Eleni presents TOUCH THE SKY: Leading Out as a Woman of Power in Body, Word and Deed at the Center for Empowerment and Economic Development's (CEED) annual Women's Leadership Conference. March 12, 2010, Grand Rapids. March 19th, Livonia. Call 734-677-1400 or visit www.miceed.com for details and registration information.

Eleni presents TOUCH THE SKY to an audience of dynamic, young women leaders at Ferris State University's 8th annual Investing in Leadership and Learning conference (W.I.L.L.) on Tuesday, April 16th. This year's conference theme,, "Be Extraordinary: Be different. Stand out. Be You," reflects the central theme of not only Eleni's flagship presentation, but her speaking, coaching and training work as well -- particularly as it applies to the advancement of women. Eleni will share the platform with fellow National Speaker's Association members Lynn Jarrett and Kathy Eubanks.

Eleni is a proud nominee of the 2010 Athena Award. The award honors outstanding business and professional individuals for excellence in their chosen field, for providing valuable service to their community and for actively assisting women in their attainment of professional goals and leadership skills. For more about the Athena International Awards Program, and the services of Athena International, visit www.athenainternational.org.

Eleni joins Carrie Hensel (Inner Circle Media) once again in presenting the 2010 Women's Exchange of Washtenaw VIsion and Goal-Planning Workshop!

• When: January 21, 2010, 11:15-1:30
• Where:The Polo Fields Golf and Country Club. 5200 Polo Fields Drive, Ann Arbor, 48103.
• To Register: Visit www.wxwbusiness.com. Fee is $30.00
• Please arrive by 11:15 AM. Workshop will begin promptly at 11:30 AM. Lunch will be served during this workshop.

Get ready to connect with your true potential and accomplish marvelous things in 2010 by attending this intensive visioning and goal-setting workshop. WXW offered this interactive seminar at the 2009 WXW Forum in May and received such great feedback from participants that facilitators, Eleni Kelakos and Carrie Hensel, have agreed to do it again!

During this 2 hour workshop, participants will assess the vision and goals for their company, team, or career. They will learn how to articulate the vision in inspiring ways, set strategies and goals, and measure progress toward those goals. Participants will complete a visioning and goal-setting workbook and leave the session with plan to accomplish their goals for 2010.

Here are a few testimonials from previous workshop participants:

"One of the best events/presentations I have ever attended! Carrie & Eleni were superb!"

"Visioning was great! Practical and inspiring at the same time. Carrie & Eleni rock!"

"Interactive, fun, informative."

"Amazing & so inspiring."

"I can not help but reflect on the WXW forum and how impressed I was with the turn out and presentations for an event that is only in its second year. Well done! I am not sure what compelled me to participate in the "Creating and Executing Your Vision" but I could not have made a better choice. Meeting both of you (workshop facilitators Eleni Kelakos and Carrie Hensel) had a profound impact on me and made me realize what I need to do in order to succeed personally."

Repeating her July 25th performance, Eleni will again present her motivational keynote "TOUCH THE SKY for Entrepreneurs: In Celebration of Reinvention and Resilience" at TechTown's "Fast Trac to the Future --The First Day of Your Enterpreneurial Future" day-long conference at the McGregor Memorial Conference Center at Wayne State University on Tuesday, August 18, 2009. FastTrac to the Future is a program created by the New Economy and the Kauffman Foudnation to provide a jumpstart down the road to entrepreneurs through mentoring, training and resources. The conference, which is completely booked, is free. For information, visit http://wayne.edu/fasttrac/ or write to Rene Kelly at rene.fasttrac@techtownwsu.org.

Eleni will join the festivities for the third year in a row at the 3rd Annual Entrepreneurial Improv/ New Enterprise Forum Battle of the Pitches, Thursday, May 21st at the Holiday Inn on Plymouth Road. Last year Eleni played Lovey from Gilligan's Island and hogged the mike at every opportunity; the year before that, she added to the general madness by giving a senseless, spontaneous improvised pitch based on a Dr. Seuss Story wearing a silly yet disarming coonskin cap. What on earth will she do THIS year? Come and find out, and support New Enterprise Forum, one of Michigan's greatest developers of talented entereupreneurs! For more information, visit www.newenterpriseforum.org.

