Florida-Based | Sarasota, FL

Florida Keynote Speaker on Confidence and Leadership

When people doubt themselves, performance suffers. Simone Knego is a Sarasota-based keynote speaker who helps Florida organizations increase profits by building confident, high-performing teams. Her interactive keynotes give audiences practical REAL Method® tools they can put to work right away.

Simone Knego, leadership keynote speaker, on stage with a microphone

USA Today Bestselling Author  ●  Two-Time TEDx Speaker  ●  Featured on ABC, NBC & CBS  ●  Creator of the REAL Method®

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Watch Simone Speak

A Florida Speaker Who Connects With Your Room

Simone is a USA Today bestselling author, a two-time TEDx speaker, and the creator of the REAL Method®.

Her keynotes are interactive from the first minute. Audiences laugh, reflect, practice real tools in their seats, and leave with a plan they’ll use on Monday morning.

From Pensacola to Key West, Simone helps Florida teams close the gap between potential and performance.

The Gap Between Potential and Performance

You hired talented people. So why does it feel like you’re only getting part of what they can do?

Meetings end with no clear decision. Your best people stay quiet when they should speak up. Projects stall while everyone waits for someone else to make the call. Leaders soften feedback, avoid hard conversations, and end up doing work their teams should own.

Every one of those moments costs you time, momentum, and money.

Simone helps Florida organizations close that gap, so their teams speak up, step up, and perform at the level they’re capable of.

How Simone Helps Your Audience

Speak Up With Confidence

In meetings, presentations, and tough conversations.

Stop Second-Guessing

With a simple mindset reset they can use in the moment.

Make Clear Decisions

Move forward with conviction and stand behind their choices.

Bounce Back From Setbacks

Recover faster and take smart risks.

Work Better Together

With more trust and clearer communication.

Leave Energized

With a plan they’ll use on Monday morning.

The Story Behind the Method

“For years, doubt rode along quietly. It came with me through raising six kids, through wondering if I was doing enough, and all the way up Mount Kilimanjaro with zero hiking experience. On that mountain, I finally decided what to do with it. Now I teach people what to do when doubt shows up for them.”

Simone

What your audience walks away with

The REAL Method®

Humor, storytelling, and practical tools that help people show up with confidence for themselves and their teams.

R

Respect Yourself

Build the self-trust to speak up, make decisions, and stand behind them.

E

Embrace Your Failures

Turn mistakes into lessons and feel safe taking smart risks.

A

Ask Yourself What You Want

Get clear on priorities so you know exactly where to focus.

L

Live Without Limits

Show up fully and with presence in every room.

Keynotes for Florida Events

Every keynote can also be delivered as a breakout session or a half-day or full-day workshop.

The Confident Leader

Performing with clarity, ownership, and consistency under pressure

Leaders and teams learn to make decisions with more clarity, set expectations without second-guessing, and stay consistent when the pressure is on.

Best for: leadership conferences, associations, financial services, and corporate leadership teams.

Teams That Thrive

How to build a culture where people step up

Leaders learn why capable people hold back and how to make initiative, ownership, and follow-through the way the work gets done.

Best for: corporate retreats, management teams, healthcare organizations, and real estate teams.

Live Without Limits

How women build the confidence to lead and create the career and life they want

Women learn to move past self-doubt, perfectionism, and impostor syndrome and go after what they want with confidence.

Best for: women’s conferences, women’s networks, and professional development events.

Confident in the Age of AI

How to stay relevant when everything is changing

Teams learn the mindset to face new tools and big changes without losing their footing, so they adapt faster and keep moving forward.

Best for: financial services, healthcare, education, and corporate leadership teams.

Speaking at Florida Events Like These

Florida State Associations

For statewide conferences and annual meetings in Orlando, Tampa, and beyond.

Corporate Teams

For Florida companies ready to build confident, high-performing teams.

Executive & Leadership Retreats

For leadership teams meeting in Naples, Sarasota, Miami, or the Panhandle.

Chambers of Commerce

For chamber luncheons, leadership programs, and business events statewide.

Women’s Leadership Events

For Florida women’s conferences, networks, and ERGs.

Real Estate & Building

For REALTOR® groups, brokerages, and builders’ associations across Florida.

Why Florida Planners Book Simone

Local and Easy to Book

Simone is based in Sarasota and travels easily across Florida, which keeps logistics simple and travel costs down.

Tailored to Your Audience

Every event starts with a prep call, so her stories, examples, and tools fit your group and your goals.

Interactive From Start to Finish

Your audience participates, practices real tools in their seats, and stays engaged for the whole session.

Books for Your Attendees

Ask about adding copies of her USA Today bestselling book, REAL Confidence, for your attendees or VIPs.

What Clients Say

“

Simone was an exceptional speaker at our Spring Luncheon in honor of International Women’s Day. Her ability to inspire action, not just reflection, made her contribution truly outstanding.

Kathy Lehner

Kathy Lehner
President & CEO, Venice Area Chamber of Commerce

“

Simone Knego’s humor, mixed with thoughtful stories and wisdom had the audience captivated. Her message came through and truly resonated with the attendees. I would highly recommend her as a gifted and talented presenter.

Heather Kasten

Heather Kasten
President/CEO, Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce

“

I’ve been in banking for over 20 years and always have to attend chamber events and in 20 years your speech was by far the best one.

Katie Verkauskas

Katie Verkauskas
Banking Professional

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Simone Knego based in Florida?

Yes. Simone lives in Sarasota and speaks at events throughout Florida, as well as nationally and internationally.

Simone speaks statewide, including Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota, Orlando, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Naples, Jacksonville, and Tallahassee.

Confidence, leadership, and building high-performing teams through the REAL Method®. Her keynotes are The Confident Leader, Teams That Thrive, Live Without Limits, and Confident in the Age of AI. You’ll find full details on her Speaking page.

Yes. Simone meets with you before the event to learn about your audience and goals, then tailors her stories, examples, and tools to your group.

Reach out through the contact form on simoneknego.com, call (941) 928-9168, or email simone@simoneknego.com.

Bring Simone to Your Next Florida Event

Give your audience the confidence to turn their potential into performance.