For Clients and Event Organizers, you can think of us as an extension of your events team. With our vast network and knowledge of trusted and vetted speakers, we do all the heavy lifting to ensure a smooth and enjoyable journey in your talent booking process.
About the event
51st Annual Training Conference
Organization: California Public Employers Labor Relations Association (CALPELRA)
Event: 2026 Annual Training Conference
Date: November 18, 2026
Location: Monterey, CA
Format: In-Person
Audience: Public sector leaders, labor relations professionals, human resources leaders, attorneys, and workforce strategists from across California.
Event Overview
CALPELRA’s Annual Training Conference brings together public sector professionals to learn, strategize, and prepare for the evolving challenges shaping today’s workplace. As the organization celebrates its 50th year, the 2026 conference is focused on how public sector organizations can continue to evolve, modernize, and lead effectively into the future.
Theme
Technological Innovation & the Future of Work
Automation, data systems, and artificial intelligence are transforming how public sector organizations operate — increasing efficiency, enhancing service delivery, and modernizing workforce practices. As these changes accelerate, leadership plays a critical role in how organizations adapt, support employees, and move forward with intention.
Keynote Opportunity
Opening Keynote (Conference Kickoff)
- Audience Arrival Window: 8:30 – 10:00 AM
- Keynote Timing: Approximately 9:00 – 10:00 AM
- Pre-Keynote: Opening remarks and conference introduction (~30 minutes)
The opening keynote is designed to set the tone for the entire conference — energizing attendees while offering a meaningful perspective on navigating change, leading through transformation, and preparing for the future of work.
Looking For
A dynamic keynote speaker who can:
- Offer a compelling perspective on how technological change is shaping the workplace
- Inspire leaders navigating transformation within the public sector
- Ground forward-looking ideas in real, human experiences of change, resilience, and adaptation
- Balance insight with storytelling that creates connection and leaves a lasting impression
- Engage a broad, cross-functional audience in a way that feels both relevant and memorable
Planning Timeline
- Speaker Proposal Deadline: April 10, 2026
- Subcommittee Review: April 10–15, 2026
- Finalists Selected: By May 18, 2026
Availability
Andrew is currently available November 18th, 2026
Speaking Fee & Logistics
Speaking Fee: $25,000 USD
Travel: $3,000 flat travel fee, inclusive of roundtrip airfare, ground transportation, meals, and incidentals
(Travel can be structured differently depending on routing and point of origin, offering some flexibility.)
Hotel: Two (2) hotel rooms to be provided
Andrew travels with a dedicated tour manager for all speaking engagements. This ensures a seamless experience on-site, particularly given the integration of live music and technical production elements.
Technical Requirements
Andrew’s keynote experience incorporates live music (keyboard), supported by a dedicated AV setup.
He travels with a detailed technical rider to ensure a seamless integration of both speaking and musical elements. The full rider will be provided as conversations progress so your production team has everything needed to support the experience.
Gravity Speakers Profile: https://www.gravityspeakers.com/speakers/andrew-mcmahon
Website: https://www.andrewmcmahonspeaks.com/
Andrew is based in Los Angeles, CA.
“Watching Andrew transfer his in-depth knowledge of the creative process and his multidisciplinary reinventions applied to new fields and industries has been nothing less than breathtaking. More companies than ever feel like they have to grow in order to be successful in the current era of rapid change. Andrew's speech is the key to unlocking the courage to proactively transform.” - Josh Linkner, NYT Bestselling Author & Venture Capitalist Investor
“Andrew's bravery to take on risk when others tread in place is an eye-opener. But his determination to dive into uncomfortable waters to grow as an artist has resonance for all. By sharing his truly inspirational story through his insights, motivations, and methods, he explains how anyone can figure their own path to do what they really want. No matter your line of work or stage of your career, this is an important reminder that we're on this planet for a very short time. He teaches us how to get out of our own way so we can appreciate the past, but more importantly, make the most of our future. It's a life-changing lesson, charmingly told.”- AUDREY FIX SCHAEFER, HEAD OF COMMUNICATIONS, I.M.P./9:30 CLUB
“Andrew is one of the most inspiring guest speakers that has ever met with our team. He has lived an extraordinary life, which has provided him with unique insights about reinvention, fear, and change that are relatable, and thought-provoking.” - Charlie Walker, President, C3 Presents
Speaker Highlights
Singer, Songwriter, Lifelong Reinventor
Over the last 25 years, Andrew McMahon has built a career defined by creative evolution, emotional connection, and the ability to continually reinvent himself.
