The business of the early voyageur was to get one canoe to a certain destination in good time, with goods intact. It required commitment and individual effort combined with a common objective. The same focus applies to business today. Bob combines his business background, historic expeditions, massive commitment, backwoods humour and explorers passion to inspire individuals to meet that challenge head on. Bob Abrames has traveled around boardrooms, across stages and to conferences all over the world. Bob thrives on doing the unusual, on doing it with commitment and persevering in spite of challenges. He now spends his summers traveling the historic canoe routes of the early fur traders and then using those expeditions to inspire commitment in his audiences. He is a modern day Voyageur. He is a Mountain Man. His expeditions are done completely in the style of the late 1700’s. His canoe is made of birch bark. He doesn’t use a tent or a sleeping bag. He lives on peas, salt pork and bannock. He doesn’t use a toothbrush, toilet paper, sunscreen or bug spray. He sleeps on the ground and paddles 12 hours a day at 40 strokes a minute. He uses flint and steel to start his fires. He is also 54 years old! When he's not paddling or speaking Bob manages a successful training company specializing in sales, service and personal marketing. He’s an entrepreneur who has explored, managed, negotiated, bought and sold in 76 countries on six continents.
Company Mission :
I inspire audiences to take action! You know and I know that most audiences have heard the message you want to communicate BUT they've never heard your message and my story together - and never will if I'm not telling it. They will remember you because of the way your message was delivered. You and I both want the same thing - to make an impact and to get the audience to take action.
Client List : [only shown if appropriate to profession]
Accent Travel USA ACTA Advantage Travel Air Miles Air Transat Holidays Alaska Tourism Alba Tours Algonquin Travel All About Travel American Express ~ Canada American Express ~ USA ATIA Baxter Publishing Bay Travel BCAA Blenus Travel BTI Canada CAA Hamilton CAA Manitoba CAA Saskatchewan CAA South Central Ontario Canadian Institute Travel Counselors Canadian Tourism Commission UK Carlson Marketing Carlson Wagonlit Travel Chieftain Tours ~ UK Compass Travel Conquest Vacations Cruise Experts Cruise Holidays Dargal Travel DART ~ Scotland Ensemble Travel ~ Canada Ensemble Travel ~ USA eTravco USA Exit.ca Flight Centre Fraser & Hoyte Garner Travel Global Travel Globus & Gateway Goligers Travel Goway Travel Great Canadian Travel Hanover Holidays itravel2000.com Lansing Michigan Airport Authority Last Minute Club LeGrow's Travel Lloyds Travel Manotick Travel Manulife Insurance Maritime Travel Marlin Travel MAST Merit Travel MKI My Travel NACTA Navigant International NCL Nolitour Ontario Tourism OSSN Ottawa Tourism Paull Travel Platinum Vacations USA RBC Insurance Red Seal Vacations Robert Q's Travel Sears Sell Off Vacations Signature Vacations Sunquest Vacations Sunwing Thomas Cook Top of the World Travel Trafalgar TRAMS Travel Choice Travel Corp Travel Gallery Travel guard Insurance Travel Masters Travel Professionals International Travel Quest Travel society USA Travel Store TravelPlus tripcentral.ca Uniglobe Canada Uniglobe USA V the Vacation Store Vacation.com Vision2000
Client Testimonials : [only shown if appropriate to profession]
"Although I’ve heard about Bob Abrames, I’ve never had the opportunity to hear him speak until recently. His presentation was not a presentation – it was a tremendous experience. In the course of Bob’s narrating about his Voyager trip, he managed to interweave valuable lessons that can apply not just to marketing and the travel industry, but also to life. For me, his message had a twofold meaning and purpose. Lesson statements such as “Begin as you want to finish,” “If you want to be great, be great NOW!” and “Start the race like you’ve won,” are ones I now begin each day with. Cindy Bertram Positive Impact Communicators, LLC cindybertram@hotmail.com ________________________________________ "Bob, thank you again for such a dynamic presentation Monday night. The accolades are still coming in! I hope you were as pleased as we were. I it gave you some insight as to how hungry these home-based travel entrepreneurs are to learn. And did you notice how many of the suppliers there were in the audience as well? Good education, good marketing tips cross over all boundaries! I hope you might consider working with me as I branch out to engage more agents into getting serious about the travel profession. They're your future as well as mine and I feel