Posts tagged year in review

2021: In Technicolor

Yes, we still continue to face challenges but I firmly believe that it’s important to occasionally look at where you’ve come from and acknowledge your success — and failure. Do this often enough and with the right spirit and a clear path emerges in the direction you’re heading.

Despite the uncertainty of 2021, I was fortunate to present Virtual Deceptions at 44 online events and make appearances at 20 in-person corporate, private, and fundraising events this past year.

Here’s a taste of some of the most memorable moments…

The Return of In-Person Events

My first in-person event happened in May 2021. A team-building dinner for my new friends at Saltmine.

The event took place at Taplin Cellars, one of the oldest family-owned vineyard in Napa and Sylvia Taplin is the consummate host. The entire experience felt like being home.

The entertainment portion of the evening was a surprise for the team, so the folks at Taplin put me up in their cottage which doubled as a greenroom. After a fantastic meal prepared by The French Laundry, I was introduced and performed al fresco overlooking the vineyard.

What a joy to be back!

Sylvia Taplin thanking our chef for the evening and introducing the performance

Trade Shows

We saw the trade show industry open up this year with shows — large and small — across the country. One of the last events I did before locking down was the RSA Conference in February 2020 and we had no idea when the industry would be back.

Nice to see trade shows coming back and organizers adjusting the circumstance.

Stopping traffic for W Brothers at the Institute of Real Estate Conference Orange County Chapter Conference and Trade Show

Presenting for Bitdefender at Connect IT 2021 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas

In-Person Conferences

This year brought the opportunity to help a new client entertain conference attendees in Las Vegas and New Orleans.

Each reception included about 50 - 60 VIP conference attendees from across the country. And I designed a couple of customize presentations to get the client’s message across.

VIP Conference Reception at 1923 Prohibition Bar in Las Vegas

VIP Conference Reception at The Chicory in New Orleans

Speaking of Magic

As I mentioned at the top of this blog post, it’s important to look back and acknowledge success and failure. One of the things that kept me sane these past two years was finding a way to take the challenge we’re facing and do something positive with it.

“Every obstacle in life presents us with an opportunity to turn inward and invoke our own submerged inner resources. The trials we endure can and should introduce us to our strengths.”

— Epictitus

Making Zoom Magic

The more Zoom meetings I had with clients the more I realized I had something to offer.

MAKING ZOOM MAGIC is a peek-behind-the-curtain to share the process of pivoting from performing at in-person events to crafting a highly-interactive and successful virtual magic performance for corporate events. I presented the talk to a handful of groups — virtually, of course! — and walked attendees through the nuts and bolts to making their next Zoom meetings amazing.

If you’d like to discuss bringing MAKING ZOOM MAGIC or another customize presentation to your group please drop me a note here.

The Speaker Spring Board Podcast

Alfred Poor invited me to be part of The Speaker Springboard Podcast. We talked about the business of doing magic, and what managers and leaders can learn from it.

Yeah, we jammed a lot into 10-minutes but Alfred it really good at what he does and apparently I have a lot to say on the subject.

And that’s no lie.

Listen to the episode here!

Virtual Conferences and Meetings

As challenging as it has been, there have also been some exciting opportunities to emcee and entertain at sales and kick-off meetings and opening receptions at virtual conferences for clients like Guidewire, SingleStore, Clarizen, DocuSign, SNUG World, Side reUnite, the Society for Technical Communication, and more!

The Battery

Thrilled to be back at my residency at The Battery this year. It was great to see the membership and staff again!

I’ve been the Resident Magician at The Battery since 2015, entertaining casually in The Musto Bar.

In November, I presented Psychic Illusions for approximately 80 club members. The performance ran 90 minutes in length and featured an act rarely seen today. What a treat to be back at the club!

Thank you

Conjuring Wonder, Year In ReviewDennis KyriakosJanuary 1, 2022virtual magic show, inspiration, corporate events, san francisco magician, eventprofs, event planners, year in review, trade show, tradeshowmagician, napa magician, conference entertainment, keynote, speaker

2018: In Technicolor

Happy New Year!