Eleni will join Inner Circle Media and Women's Exchange of Washtenwaw founder, Carrie Hensel, in facilitating a two-hour workshop on Visioning at the Women's Exchange of Washtenaw Forum 2009 on Friday, Mary 15, 2009. Through discussion, and a series of creative, written exercises, workshop participants will leave with a more defined idea of their vision and mission, purpose and path.

The WXW Forum is a day long event designed to engage the business community and to work through the common issues women business leaders face in their efforts to grow and improve their companies. This day long event provides an interactive and lively experience with regional speakers, workshops, exchange sessions, and networking activities. Location: Kensington Court Ballroom, 610 Hilton Blvdl, Ann Arbor. From 9:30-7pm. Cost: $129 full day/$79 afternoon only. Visit wxwbusiness.com to register and for additional information.

Eleni was profiled by Nathan Bomey in the March 5-11, 2009 Ann Arbor Business Review. To read the article, click the following link:

http://www.mlive.com/business/ann-arbor/index.ssf/2009/03/executive_profile_eleni_kelako.html

Eleni will be presenting a seminar called "Creating a Powerful Presence" for the National Speaker's Association of Michigan on Saturday, March 14th. She'll be be sharing the speaking platform with fellow National Speakers Association (NSA) member, and media and gossip expert, Shawne Duperon. Eleni and Shawne will teach you how to:

• Use tools and techniques to help you think like an actor as you prepare to present or interview.
• Be ready and stay ready for presentations and interviews
• Learn secrets of media interviews
• Have free publicity increase your business

NSA Michigan is the recognized voice of the speaking profession throughout Michigan, exemplifying leadership and platform excellence. Its bi-monthly seminars are open to both NSA members and anyone interested in developing their speaking business.

To register for this event, call Amy Jones # 800-990-7726 or download registration form at www.nsamichigan.org Click on "meetings and events." Networking begins at 8:30, with breakfast provided. The session is from 9-2pm, with lunch included. Guests: $75; NSA members and Pro-track Affiliates $45.00.

Eleni has agreed to present a series of BE HERE AND BE HEARD presentation skills trainings to benefit the Michigan- based entrepreneurs associated with TechTown's Front Line Science and Techonology (FAST) and Detroit Based Initiative (DBI) development programs. Each one-day training sessions will focus on helping Michigan based entrepreneurs better pitch their developing businesses or products. For more information about TechTown, visit www.techtownwsu.org.

Eleni will present "BE HERE AND BE HEARD: Theatre Techniques to Help You Think Like an Actor and Speak Like a Leader" as part of the Ann Arbor Area Chamber of Commerce's Seminar Series. WHEN: October 28th, 3-5pm. WHERE: Ann Arbor Chamber, 115 West Huron, 3rd Floor, Ann Arbor. Free for chamber members, $20 for non-members. To register, or for more info, write to lindsay@annarborchamber.org or call 734-214-0109.

In affiliation with Ann Arbor.s New Enterprise Forum (NEF), Eleni is presenting a special "Be Here and Be Heard!" workshop especially for entrepreneurs who want to improve their presentation skills. N.E.F..s mission is to "link entrepreneurs with management, expertise, join venture partners, business services, capital and other critical resources." (www.newenterpriseforum.org). In addition, The Great Lakes Entrepreneurs Quest (GLEQ) and SPARK, Ann Arbor, are each sponsoring as workshop attendees the winners of the SPARK Boot Camp and GLEQ business plan competitions. GLEQ.s mission is to "encourage and education entrepreneurs on the creation, start-up and early growth stages of high growth business within the state of Michigan" (www.gleq.org). SPARK (www.annarborspark.org) focuses on advancing "...the economic development of innovation-based business in the Ann Arbor region by offering programs, resources and proactive support to businesses at every stage." The workshop will occur on Thursday, June 19th from 8am . 1pm, at the SPEEK offices in Ann Arbor. For more information, or to register for this workshop, write to eleni@s-p-e-e-k.com or call 734-622-0522.

