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From broker opens to high-end home reveals, here's why world-class sleight of hand creates the one thing a luxury listing needs most — a room full of people who don't want to leave.
There is a Hublot watch that debuted in Nashville not at a press event or a product launch or a paid media campaign. It debuted at a private dinner at King Jewelers, in a room of the brand's most important local clients, over an evening that combined exceptional food, considered hospitality, and close-up sleight-of-hand magic performed inches from the faces of the people the brand most needed to impress.
Nobody in that room saw an advertisement that night. They had an experience. And the experience was designed, deliberately, to produce something no advertisement can produce: a specific, personal, irreversible memory attached to the brand in the minds of the people who matter most to it.
That is not an unusual marketing decision anymore. It is the direction the entire luxury industry has been moving for the better part of a decade. And it raises a question that most luxury brand marketing directors have not yet asked:
What goes in the room that is genuinely extraordinary rather than merely impressively produced?
What follows is the case for an answer that most activation agencies have not considered — and why the brands that discover it first will have access to something their competitors cannot easily replicate.
For HR leaders and Veterans ERG coordinators: here's why a keynote speaker who has actually been on the bases — and performs close-up magic for your veteran employees personally — changes everything about your military appreciation event.
The Revascent all-staff event looked like every corporate cocktail hour I have ever walked into. People standing in line at the bar. Small plates being circulated from appetizer stations set up around the room. Clusters of colleagues finding each other, catching up, doing the pleasant social work that precedes a formal evening.
Nobody had arrived expecting anything extraordinary. Nobody had been told to expect it. The evening was pleasant. That was its ambition. To be pleasant and well-organized and a good opportunity for people who worked together to be in the same room at the same time.
I walked in with a deck of cards.
What followed was not what anyone planned. A small group became a following. A following became a crowd. A crowd became a party that nobody scheduled. And at the end of the evening, a group of people who had come for a corporate cocktail hour left with signed cards they had asked to keep — because they wanted physical evidence that what had happened to them was real.
This is not a story about a magic trick. It is a story about what world-class close-up magic actually produces in a room of people who were not expecting it — and what that means for anyone planning an event where the difference between pleasant and extraordinary matters.
From Douro Valley port cellars to private collector dinners, here's why world-class sleight of hand pairs perfectly with fine wine — and what happens when both are in the same room.
When I was a teenager just starting in magic, I was convinced I could not do sleight of hand. Not that I had tried and failed. That I was not the kind of person who could do it. So I bought gimmicks instead — specialty decks and prepared props from the magic shop that simulated the effect of technique without requiring any.
Then I performed for a family in my neighborhood. After the show the father came up to me and asked, quietly, whether I had been using one of the specialty decks he had heard about.
He knew. He could see the gap between what I was doing and what the trick claimed to be.
That moment sent me back to the magic shop with a different question. Not what prop would make the magic look more convincing. But what the craft actually was — and whether I was willing to do what it required.
Thirty years later I am still working on the answer. What follows is what I have learned about the gap between a performer who knows the trick and a performer whose technique is genuinely invisible — why that gap is enormous, why it matters in a room of sophisticated people, and why it cannot be faked regardless of how convincingly someone tries.
From holiday parties to client appreciation dinners, here's what happens when world-class sleight of hand meets a room full of analytical minds that think they can't be fooled. Written by Jason Michaels, IBM President Elect and sleight-of-hand artist with 25 years performing for financial professionals.
Before any performance begins, the deck is already in the room. Sitting on the table, or in a jacket pocket, or in a hand extended toward the first spectator. Nobody looks at it twice. Nobody needs to. Everyone knows what it is.
That is the point. That is everything.
A deck of playing cards is the most universally recognized object in human culture that nobody ever thinks about — not because it is uninteresting, but because familiarity has become invisibility. The deck sits on the table and the eye moves past it to the wine, the centerpiece, the face of the person across from you.
And then something happens to it that should not be possible.
What follows is not about magic tricks. It is about what a five-dollar object becomes when it carries six hundred years of human history, the stories of every person in the room, and twenty-five years of the most refined manual skill in the world. And why that combination produces something that no production budget, no expensive prop, and no digital experience can replicate.
From private lounge evenings to Big Smoke gatherings, here's why world-class sleight of hand is the natural companion to premium cigar culture — and what both have always had in common.
Magic
From broker opens to high-end home reveals, here's why world-class sleight of hand creates the one thing a luxury listing needs most — a room full of people who don't want to leave.
There is a Hublot watch that debuted in Nashville not at a press event or a product launch or a paid media campaign. It debuted at a private dinner at King Jewelers, in a room of the brand's most important local clients, over an evening that combined exceptional food, considered hospitality, and close-up sleight-of-hand magic performed inches from the faces of the people the brand most needed to impress.
