The High Energy Emcee

Who knows business

& Turns Events

into Experiences

LET’S GOOOOOOO.

Chris McAdoo has inspired countless audiences with his unique blend of creativity, storytelling, and dynamic delivery. Known for his energetic approach, Chris creates memorable and impactful experiences, fighting “business as usual” tooth and nail, and encouraging entrepreneurs, innovators, and leaders of all kinds to think creatively, take care of their people (and themselves), and to create and share value on the biggest scale possible.

  • EMCEE

    Chris is a true force of nature on stage - amplifying your voices, inspiring audiences, and ensuring every event resonates with humor, purpose, and connection. 

  • KEYNOTE SPEAKER

    Chris’s impactful, energetic speaking style and practical advice make him a favorite at events focused on empowering community leaders, entrepreneurs, and changemakers.

  • FACILITATOR

    Chris helps entrepreneurs refine their vision and fosters collaboration within organizations, bringing a unique blend of creative thinking and strategic experience to every facilitation. 

“The world doesn’t need more perfect plans. We need more leaders willing to improvise, adapt, and say yes to new ideas.”

If your team is ready to move from stuck to unstoppable, let’s GET TO WORK.

…chris mcadoo

BIG PICTURE VISION WITH HANDS-ON EXECUTION

Move fast and fix things.

Chris McAdoo brings a compelling energy everywhere he goes, shaped by his extensive background as an entrepreneur, creative professional, and strategic executive. He serves as Chief Experience Officer at Knoxville Entrepreneur Center, where he focuses on helping growth-stage companies and leads The WORKS business accelerator. Additionally, Chris hosts the "Big Ideas Welcome" podcast, featuring in-depth conversations with makers, change-makers, and leaders that make "big ideas" come to life.

Also an accomplished painter and printmaker, his work is included in a variety of private and public collections around the country.

EMCEE

• Innovation / Pitch Showcases
• Economic Development
• Fund Raisers
• I dunno. What do you have in mind?

• Entrepreneurship from the GROUND UP: Challenging the traditional model of “smokestack chasing” economic development - how to empower
• Art of the Pivot: entrepreneurial is never a straight line, and Chris learned that the hard way through a near-death experience that brought newfound clarity to a self-described workaholic
• Original keynotes tailored to your event theme and specific needs.

Keynote Speaker

Facilitation / interactive workshops

• Mission, Vision and Values
• Brand Strategy
• Investor Pitch Deck Review
• Go-to-Market Strategy
• Five Stages of Customer Experience
• Team and board alignment
• Presentation training
• Workshops tailored to your needs

Fill out the form below and lets make it hap’n cap’n.

OR you can reach out to Chris directly at chris@chrismcadoo.com

in action:

Chris speaks on the power of the Knoxville Entrepreneur Center Community at Pecha Kucha Knoxville Volume 50. 20 slides/20 seconds each. 6 min and 40 seconds of “ALL-IN”.

Interviewing the founders of ONRISE on stage at Startup Day 2024.

“The Art of the Pivot” - Keynote address to the Maker City Summit 2020 (virtual)