© Mitch Rossow
Billy McLaughlin is a speaker who inspires with more than words. With an unforgettable true story and just the right amount of music, Billy will create lifelong impact for everyone at your next meeting.
“Billy was absolutely amazing. The feedback has been off the charts! I would love to have him join us for future events. The minute he started… it was pure magic!” — Chance Garrity, General Manager, North Central District, Microsoft Corporation
Organizations around the world are asking Billy McLaughlin to appear at their meetings. From Toronto to San Diego, Manila to Mumbai, people have learned it is possible to overcome their most difficult challenges by hearing from a man who does more than speak. Billy uses his hands, despite an incurable disorder that ended his career, to prove that nothing can hold you back from creating on-going success for yourself and your organization. This truth is music to the ear…music that comes straight from the heart of this engaging presenter.
Billy has appeared on: CBS News Early Show, PBS, Reuters, Radio Beijing and The Associated Press.
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Testimonials
“Billy was absolutely amazing. The feedback has been off the charts! I would love to have him join us for future events. The minute he started… it was pure magic!”
— Chance Garrity, General Manager, North Central District, Microsoft Corporation
“People did not expect to be as captivated as they were by Billy. I looked around the audience and all eyes were fixed on him as he told his story. This is unusual during an after-hours event where people like to visit and chat. Whatever expectations they may have had were blown away, mine included.”
— Mark Evenstad, President & CEO, Upsher-Smith Laboratories, Inc. (read more)
“Billy forced my brain to switch to the right side and for one hour allowed me to open up the gates of creativity and innovation. Billy helped me to see business concepts I already knew, but in a creative way. My mind started racing, thinking about those concepts differently and actually applying some ideas right there on the spot. This presenter opened me up to accept the other presenters for the rest of the day. No wonder he got a standing ovation.”
— Terri Wilcox, SPHR Certified, Business Advisor, Resultants for Business, Inc. at the Spirit of Success Entrepreneurial Summit (read more)
“It was our honor to have you join us in Orlando and frankly, you stole the show…you did awesome! Changing lives with your music and life’s journey. Pretty cool! You’re the one changing lives Billy. Yours and then others. That is how it goes. Change the man and the world changes. Focus on what matters and people begin to focus on making you matter. That is what is happening to you. Thanks for your gift.”
— Gary Keller, founder Keller Williams Realty
“Billy McLaughlin made the night magical for our guests and his efforts did not go unnoticed – so I am not surprised at the outpouring of support he received at the conclusion of his performance! He is such a ray of light and hope for so many and I am glad that he is sharing his message through his gift of music and the warm way in which he interacts with his audiences. He illuminates joy and that helps people keep the faith!”
— Koleen M. Roach, Director, Meetings & Conference Management, Securian Financial Group
“Billy presented at our annual breakfast event honoring the work that our partners do to improve the lives of those affected by chronic illness. Billy and his staff were responsive and easy to work with and his remarks and presentation were spot on. Billy was able to mold his message into our goals for the event without losing any of his originality or personal story. It was the perfect fit for our event and we can’t wait to work with him again someday.”
— Andrea Mac Arthur, Senior Manager, Corporate Relations, Community Health Charities
“Billy recently preformed at UMR CONNECTS, a professional speaker series offered through the University of Minnesota Rochester. We hired Billy to kick off our July theme “Remarkable Life Stories”. And indeed his story and experiences not only encapsulated the remarkable but combined with his humility, compassion, raw talent, and gritty determination, transcended into the realm of astonishing. His music was breath taking but it was his spirit and genuine compassion that shone through to elevate his performance to the spectacular. As he eloquently shared in a song, his performance was beyond words and touched a place within our listeners that defied language. Thank you to Billy for an evening that exceeded all expectations. We are looking forward to having him back on campus in the future.”
— Kris Barry, M.S., Speaker Series Coordinator, UMR CONNECTS, University of Minnesota Rochester
“Billy had an uncanny way of connecting with our entire audience – through his music, his humor, his body language, and especially his very touching and relevant stories that are well placed throughout his talk. We had fun, we were inspired, we are looking forward to having him back.” August 2013.
“It was different and just as good the 2nd time! [Billy] is able to update and adjust his messages and stories for the crowd and situation and keep the humor while completely mesmerizing us with the wonderful music. Unbelievable how many people wanted to talk with him afterward, get a copy of his CD, and positive comments and reaction from everyone who attended afterward.” February 2013.
