Unleashing Innovation & Growth in Associations & Conferences
Sterling Hawkins is a globally recognized keynote speaker who helps associations and conference audiences embrace change, drive innovation, and deliver results in today’s fast-paced world.
Sterling Hawkins is not just another associations and conferences keynote speaker. With years of experience working alongside industry leaders, he understands the unique challenges and opportunities that associations and professional organizations face. He has partnered with top conferences and associations—including NACS, ECC, AACS and more—to help leaders navigate disruption, foster innovation, and drive meaningful impact.
Empowering Associations & Conferences to Thrive in a Changing World
In today’s rapidly evolving landscape, associations and conferences must do more than just share high-level ideas—they need actionable strategies that drive real impact. This includes embracing digital transformation, exploring hybrid and virtual event formats, and future-proofing membership models to maintain relevance in a competitive world.
Sterling Hawkins, founder of the No Matter What Movement, brings a powerful, hands-on approach to unlocking innovation, resilience, and leadership within associations and professional organizations. By blending personal experience with academic research, case studies, and proven methodologies, Sterling helps audiences move beyond theory into practical application and action. His insights are shaped by years of working with global organizations, leading high-stakes transformations, and overcoming challenges to emerge as a sought-after business leader and keynote speaker.
Sterling doesn’t just inspire—he provides association leaders and conference audiences with the frameworks, tools, and strategies needed to navigate disruption, drive member engagement, and achieve long-term success. Whether you’re looking to empower your leadership, adapt to industry shifts, or create a culture of continuous growth and community building, Sterling’s keynotes deliver high-impact solutions that can be applied immediately.
If you want your association or conference attendees to lead with confidence, embrace change, and unlock their full potential, book Sterling Hawkins for your next event.
Sterling Hawkins: Leadership & Transformation Keynote Speaker for Association Events
Sterling Hawkins is an internationally recognized expert in leadership and transformation, specializing in helping associations and professional conferences navigate change and drive meaningful impact. As a keynote speaker for association events, he highlights the critical role of trust-based leadership in fostering innovation, member engagement, and long-term success. Sterling’s dynamic presentations emphasize resilience, adaptability, and the power of bold decisions, inspiring teams to embrace discomfort and collaborate effectively in today’s rapidly evolving landscape.
Trust sits at the heart of thriving associations and professional organizations. Sterling teaches leaders how to cultivate a culture of trust that fuels innovation, strengthens member connections, and accelerates growth. By building this foundation, associations can enhance collaboration, boost member engagement, and remain relevant in an ever-changing environment.
If you’re searching for a keynote speaker to empower resilient, forward-thinking leaders within your association or conference, look no further than Sterling Hawkins. Contact our team today to learn how Sterling’s proven strategies can drive lasting success for your organization.
As an author, entrepreneur and globally recognized keynote speaker, Sterling has guided countless individuals and companies to remarkable growth.
He believes we only discover our greatest purpose and realize our potential when we learn to move beyond the security of our comfort zone.
Fortune 500 companies invite him to speak to help leaders and teams cultivate trust-powered cultures to overcome adversity and reach exciting goals. Perhaps you’ve seen his TED Talk, his bestseller Hunting Discomfort, or him or his work featured in The New York Times, Forbes, Fast Company and Inc. — unveiling his proven growth roadmap drawn from his own journey back from rock bottom. You’re in the right place if you’re ready to improve your relationship with possibility (also known as uncertainty) and grow.
Meet Sterling
1+ Million
People impacted by the No Matter What Movement
Thousands
Of organizations transformed
No. 1
Best Selling Author
JOIN OUR CLIENTS CREATING GROWTH CULTURES
RAVE REVIEWS
TRANSFORMATIVE SHIFT!
Sterling's powerful keynotes prompted a transformative shift in attendees' thinking, earning it the top-rated session at both events. And provided our audience with the tools to approach challenges with a different mindset, encouraging them to perceive challenges as opportunities to overcome and drive growth, rather than as obstacles to fear. I highly recommend Sterling for his energy, passion, and ability to align organizations toward a mindset of growth.
LORI STILLMAN | VICE PRESIDENT, RESEARCH AND EDUCATION | NACS
Inspiring Industry Movement
THE CASE STUDY
See how industry disruption was redefined at both an exclusive C-suite event and a large industry gathering as an opportunity for innovation, leading to boosted morale and measurable increases in KPIs.
