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Events

Speaking Engagements
I love sharing my personal stories and images about my pelagic adventures and I love being a motivational speaker!

 

Please contact me at susan@susanmarieconrad.com if you would like to discuss how I can engage people at your event. (in-person or a virtual visit)

 

As a professional speaker and storyteller, I offer inspiring, dynamic presentations on a variety of topics. 

AUTHOR EVENTS: STORIES/IMAGES/INSPIRATION 
Please join me! Booking now for 2023
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StoryTime - Yay! 

My insanely talented illustrator Rebecca Rothman and I offer a fun and engaging 45-minute adventure-themed presentation geared for adventurous tykes and their adult peeps. Program includes coloring activities!

Click on the bears for more info on our story time events!

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February 26, Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival

VIMFF, (celebrating its 26th anniversary!) is a ten-day, multi-media event that includes international outdoor films, live presentations, photo exhibitions, workshops, and seminars. I am proud to be sharing my live presentation, along with a workshop on expedition planning earlier that day. Details HERE!

March 8, 4-6 pm, The Center for Wooden Boats
1010 Valley Street, Seattle, WA

Worth Avenue Yachts invites everyone to this FREE gala two-hour happy hour on Lake Union. Collective action and shared ownership for driving gender parity are what make International Women's Day impactful. I'm proud to be part of this collective effort as a speaker at this pivotal event. Come learn about my efforts to give back to the fragile marine ecosystems I've been exploring for years, and my quest to follow in the paddle strokes of a late, legendary female explorer whose paddle was finally laid to rest when she was nearly 90 years old! RSVP HERE!

March 10-12, Canoecopia, Madison, WI

Major WOW factor here folks!! To be a guest speaker at the WORLD'S LARGEST PADDLESPORTS EXPO is an incredible honor! The event organizers will be publishing the full speaker schedule in February so check back for details.

April 23, 6-10 pm, Washington Water Trails

Sunset Hill Community Club, 3003 Northwest 66th Street, Seattle

Salmon BBQ, EXPED and WERNER paddles door prizes and raffle items, (silent auction), music, merriment, and a slideshow presentation about my recent journey. Please join us at the historic clubhouse in Ballard. RSVP required: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/seeking-synchronicity-a-solo-kayak-journey-up-the-inside-passage-tickets-569961378827

May 13, 2 pm, Maritime Speaker Series

Anacortes Public Library / Anacortes Waterfront Alliance

1220 10th Street, Anacortes, WA

I'm honored to be included in this lineup of marine-oriented activities in one of my favorite coastal communities. After all, Anacortes is where I took the first strokes of my 2010 expedition! This time around, I'll be talking about my 2022 journey, paddling from Roche Harbor on San Juan Island, to Sitka, Alaska. Free event. Everyone is welcome!

May 26, 5-8 pm, 13 Ravens Coffee

Downtown Friday Harbor, San Juan Island

Come chill on Island Time and kick off Memorial Day Weekend in STYLE. Live music, EXPED giveaways, food, and non-alcoholic beverages followed by my slideshow presentation "Seeking Synchronicity: A Solo Kayak Journey up the Inside Passage." All this at THE COOLEST COFFEE SHOP in the San Juan Islands! 

Sept 8-10, Wooden Boat Festival

Port Townsend, WA

I'm excited to have been invited back to the Olympic Peninsula for this amazing event: the largest wooden boat festival in North America. Last year was such a hoot and this year promises to be even better. I'll have an author table and will be sharing stories and images about kayaking the Inside Passage: exact venue TBD. Updates are forthcoming, but a good start to learn about highlights and opportunities to get on the water is here: https://woodenboat.org/

November 19, 2-4 pm, Bellingham Women's Boating Club

Squalicum Yacht Club, 2633 S Harbor Loop Dr, Bellingham, WA

Come hang with kindred spirits who love to mess about in boats. Free event, open to everyone. EXPED door prizes and a seafaring adventure slideshow about paddling the Inside Passage.

Just a sprinkling of my past speaking engagements:
The Explorers Club, New York, NY

Wooden Boat Festival, Port Townsend, WA

Women's Day at the Seattle Boat Show, Seattle, WA

National Girls and Women in Sports Day, Bellingham, WA

McMenamins Theatre, Bend, OR

REI, multiple locations throughout the U.S.

MEC, multiple locations throughout Canada

Chanticleer Authors Conference, Bellingham, WA

Delmarva Paddler's Retreat, Lewes, DE

Wright State University / Adventure Summit Expo, Dayton, OH

Southern Oregon University Student Union, Ashland, OR

 Robinson’s Outdoor Store, Victoria, BC

Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma, WA

Guest Lecturer onboard Princess Cruises, as part of their award-winning "North to Alaska" program. I'm honored to meet people from all corners of the USA, as well as an average of 30 different countries on each cruise. What an INCREDIBLE opportunity for me to share my stories and images with a captive audience. These beautiful ships hold up to 4,200 passengers (including crew), are nearly 1,000 feet in length, and are almost 200 feet tall—a radically different way to experience the Inside Passage and a mind-blowing way to engage and connect with people from all walks of life. 

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Talks and Topics

  • Seeking Synchronicity: A Solo Kayak Journey Through the Inside Passage (2022 expedition)

  • A Journey of the Sea & Soul

    • Lessons learned while paddling the Inside Passage to Alaska​ (2010 expedition)

  • Kid's StoryTime "Inside my Sea of Dreams"

  • Exploring Montana's Missouri River by kayak

  • Paddling Nootka Sound, British Columbia

  • Paddling BC waters

  • A Paddling Journey Through the Salish Sea

  • How to Gear up for a Plastic-free Adventure!