— Dan Brennan, Vice-President of Neurology, Lundbeck
— Mary Beth Clark, Supervisor, Rehabilitation Services, Mayo Clinic Health System-Northwest Region, Aphasia Camp
“[Billy’s] ability to be open, disarming, funny and engaging is rare. Often in a presentation, you get what feels like canned commentary. While I am sure that Billy knew what he was going to say, it felt more like we were having a conversation with him. The same is true when he plays guitar, it comes through him and is very soulful. I had never seen him play before; I was mesmerized. It is clear that he is a unique talent. You can’t appreciate what he has lost until you hear what he has gotten back. All we can do is deliver the message. I don’t think that I could have found anyone better to do that than Billy.”
— George Davidson, President, Secura Consultants (read more)
“Billy’s masterful performance captivated every single person attending FPX’s customer appreciation banquet. But his humble yet incredible testimony of refusing to quit inspired all of us to our feet in applause. I have never heard a more powerful speaker and performer in my 25-year career.”
—Glenn Seaberg, Marketing Director, FPX
“Billy delivered as expected and more! Everyone was so engaged in his message and he made so many amazing connections. Billy was funny, motivational, and so incredibly talented. The audience was deeply moved by Billy’s presentation and music. The issue of FASD is a huge challenge and can often leave people feeling isolated, depressed and anxious about their future. Billy’s message of hope and resilience really hit the nail on the head for so many in attendance. It was a true gift to all of us! I would highly recommend Billy. His message and music have universal appeal and everyone needs to hear him! I cannot brag enough about what a great event we had because of Billy. Many thanks!”
—Sara Messelt, Executive Director, MOFAS
“Billy exceeded our expectations. We appreciated his professionalism and the time he took to visit with us to get background information for incorporating into his presentation, making it more personable for our attendees to relate to. We were also well pleased with his humor and musical performances intermingled throughout the presentation.The attendees listened so very intently and gave Billy a standing ovation at the end, which doesn’t happen all too often at the closing of our conference. With his gripping story, inspiring message, and his talent for unconventionally producing such a beautiful sound from his guitar, Billy certainly gave one of the best closing presentations that our event has ever had. He gets my top recommendation, hands down.”
—Marla K. Moszer, AAP, Marketing & Communications, UMACHA
“Billy did an excellent job! Everyone loved his presentations.”
—Todd Christenson, Program Manager Property & Casualty, Safety & Loss Control Risk Management Division, MN Deptartment of Administration
Client List:
Accenture-Philippines
Accenture-India
Aging Services of Minnesota
American Academy of Neurology
Ameriprise
Ann Arbor Center for Independent Living
ARC Greater Twin Cities
ARRM
Association of Legal Administrators (ALAMN)
Apple Specialist Marketing Corporation
Arthritis Foundation
Buffalo-Hanover-Montrose Public Schools
Center for Diagnostic Imaging
Child Care Aware of Minnesota (formerly Minnesota Child Care Resources & Referral Network)
Community Health Charities
Dakota County Workforce Services
Donatelle, Inc.
Ethicon, Inc.
Excelsior Public Schools
Epilepsy Foundation of Minnesota
Epilepsy Foundation of Western Wisconsin
FNC, Inc.
General Dynamics Leadership Club
Great River Energy
Hammer Residency Inc.
HealthEast Care Systems
Huntington’s Disease Society of America, Inc.
International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP)
International Society of Special Events (ISES)
Kanics Inclusive Design Services, LLC
Kaposia, Inc.
Keller Williams Realty- National Conference
Keller Williams Realty- Shift Tour
Landscape Structures Inc.
Lundbeck, LLC
Mary T. Inc.
Mayo Clinic-Aphasia Camp
Mayo Clinic (multiple regions)
Medtronic
Microsoft
Midwest Society of Association Executives (MSAE)
Minnesota Association of Rehabilitation Providers (MARP)
Minnesota Collegiate DECA
Minnesota Council for Exceptional Children
Minnesota Department of Administration, Risk Management Division
Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development
Minnesota Department of Health
Minnesota Directors of Nursing Administration (MN-DONA)
Minnesota Neuropathy Association
Minnesota Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (MOFAS)
Minnesota Society of Certified Public Accountants (MNCPA)
Minnesota Veterinary Medical Association (MVMA)
Minnetonka School District
Motley-Staples Public Schools
National Multiple Sclerosis Society
North Dakota CPA Society (NDCPA)
Peking University-Beijing, China
Project SEARCH
Rochester Community & Technical College
Rotary International
Ramsey County Community Transition Inter-agency Committee (CTIC)
Secura Consultants
Securian Financial Group
Service Ideas Inc.
Sister Kenny Foundation
Society for Arts in Healing
TEDxAtlanta
The Marsh, A Center for Balance and Fitness
United States Military
Unitron
University of Minnesota Rochester
Upper Midwest Automated Clearing House Association (UMACHA)
Upsher-Smith Laboratories Inc.
Wells Fargo
White Bear Lake Public Schools
Willmar Area Community Women’s Fund
Winona State University- Rochester
Woodbury Financial