San Diego mentalist & magicianThe San Diego reception where your attendees actually meet each other.
Conventions, biotech, the Navy, destination weddings. San Diego is full of rooms of smart people who haven’t met yet. I come down from Los Angeles and give them something impossible to argue about, a few at a time, until the whole room is in on it.
Where I’m useful down here
Conference and convention receptions
The Convention Center and the bayfront hotels next to it are busy all year. The receptions attached to those meetings have one job, which is to get attendees talking to each other. I give them something to talk about besides the agenda.
Biotech and tech company events
There are well over a thousand life science companies in the county, mostly around Torrey Pines, Sorrento Valley and UTC, and that’s before you count the wireless and defense people. Scientists and engineers are my favorite audience, I’ll admit it. They try very hard to work it out, and they seem to enjoy not being able to.
Client dinners and executive retreats
Private rooms in La Jolla, Del Mar and Rancho Santa Fe. I’ll go table to table between courses, or do the short parlor show after the main.
Destination weddings
Coronado, La Jolla, the North County coast. You’ve got out-of-town guests, a long cocktail hour, and two families who are meeting for the first time that afternoon.
Where events happen down here
Anywhere guests stand and talk before dinner works for me. These are the main ones.
- San Diego Convention Center
- Manchester Grand Hyatt
- Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina
- The Westin Gaslamp Quarter
- San Diego Marriott Gaslamp Quarter
- House of Blues San Diego
- Petco Park suites
- Hotel del Coronado
- The Lodge at Torrey Pines, La Jolla
- Rancho Bernardo Inn
- Gaylord Pacific Resort, Chula Vista
These are here for reference. I’m an independent performer and I’m not affiliated with any of them.
What hosts have said
“We had him at our sales offsite. He did something with my coworker’s mind that I still can’t explain and she still won’t stop talking about. He showed up early and didn’t need a single thing from us, which as the person organizing I appreciated more than the magic, honestly.”
“One table was deep in a work conversation and he left them alone and came back later. Small thing. It’s the difference between a pro and somebody doing a bit at people.”
Questions about San Diego
You’re in LA. How does a San Diego booking work?
It’s about two hours. I drive down the same day and leave myself a lot of slack for the 5, and the travel’s already in the price I quote. If it’s a late one I’ll get myself a hotel.
Which areas?
Downtown and the Gaslamp, Coronado, La Jolla, Del Mar, Rancho Santa Fe, Carlsbad, Encinitas and the rest of North County, and Chula Vista and the South Bay too.
Is this a fit for a conference reception?
Yes. Opening receptions and sponsor nights are supposed to get attendees mixing, and mostly they don’t. I need no stage, power or AV, so I can be dropped into a reception you’ve already planned and the floor plan stays as it is.
Do you do destination weddings down here?
Yes. Coronado, La Jolla and the North County coast are the usual spots. More on weddings.
Tell me about your party and I’ll call you.
I’d rather talk for ten minutes than trade six emails. I’ll ask about the crowd and the timing, tell you what I’d do, and give you a price before we hang up. You don’t have to decide on the call.
Sets start at $700.