Nobody in that room saw an advertisement that night. They had an experience. And the experience was designed, deliberately, to produce something no advertisement can produce: a specific, personal, irreversible memory attached to the brand in the minds of the people who matter most to it.
That is not an unusual marketing decision anymore. It is the direction the entire luxury industry has been moving for the better part of a decade. And it raises a question that most luxury brand marketing directors have not yet asked:
What goes in the room that is genuinely extraordinary rather than merely impressively produced?
What follows is the case for an answer that most activation agencies have not considered — and why the brands that discover it first will have access to something their competitors cannot easily replicate.
For HR leaders and Veterans ERG coordinators: here's why a keynote speaker who has actually been on the bases — and performs close-up magic for your veteran employees personally — changes everything about your military appreciation event.
The Revascent all-staff event looked like every corporate cocktail hour I have ever walked into. People standing in line at the bar. Small plates being circulated from appetizer stations set up around the room. Clusters of colleagues finding each other, catching up, doing the pleasant social work that precedes a formal evening.
Nobody had arrived expecting anything extraordinary. Nobody had been told to expect it. The evening was pleasant. That was its ambition. To be pleasant and well-organized and a good opportunity for people who worked together to be in the same room at the same time.
I walked in with a deck of cards.
What followed was not what anyone planned. A small group became a following. A following became a crowd. A crowd became a party that nobody scheduled. And at the end of the evening, a group of people who had come for a corporate cocktail hour left with signed cards they had asked to keep — because they wanted physical evidence that what had happened to them was real.
This is not a story about a magic trick. It is a story about what world-class close-up magic actually produces in a room of people who were not expecting it — and what that means for anyone planning an event where the difference between pleasant and extraordinary matters.
From Douro Valley port cellars to private collector dinners, here's why world-class sleight of hand pairs perfectly with fine wine — and what happens when both are in the same room.
When I was a teenager just starting in magic, I was convinced I could not do sleight of hand. Not that I had tried and failed. That I was not the kind of person who could do it. So I bought gimmicks instead — specialty decks and prepared props from the magic shop that simulated the effect of technique without requiring any.
Then I performed for a family in my neighborhood. After the show the father came up to me and asked, quietly, whether I had been using one of the specialty decks he had heard about.
He knew. He could see the gap between what I was doing and what the trick claimed to be.
That moment sent me back to the magic shop with a different question. Not what prop would make the magic look more convincing. But what the craft actually was — and whether I was willing to do what it required.
Thirty years later I am still working on the answer. What follows is what I have learned about the gap between a performer who knows the trick and a performer whose technique is genuinely invisible — why that gap is enormous, why it matters in a room of sophisticated people, and why it cannot be faked regardless of how convincingly someone tries.
From holiday parties to client appreciation dinners, here's what happens when world-class sleight of hand meets a room full of analytical minds that think they can't be fooled. Written by Jason Michaels, IBM President Elect and sleight-of-hand artist with 25 years performing for financial professionals.
Before any performance begins, the deck is already in the room. Sitting on the table, or in a jacket pocket, or in a hand extended toward the first spectator. Nobody looks at it twice. Nobody needs to. Everyone knows what it is.
That is the point. That is everything.
A deck of playing cards is the most universally recognized object in human culture that nobody ever thinks about — not because it is uninteresting, but because familiarity has become invisibility. The deck sits on the table and the eye moves past it to the wine, the centerpiece, the face of the person across from you.
And then something happens to it that should not be possible.
What follows is not about magic tricks. It is about what a five-dollar object becomes when it carries six hundred years of human history, the stories of every person in the room, and twenty-five years of the most refined manual skill in the world. And why that combination produces something that no production budget, no expensive prop, and no digital experience can replicate.
From private lounge evenings to Big Smoke gatherings, here's why world-class sleight of hand is the natural companion to premium cigar culture — and what both have always had in common.
Private Correspondence
Occasional reflections on resilience, performance, and the moments that remind us why our work—and our lives—matter.
No promotions. No noise. Just thoughtful notes, shared sparingly.
Adventures
What was supposed to be a routine Armed Forces Entertainment tour turned into one of the wildest experiences of my career. One week into performing magic and comedy for U.S. troops in the Middle East, my team and I suddenly found ourselves grounded in Saudi Arabia—our base on lockdown, our plans upended, and news breaking of an international incident nearby. From navigating late-night backroads in search of a hotel that would take a credit card, to frantically booking emergency flights home with sketchy Wi-Fi and frozen bank cards, it became a real-life test of adaptability, composure, and resilience. In the end, everyone made it home safely—but not without a few unexpected lessons along the way.
