
Typically: (1) quick fit call and date check, (2) hold the date, (3) contract and deposit, (4) pre-event intake, (5) delivery. It’s designed to be easy for planners and smooth for the host team. I can turn around a proposal within an hour and we hold dates for 5-10 business days.
If you have a firm date, it’s worth reaching out early, especially for peak conference seasons. I typically book 3-6 months in advance.
Yes, I travel Canada-wide for conferences and corporate events. If your event is a destination venue in the carribean, I’m happy to discuss the logistics and keep it simple for your team.
Not right now. I’m focused on Canadian events and content, and my availability is built around that.
Yes, travel and accommodations are billed after the event. My team will always find an economical way to travel, while keeping it human. Since I typically work while travelling (I run a company), I typically book business class for longer flights.
A standard booking includes the keynote delivery plus a pre-event intake and a host-ready intro. Depending on the package, it can also include post-event resources.
Yes! Associations are a strong fit because the content works across a wide range of experience levels. Many planners want a speaker who can be energetic, practical, and relevant for diverse attendees; this is built for that.
Yes. My media package includes a detailed list of past events and organizations. If your planning committee wants reassurance, this list is helpful.
Yes. My agency has been recognized by major Canadian business lists including Macleans and Globe & Mail along with workplace awards, and those can be referenced on event pages and internal decks when appropriate. I've also won Entrepreneut of the Year (twice), and an award of excellence from Excellence Canada.
Yes. I can provide references or direct you to testimonials that match your audience type (executives, marketing leaders, association conferences, etc.). If you want a short list of “most relevant to your industry,” tell me your vertical and event style.
Darrell’s straight-talking, boots-on-the-ground approach will inspire you to take a closer look at the way you do business and Pick Up Your Freakin’ Phone.