Focus. Plan. Take Action.
Fire Up Your Audience
A CUSTOMIZED KEYNOTE BY MARK C. PERNA WILL CHANGE THE GAME.
Every one of Mark’s keynotes, professional development sessions, and workshops is individually crafted for the unique audience and context. The goal? To deliver a dynamic, inspiring, and actionable experience that culminates in an extraordinary outcome.
In a keynote, Mark’s efforts to get people to their feet are not to stroke his ego, but rather because taking part in a standing ovation is more impactful for audience members themselves. They’re more likely to take action on the strategies and insights gained when they stand in solidarity with others who have been moved by the same message.
Whether in person or virtual, Mark delivers more than just a riveting and inspiring speech. This game-changing experience is tailored to your needs and thoughtfully engineered to maximize audience engagement—before, during, and after the event.
Mark Perna BROUGHT OUR AUDIENCE TO THEIR FEET with his ENERGETIC, ENGAGING, AND INSPIRING message! His insights will help us move forward effectively in a changing world. Mark knows how to bring the heat and CHALLENGE EVERY PARTICIPANT to forge a GENUINE HUMAN CONNECTION with the young people we serve. Our audience left with valuable tools they can start using immediately to improve their day-to-day interactions and outcomes, and the feedback has been amazing. Thanks, Mark!
Senior Policy Director at Arkansas Community Colleges
Engineering a Remarkable Outcome
Here’s how.
The power of partnering with Mark begins long before he takes the stage. Prior to your event, Mark will schedule a prep call to candidly discuss your objectives. Based on this conversation, he will meticulously design a speech to align with everything you want to accomplish.
Following your prep call, Mark’s team will provide complimentary promotional materials to help you spread the word and build excitement.
Finally, on the day of the event, Mark will:
• Arrive 90 minutes early to check sound
• Ensure all technology is working, and
• Connect directly with audience members as they arrive to create a personal touch and enhance their engagement with the presentation.
Mark also welcomes the opportunity to engage the audience with a VIP Q&A/Dialogue at the close of his keynote, where appropriate. During this interactive and unscripted conversation, audience members can share their thoughts, ask questions, and get Mark’s perspective from the stage on specific issues—all in real time. The chance to interact directly with Mark has been universally well received by audiences and adds tremendous value and relevance to their experience.
Customized Topics
Mark’s core message is how to unleash passion, purpose, and performance in the younger generations. Whether in education, employment, or economic development, this topic has tremendous application in every context. Connect with Mark today to discuss the impact it can make for your audience!
Unleashing Passion, Purpose, and Performance in Younger Generations
For All Audiences: Educators, Employers, Economic Developers, Stakeholders, and Parents
If you work with today’s younger generations in any capacity, these proven strategies will inspire you to bridge the generational divide, engage and retain young people, and equip them with a powerful competitive advantage.
Purposeful education is the heartbeat of this inspiring call to action. Students who experience education with purpose can then pursue passion-driven employment at all levels of learning and experience. Though they’re often painted in a negative light, they have incredible potential to change the world. We just have to unleash it. As the skills gap widens, we must tap into the vast creativity, intelligence, and potential of the next generation.
A father to two successful young people, Mark delivers key insights on how they think, what makes them tick, and how they make decisions. Mark will show you how to connect, engage, and answer why to inspire their greatest effort. With clear action steps you can implement immediately both in your home and professional life, Mark’s message will help you move young people from static purpose to active purpose so they can achieve at a higher level. Countless parents, educators, and employers have used Mark’s strategies to maximize their interactions and outcomes with today’s younger generations.
With highly practical generational insights, innovative best practices, and signature inspiration, Mark’s nationally acclaimed methods will open your eyes to the amazing promise of the younger generations. Recharge your passion for making a difference and start motivating young people like never before!
Building Your Dream by Developing a Powerful Competitive Advantage
For College, High School, and Middle School Students
What does it take to live the dream? Dynamic education expert Mark C. Perna will inspire today’s younger generations to explore, discover, and build their dreams to their fullest potential. Educational organizations of all kinds—high schools, middle schools, career centers, community and technical colleges, unified school districts, and more—can ignite their students’ success through this riveting presentation.
Today, students have every reason to dream big and achieve great things. Mark’s gripping storytelling style will encourage them to discover what they’re passionate about, develop decisive goal-setting skills, and see why their effort today matters to the lifestyle they want to achieve.
To move forward with confidence, young people need to shed their fear and start taking steps toward their future—instead of standing still. For students unsure about their career and life direction, Mark will demonstrate how they can make progress even when they change their mind. Finally, Mark will help motivate students to improve their performance in school and someday, in the workforce.
In a charismatic, authentic, and humorous way, Mark challenges each student to carve out the crucial time to focus, plan, and take action building their own dream, whatever that dream is to them. Empower your students to maximize their potential, define their goals, and start moving toward their dream today!