the more they can hear it from a Pro, the more postured they will become to succeed. Thank you again for being such a presenter!" Nancy Peklo-Nosal President ~ DESIGN TRAVEL INC. Midwest Area NACTA Director nancy@dtmgi.com ________________________________________ I opened your web site and went through it extensively. WOW, have you ever got your act together!!!!! I particularly liked your references and testimonials. If prospective clients read those - you'd have to clone yourself! Its so obvious that you love what you do. I envy you that Bob. I'd give anything to be working with you. Ron Harding My mentor and friend! ronharding@bmts.com ________________________________________ "Just a quick note to say a HUGE Thank You for speaking at our Canada Specialist Event in Kidderminster UK. We had totally revamped the event this year and knew your presence as our keynote speaker would be the core requirement to tie all our information and inspirational messages together. Your voyageur keynote was absolutely riveting and full of important "life & business" messages. One agent said to me that now she has established her "Winnipeg" and will never lose sight of the drive and determination it takes to enjoy the Journey.... Truly inspirational as always. I know this will be the beginning of a very productive relationship." Maggie Davison Canadian Tourism Commission London UK Davison.Maggie@ctc-cct.ca ________________________________________ "Bob, here at CAA MB we want to say thank you and that we appreciate the foundation of selling principles that you shared with us. We are working at adopting this into our everyday approach. Your ‘this is the real world -t ell it like it is' style helped everyone appreciate how important it is to move the bar not just on selling but in general. In addition, sharing your Voyageur experience including full regalia was entertaining and inspiring! Thanks again from CAA MB." Lyn Babb Vice President, Service Centre Operations CAA Manitoba lynb@caamanitoba.com ________________________________________ "Sitting at the back of the room, and watching the mesmerized looks on the faces of our team, while Bob was relating his experiences as a Voyageur on an epic voyage was an exciting journey in itself. The big impact came when he made the connection from his expedition to our everyday lives in our offices. Teamwork, excellent customer service and the little extras that make the big difference is the keystone to being successful. Thanks Bob for helping our team become more successful." Rhonda Lynds, C.T.M Training Coordinator CAA Saskatchewan Rhonda.Lynds@caask.ca ________________________________________ "Thank you for being a speaker at our annual convention in Valdez, Alaska. Your sessions 'Touch Marketing' and 'The Power of E-Selling' greatly added to the quality of the program. Thanks to dynamic speakers like you, delegates left the convention with useful and valuable information to assist them in their business developments. Ron Peck President & COO Alaska Travel Industry Association ATIA@alaskatia.org ________________________________________ "Your recent Keynote Address at eTravCo's annual convention was a "Big Hit". Our members loved it!!! We were able to take and relate with your most recent 100 day river wilderness journey and found many comparisons with the challenge's we face daily as travel professionals". We will have you back!!!" Brent Pasquinelli President eTravCo Consortium Brent.Pasquinelli@eTravCo.com ________________________________________ "We've had nothing but rave reviews about Bob Abrames who was our featured speaker at the recent eTravCo Convention-at-Sea. Both our members and vendors alike felt his presentation was both motivating and entertaining. Most importantly - they felt your Voyageur analogies and stories applied to each and every one of them! Thank you, Bob - for making the conference a complete success!" Michael B. Caplin, CTC VP - Western Division & Vendor Relations eTravCo, Inc. mike.caplin@etravco.com ________________________________________ "Bob, one of the best decisions our leisure department has made is to have you conduct a training session for our frontline agents. After attending an 8-hour plus Saturday training session, our agents felt you gave them a way to politely service our clients without the agent giving away the store. It has not only helped their morale, but it has made them work more efficiently. I can't thank you enough for your dynamic presentation and your follow-up. The agents not only came in for 8 hours on a Saturday, but when it was over, they weren't ready for it to end. We will continue to use your services and feel very fortunate to have found you. Thanks so much!"