A classically trained pianist and natural performer, Andrew first rose to prominence as the co-founder of Something Corporate, achieving major chart success in the early 2000s. He went on to launch the acclaimed solo project Jack’s Mannequin, followed by Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness—each chapter marking a distinct creative era and expanding his reach to a global audience.
Across his three projects, Andrew has sold nearly 2.5 million albums, surpassed 1.3 billion streams, and performed at iconic festivals including Coachella, Lollapalooza, Bonnaroo, and Austin City Limits. In 2025, he brought all three of his musical identities together for a historic, sold-out “Three Pianos” performance at Red Rocks Amphitheatre—becoming the first artist to perform as opening act, direct support, and headliner in a single night.
Behind this trajectory is a deeply personal story of resilience and transformation. Andrew’s journey through life-altering challenges, creative rebirth, and purpose-driven work—including founding the Dear Jack Foundation—has shaped a perspective that resonates far beyond music.
Today, Andrew brings that perspective to the stage in a powerful format that blends storytelling and live music—creating an experience that is both deeply personal and universally impactful.
The Experience:
Andrew McMahon has spent the last 25 years building a career in the music industry — one of the most disrupted industries in the world. From the collapse of traditional models to the rise of digital platforms and now the emergence of AI-driven creation, his career has been defined by constant evolution.
Without positioning himself as a technical AI expert, Andrew brings something equally critical to this moment: a practical framework for how individuals and organizations adapt when the ground beneath them is shifting.
His keynote blends storytelling with live music (keyboard), creating an experience that is both emotionally resonant and highly memorable — particularly as an opening session designed to set the tone for the day.
Why Andrew is a Strong Fit:
- Human-Centered Perspective on Transformation: Complements AI-focused programming by addressing the emotional and leadership realities of change — uncertainty, identity shifts, and decision-making under pressure
- Real-World Experience with Disruption: Built a career through multiple industry shifts, including the current evolution of AI in creative work
- Framework for Reinvention: Offers a clear, actionable approach to adapting in rapidly changing environments
- Highly Engaging Opening Keynote Format: Combines storytelling and live music to create a memorable, tone-setting experience
Keynote Overview:
Mapping The Wild: Reinvention in an Era of Rapid Change
Andrew McMahon has spent the last 25 years building a career in one of the most disrupted industries in the world — navigating the collapse of traditional models, the rise of digital platforms, and now the emergence of AI-driven creation.
At the center of his keynote is a simple but challenging idea: when what’s been working no longer guarantees the future, it’s time to step back, rethink your value, and embrace change.
Drawing from his own journey across multiple reinventions, Andrew introduces the concept of “getting back in the van” — returning to fundamentals, rebuilding with intention, and rediscovering purpose in moments of uncertainty.
Through real-world moments — including firsthand encounters with AI in the creative process — Andrew explores a question leaders across industries are now facing:
not just what can this technology do, but what should we do with it?
This keynote offers a practical framework for navigating change when the path forward isn’t clear — helping leaders and teams determine when to adopt, when to adapt, and how to move forward without a defined roadmap.
In an era of rapid technological advancement, Andrew provides a critical and complementary perspective — grounding innovation in the human experience of transformation: uncertainty, identity shifts, decision-making under pressure, and the courage to reinvent before it’s forced upon you.
Key Takeaways
- A practical framework for navigating change when the future is uncertain
- How to approach reinvention with clarity, intention, and purpose
- Balancing innovation with human judgment and long-term vision
- Making thoughtful decisions around when to adopt vs. adapt
- Staying agile, creative, and forward-thinking in rapidly evolving environments