Keynote speaker Jay Baer began his career in politics, working as a direct mail specialist for a U.S. Senator. After brief stints as a government spokesperson and a marketing role in environmental services (yes, a garbage company), he discovered the Internet—back when domain names were still free.
Recognizing a major opportunity, Jay went on to build and sell multiple successful digital marketing and customer experience companies, including Convince & Convert, one of the world’s leading digital strategy advisory firms.
In the early 2000s, a book tour for his debut title unexpectedly launched his second act: keynote speaking and event hosting. Because Jay was a strategist long before stepping on stage, his presentations are deeply tailored, packed with actionable frameworks, and constantly evolving. Organizers bring him back again and again because his insights drive real business growth.
Beyond the stage and boardroom, Jay founded the Convince & Convert blog—still attracting millions of visitors annually—and co-created the Social Pros podcast, which he co-hosted for over 500 episodes. The show earned accolades as the world’s best marketing podcast—twice.
Today, Jay hosts The Spirit Guides, a podcast uncovering the origin stories of top rum, tequila, whisky, scotch, and bourbon influencers. His love for tequila began in college in Tucson and has since grown into a full-fledged tequila education and review platform. And he’s a hugely popular keynote speaker on Customer Loyalty and The Customer Experience represented by Rave Speakers in Los Angeles.
Alongside his own ventures and advisory work with major brands, Jay is also an active investor and mentor to dozens of small businesses.
He lives with his wife in the charming college town of Bloomington, Indiana, and travels globally from nearby Indianapolis to speak and share his expertise.