Join magician Jason Michaels on a behind-the-scenes journey through a typical show day while touring military bases in the Middle East. From early mornings and tight schedules to unit visits, Commander’s Calls, and unforgettable evening performances, discover how Jason and his team use the art of magic to boost morale, foster resilience, and bring laughter and connection to U.S. troops serving far from home.
What’s it really like to tour a magic show through the Middle East? From lost luggage and confiscated props to 100-yard walks to the latrine at 3am, this behind-the-scenes article dives into the unpredictable realities of traveling and living on (and off) base. Learn how professional magicians adapt, hydrate, and keep the show going—even when battling jet lag, desert heat, or E. coli.
Let’s start at the beginning. One day in early 2015, my agent Nick called me and asked me if I had any interest in performing some shows for the military.
“Absolutely!” I exclaimed. You see, as a child and teenager, I heard many stories from my Grandfather Roy Chapman, who was a pilot in the Air Force, about his time in the military.
I vividly remember hearing about the time during World War II when his plane had been shot up and they were running low on fuel. He was worried they wouldn’t make it back to the base, so he instructed his crew to throw everything out of the plane that wasn’t essential so they would, hopefully, have enough fuel to make it back…
Magician Jason Michaels brings magic and morale to U.S. military personnel around the world. Discover how his mission to serve those who serve has taken him to over 50 countries—and why it matters now more than ever.
Over the years, I’ve performed in some incredible venues—but nothing compares to stepping onto a base and performing for the men and women in uniform.
In my latest blog post, I’m sharing the personal reason why I do magic for the military. It’s about more than entertainment—it’s about connection, morale, and honoring those who serve.
I invite you to read the story behind one of the most meaningful parts of my career.
One of the most sobering sounds I’ve ever heard was the loud “CLANG!” as the door closed and locked firmly behind me the very first time I entered a prison.
I remember thinking, “How many people know that I’m currently in here?” As if that was going to make much of a difference.
OVERCOMING Adversity
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Explore essential insights into Tourette Syndrome, including tics and effective treatments. Understand and support those affected—read the article now.
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When Hiromi Raymond set out to find a speaker for Nexxen's All Hands Conference, she had a specific ask: inspiration, healing, and fun — all in one room. What her operations team of 30 got was a 90-minute hybrid keynote that left them energized, seen, and equipped with tools they could use the moment they walked out the door.
Discover essential tips for hiring the perfect public speaker for your event. Make an informed choice that elevates your gathering—read the article now!
Discover the top entertaining speakers who engage and inspire audiences with their unique styles. Read on to find the perfect speaker for your event!
Discover the inspiring story of a magician with Tourette's who blends artistry with advocacy. Join us to celebrate resilience and creativity in performance.
Explore the symptoms of Tourette Syndrome and discover effective management strategies to improve quality of life. Read the article for valuable insights.
Discover the top Nashville motivational speakers who can energize your event and inspire meaningful change. Read the article for expert insights!
Discover top motivational speakers who can elevate your next event. Inspire your audience and create lasting impact—read our article for the best choices!
Tourette Syndrome
Discover the inspiring stories of celebrities with Tourette Syndrome who demonstrate resilience and strength. Read their journeys of overcoming challenges.
Explore essential insights into Tourette Syndrome, including tics and effective treatments. Understand and support those affected—read the article now.
Discover the inspiring story of a magician with Tourette's who blends artistry with advocacy. Join us to celebrate resilience and creativity in performance.
Explore the symptoms of Tourette Syndrome and discover effective management strategies to improve quality of life. Read the article for valuable insights.
Explore how individuals with Tourette's turn challenges into strengths, fostering resilience and growth. Read the article to find inspiration and support.
I like to talk a lot about doing the impossible. You might say I’m obsessed with it. From magic tricks that appear to be impossible, to overcoming barriers that seem to be - the subject just speaks to me.
In today’s blog article, I wanted to share an excerpt from my book You Can Do the Impossible, Too! where I do something that others thought might not be possible for me to accomplish.
My hope, by sharing this, is that you might see yourself in this story. And if you don’t see yourself exactly, maybe the story will speak to that part of your soul that needs to hear it - because I firmly believe that you can do the things that feel impossible in your life, too…
“The things we believe about ourselves always prove to be true.”
That statement, from my program #DOTHEIMPOSSIBLE, can be hard to understand. After all, it would be very easy to debate the point. I guess that’s why I felt it was necessary to provide examples from my life after I made the statement.
For today’s #TouretteTalk I’ve decided to share a short video clip from my talk about why, and how, what we believe can define the way we see ourselves, the actions we take - virtually everything in our lives…
Click here to read the rest of the article and watch the video clip.
