25 Ideal Audiences for Ben

Trade associations - Ben started the idea of working with like-minded individuals to get things done. It was this that resulted in the first public lending library, the first hospital, the reinvigorated Fire Brigade, the University of Pennsylvania, paved streets, etc. Ben did it.
Legal Profession - Ben worked with more lawyers and judges than with members of any other profession. I’ve brought Ben to legal groups such as the Nebraska Bar, the El Paso County (CO) Bar Association, and have done “CLE” seminars for law firms. My webinars for CLE credit, accessible through Periaktos Productions will be aired six times in 2012.
Medical groups - Ben created the first hospital in the colonies, financed its medical library, invented the first flexible catheter, made many far-sighted observations on health, wellness, and specific ways to live longer. (“Eat to live, don’t live to eat.”) His interest in health has already made him a welcome speaker for various keynote addresses to health-related organizations.
Military groups or reunions - Ben created our first militia, carried a musket when 50, helped arm the Revolutionary army from France, and recognized the need for, and successfully recruited, trained, French officers to be sent over to America to help fight for the cause.
Education - Ben, with only 2 yrs of formal education, championed the right of all to life-long learning. He contributed to schools for the education of slave children, financed others, created what would become the U. of Penn, left monies in his will for education, etc. He was, himself, our first real wordsmith, and wrote/edited the two best-selling publications in the colonies; the PA Gazette and Poor Richard’s Almanac. A life-long learner himself, his values are models for today’s students, from elementary school to the post-graduate level. I have brought Ben to schools coast-to-coast and in Europe, delivered Convocation addresses, and have lectured as Ben in both English and French.
Franchise meetings - Ben began the concept of franchising when a printer in Philadelphia and every franchise operation today owes its existence to Ben’s foresight. I have brought his business acumen and creative thinking in this area to franchise operations as diverse as Learning RX and Amway.
Business entrepreneurship organizations and financial groups - The author of ”a penny saved is a penny earned,” Ben’s innovative business practices and financial savvy made him “healthy, wealthy, and wise.” I’ve addressed entrepreneur meetings of 500, financial client appreciation dinners of 300, and bank executive meetings of 100.
Insurance industry - Ben started the first fire insurance company in the colonies. I’ve addressed insurance groups as varied as the Maryland Auto Insurance Fund’s annual conference and the Texas Health Insurance Underwriter’s Association.
Fire-Fighters and Law Enforcement – Ben’s reorganization of the Philadelphia Fire brigade and the night-watch elevated fire-fighting and policing to a level of professional excellence hitherto unseen. I’ll be addressing the Arizona Fire Chiefs Association in July 2012.
Faith-based organizations - Ben was a man of faith and a friend to all religions. For example, he was very supportive, morally and financially, of the Philadelphia synagogue, Temple Mikveh Israel, and helped that congregation obtain lands for cemetery use. In 2011, I brought Ben’s reflections on faith to a large, Catholic day-school in Tampa in and to the fund-raiser of a Jewish synagogue in Colorado Springs.
Political groups either right or left in character - Ben had many ideas and stances on issues that Conservatives will identify with. Ditto for Liberals.
Historical societies - Bringing history to more vibrant life in interactive programs is one of the great delights for an historical performer.
Fund-raisers - Ben was a master fund-raiser and I have, as Ben, done regional meetings of Boys and Girls Club, various libraries, museums, etc. ”Brunch with Ben” type affairs or formal speeches are all good venues for Ben as he can help as he can stimulate increased support for organizations. It takes money to get money sometimes, which is how I have sold myself as a fund-raising speaker.
Government and diplomatic affairs - I have performed for the French government in Paris and the American Embassy in France for black-tie dinners of diplomatic/business communities. Ben spent 15 years as a diplomat in England and nine in France. He was our first ambassador abroad. Incidentally, I can present in fluent French and have done so for various organizations in France.
US Post office - Ben was our Postmaster General, inventing the odometer for his postal carriages among other things. He invented the idea of over-night delivery, and did much to improve service during his tenure. Ben’s tenure in this job was the only time that the USPS ran in the black. I’ve performed for USPS function in Denver and the French “Poste” in France.
Scientific or technical companies - Ben was the high-tech guru of his time, creating new ways to speed communication on both land and sea. He was an innovator, our first important and internationally recognized scientist and earned the 18th century equivalent of the Nobel Prize.
Publishing and printing industry - As printer and publisher, and a committed wordsmith, Ben wrote the two best-selling publications in the colonies: his newspaper, the Pennsylvania Gazette, and his well-beloved “Poor Richard’s Almanac,” which even out sold the Bible!
Trade and manufacturing associations - Ben did much to encourage trade and represented manufacturing interests in England. He wrote about trade and trade policies and how manufacturing here in the colonies was crucial to the development of freedom.
Travel industry - Ben made eight transatlantic crossings (!) and visited every colony. He loved visiting the Continent, as well as Ireland and Scotland, and was the best-traveled man of his generation. Several of his inventions made travel quicker, safer and easier.
Service organizations - Ben was a Mason and proud of his membership. I’ve spoken to many Rotary club meetings and have developed a special talk built around Rotary’s Four-Way Test.
Sales/marketing meetings - Ben’s innovative sales and marketing techniques helped build his fortune and are instructive, entertaining, and even inspiring to today’s sales audiences.
African-American groups - Ben’s remarkable evolution from slave owner to Abolitionist is little known but important. His views on minorities were far in advance of his time.
Professional womens groups - Way ahead of his time, Ben argued for the education of women and, despite his flirtations, had his most important relationships with those women who were intelligent, educated, contributive, powerful.
Native-American groups - Again, far ahead of his time. Met with many tribes, took ideas from the Iroquois Nation and its brilliant leader to help form his own concepts of government. Another virtually unknown story but very interesting.
Inventors - Ben’s inventions are still part of our daily lives: lightning rod, bifocals, catheter, security systems, odometer, many others.