Michaela Guzy Award Winning Filmmaker, Travel and Human Connection Expert, Recovering Corp Exec, NYU Adjunct Professor, TV Personality

Select Keynotes

• "What Do You Do, When There Isn't A Map?"
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  "What Do You Do, When There Isn't A Map?"

  Meet Michaela Guzy, who is here today to share her personal journey from corporate executive to an award winning filmmaker, travel + human connection expert and a seasoned TV personality. Most of the waters this trailblazer has navigated in creating her content company, OhThePeopleYouMeet focusing on People, Places + Purposes have been in unchartered territory, which leaves room for perceived failures to become innovative solutions to move industries forward. Michaela is going to share real life examples about her positive pivots + remaining relevant over the past eight years, signs of the travel industry's recovery, evolving trends (there are a lot, and evolving quickly) + branding yourself as an expert resource for travelers to turn to NOW. Michaela will also share her tips and best practices on how to market (meaningfully) during this time through storytelling.

   Pack a bag (and a mask) + journey on with @MichaelaGuzy

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• "Using Film to Shift Public Policy"
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  "Using Film to Shift Public Policy"

  What do Dr. Jane Goodall, the Honorable Minister of Tourism of Sierra Leone and myself have in common? 

  A desire to relaunch Sierra Leone’s tourism industry. And just how did we do it? A combination of wildlife, film, and a forward-thinking policy agenda.  

  In February 2019, Dr Jane Goodall visited Sierra Leone, casting an international spotlight on the country’s Western Chimpanzee, man’s closest relative. I had the honor to document Dr. Goodall’s three-day visit to Sierra Leone, which set many positive wheels in motion. First the declaration of the Western Chimpanzee as the National (and now protected) Animal of Sierra Leone, and second, the announcement that the country will adopt a more open stance to sustainable tourism. 

  On September 5th, 2019, Sierra Leone announced more than 150 countries will receive Visa-on-Arrival, a landmark policy change. 

  And I am excited to say that the film we created is a featured finalist in the Wildlife Conservation Film Festival in NYC and World Travel Market's "Under The African Skies" Film Festivals.

   

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• "What's Your Sustainable Travel IQ?"
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  "What's Your Sustainable Travel IQ?"

  You've got to know, before you go. The sustainable travel topics we cover at OhThePeopleYouMeet (OTPYM) range from sustainably supporting the communities in which you are visiting, the best eco-chic hotels, wildlife conservation and extremely hard hitting topics like human trafficking.

  As the founder of OTPYM and Sustainable Travel Expert, I’ve been committed to doing my research in advance of my trips and trying to make the most sustainable and responsible decisions as it relates to my travel.  Even I, a seasoned traveler operating within the travel and media industries, have made innocent mistakes along the way. 

  I'd like to share pitfalls that I've personally encountered as a well intentioned traveler.  Look we all make mistakes, but it’s up to you, to do your homework in advance and ask the right questions. Personal accountability is paramount. Just because it’s an NGO doesn’t mean that it’s a sustainable operation. Think about it.

  I know…it’s hard, cute kids and baby lions. I’ve fallen for it too and I’ve realized the impact that my decisions had on the very people, places and animals I was intending to help. I hope you get a perfect score, but even more so, I hope you learn something and share with others so we can all do our part in making the world a better place.

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• Departing Corporate America To Do Something That Moves You
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  Departing Corporate America To Do Something That Moves You

  Way back when before buzz words like video, social influencers, giving back, community and mindfulness were a “thing”, Michaela Guzy served as the VP/Global Travel and Strategic Development at American Express Publishing.

  BUT in 2012, uninspired by the lack of in depth content that inspired her to get out and explore and the fact that she couldn’t go back to a trusted advertising partner one more time with an ad buy disguised as an integrated package, Michaela departed Corporate America. She founded OhThePeopleYouMeet (OTPYM), an editorial content site for travelers, foodies and philanthropists seeking authentic local connection everywhere they journey. Just days later, she boarded a flight headed to sub-saharan Africa by herself for three and a half months to document and share stories of interesting people doing inspiring things.

  With Michaela at the helm, OTPYM has grown into a collaborative collective of over 90 contributors across the globe, and even powers the content for sites like SustainableTravel.About.com. She is the Executive Producer, Director, Lead Writer and On-Air Talent for two original editorial video series, Michaela’s Map and OhThePeopleYouMeet (an extended interview series), which can also be found on other sites ranging from Yahoo to The Daily Meal.

  This fearless, self-made, female entrepreneur is a travel industry, publishing and new media expert with a social good agenda. In addition to setting OTPYM’s editorial strategy she runs OTPYM’s production arm and is often asked to appear as an industry expert from a three part talking head series for BravoTV’s Tour Group, curating conversations, moderating panels, conducting interactive workshops and giving inspiring keynote presentations for awesome industry partners such as International Luxury Travel Market, WeWork and Soho House’s IMPACT series. 

  http://ohthepeopleyoumeet.com/who-is-michaela-guzy/

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• Transformative Travel in Africa
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  Transformative Travel in Africa

  OhThePeopleYouMeet’s Founder, Michaela Guzy was asked to MC the Opening Forum for ILTM Africa and moderate the panel on Transformative Travel. Watch to understand how responsible companies and suppliers are creating authentic sustainable transformative African experiences for their travelers. Organizations like &Beyond, African Bush Camps, Uthando and The Amy Biehl Foundation are working within their local communities to connect wildlife and community in order to preserve Africa for future generations.