  • Grand Journey in a Small Boat: How to Plan and Execute an Inside Passage Expedition -- two-day workshop

  • Writing group presentation topics:

    • Turning Your Adventure into a Book

    • Crafting your DYNAMITE Book Tour

    • Advice From the Trenches: Adapting a Children's Book From a Real-life Memoir.

EXPED is a proud sponsor of my book tours! 
Visit their website to get the “inside scoop” on expedition equipment that’s made for the long haul.

 

 

 

 

Thank you EXPED 
for supporting my journey!

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COMMENTS FROM PAST SHOWS

Comments

Feedback from event hosts:

Susan shared her presentation with the Obsidians, an outdoor club in Eugene, Oregon which hosts monthly programs. She attracted a record-setting crowd and did not disappoint. She is so articulate, the slides are beautiful, the pace was excellent, and the stories are inspiring. For weeks afterwards, I heard "that was the best presentation ever!" We will invite her back!    

~ Lana Lindstrom, Entertainment Chair, Obsidians

Susan’s intriguing and compelling tale of determination, courage and introspection was indeed riveting, and the standing room only crowd was thoroughly engaged throughout her presentation. Following her slide presentation, she eagerly entertained  many questions from the audience.

~ Alan M. Fisher, M.D., President, Oregon Ocean Paddling Society (OOPS)

 

Susan was one of the best presenters we have had in the nine years of the Olympia Mountaineers Speaker Series. She was well prepared, had fabulous maps/photos and was very entertaining.

~  Carolyn Burreson, Coordinator of the Olympia Mountaineer's Speaker Series 

 

We are big fans of Susan Conrad’s book Inside and were thrilled to bring her to our community. We had a large turnout and sold out of stock at the event. The audience loved her presentation and the Q&A after, with one reader comparing Conrad’s journey to Cheryl Strayed’s, ‘only better!’

~ Eagle Harbor Books, Bainbridge Island, WA

 

Susan Conrad’s presentation is fun and engaging. Her knowledge of the Inside Passage is impressive and her enthusiasm is infectious. The addition of a Keynote presentation to her book reading & story telling makes for an exciting, interactive author event.

~ Grass Roots Bookstore, Corvallis, OR

 

Your gift for story telling blended seamlessly with the beautiful photos of your incredible adventure. The entire room was thoroughly entertained and connected from the opening slide to the last question of the night. I am still getting compliments for your presentation.

~ Mike Hammond, Calusa Blueway Coordinator, Lee County Parks and Recreation, Fort Myers, Florida

 

The slideshow itself was an absolute success in every sense. Because of Susan’s hard work, the venue filled beyond seating capacity and attendees stood around the perimeter and sat on the floor around her transfixed by this amazing woman’s epic and inspirational journey. Susan’s background in photojournalism was evident in the picture quality and selection as they related to her story. She created a sense of intimacy with the audience, and as we shared her highs and lows and successes and struggles, nobody wanted the show to end. And while the show eventually had to end, the audience lingered around long after, wanting to continue the shared experience.

~ Dallas Betz, Education Coordinator, Community Boating Center, Bellingham, WA

Feedback from audience members:

Your open inclusion of your human experiences of taking the challenge, your equal representation of your inspiration, determination, personal pride, and vulnerabilities is a very wholesome balance and a wonderful model for those who hear your story.

~ Phyllis Woolwine, President & Director of Education, Shearwater University, Anacortes, WA

 

Susan Conrad mesmerized us with her narrative talk. Every sentence she created came across as beautiful poetry. Awesome to learn first hand of her adventurous journey.

~ Chris and Walter

 

I went to Susan Conrad’s presentation of her new book "Inside: One Woman's Journey Through the Inside Passage“ in Bellingham last night. If you have not seen Susan talk about her journey, it is well worth the time. Her talk is riveting — great pictures and an overview of her epic solo kayaking journey up the Inside Passage to Alaska. She shared short stories about good times and not-so-good times with bears, weather and people. You get a clear sense of Susan’s passion for the sea, the unique challenges on such a trip, and the quality of her writing. I highly recommend her book and seeing her talk about it. 

~ Mac Carter

 

I am grateful that your book tour brought you to Silverdale, WA giving me the opportunity to meet you & hear your inspirational presentation. I enjoyed the way you were able to weave the stories regarding your fears and challenging times with those uplifting & amazing moments you also experienced. Your book is wonderful & I am soaking up the content, immersing myself in your journey as your words continue to inspire.

~ Judith L.

 

You appeared confident and calm and shared your story in a very enthusiastic, knowledgeable and courageous manner. It was incredibly inspiring.

~ Patia

 

Thank you, Susan, for sharing the gift of your slide show and presentation last night. I thoroughly enjoyed it and I have a newfound respect for the depth and breadth of your accomplishment! I was not alone in my admiration. At one point I looked around and saw a sea of faces in spellbound reverence. 

~ Mark

 

Susan,

Supercalifragilisticexpialidociously Fantastic -----------Really

Seriously.

~ Kenneth

 

Susan! It was such a gift in my week to see you and hear what you had to say... You came across really beautifully as you shared your story... I am embracing that whole idea that perhaps outer movement can create some inner movement....

~ Cathy 

 

Susan,

We enjoyed your presentation. You had a lot of great moments when the audience really connected with where you were taking them, and you moved through the story smoothly.

~ David

 

I applaud you for your courage. Your journey was remarkable. I was especially taken by how you shared your fears and horrific moments, and how you contrasted those with your magical moments.

~ John

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