2018 was a great year for us here. Have a look at some of our favorite highlights IN TECHNICOLOR!

Saving The Day

It was the morning of December 13th. I was in the midst of the holiday season with numerous events each week and I receive an inquiry for an event THAT EVENING.

A few moments later I’m speaking with the client who informs me that due to a scheduling conflict, they lost their casino vendor and they’re stressed with no entertainment.

“Can you be in San Ramon tonight to perform a show for 250 guests at an awards dinner?”

Here are the results.

Magical Emcee at Awards Luncheon

One of my favorite events this holiday season was an awards luncheon for a local construction firm. I had met the CEO at another event, we hit it off and kept in touch.

In our discussions leading up the the event, I was told that due to the size of their operation and numerous simultaneous job sites, they may not all know each other. This would be the only opportunity to have everyone in one together in one room to celebrate achievement.

My job then, was not only to break-the-ice but create rapport and connections between people who have never met.

Clearly, it would begin during the cocktail reception where I can get to know them a bit and help break the ice with close-up magic.

After lunch, I would be officially introduced as host of the company’s awards ceremony. I went on to introduce some of the company officers who presented a total of six awards to employees.

But there had to be more magic. We needed to bring more rapport and levity to the event.

Awards were presented to reflect each of their company values, which included Excellence, Commitment, Positivity, Ownership, Improvement, and Teamwork.

So, I created three customized piece of magic specifically for this event that I peppered throughout the ceremony and we had a blast.

A few words from the Founder and CEO about the experience….

Trade Shows!

I can officially announce that my magic has taken me around the world.

In July 2018, my friends at Magnet Productions sent me Shanghai to build crowds for their client at Mobile World Congress, one of the world’s largest consumer trade shows in the world.

Did I mention it was in Shanghai and only 5% of attendees spoke English? And yet, look at those crowds!

Other trade shows this year included MS Ignite and Cisco Live in Orlando, Blackhat and VM World in Las Vegas, and RSA, in San Francisco.

MS Ignite Dennis Kyriakos Trade Show Magician.jpg

Stanford Graduation

I received an email from someone in England who’s son was graduating from Stanford and celebrating his birthday. She couldn’t be at his graduation party and she was inquiring about being a surprise guest for evening. She also asked if I could come up with a special surprise for him.

Here’s a customized ending for one of my favorite pieces of card magic.

Wait for it.

60th Birthday in Santa Cruz

In July, I was invited to entertain at a 60th birthday event in a cozy bungalow-style home in Santa Cruz.

The evening with began in the backyard patio as I mingled with about 50 guests and entertained with close-up magic. We then sat down for dinner catered by a local taco truck. Everything was homemade and just delicious.

While we ate, the backyard patio was transformed into a cozy theater and once guests finished their meal, they returned for my after-dinner mind reading show as the sun set. It was the perfect evening for mystery and wonder under the stars.

UCSF Fundraiser with Daughters of Penelope

On May 5th, I participated in a fundraiser gala benefiting the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland, hosted by the Daughters of Penelope at Ascension Greek Orthodox Church —which is just steps away from my home.

The evening offered delicious appetizers — us Greeks know how to cook! — a silent auction, and a no-host bar.

After cocktails, guests settled into their seats for my full 90-minute theatrical mind reading show, where I debuted brand new performance material.

We raised over $7,000 that evening with 100% of the proceeds going directly to UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital.

If you’re planning a fundraiser for your favorite charity, I encourage you to be in touch. We can make it a truly magical event!

Thank you

Thanks to everyone who invited me to be part of their festivities. I would not be here without you and I’m grateful for the opportunity to share my passion.

And thank you for reading. Have a happy and healthy 2019.

Conjuring Wonder, The Artist, Year In ReviewDennis KyriakosJanuary 14, 2019year in review, san francisco magician

2014: In Technicolor