Yesterday was Independence Day here in the United States of America. Every year, on July 4th, we celebrate the brave, monumental feat that we accomplished 243 years ago - fighting for and claiming our independence.
Our founding fathers fought for freedom. They fought for freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom to assemble - all sorts of freedoms they believed were God-given rights. The fought for their freedom against a country they didn’t believe represented them. Talk about high-achievers!
On a seemingly unrelated note, exercise and physical fitness is my hobby. I enjoy going to the gym virtually every day. And for as long as I have been going to the Gold’s Gym in my area I have seen one man in there consistently who has impressed and inspired me.
This man is in the gym all the time. I can count on seeing him at least several times a week. I think it would be safe to say that physical fitness is a lifestyle for him, too. The big difference between him and me (besides the fact that he is in better shape and is more impressive looking than me) is that he wheels his wheel-chair around the gym as he moves from machine to machine getting in a solid workout…
One of the cool things that social media provides us is access to our friends that we may have lost touch with. Over the last several years I have re-connected with my former high school Speech and Drama teacher.
I’ve written in my book about auditioning for the Jr/Sr play. That audition, and receiving a leading role in the play was a pivotal moment for me early in life. When I stepped on stage for the first time, I felt like I was “at home.” And when I was performing in front of an audience, the tics and twitches of my Tourette Syndrome just vanished.
And while I was more excited, than fearful or worried, to audition for a role in the play, choosing to step out on to a stage, where there was an audience of people focusing all their attention on me, was certainly taking a risk.
“Tourette Syndrome does not define me.”
I’ve emphatically made that statement many times. In fact, it’s probably been one of the most important messages that I’ve wanted to share with the world. I’ve seen numerous other people who have Tourette Syndrome say it, too. It’s like those of us with T.S. (or any disorder, really) want to make it clear to the world that just because we have tics, those tics do not make up who we are. Put another way, “I may have Tourette Syndrome, but Tourette Syndrome does not have me.”
So, if not being defined by Tourette’s is so important to us, how do we define ourselves, and how do we want the world to see us?
Enter two powerful words…I AM.
MOTIVATION
When Iron Insurance Partners wanted their team to feel the value of work that often goes unseen, they brought in keynote speaker and magician Jason Michaels to deliver his keynote “Your Work Matters.” This case study breaks down how sleight of hand and story combined to shift a room full of insurance professionals from burned out to reminded — plus what attendees had to say afterward.
Discover the top corporate speakers who can elevate your events and engage your audience effectively. Read on to find the perfect fit for your conference!
Discover the inspiring stories of celebrities with Tourette Syndrome who demonstrate resilience and strength. Read their journeys of overcoming challenges.
Discover inspiring stories from top speakers on resilience who have overcome challenges. Gain insights and motivation to face your own hurdles. Read more!
Explore essential insights into Tourette Syndrome, including tics and effective treatments. Understand and support those affected—read the article now.
Discover top motivational keynote speakers who can inspire your audience and elevate your event. Read on to find the perfect speaker for your needs.
When Hiromi Raymond set out to find a speaker for Nexxen's All Hands Conference, she had a specific ask: inspiration, healing, and fun — all in one room. What her operations team of 30 got was a 90-minute hybrid keynote that left them energized, seen, and equipped with tools they could use the moment they walked out the door.
Discover essential tips for hiring the perfect public speaker for your event. Make an informed choice that elevates your gathering—read the article now!
Discover the top entertaining speakers who engage and inspire audiences with their unique styles. Read on to find the perfect speaker for your event!
Discover the inspiring story of a magician with Tourette's who blends artistry with advocacy. Join us to celebrate resilience and creativity in performance.
Explore the symptoms of Tourette Syndrome and discover effective management strategies to improve quality of life. Read the article for valuable insights.
Discover top financial motivational speakers who can inspire a wealth mindset and drive your financial success. Read on to elevate your perspective!
Discover the top Nashville motivational speakers who can energize your event and inspire meaningful change. Read the article for expert insights!
Discover top motivational speakers who can elevate your next event. Inspire your audience and create lasting impact—read our article for the best choices!
Discover powerful speakers who inspire resilience and empower your audience. Explore their insights and elevate your next event. Read the article now!
Discover top keynote speakers to elevate your event experience. Find the right voice to engage and inspire your audience. Read more to enhance your event!
Discover top corporate motivational speakers who can inspire and energize your workforce. Boost morale and productivity—read more to find the perfect fit!
Explore top motivational speakers in New Orleans to elevate your next event. Find the perfect fit for inspiration and success. Read on for recommendations!