Sterling Hawkins' keynotes for associations and conferences are a core component of the No Matter What Experience—a comprehensive 5-phase program that delivers unparalleled value. This program offers up to 12 weeks of personalized content, leadership tools, and strategies, all customized to align with your organization's specific goals, challenges, and audience needs. Sterling's unique approach ensures your team embarks on a transformative journey that extends far beyond the keynote itself, driving sustained growth and impactful leadership change. No other speaker provides this level of personalized, concierge-level service to ensure long-lasting results and organizational transformation.
One keynote, 90+ days of impact
association and conferences keynotes
No Matter What: Leading Associations & Conferences Through Disruption and Growth
In a rapidly changing world, associations and professional organizations must embrace disruption and discomfort to drive innovation, engagement, and long-term success. Sterling Hawkins delivers a high-energy, transformative keynote that equips leaders with the mindset, strategies, and tools to thrive—No Matter What challenges arise. Through powerful storytelling, real-world case studies, and actionable takeaways, attendees will learn how to turn uncertainty into opportunity, build high-performance teams, and lead their organizations with resilience and confidence.
Why the World’s Top Associations & Conferences Choose Sterling Hawkins as Their Keynote Speaker
Sterling Hawkins is trusted by leading associations and professional organizations to inspire leadership, drive innovation, and create lasting impact in a rapidly evolving world. His dynamic keynotes equip association leaders, conference attendees, and industry professionals with the mindset and strategies needed to embrace change, foster resilience, and unlock new opportunities. Sterling’s ability to deliver actionable insights and spark transformative growth sets him apart as a premier keynote speaker for associations and conferences worldwide.
With customized presentations tailored to the unique challenges of associations and professional organizations, Sterling ensures that attendees not only gain valuable leadership insights but also apply them immediately to enhance member engagement, drive collaboration, and future-proof their organizations. By working with Sterling, associations and conferences gain the tools they need to stay relevant, adapt to disruption, and thrive—No Matter What.
1. Actionable Tools, Not Just Inspiration
Sterling delivers more than just motivational speeches—he equips association leaders, conference attendees, and professional organizations with practical, ready-to-implement strategies. His frameworks can be immediately applied to enhance member engagement, foster collaboration, and drive long-term organizational success.
2. Turning Association & Conference Challenges Into Opportunities
From navigating industry disruption to increasing member retention, Sterling’s approach helps associations and professional organizations turn challenges into growth opportunities. He empowers leaders to embrace uncertainty, adapt to change, and lead with confidence—ensuring their organizations remain relevant and future-ready.
3. Customized Keynotes for Every Organization
No two associations or conferences are the same. Sterling customizes his presentations to address the specific needs, goals, and challenges of each audience, ensuring that his insights lead to measurable outcomes—whether that’s strengthening leadership, driving innovation, or increasing engagement.
4. Proven Experience and Real-World Insights
With years of experience working with global organizations, Sterling brings authentic, hands-on insights to his talks. His keynotes are packed with real-world case studies and actionable lessons learned from working with associations, business leaders, and conference attendees across industries.
5. Building Resilient, High-Performing Organizations
Sterling focuses on cultivating resilient, adaptable leaders who can navigate uncertainty and drive results. His strategies help associations and conference attendees build high-performing teams that thrive in changing environments, ensuring long-term growth, innovation, and impact.
Tara Wilson | President | Eventsia Group x ECC
“Sterling delivered an unforgettable session! His approach was spot on and sparked remarkable engagement. ”
Jeremy Banta | Board of Directions | WERC
“Sterling’s keynote was the highlight of our conference! Everybody was energized new tools to positively impact performance and culture for their organizations.
Discover Why Sterling Hawkins is a Game-Changer for Associations & Conferences Worldwide
See how Sterling Hawkins is transforming associations and conferences around the world with his groundbreaking approach to leadership, resilience, and innovation. Through powerful insights and real-world success stories, Sterling’s dynamic speaking style and proven strategies inspire association leaders and conference attendees to embrace change, foster collaboration, and drive meaningful impact in their organizations.
He empowers teams to adapt, overcome adversity, and lead with confidence in an ever-evolving landscape—ensuring long-term growth, engagement, and success in every aspect of their work. Whether you’re looking to navigate disruption, strengthen your leadership, or future-proof your association, Sterling delivers the strategies and mindset needed to thrive—No Matter What.
Transforming Your associations and conferences Starts Here
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