Avish Parashar

Biography

Avish grew up in “exotic” Poughkeepsie, NY and now makes his home in Philadelphia, PA. Though he performed all through high-school, he decided to stop performing when he went to college to “focus on his studies” (his parents were very proud of this decision).

That resolve lasted only a few months, as the first time he saw an improv comedy show he fell in love (his parents were slightly less proud). One week later he auditioned for the campus improv group, got in, and the rest is history. After graduating, he started Polywumpus Improv Comedy, which performed regularly in and around Philadelphia for seven years. Avish closed up Polywumpus to focus on the speaking and training side of the business – using improv comedy as a tool to teach valuable business skills such as creativity, and adaptability.

Weaving together humorous stories, jokes, audience interaction, and improv comedy games, Avish keeps the audience engaged while imparting a key lesson: Planning is Important, but Improvising is Essential! No matter how well you plan, things will go wrong, surprises will arise, and the Universe will throw you a curveball. Your success and sanity are directly related to how you respond these challenges. By the end of one of Avish’s presentations you will have key tools to flow with all that life throws at you. Avish has spoken to the very creative (actors and directors), the very un-creative (accountants), the very casual (college students), and the very business-like (sales professionals). The end result is always the same – smiles, laughs, and a new way of looking at life and business.

Avish is the author of Improvise to Success! and the Amazon bestselling, Say ‘Yes, And!’ (And yes, his parents are once again very proud.)

Videos

Request Availability

Testimonials

Thank you for presenting at our CEO Conference. You came highly recommended from our CEO and did not disappoint. Your programme was the perfect way to open our second day; it changed the tone and pace from the first day and allowed our audience to laugh be inspired and energized for the future. The feedback was very positive; your programme was truly memorable and throughout the rest of the conference, people remembered your ‘Ding Happens!’ message. You delivered it in an exciting and fun way, with pertinent and easy-to-understand messages, delivered in a way that was funny and really engaged our crowd. Any organization planning an internal conference would really benefit from the energy, content, and humour that you bring to the event. Thank you again.

– ELIZABETH HARRAWAY, VP Global Corporate Communications, Cobham plc

You were the best keynote speaker I’ve ever heard in all my years in HR!

– DAWN DIXON, HR Generalist, Upper Chesapeake Health

To be honest, there was some concern and resistance when we first thought about hiring Avish because his topic of using improv comedy for business skills is so different from what we normally expect at a financial conference. I am glad we pushed through that – the unique approach turned out to be a perfect fit for our event! The energy, style, interaction, and humor were amazing at getting people motivated and recharged to enjoy the rest of the conference. Not only that, but the message was very applicable to everyone in attendance.

– MELISSA HANSEN, SPEAKER CHAIR, TAMPA BAY ASSOCIATION FOR FINANCIAL PROFESSIONALS

I connected with the client today. She said you were ‘amazing.’ She thought you were a ‘perfect mix of funny delivery with appropriate message, kept everyone engaged the entire time, and were a great way to start the conference.

– ASHLEY ANDRUS, Zoe Training (Booking agent)

You set a great tone and energy level for the next 2 days of technical training and meetings. During those next 2 days many people were using the terms and concepts you presented to us about how change and how you choose to responds to it as well as the importance of having fun while you work. You gave us all a new, fun language with which to communicate and we had fun using it!

– SHARON DENZLER, All Risks Limited

I really enjoyed your presentation! A perfect way to end the conference! It was very interesting and of course very funny! We all need to laugh a little more! As a matter of fact, I was walking around this morning, saying Ding happens, because it was, but I am better for it today, thanks to you!

– ANDREA A. ALESI, PHR, HR & Payroll Specialist

We recently hired Avish to kick off our company’s ‘Inspire YOU’ event. We invited our clients to participate and learn ideas and techniques to make them more effective in their work, so needless to say, it was important to make a great impression. Fortunately, Avish did an amazing job, impressed our attendees, and his session was rated as ‘the most exciting’ of the day! The feedback from our attendees was extremely positive. In addition to being hilarious and high-energy, people appreciated being given specific tools they could take back to their organizations and apply and share right away. Avish’s keynote is a perfect way to start or end a conference, and we could not be happier with the job he did!

– KIRSTEN BELL, Communications Specialist, MJ Insurance

I am delighted to offer this recommendation to Avish Parashar for his extraordinary support when a last minute need arose due to weather for a chapter meeting speaker. Without hesitation, Avish willingly accepted our invitation and hit a home run with his interactive, engaging, and wildly FUN program, Ding Happens! I believe Avish was our most highly rated speaker ever, and his message about change management was as informative and memorable as it was entertaining! THANK YOU, Avish! I look forward to partnering with you again in the future!

– DEBBIE DEISSROTH, Dynamic Human Resources Professional, Kennedy Health

Booksby Avish Parashar

Improvise to Success!: 16 Simple But Powerful Principles From Improv Comedy That Will Take You to Personal and Professional Success!

Say "Yes, And!": 2 Little Words That Will Transform Your Career, Organization, and Life!

