I’m available to give presentations for your organization and here are brief descriptions of some of my recent talks.
Of course, I’m always happy to craft something specific to the requirements of your exacting and discriminating audience.
Don’t see the talk you’d like to have me give here? Contact me at maxgrinnell at gmail dot com and we’ll make it happen.
1) “Making Travel Writing Meaningful”
Geographer, historian, and travel writer Max Grinnell will present a toolbox overview of how to make the most out of any trip in terms of documenting one’s travels, planning, and more. He will also include stories, examples, anecdotes, and share his own lessons learned from his 20 years of experience in his travels to destinations ranging from the Mustard Museum in Wisconsin to the cranberry bogs of southeastern Massachusetts (Note: for this talk I also offer a two-sided handout that patrons can take with them that brings together some of the tips, websites, and so on mentioned during our time together)
2) “An Abbreviated History of Travel Writing in The United States”
Geographer, travel writer, and professor Max Grinnell will give an informative and entertaining look into the history of American travel writing. Interestingly enough, two of the people most responsible for the growth of travel in the United States are Dwight Eisenhower and Duncan Hines, and Max will talk about their roles in expanding travel opportunities for Americans in the 20th century. Also, patrons are encouraged to submit their entries for Max’s writing contest, which includes a range of prizes, including some of his travel books and one of the early travel guides by Duncan Hines.
3) “What We Talk About When We Talk About Public Art”
The question “what is art” can be quite simple or complex. When we think about art in cities, things get even murkier. Who is art for? Is it statues of long-gone military heroes? How does art enhance the public realm? Author and urbanologist Max Grinnell will talk about the role of public art in American cities in this talk and guests will learn a bit more about how public art shapes our understanding of urban spaces and how different public art projects can truly be exercises in community building. Max Grinnell is a writer, traveler, and explorer who has published extensively on urban environments, most often those in Chicago and Boston.
4) “The Future of Cities in the 21st Century: Challenges and Opportunities”
Urbanologist, geographer, and historian Max Grinnell has spent much of his professional and personal life exploring how cities work. In the early 21st century, many American cities are faced with crumbling infrastructure, a declining tax base, and in some cases, intense identity crises. This 45-minute talk provides audiences with an opportunity to learn about both the problems and opportunities faced by cities large and small around the United States. (An excerpt from this presentation may be viewed here: http://www.ocls.info/Virtual/Videos/Authors/urbanologist.asp)
5) 5) Getting Your Work Noticed:An Introduction to Social Media for Writers and Journalists
The world of social media can be intimidating, and for people getting started, it presents a range of challenges, particularly for writers and journalists. In this presentation, Max will introduce participants to tools such as Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn, with a focus on reaching your intended audience in a focused and professional fashion. Some of the topics covered will be interacting with your audience, crafting a meaningful online presence, and tips to increase your reach and influence within your chosen area of interest.
