Patricia’s brand of Workshop Leader

How do Workshop Leaders fit into the Professional Speaking arena?

While Keynote Speakers give the main speeches at events providing the “why” of a theme and have elements of entertainment (humour or inspiration) Workshop Leaders provide the “how.” Workshops can include personal development, professional development or training with an educational, learning-type atmosphere.  Usually the Workshop Leader provides handouts or workbooks (learning guides). Workshops can be from one hour to many days long. Typically audience participation and experiential exercises and assignments are expected.

Workshops are often offered at conferences as Break-out or Concurrent Sessions and as the content of Professional Development events. Unlike workshop leaders and trainers, those described as facilitators focus on group goals, encourage maximum participation and guide process and group dynamics. Patricia has skills and experience in these varied roles.  

Patricia’s Woe to WOW Workshops Offer:

√ Learning through interaction and personal and professional sharing
√ An opportunity to create long term and sustainable change
√ Time for self-discovery and heightened awareness of your resilience-ability and    how you may have let adversity or challenge trip you up
√ A chance to connect and work with others who have similar concerns
√ Strategies to strengthen your resilience to adversity, change and set-backs
√ Time to put those strategies into a personal action plan
√ A safe place to share what you think and feel.
√ Acknowledgement of who you are and what you do
√ Freedom from rules, have to’s or should’s
√ Time for celebration, connection, rejuvenation and fun

Meeting planners and audiences describe Patricia’s workshop leadership the best:  

“We appreciated her humour, personal stories and easy going approach during the morning workshop.  The results and feedback from participants indicate that they found the morning very valuable and “thought provoking.”
Lori Rehill, Victim Assistance Society

“Wonderful workshop! Enjoyed your stories, insights and presentation style.”
Terry Mak, Boys and Girls Club

“Needless to say, your workshop was a wonderful success.”
Chris Van Krieken, Clown Conference

“Patricia is full of energy!!! Her workshop on ‘Feel the Fear & Speak Anyway’ is loaded with tons of superb information. You just know it when someone is doing what they ought to when they do it really well!" 
Josette Champagne, Education Resource Centre, Calgary Health Region

“Your presentation was the highlight of our retreat. It was apparent that your presentation was specifically oriented to our needs.”
Mary Bennett, Tom Baker Cancer Centre

“The three hours you spent with us opened our eyes to communication styles of different personality types, understanding our own styles and effective communication. We would highly recommend this to any group or organization wishing to encourage a positive working environment.”
Dr. Robert Hawkins, Acadia Dental

“The difference she made to our people was they walked away strengthened, taking themselves a little more lightly; with additional knowledge and skills to make a positive impact in the lives of children, families and our communities.”
Karen Pulla, YMCA Simcoe/Muskoka

“Patricia’s messages about resilience resonate long after her sessions are over.  I still hear from participants how they are implementing Patricia’s tools to look after themselves and manage stress in their lives.”
Elizabeth Scott, University of Calgary

"Patricia was not only light-hearted and dynamic, but informative and inspiring. She taught me to look at the lighter side of life, to relax and to enjoy! I was able to utilize some of her strategies immediately to make positive changes to my life."
Susan Beierling, University of Calgary

“Many valued your humour as well as knowledge of workplace situations. ‘Amazing and she made it interesting!’ was one reaction.” 
Val Tucker, Coordinator, Powerhouse Community Learning

“She’s a very easy person to listen to and her light hearted manner was much appreciated. The group, found it rejuvenating, thought provoking, and fun! She truly shares herself in her sessions. We recommend Patricia, to anyone, who is interested in better understanding themselves and how they can handle stress.”
Doreen Hogarth, Alberta Council of Disability Services

“The feedback has all been very positive. Your energy and enthusiasm were outstanding. You have touched each of us in a very special way—sharing yourself and your struggles. I have seen positive changes in many of the individuals who were in attendance. We wish you well in the future.”
Doris Gudz, Gerontology Conference Organizer

“Participants leave Patricia’s presentations not only feeling light hearted but with tools to speak up, care for their health and better value themselves.”
Tammy Nelson, Women’s Health Resources