For Meeting Planners

Photos

Speaker Documents

Presentation Topics

Request Availability

Blog Posts

Stop Stressing! Find Your Perfect Stress Management Style

✨ Eliz Greene addresses the complexities of stress management, highlighting the importance of recognizing and...

Why Do People Get Harley-Davidson Tattoos? Building Unwavering Brand Loyalty

🏍️ In a world where brand loyalty can seem fleeting, Ken Schmidt, former Director of...

Achieving 3 Daily Wins: Leadership Lessons with Lt. Col. Waldo Waldman

🎧 Tune in my conversation with Lt. Col. Waldo Waldman to become the person that...

Train Like You Fight: How To Take Pride in Your Preparation

How to handle unexpected challenges during high-stakes situations? Mistakes can be costly, but meticulous preparation...

Honoring Memorial Day and Inspirational Veteran Speakers

🎖️ In this week's newsletter, we honor those who sacrificed and those who continue to...

MPI’s World Education Congress (WEC) in Louisville, KY

🤩 The Keynote Curators was thrilled to participate in Meeting Professionals International World Education Congress...

Related Speakers

Boyd Varty Storyteller, Life Coach, Tracker, Wildlife and Literacy Activist

Mariana Atencio Peabody Award-winning Journalist, Bestselling Author, Entrepreneur, Inspiring Storyteller, and Host/Moderator

Peyton Manning Legendary Quarterback, Two-Time Super Bowl Champion, NFL’s Only Five-Time Most Valuable Player

Chris Isaak

Adult Contemporary Artist and Actor

Mia Hamm Olympic Soccer Gold Medalist and Women’s World Cup Winner

Reviews & Ratings

     Excellent  
     Based on 56 reviews 
    
 
 
   
 
 
        
   Waldo Waldman 
 May 19, 2024
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I’ve been Speaking professionally for 21 years and work with the largest agencies in the world. I’m a Hall of Fame keynote speaker and a New York Times best selling Author. I have can honestly say in full confidence that Seth Dechtman and his team at Keynote Curator is the best agency I have been honored to work with.
I’ve witnessed Seth’s client focused relationship skills On multiple occasions. His clients love him and he’s detail oriented and has great communication skillls.
But most importantly, I’ve been on the receiving side of his servant, focused leadership style. He treats me like a valued partner and emulates everything a wingman is.
  
 
       
   David Allison 
 May 17, 2024
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Seth and the Keynote Curators team are tenacious and determined to do right by their clients and their speakers. I appreciate our relationship so much, and highly reccomend this group to anyone looking to book a speaker for an event.
  
 
       
   Meir Statman 
 May 10, 2024
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. It is wonderful to join Seth in helping people reflect on their financial and life well-being and enhance them.
  
 
       
   Trevor Wilde 
 April 24, 2024
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. This was an amazing experience. the Keynote Speaker we had was perfect for our event and will definitely be having another for our next one!
  
 
       
   Sandro Forte 
 March 22, 2024
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Brilliantly hosted, with great content. An absolute ‘must add’ to any podcast list!
  
 
       
   Jon VanDeventer 
 November 18, 2023
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I've been working with Seth at The Keynote Curators for over 3 years. I always look forward to our meetings because of both his professional expertise and his enjoyable, engaging personality. We have fun during our virtual meetings while developing innovative strategies and accomplishing goals. It's obvious from working with Seth over a number of years that he is always making event planning and booking services an easy process and providing responsiveness that sets him apart. He's an excellent partner who gets invested in your business and collaborates through every step of a process that can sometimes feel overwhelming.
  
 
       
   Jason Galaska 
 November 7, 2023
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Seth and his team were fantastic to work with in 2023 and we look forward to working with Keynote Curators to find potential speaker matches for our events in the future.  Thank you, Seth, for your professionalism!
  
 
       
   Hailey Wilson 
 October 23, 2023
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. A Treasure Trove for Anyone Involved in Speaker Selection!

As someone deeply involved in the intersection of marketing and technology at AImpact, I find the process of selecting the right keynote speaker to be a critical part of any successful event. Seth Dechtman's "The Keynote Curators" podcast is nothing short of a godsend for anyone facing the challenges and opportunities that come with this task.

Seth brings an almost poetic understanding to the power of words, acknowledging that a speech isn't just a scheduled event but a transformative experience that can change the dynamics of an entire room. His enthusiasm for the craft is contagious, making each episode a joy to listen to.
  
 
       
   Nicole 
 September 14, 2023
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Seth is super knowledgeable about the needs of meeting planners to have a successful event and partners with you to find just that right fit!
  
 
       
   Duncan Sigurdsson 
 August 28, 2023
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! Working with Seth Dechtman and The Keynote Curators is always true partnership.  In the three plus years that we have been involved in various projects, I can tell you that they always deliver.  We have done some really cool stuff together.  Any meeting professional, conference planner or event producer will greatly benefit from partnering with The Keynote Curators.  High praise to Seth and his team.