Don't miss out on Eleni dynamic and interactive one-day workshop, BE HERE AND BE HEARD: A Public Workshop on Public Speaking. From 10-4 pm on Saturday, March 29th in Ann Arbor, MI. $150 early-bird registration deadline by March 7th . Snacks and a lite lunch included. For detailed information and a registration form click here! Or write to booking@elenispeaks.com.

Eleni will perform an evening of her music:

• Time: The concert will begin at 8, with doors opening at 7:30. on Friday, November 9th.
• Location: at the BlackCrystalCafe in Ann Arbor
• The BlackCrystalCafe is an extraordinary private venue-elegant and beautiful, with a great sound system, stage and lighting-perfect for an intimate concert experience. Suggested donation is $15. Wine and other beverages provided and included, plus some fabulous munchies. For reservations and more information the Black Crystal Cafe visit . To learn more about Eleni's history as a singer and songwriter, buy her CDs, read her lyrics or listen to her songs, visit the "Concert" link on elenkspeaks.com!

Eleni will present a brief version of her TOUCH THE SKY presentation at a special brunch for women hosted by Comerica Bank:

• Time: 10:00am - Noon on Saturday, September 29th
• Location: 1969 W. Stadium Blvd. in Ann Arbor, MI.
• Robin Black, owner of Curves for Women, and Cheryl O'Brien, from the Ann Arbor Chamber, are also part of the lineup.
• For more information call 734-930-2441 or write to dlbennett@comerica.com.

Eleni will be presenting "TOUCH THE SKY: Staying on the Path to Wellness, with Passion and Purpose" as part of a special event at Chelsea Community Hospital Health and Wellness Center's honoring National Women's Fitness Day.

• Time: The event runs from 6:pm - 8:30pm, on Wednesday, September 26th. Eleni will present twice, at 6:15 and at 7:30. Pre-registration is open to the first 100 women. To pre-register, call 734-475-4100.
• Location: Chelsea Community Hospital Health and Wellness Center, Chelsea, MI
• For more info, visit www.chelseawellness.org.

Eleni will present her TOUCH THE SKY! musical motivational keynote at the 10th Annual Flint Journal Women's Expo.

• Time: 4pm on Friday, September 7
• Location: Perani Event Center, Flint, MI
• Contact Info: Call 810-766-6275 or email to expo@flintjournal.com, or visit www.flintjournal.com/expo.

Back by popular demand, Eleni presents "BE HERE AND BE HEARD, a Public Workshop on Public Speaking."

• Time: 10-4pm on Saturday, September 15th
• Location: Ann Arbor
• Fees: Early-Bird Registration (by August 24th) is $150; Regular Registration Fee is $175 (by September 3rd).
• Contact Info: call 734-622-0522 or write to booking@elenispeaks.com.
• Snacks and lite lunch included. Details TBA.

Eleni featured in an article entitled "Silly Solutions For A Troubled Economy" in Michigan News section of the Michigan Radio. Click here to read the article.

This public workshop is geared in particular towards Eleni’s past and current clients—along with a small number of new clients—so as to allow them to practice in a group setting the tools they are learning in individual coaching. 

The workshop will be divided into two sections:  In the first half, participants will do group exercise work and practice with one another some of the basic SPEEK techniques in order to develop trust as well as proper breathing, vocal and listening skills; Eleni will also share what she knows about making a presentation truly memorable. In the second half, participants will each have the opportunity to present a short speech, using workshop participants as an audience.

Eleni says, “This is an excellent opportunity to face your public speaking demons in front of a group of supportive and understanding people, while being encouraged by a skilled facilitator who is sensitive to your issues. You will learn not only from your time in front of the group, but from watching your colleagues give their presentations and work through their own public speaking issues.  It will be exhilarating and fun.”