  Featuring Les Carlisle of &Beyond, Kevin Chaplin of The Amy Biehl Foundation, Trevor Fernandes of Wildlife Safari, James Fernie of Uthando, Alison Gilmore of ILTM, Michaela Guzy of OTPYM, Anita Mendiratta of CACHET Consulting, and Beks Ndlovu of African Bush Camps.

  http://ohthepeopleyoumeet.com/2015/07/iltm-africa-2015/

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• Storytelling that Resonates with the Millennial Mindset
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  Storytelling that Resonates with the Millennial Mindset

  No matter the platform we are communicating on, your storytelling must be authentic if you want to connect with consumers who share the Millennial Mindset. This course will share tips and examples of great story telling through video that creates engagement with millennials. I’ll share real life examples of how I’ve applied what I learned in Corporate America to start my own content company, OhThePeopleYouMeet (OTPYM). 

  To come: My digital course on genConnect (May 2017)

   

   

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• The Great Rebranding of an Industry: The New Luxury Travel
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  The Great Rebranding of an Industry: The New Luxury Travel

  From the Macro to the Micro 

  As it moves further into the new millennia, the luxury travel industry finds itself facing major changes. The days of every average Joe calling up their travel advisor each time they need to book a flight have come and gone, with travelers becoming smarter, more demanding, and more empowered. Vacationers have become adventurers. This does not mean the end of travel advisors as we know them, rather the start of their new era. To stay relevant in this ever-changing industry, sometimes all it takes is a facelift and a new outlook.

  https://www.dropbox.com/sh/kil6mv0xyikv648/AAC17fQfTsFTU9Kpgs3lyjira?dl=0&preview=ILTM+Bright+Young+Things+11-03-16.mp4    

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• The Future of Transformative Travel: Immersive Experiences, Local Connection, Wellness, & Sustainability
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  The Future of Transformative Travel: Immersive Experiences, Local Connection, Wellness, & Sustainability

  Did you know that there were nearly 1.2 billion international travelers in 2015, up from 674 million in 2000? The latest figure represents nearly one out of seven people in the world and is expected to grow to 1.8 billion people by 2030.The United Nations has designated 2017 as the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development. 

  "This rapid increase of tourists is exactly why sustainable tourism needs attention now, said Taleb Rifai, the secretary general of the World Tourism Organization, the United Nations agency overseeing the initiative. “The impact of tourism on the world can be negative or positive, and our goal is to see to it that the travel industry is a force for good,” he said."

  Michaela explores the nexus of travelers seeking transformation through immersive experiences, local connection and wellness and the traveler's responsibility to make sustainable decisions. She showcases forward thinking companies that are sustainably developing and operating across the globe.

  http://ohthepeopleyoumeet.com/2016/10/michaelas-map-responsible-traveler-cambodia/

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• Love is a Human Right
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  Love is a Human Right

  On October 18, 2016, together1heart, a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit working to end human slavery in Southeast Asia, in collaboration with artist Magda Love, hosted a gallery opening at The Beekman Gallery in New York City featuring artwork inspired by Magda’s recent trip to Cambodia.

  Following the gala opening, OhThePeopleYouMeet’s Founder, Michaela Guzy moderated an empowering conversation on the topic of ending human slavery. In addition to Magda, other panelists included, together1heart’s President, AnnaLynne McCord who shared her personal experience with abuse and together1heart’s Founder with Somaly Mam. The discussion covered the work they’re doing to ensure that the trafficking victims they are working with have a safe, loving environment to recover, learn and reintegrate into society with sustainable life skills.

  In this clip, hear inspiring women share their personal experience with abuse and why together1heart’s dedication to combatting slavery in it’s epicenter, Southeast Asia, is crucial to solving this global issue affecting 7 billion people.

  Love is a Human Right Panelists include:
  – AnnaLynne McCord, t1h President and Actress
  – Somaly Mam, Survivor, Founder and Vice President, together1heart
  – Magda Love, Visual Artist and Activist
  – Jessica Summer Thompson, Chair, Junior Committee for New York Center for Children
  – Samira Panah Bakhtair, Co-Founder, Bridge2act

  This clip is one way the OTPYM production team memorialized the powerful event in an effort to bring awareness to a topic oppressing so many across the globe. Ultimately we hope it inspires you to have compassion for those affected by slavery and to take action by helping victims become empowered individuals through sustainable organizations. For more information on how you can help, check out: http://www.together1heart.org/.

  http://ohthepeopleyoumeet.com/2017/01/together1heart-love-human-right-panel-recap/

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• The Millennial Mindset
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  The Millennial Mindset

  TRAVEL AS A LIFESTYLE, TRANSFORMATION & COMMUNITY

  You don’t have to be broke and 22 to think like a millennial. Aided by companies such as AirBnB, the modern journey seekers embrace experience-based trips and mindful living over classic tourist watering holes— they want to live and enjoy places “like a local”. The millennial mindset is clear: awareness over belongings, adventure over knickknacks. And their purchase patterns back this mindset up. According to Huffington Post, 72% of millennials choose to spend their money on experiences over material objects. Millennials prioritize a simpler, more unique life, often described as “rich in experiences”. Some key elements seem to connect millennials when it comes to travel. Their involvement-based lifestyle breaks down into individuality, freedom, genuine connection, and being of service. The millennial attraction to authenticity extends beyond eating locally and getting a good tan: they seek personal and external transformation through voluntourism, cultural sensitivity, and a deeper understanding of the world around them.

  http://ohthepeopleyoumeet.com/2016/08/the-millennial-mindset-by-otpym/

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