Beth Gardner All About Travel/Platinum Vacations Director of Leisure Operations bgardner@aatusa.com ________________________________________ "Bob Abrames turned what was a good conference into an excellent one. Delegates were riveted by his presentation and the Voyageur message he put across. I heard nothing but positive remarks and praise for what he said. Next time we will ask him to speak for longer. Thanks Bob!" John Thorburn Senior Economic Development Officer - Enterprise and Development South Ayrshire, Scotland john.thorburn@south-ayrshire.gov.uk ________________________________________ "As a company that works with LOTS of speakers across North America, I have come across a true gem – BOB ABRAMES. His laid-back style is a bit scary for strict schedule event planners, but his follow-through is amazing! We used Bob for the first time at our annual conference in 2006. Having never heard him before, when he came out in full Voyageur style, I was a bit skeptical. But after he started speaking to our attendees I noticed something, not one of them moved. They were enthralled with Bob – his story, his style, his unique blend of humor and profanity, his props – and not a power point slide in sight! I have seen many speakers, but not many that can grab an audience and hold them for hours, then leave them wanting for more. He truly delivered on his promise to WOW the attendees. I’d hire him again in a minute." Conni Ingallina ATAA Administrative Director Owner, Support & Office Solutions (AMC) Conni@sossolutions.org ________________________________________ "Bob Abrames is great - knowledgeable, personable, down-to-earth, perceptive, and excellent at getting his message across. Bob is special at understanding the challenge, and then helping people directly solve their issues. We hired Bob, have hired him again for keynoting our upcoming Summer Camp Conference, and will hire him again and again. I 100% recommend Bob and assure you that you will be more than happy with whatever alliance your forge with him." Lee Rosen President ~ TRAMS Lee@TRAMS.com ________________________________________ "The accolades are coming in, from members, suppliers, press, and even our executives, all saying that the Vacation.com 8th International & Trade Show was indeed the best ever - our sincere thanks to you for contributing to this great event. ........ I heard nothing but great comments about your sessions." Lauraday Kelley CTC MCC Vice President Education & Training ~ Vacation.com lkelley@vacation-corp.com ________________________________________ “Bob Abrames is by far the most extraordinary speaker I’ve heard in years. A witty, animated and masterful storyteller, Bob unravels the harrowing tale of his 100 day, 2500 kilometer real-life re-enactment of the early fur trading Voyageurs set in 1806…. a feat I would deem impossible in the 21st Century. Through tenacity and the sheer will of the human spirit, Bob takes us on his agonizing, yet mesmerizing journey, then leaves us at our own back door…spellbound…. and wondering about the possibilities that we could unleash in our own lives.” Anne Mickey Business Development Director ~ Carnival Cruise Line AMickey@carnival.com ________________________________________ "Bob, your perspective from being a travel supplier, traveler and marketer was priceless at our sales meeting. Many times goals and tasks can seem insurmountable. But you demonstrated that anything is possible when there is a desire and will. Your passion and creative approach brought a spark to our team. They all ended the day wanting to be in 'the canoe'. Thank you for sharing your experiences and vision with us -- I know you touched all of us!" Terri Burke MCC CTC Vice President ~ Business Development ~ NCL TBurke@ncl.com ________________________________________ "Refreshing departure from the standard fare. The Voyageur tale was riveting and I drew some lessons on both teamwork AND individuality. Each has it's place and time. The personality exercise struck a chord with everyone. We all recognize the types and now a logical step is to apply that. ATAA scored big on bringing you to Tucson and I thank you for the pleasure." Tom Frederick Arizona tjfrederick@cruiseone.com ________________________________________ "You made me feel even better about myself than I did before. Thank you. Your energy flowed forth right into the audience. You are terrific!!! Thank you again." Ginny Drew Terra Travel ~ Arizona ginny@terratravelaz.com ________________________________________ "After being in the Saturday and Sunday Seminars I am really sorry that I missed you Friday. You are by far the BEST speaker that I have ever heard. Thanks!" Christina Saenz The Cruise Place ~ Arizona christina@thecruiseplace.com ________________________________________ "Bob, I must say, I have received your emails for some time not realizing who you were. I was totally impressed and impacted by your presentations. You have my highest respect and appreciation. You were a "gift" in my life in many ways. Thank you." Darcy Lard Flathead Travel ~ Montana darcy@flatheadtravel.com ________________________________________ "I can not tell you enough just how much I enjoyed the seminar. Your presentation was superb !!!!!!! I could have listened to you ............ a lot longer. Thank you again!" Sandra Kerman ADA Travel ~ Arizona skerman@adatravel.net ________________________________________ "I found it super - you are the best. I could listen to your stories for days. I learned a lot. will enjoy your books too. Thank you for a great conference. (ATAA, Nuts n Bolts)" Hertha M. Prager Travelex International ~ Illinois herthap@excapes.com ________________________________________ "Absolutely wonderful, dynamic speaker, learned so much in a short time. I will be purchasing the webex trainings through ATAA for the rest of my staff, since we could not all attend." Linda Rawson California linda@awannatravel.com ________________________________________ You made the seminar. You were fantastic. I look forward to reading your book and getting your weekly email. Aliza Roth Plaza Travel ~ California aliza@plazatravel.com ________________________________________ "Bob, not sure whether to say "thank you" or "thanks a lot" - your seminars made us think, but more importantly, gave us a blueprint of what exactly needs to be done. Now we're "just doing it" as the slogan goes and will keep you posted on our progress." Theresa Ritchie Travel Boutique theresa@travelboutiquellc.com ________________________________________ "Bob, I loved both your seminars at the VCOM convention in Las Vegas. I actually (shamefully) skipped 2 other classes the second day to hear more of YOU. You made the entire trip to Vegas worth every dollar of my investment! I mean that honestly. I got more than my monies worth right there with you." Kristina Trowbridge CTC MCC DS WinWin Vacations & Ultimate African Safaris kristina@winwinvacations.com ________________________________________ "Bob, thanks for a challenging, entertaining and thought provoking presentation. Your voyageur experiences truly helped our participants put their daily leadership challenges into perspective. Keep up the great work and good luck with your future adventures." Michael Cavanagh Director - Career Assignment Program Leadership Network Public Service Human Resources Management Agency of Canada Cavanagh.Michael@hrma-agrh.gc.ca ________________________________________ "Bob's energy and enthusiasm for the travel industry certainly comes through. Our people enjoyed the day, it was educational and Bob made it very interactive. A reality check for what being a travel consultant in these times means. Highly recommend a day with Bob." Catherine De Sua Vice President ~ Fraser & Hoyt Worldwide Travel cdesua@fraserhoyt.com ________________________________________ "Hope to catch up with you somewhere soon. I could listen to you talk all day! I am extremely motivated and challenged by what you have to say!" Nancy Peklo-Nosal President ~ DESIGN TRAVEL INC. Midwest Area NACTA Director nancy@dtmgi.com ________________________________________ "Bob's seminars are very "hands on", which means that he is constantly involving and challenging his audience, not only to participate, but to reflect o their own skills and how they might improve them with the creative ideas being presented at the seminar." Steve Gillick Executive Director ~ Canadian Institute of Travel Counsellors steve@citc.com
Qualifications :
I am the oldest living Voyageur in the world today! I am one of nine adventures who traveled from Montreal to Winnipeg in the style of the earliest European travelers on the North American continent. I am an adventurer, a business man, a father, an eccentric. I don't believe in moderation and I don't believe in limits. I am committed, determined and love a challenge. My speeches and presentations are set against a backdrop of nine people spending 100 days together in very tough physical conditions, paddling 2,500 kilometres in a birch bark canoe, with two hundred year old equipment, cloths and supplies! I use my Voyageur expeditions as a vehicle to paint vivid pictures about commitment, team work, leadership and adapting to change in today's business climate. There's nothing theoretical about these speeches and presentations. Everything addressed actually happened and each event creates a great analogy for the message you want to communicate.
These stories are guaranteed to capture and motivate an audience! This has been one of my most dramatic and life altering experiences that I've ever experienced and I've done lots! It changed my life, no doubt about that. And it may change yours! I learned a thousand things through my Voyageur treks. I talk about motivation, pride, and perseverance! I explore the challenges of team, physical endurance and commitment. I push qualities like loyalty, dedication and compassion. This story involves adults of all ages and both genders. Like the Voyageur vision - it has no boundaries. And the story never ends! I continue to do these expeditions so the stories and the analogies are always current.