Mark Perna’s high-powered keynote was the capstone of our statewide conference! Afterward Mark led a frank and candid VIP discussion about where the world has changed and how we take action as communities—as well as how we move forward as a state. WE HAD LEADERS AND INFLUENCERS IN ATTENDANCE WHO NOW FEEL THE URGENCY TO BRING THIS MESSAGE TO THE CAPITAL FOR LEGISLATORS AND THE GOVERNOR to take action. With the powerful momentum Mark has helped create, we will accomplish great things.
Past President & Event Organizer at Alaska ACTE
Mark’s Upcoming Events
Bossier Parish Community College
Shreveport, LA: Education Keynote
January 6, 2025 @ 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Bossier Parish Community College
Shreveport, LA: Staff, Employer & Community Leader Keynote
January 6, 2025 @ 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Northern Oklahoma College
Tonkawa, OK: Faculty & Community Keynote
January 8, 2025 @ 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Lyft Career Pathways Regional Conference
Redwood Falls, MN: Keynote Address
January 16, 2025 @ 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Mesa Public Schools: Westwood High School
Mesa, AZ: Parent Kickoff
January 21, 2025 @ 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Mesa Public Schools: Westwood High School
Mesa, AZ: Student Kickoffs (2)
January 21, 2025 @ 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Mesa Public Schools: Red Mountain High School
Mesa, AZ: Teacher Keynote
January 23, 2025 @ 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Mesa Public Schools: Red Mountain High School
Mesa, AZ: Student Kickoffs (2)
January 23, 2025 @ 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Mesa Public Schools: Red Mountain High School
Mesa, AZ: Parent Kickoff
January 23, 2025 @ 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Kern County Annual CTE Summit
Bakersfield, CA: Breakout Session
January 30, 2025 @ 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
TYLER JUNIOR COLLEGE Student Success Summit
Tyler, TX: Leadership Lunch Dialogue
February 14, 2025 @ 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
TYLER JUNIOR COLLEGE Student Success Summit
Tyler, TX: Opening Keynote
February 14, 2025 @ 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Hudson County Schools of Technology
Secaucus, NJ: Breakout Session
March 14, 2025 @ 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Hudson County Schools of Technology
Secaucus, NJ: Keynote Address
March 14, 2025 @ 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
NAWB: The Forum 2025 National Convention
Washington, DC: Opening Keynote
March 30, 2025 @ 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Waianae Moku Campus – Leeward Community College
Oahu, HI: Full Organization Keynote
April 9, 2025 @ 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
NC3 National Signing Day
Oahu, HI: Keynote to Incoming CTE Students
April 10, 2025 @ 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Leeward Community College
Oahu, HI: Organization and Partners Keynote
April 10, 2025 @ 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Fort Collins Area Chamber of Commerce
Fort Collins, CO: Keynote Address
April 23, 2025 @ 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Growing Critical Thinkers: GT, CTE, STEM Summit
Abilene, TX: Keynote Address
June 12, 2025 @ 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
LA SCHOOL BOARD ASSOCIATION
Lake Charles, LA: Leadership Conference Keynote & Panel
July 29, 2025 @ 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
NORTH POINT ESC PK-12 Administrators Conference
Sandusky, OH: Opening Keynote
August 7, 2025 @ 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
BELLE VERNON AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
Belle Vernon, PA: Organization Kickoff
August 18, 2025 @ 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
AGNC Economic Development Summit
Grand Junction, CO: Regional Community Keynote
August 25, 2025 @ 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
AGNC Economic Development Summit
Grand Junction, CO: Keynote Address
August 26, 2025 @ 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Want Mark On Your Show?
Looking for a dynamic interview for your next show OR PODCAST?
Mark is a seasoned guest who always brings something new and actionable to the conversation.
Request Mark’s availability for an interview now!
“A BREATH OF FRESH AIR.”
“This is the most excited I’ve ever been about teaching.”
“This is the Future.”
“AMAZING! A Must hear presentation!”
“I’ve never been so inspired and re-charged!”
“FRANK, CANDID AND MUCH NEEDED.”
EWP: Mark's Vision for Education & Workforce Development
To thrive in a rapidly changing world, young people need a dynamic competitive advantage in their education and career journey. And Mark’s movement, Education with Purpose & Employment with Passion (EWP), is empowering educational, business, and community organizations nationwide to deliver it.
Purposeful education and passion-driven employment are the heartbeat of this vision. When we come together around this shared goal, we can transform education, employment, and economic development—both locally and on a regional level.
Want a taste of how EWP can empower your organization and community? Join Mark at the next national Call to Action Livestream Experience to discover the paradigm shift that is shrinking the skills gap and inspiring every student to learn with purpose!