keynote speaker
The many groups who have heard Rex Ziak’s presentations agree that he is one of the most engaging and memorable speakers they have ever heard. A born story-teller whose wide-ranging adventures give his presentations a unique stamp of authenticity, Rex is able to make his topics come alive for his audiences, no matter what their particular interests or areas of expertise.
Having given and heard more than my share of speeches during my career, I like to think that I know an entertaining speaker and a natural born story teller when I see one—and Rex Ziak is one of the most entertaining and informative I have seen in quite some time. His love of history is contagious, and he would be a welcome addition to any meeting, conference, or convention.
— Mark O. Hatfield
United States Senator 1967-1997 |
You had me completely mesmerized . . . Thank you for a fascinating glimpse of American history. I have heard some very distinguished speakers, but only two stand out—Jane Goodall was one and you are the other.
— Rhonda Grant, Member
Channel City Club, Santa Barbara, CA (January 2006)
Rex's passion for mastering his topics is obvious and his enthusiasm is so infectious that he creates a bond with his audience that changes them from observers to full partners who participate in his journey of discovery. ... But I would be remiss if I failed to communicate that this unusually talented public speaker and entertainer is also a serious and disciplined researcher and scholar. ... I heartily recommend Rex Ziak, and I can guarantee that your audience will appreciate the experience of sharing a most memorable, informative, thought provoking and enjoyable evening....
— Jerry L. Ostermiller, President
Columbia River Maritime Museum |
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| [See Video Sample on Contact page] | [See NBC Today Show interview on Contact page] | |
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LECTURES
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Rex Ziak specializes in directly addressing the interests and needs of his audiences. Here are several lecture topics that Rex is prepared to present; he will be happy to consult with you to provide details and to fine-tune the presentation for your group.
John Jacob Astor and the North American Fur Trade
An informative and entertaining lecture covering the early fur trade in North American and the dominance of Hudson’s Bay Company. It picks up on the childhood of John Jacob Astor in Germany, follows his arrival in America and his rise to dominance in the fur trade. Finally the lecture illustrates Astor’s risky attempt to dominate and monopolize the fur trade of North America by establishing a trading post along the west coast which became the first American settlement west of the Rocky Mountains.
Lewis and Clark: They Don’t Make Men Like That Anymore
This lively lecture retraces Lewis and Clark’s journey up the Missouri, across the Rocky Mountains and to the Pacific Ocean, then explains their return to St. Louis. Featured is the amazing moment in their journey when Lewis and Clark split up the party and proceed separately along different routes before reuniting hundreds of miles later.
The Tragic and Lonely Life of a Sailing Captain’s Wife
This is a profile of a woman who happened to marry a sailor that turned into one of the greatest navigators and explorers of all times. In their 17 years of marriage he is away all but 4 years of 2 months, but fathers 6 children, which she must raise alone.
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James Cook: A Four Part Lecture
Part One: the life of James Cooks is followed from his childhood as a Yorkshire farm boy, his days in Whitby hauling coal and his early days in the Royal Navy, including the Battle for Quebec and charting Newfoundland.
Part Two: Cook’s first voyage. Part Three: Cook’s second voyage. Part Four: Cooks third voyage. Capt. James Cook is credited with exploring more unknown surface of the earth than any person before or after him. Historians have said that after Cook’s third voyage there was nothing left for other explorers to do, but praise him.
What One Man Can Do
This is an inspirational and motivational lecture detailing what happened when an average, ordinary citizen felt the call to action. It was 1990 and a distant company had purchased 88,000 acres of forest, including the last remnant of 1,000 year old trees, which they intended to cut. One person stood up and said NO. This citizen created an ingenious method for communicating his concerns with the top executives. NBC TODAY SHOW with Bob Dotson filmed a feature story about this remarkable success and how it peacefully changed an executive and his company’s policy towards the destruction of our environment.
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PAST SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS INCLUDE:
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d e s i g n by
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