Darren LaCroix

Darren LaCroix is known as the 2001 World Champion of Public Speaking, keynote speaker, author, comedian and founder of The Humor Institute, Inc.

Early years
Darren was born in Worchester, MA. He graduated from Bryant University (1988). Darren was influenced by his college marketing professor Frank Bingham, motivational speakers Brian Tracy, Zig Ziglar, Tony Robbins and Dr. Wayne Dyer. His mentors are Dave Fitzgerald, Vinnie Favorito, Rick Segel and his coach Patricia Fripp.

Comedian
Darren joined the Bose Speakers Toastmasters International Club to foster his dream of being a stand-up comedian. Darren may have been “born without a funny bone in my body” but he possessed the desire to learn and the willingness to fail, necessary to achieve his dream. The self-proclaimed “student of comedy” is living proof that humor is a skill that can be learned. Darren interviewed CEOs and business owners who made humor part of their business plan, culling from their successful practices and innovative principles that could be applied to any company. He developed an innovative technique of “customizing” humor that reveals the common frustrations and pet peeves about an organization, giving him ammunition that has audiences laughing down to their toes. LaCroix has created a ground breaking program, "Get More Laughs By Next Week" so you may learn his humor creation process at home. Darren LaCroix is a co-founder of The Humor Institute and a co-creator of The Humor Boot Camp.

World Champion of Public Speaking
In 2001 Darren out spoke 25,000 contestants from 14 countries and became 2001 World Champion of Public Speaking. In his winning speech Darren LaCroix was talking about the fear of failure, about reaching for a goal and falling on your face, when suddenly he lurched forward and, well, literally fell on his face. Since becoming World Champion of Public Speaking, Darren has traveled the world demystifying the process of creating a powerful speech. He has roused audiences in faraway places like Saudi Arabia, China, Oman, Malaysia, and Taiwan with his inspirational journey from first-rate chump to first-class champ, proving anything is possible if you are willing to work for it.

Keynote Speaker, Educator, & Coach
Darren LaCroix learned how to be funny. Now he teaches people how to make other people laugh. It's his job. Funny stuff is serious business.

Besides teaching others how to be funny, LaCroix educates sales forces, CEOs, public speakers and others about humor and it actually turned out to be a better business than trying to be funny.

Darren LaCroix is also known as the person who helps speakers launch their careers in professional speaking. He has trademarked program "Get Paid to Speak by Next Week", which educates on how to start and run a speaking business. As a coach, he supports speakers through his internet program, World Champions EDGE. He co-created "How Professional Presenters Can Own the Stage", the program with new standards for advanced presentation skills.

As a keynote speaker since 1994, he brings his stories to conferences around the world. His clients include IBM, Fidelity investments, Sheraton Hotels, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Dunkin’ Donuts, Motorola, EMC2 Corporation, CVS Caremark, and numerous associations.

Author
Darren is a co-author of "Speaker's EDGE: Secrets and Strategies for Connecting with Any Audience," a collection of public speaking articles written by Hall of Fame Speaker, Patricia Fripp, along with World Champions of Public Speaking Darren LaCroix, Ed Tate, Craig Valentine, and Mark Brown;

He is also co-author with Rick Segel of "Laugh & Get Rich: How to Profit from Humor in Any Business." The book is a collection of tools to help businesses to succeed. The book is now translated into three languages.

Producer
He is also an award-winning producer, his film Living and Laughing with Cancer: A Comedian’s Journey was honored at the Worldfest Houston film festival for its groundbreaking insights into humor and healing. The inspirational documentary about his best friend’s battle with cancer, brings humor and hope to those touched by life-threatening conditions.