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Play the Room

Keynote speaking

Teach your audience to play the room

High-energy, practical keynotes and workshops on networking, referrals and relationship-driven sales, from the author of Play the Room.

Dagan brings twenty years of promotions, events and business networking to the stage. Audiences leave with tactics they can use at the very next mixer, meeting or sales call, not theory.

Watch Dagan's one-minute introduction

20+
Years networking for a living
Dozens
Groups and organizations trained
Austin
Based, travels anywhere
Live + virtual
Keynotes, workshops and panels

Rooms Dagan has played

  • Westlake Chamber of Commerce
  • Stand Out Authority
  • Network In Action
  • Business Xchange Network
  • ABLE, Austin Business Leaders Exchange
  • Biohacking Network Group

Formats

Keynotes, workshops, panels and virtual sessions

Pick the format that fits your agenda. Every session is interactive and built around the audience in the room.

  • Keynotes

    30 to 60 minute talks for conferences, chamber luncheons, association meetings and company kickoffs.

  • Workshops

    60 to 180 minute hands-on sessions where attendees practice introductions, follow-ups and referral asks.

  • Panels and fireside chats

    Moderated conversations on networking, referrals and building a personal brand in your market.

  • Virtual sessions

    Interactive online keynotes and lunch-and-learns for distributed teams and member organizations.

Speaking topics

Keynotes and workshops built on Play the Room

Every session is tailored to your audience and the rooms they network in. These are the starting points.

Dagan Martinez-Vargas delivering "Play the Room"
01

Signature keynote

Play the Room

The short guide to networking, live

Based on the book. How to read a room, start conversations that go somewhere, be memorable without being loud, and follow up so that relationships turn into referrals and sales.

  • How to walk into any room with a plan
  • The give-before-you-get approach to trust
  • Follow-ups people actually appreciate
  • Turning conversations into referrals

Ideal for: Conferences, chambers of commerce, networking organizations, sales teams

Dagan Martinez-Vargas delivering "Networking for Introverts and Extroverts"
02

Keynote or workshop

Networking for Introverts and Extroverts

Same room, different game plans

Quiet introverts and outgoing extroverts both leave opportunities on the table. This session gives each personality a practical playbook for showing up, connecting and following through as themselves.

  • Energy management for introverts at events
  • Intentionality and listening for extroverts
  • Conversation openers and graceful exits
  • A follow-up system that fits your style

Ideal for: Company teams, associations, young professionals, new members

Dagan Martinez-Vargas delivering "Referrals Are the Best Leads"
03

Sales keynote

Referrals Are the Best Leads

Relationship-driven selling that compounds

Why the people who know, like and trust you are your best pipeline, and how to become the person others send business to. Practical for sales professionals, insurance and financial advisors, real estate and service businesses.

  • Building a referral-worthy reputation
  • Making difficult subjects easy to talk about
  • Staying top of mind without being annoying
  • Measuring what your network is producing

Ideal for: Sales teams, advisors, agents, business owners

What to expect

Booking Dagan is easy, and the room will notice

From the first call to the follow-up, Dagan treats your event like a room to be played well: prepared, present and generous with what he knows.

Dagan with a room full of attendees holding Play the Room
  1. Step 01

    A conversation before the event

    Dagan learns your audience, goals and the rooms your people network in so every example lands.

  2. Step 02

    Practical, interactive delivery

    Stories from twenty years of promotions and networking, paired with exercises attendees try on the spot.

  3. Step 03

    Books for your attendees

    Play the Room is a quick read that makes an ideal takeaway. Ask about bulk copies and signings.

  4. Step 04

    Follow-through

    Attendees leave with a simple follow-up plan, and Dagan stays available for questions after the session.

Video testimonials

Hear it from event hosts and attendees

Short clips recorded by hosts, chamber leaders, fellow speakers and attendees after Dagan's sessions.

  • Justin

    Event host

  • Erin

    Event host

  • Chamber host

    Chamber of Commerce event

  • Carmen

    Event host

  • Charles

    Event host

  • Heather

    Fellow speaker

  • Ernesto

    Attendee

  • Cilia

    Event host

  • ABLE

    Austin Business Leaders Exchange

What business networkers are saying

What business leaders say about Dagan

Authors, founders, chamber leadership and networking organization owners on Dagan's approach.

  • Dagan Martinez-Vargas is without a doubt one of the most exceptional networkers I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. He effortlessly connects with people from all walks of life and cultivates relationships that are truly sustainable. He has an innate talent for bringing people together and creating meaningful connections that extend beyond the networking event. I am constantly in awe of his abilities and have no doubt that any person or business would benefit from reading his book.

    Joshua B. Lee

    Founder and CEO, Stand Out Authority

    Stand Out Authority
  • Dagan sets the standard for networking with our members. He is a master at the golden rule of giving before you get, by making himself a pro-active contributor to our membership while laying the groundwork for future return business.

    Cathy Hoover

    Executive Director, Westlake Chamber of Commerce

    Westlake Chamber of Commerce
  • Dagan is a seasoned business networker. His creativity and strategic approach to networking makes him unique and helps separate him from others in his area of expertise.

    Rodney Brulloths

    Co-Founder, Business Xchange Network

    Business Xchange Network
  • As an owner of a networking organization myself, I can professionally say that I've never networked with someone at the same level as Dagan Martinez-Vargas. He's the master at seeming to be everywhere at the same time and always succeeds at making his time talking at the meeting the most memorable of anyone. If this book teaches even a portion of what he does to you, then you're going to massively upgrade your networking game.

    Justin Kessel

    Franchise Owner, Central Texas Network In Action

    Central Texas Network In Action
  • Put in the time, be yourself and truly care for others. That's what Dagan taught me.

    Robert Duran

    Founder, Biohacking Network Group

    Biohacking Network Group
  • Dagan is the networker of all networkers! If there is an organization in town, Dagan has not only been to their meetings, but knows the founders, and the ins and outs of their operation. And not only that, he understands ways in which the group could be even better, and provides valuable insight when it's most needed.

    Erin Jones

    Co-Founder, ABLE (Austin Business Leaders Exchange)

    ABLE (Austin Business Leaders Exchange)

Book Dagan

Bring Play the Room to your next event

Tell Dagan about your audience, date and format. He typically replies within one business day.

  • Conferences and company kickoffs
  • Chamber and association luncheons
  • Networking organization meetings
  • Virtual keynotes and lunch-and-learns

Prefer LinkedIn? Message Dagan directly

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