Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States •
More than $10,000
About
I help business leaders make sense of what’s changing — and what they should do about it. My keynotes bring together AI, automation, the economy, Washington and workplace trends in a practical, fast-paced and engaging way. I’m not a highly technical AI speaker or a traditional economist. I’m a CPA, business owner, author and business columnist who spends every day looking at how these changes affect real companies. What makes my presentations different is that I connect the big trends to the specific realities of the audience’s industry. Every keynote is customized, non-technical and focused on practical actions leaders can take when they get back to work.
From Washington to Your Workplace - Economic, workplace and technology trends impacting your industry
Keynote • 60 minutes
As a regular columnist for Forbes, The Hill, and The Guardian, Gene Marks spends every week interviewing business leaders, economists, technology executives, and policymakers to understand what’s really happening in today’s economy—and, more importantly, how successful companies are responding. Businesses across every industry continue to face rising labor costs, higher borrowing costs, insurance increases, supply chain disruptions, rapid advances in artificial intelligence, and continued economic uncertainty. Rather than focusing on politics, Gene delivers a practical business briefing filled with real-world strategies companies are using to control costs, improve productivity, increase profitability, and prepare for what’s next. Drawing on his reporting for Forbes, The Hill, and The Guardian—along with insights from hundreds of business leaders he interviews and advises every year—Gene separates headlines from reality and shares practical ideas executives can immediately put to work.
Key Takeaways
Audience
Business owners, manager, leaders, ceos,
Format
Duration
60 minutes
Delivery
AI, Automation & The Future of Your Industry - What Leaders Need to Know Now
Keynote, Session, Webinar • 60-90 mins
For more than 20 years, Gene Marks has covered business technology for Forbes, reporting 6–8 times per month on the latest advances in artificial intelligence, automation, and enterprise software. In this fast-paced, practical session, he separates AI hype from business reality and explains what is actually impacting industries like construction, manufacturing, distribution, retail, and financial services. Drawing from his interviews with Microsoft, Google, emerging AI firms, and real-world companies implementing these tools, Gene outlines where AI is delivering measurable ROI — and where businesses are wasting time and money. This keynote focuses on AI risks and realities, AI agents and automation in operations, AI in sales/CRM/estimating/forecasting/finance, workforce implications, governance and data management, where to invest in 2026–2027, and what to expect in the next 12–24 months. Attendees leave with a clear, practical technology roadmap — not theory — and a better understanding of how smart leaders are using AI to protect margins and drive growth.
Key Takeaways
Audience
Business owners, executives, managers, association members, manufacturers, distributors, construction leaders, retailers, banking and financial-services professionals
Format
Duration
60-90 mins
Delivery
The Great Workforce Handoff - How to Replace Retiring Talent, Transfer Critical Knowledge and Build the Next Generation of Your Workforce
60-90 mins
Businesses across the country are approaching one of the biggest workforce transitions in decades. Experienced owners, executives, managers, salespeople, technicians and other key employees are retiring — and when they leave, decades of relationships, skills and institutional knowledge can leave with them. At the same time, employers are competing for a younger generation of workers who have very different expectations about technology, career development, flexibility, communication and the workplace itself. Business owner, CPA, author and nationally recognized business speaker Gene Marks will show business leaders how smart organizations are preparing for this “great workforce handoff” — and what they should be doing now to protect their businesses and position themselves for the next generation. Drawing on the latest workplace trends and the hundreds of business owners and executives he speaks with each year, Gene will address some of the most pressing workforce questions facing employers today:
Key Takeaways
Audience
CEOs, business owners, executives, HR leaders, operations leaders, managers, association members, manufacturers, distributors, construction companies and other organizations facing retirements, knowledge-transfer challenges and generational workforce change
Duration
60-90 mins
Delivery
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