Good news is good business.
Want to make the most of your message? I learned how during a 35 year career in television news and current affairs. My name is Connie Smith and my goal is to empower professionals to maximize their message through time-tested presentation techniques.
Find out how you too can connect with confidence.
+ M.C.
+ Journalist
+ speaker
+ media consultant
+ Facilitator
+ Voice/On-camera artist
RECENT NEWS
Media Training
This city will never be quite the same after the passing of the irreplaceable, sometimes irascible and irreverent, but mostly irresistible, real and oh-so loveable, businessman, philanthropist and Hamilton hero, Charlies Juravinski.
Charlie’s rags to riches story made him a legend in his own time. He didn’t have a university degree, not even a high school diploma. He wasn’t a world traveller; lived in a (relatively) modest home. For years he snow-plowed his own driveway and his equally down-to-earth wife of 66 years, Margaret, ironed his shirts. But Charlie had guts, drive, an incomparable business sense and a heart of gold. It’s that big ol’ heart the couple shared that led them to give away tens of millions of dollars to ensure their fellow Hamiltonians had state-of-the-art health care facilities and expertise to rival the best in the world, at their doorstep.
My friendship with the Juravinskis began as a news reporter at CHCH-TV covering stories at the racetrack he envisioned and built, Flamborough Downs, which he later sold to the Ontario Lottery Corporation. He was a colourful dresser, talker, and had a gritty, jocular presence that commanded attention. He carried the Olympic Torch. He made a mean martini.
When Always Good News launched, a concept the Juravinskis loved, they were thrilled to be my first guests. In this interview from 2009, I wanted to know why and how they gave so much of their fortune away. They went on to donate millions more until, fittingly, Charlie spent his final hours at the Margaret’s Place Hospice, named in honour of the Juravinski Family for their incredible support over the decades.
P.S. Thank you Charlie for teaching this sometimes-M.C. how to get the attention of an audience.
Video promo hosting International Day for Older Persons 2021
Co-hosting Hamilton Senior of the Year Awards 2021
With Darrin Laidman
MY LATEST BLOGS
OTHER NEWS
BlockTech Connect 2020
Hosting a panel of tech industry leaders at BlockTech Connect 2020 was a fantastic experience. At this event we discussed how to thrive in a borderless, decentralized and localized world leveraging Blockchain and AI. I now facilitate events like this virtually.
Lunch & Learn Workshop
I love conducting Lunch & Learn Workshops on Making the Most of Your Message , including this one with the Gowling WLG legal team, in Hamilton, Ontario. Now I’m offering them virtually but you have to bring your own lunch!
Interval House’s Vintage Hollywood Glam Gala
It was an honour to be part of Interval House’s Vintage Hollywood Glam Gala at the Sheraton Hamilton. I had the pleasure of sharing the stage with John Ellison. John is known for his hit song, ‘Some Kind of Wonderful’.
“We brought in Connie Smith to provide a public speaking workshop for our lawyers. Connie was everything you’d expect from this local Hamilton legend. Connie was engaging and dynamic and delivered on creating a workshop that folks would walk away with tangible and implemental tips. From breathing techniques to dealing with nerves – this was a well-attended and received workshop, and we will definitely be having Connie back. I highly recommend.”
“Connie Smith has been an integral part of Community Living Burlington’s Annual Easter Auction. Her vibrancy, enthusiasm, and professionalism has enabled our event to raise over $75,000 in the last four years, with all proceeds benefiting people who have a developmental disability in our local community. Connie is a real inspiration – she is community-minded, generous, and dedicated. ”
“ Connie Smith is a dynamite lady and emcee. She is community-minded with a genuine interest in seniors and their contributions to the community. She has a genuine way of making others feel at ease!”
“Connie is the best speaker I’ve ever seen up close, and she was able to share her mastery with our client very effectively—a real testament to her teaching skills. She is just so smooth. It’s amazing to watch her and learn. Connie did a fantastic job of leading our client through her exercises and coaching them in an on-camera experience.
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“Connie is a familiar face and brings smiles and warmth to our guests. As a veteran journalist, she engages the audience in a personal and professional way. Connie was the co-host of the annual McMaster Children’s Hospital Celebration on CHCH News in support of McMaster Children’s Hospital for many years. She is a devoted community volunteer to many charities in the Golden Horseshoe communities.”
“Connie’s Public Relations class was one of my favorite classes at Mohawk. Not because of the subject matter, but because of the way she engages her students. It really made things more interesting and created a learning experience that got me interested in the subject matter. It takes a very skilled teacher to figure out how a student ‘ticks’ and Connie definitely has that gift!”
“ Connie became involved with Pythons’ Pit, our regional entrepreneurship competition hosted by Rotary Clubs in Halton Region in our second season. She’s done an outstanding job, hosting our TV segments and the Awards Night, which this year drew over 500 spectators and participants. I love her passion and professionalism. She brings events to a whole different level. ”