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Dave Chalk is an internationally renowned expert who has excelled in teaching people how to use technology. But his success was made possible only through enormous creativity and a determination to overcome some daunting personal obstacles.

For 40 years, Chalk lived with an undiagnosed brain injury, which he suffered at birth. Left with severe cognitive disabilities including dyslexia, a speech impediment and no short-term memory, doctors and teachers said he would never be able to learn.

Determined that her son would live a normal and productive life, Chalk’s mother came up with a plan to help him bypass his painful childhood. They imagined what his life would be like at age 30 if he did not have a severe learning disability, and they began to create that reality. With no obstacles to limit him in his imagination, Chalk pictured himself happy and successful, and began living out his dreams.  

Chalk’s purchase of an Apple II gave him the idea for his first business venture. Just as his mother had seen his own potential when no one else could, Chalk imagined computers could help people tap into their own abilities and help them live out their dreams. He pioneered the concept of a store that would not only sell computers but also teach people how to use them. Within a few years Doppler Computer Stores would grow into a $150 million superstore chain.

Chalk’s success with Doppler won him the Entrepreneur of the Year award from the prestigious Young Entrepreneurs Organization. He was named Most Outstanding Retailer in Canada, Most Outstanding Marketer in Canada, was named one of the top 10 leaders to watch in the new millennium by Equity Magazine and was nominated for a Governor General’s award. Most recently, Chalk has been selected as the recipient of an Honorary Doctor of Technology degree from the University College of the Fraser Valley. 

After 15 years of success with Doppler, investors chose to take the company in a new direction. Chalk came back stronger than ever by forming Chalk Media in 1997 and launching a TV show with former Doppler employee Mike Agerbo as his co-host. Rather than dealing with technical aspects and specifications, the show focused on making viewers feel good about technology and taught them to see technology as a tool to help better their daily lives.

Dave Chalk Connected currently airs in millions of homes worldwide every week. It has won numerous international awards including a prestigious ranking by TV Guide in 2002 as ‘One of the 50 Best Shows on TV’.  

Chalk Media has grown to provide online training and web content for organizations such as Microsoft, Royal Bank, and Telus Mobility. Chalk has spoken to numerous Fortune 1000 organizations and more than 100 public and private companies including 3M, Air Canada, the Retail Council of Canada, Xerox, and the Government of China. He was recently selected by Microsoft to lead their keynote presentation tour across Canada, one of the most prestigious technology speaking opportunities.  

Chalk has excelled in his career because of his unwavering belief that there are no limits to what a person can accomplish. Despite all the hurdles in his way, he has triumphed over adversity to become an inspiring example to audiences across the country.

Presentations Include:

Big Bang 2: Where's Technology Going?
Those who anticipate the future control the market - and someone with an insider’s insight can show us what this struggle of the digital titans means for us. David Chalk provides a perceptive and comprehensive analysis of what’s happening, and who’s winning in the fight to control the digital world.



Big Bang 2: This Time It's Digital
In the next decade, David expects that the digital world will be consolidated into a single industry. He will show audiences what the market will look like when trillion dollar industries collide, and share his vision of how that fallout will impact our world. Exciting, innovative, challenging and entertaining, David will explore the endless possibilities that exist for those poised on the leading edge of technology.

Driving Business Success Through Engaged Employees: Trends & Tools
Engaged, loyal, informed employees are the fuel for a growing business. Likewise, knowledgeable employees are ambassadors for your company. But how do you genuinely inspire your team and facilitate organizational citizenship? In this must-see feature presentation, David Chalk will shed some light - including technology that will help you yield results.

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