To register, or for more information, write to eleni@s-p-e-e-k.com or call 734-622-0522 for details.

In an article entitled  “Um, Like Call in the Speech Coach,” that appeared in business section of the New York Times on Thursday, January 11, Eleni is mentioned in the context of a discussion on the importance of speech and presentation coaching.  To quote the article:  “Sharon McRill, founder of the Betty Brigade, a concierge company in Ann Arbor, MI, hired a coach, Eleni Kelakos, after agreeing to deliver a Chamber of Commerce breakfast speech in 2005.  Ms. McRill said that while she was comfortable one-on-one, she felt sick addressing a group. After learning breathing and relaxation techniques, her ums stopped, confidence soared, and she was able to stay on message.”

Click here to read the full article (pdf)

News Flash! Eleni is among a handful of Ann Arbor area business owners featured in the November Business Review, in an article written by Joel Seguine entitled "Close Relationships." 

The article examines the role of networking in the business community. "I like people, and I look for any opportunity for face-to-face contact… at numerous networking events." Eleni is quoted as saying, "Community is a vital and powerful concept.  As a performer, I’m used to an active community being a primary source of information… that same element is present in the Ann Arbor business community."

Eleni Kelakos guests as Ann Arbor Ad Club Creativity Seminar panelist, April 21st , joining seminar leader Lawrence R. Dolph (Managing Partner of RFD Insight), and his esteemed guests, sociologist Ron Westrum, PhD and Jerry Burton, Senior VP of Campbell-Ewald, in a spirited three-hour seminar on creativity and the hot topic of Globalization. 8-12 am on Friday, April 21. For registration or information, go to www.A2AC.org.

NACW Guest Speaker, April 19th. Eleni will be present "Practice, Pacing, Props: Acting Tips for a Punchier Presentation" at the National Association of Career Women's monthly luncheon on Wednesday, April 19th at Weber's Inn (3050 Jackson Road, Ann Arbor, MI). Drawing on her expertise from years as a professional actress, nationally touring performing songwriter, communication coach and motivational speaker, Eleni Kelakos will show you how to give your speech or presentation shape, focus and flair, and deliver it with passion and clarity. $15 for members, $20 for guests. For more information, write to JosephineN@nicholascity.com or call 734-531-0180.

Eleni Kelakos joins Lily Jarman-Reisch, director of SeaChange, and Chris Wucherer, founder of The Center for Work and Life, in delivering a Keynote presentation entitled "The Pear-shaped Life: Heeding the Heart in a Brain-bogged World," at the First Annual Ann Ann Arbor News "Head to Toe" Women's conference. The "pear-shaped heart" is the pathway to vitalizing our lives, navigating life's transitions, and crafting a just, humane society. Using rhythm, images, song, myth and metaphor, this dynamic presentation will encourage listeners to re-connect with their hearts for guidance and balance in lives too often driven by their hard-working brains. As part of her presentation, Eleni will perform an original song, "Heart Leaps," penned especially for the occasion. The Keynote is scheduled at 11 am, on Sunday, October 22, at the Convocation Center at Eastern Michigan University (799 N. Hewitt Road, Ypsilanti, MI 48197).

An interview with SPEEK founder, Eleni Kelakos, is featured on www.getacreativelife.com, a new venture/website/blog created by Alyse Parisi of Power Outcomes and Jayne Burch of Whole Solutions, both successful business coaches and creative strategists. The purpose of "Get A Creative Life" is to create and inspire strategies for authentic living and financial indepedence. The focus of the interview is on the choices Eleni has made throughout her life to honor and develop her artistic gifts, and how she has found a way to leverage what she loves into a life-path that is stimulating and also financially rewarding. On getting a creative life, Eleni says "Act now, on impulse, don't wait. Invite the muse. Ignite the muse. Creativity breeds creativity, so start in one area and move into another creative area... When you are truly in the flow of creating, it is divinity itself. It is the ultimate reason we are here. Just do it." Read the Article