Stories, Technology & Ideas
That Move People
Bess Auer is an award-winning digital storyteller, author, speaker, and artist who has spent nearly two decades exploring the intersection of technology, storytelling, creativity, and community.
She founded the Florida Blogger & Social Media Conference (FLBlogCon), growing it into one of the largest conferences of its kind, and hosted Smarketing News on WPRK 91.5 FM, exploring how emerging media could grow businesses and communities. Bess also founded Florida Swim Network, building a digital sports community that ultimately became a broadcast team for ESPN and the SEC Network. She later co-hosted the nationally-distributed television show Blog Talk TV.
Today, Bess often speaks on emerging technology, digital storytelling, and intentional community building, drawing on lessons from nearly two decades of building audiences and communities — and from her Amazon bestselling book, Unio: The Art of Intentional Community Building.
Bess has also become a leading voice on artificial intelligence, exploring the complex issues through her Substack newsletter, which has over 1,300 subscribers.
Despite a career spent exploring the digital world, Bess also discovered an offline passion for painting and is now a gallery-represented Florida artist. She brings that creator’s perspective to conversations about how technology is changing the way we work, create, connect, and communicate.
Beyond her creative and professional work, Bess also serves as President of the Winter Park Blue Dolfins Foundation, where she advocates for water safety, drowning prevention, and greater access to swimming.
“Bess’s on-the-ground, real-world applications in community development are a powerful conduit between a community builder and audience. Her innate understanding of how and why people respond are what academics, like myself, spend years researching. Bess works in that world every day, demonstrating exactly how to do it.”
Typical Audiences:
C-suite officers, business owners, entrepreneurs, solopreneurs
Marketers, PR & communication pros, digital strategists
Managers, civic leaders, nonprofit organizers, team builders, project managers
Small groups, such as artists, bloggers, influencers, and more
Bess speaks on artificial intelligence, emerging technology, digital storytelling, marketing, and intentional community building — helping audiences understand not only what is changing, but how to put those changes to work.
Drawing from nearly two decades of building businesses, audiences, and communities, her presentations blend real-world examples, practical takeaways, humor, and storytelling.
Every presentation is customized for the audience, from entrepreneurs and nonprofits to marketing teams, corporate leaders, and C-suite executives.
Standard Presentations:
-
What makes some communities thrive while others struggle?
Whether you're building a small team, classroom, nonprofit, or a community of millions, the fundamentals are surprisingly similar. Bess breaks down the 3 Tenets of Community and the “Community Think” that explains why people join, participate, and choose to stay.
You'll also discover the 5 types of members found in every community—including those who strengthen it and those who can quietly work against it.
Through real-world examples and practical strategies, Bess shows audiences how to recognize these different personalities, understand what motivates them, and turn more members into engaged, productive contributors to the community.
Perfect for: Corporate teams, nonprofits, associations, educators, entrepreneurs, marketers, and community leaders.
-
AI is transforming the workplace — but how do you use it without letting it take over?
Bess explores practical ways to use AI to save time, work smarter, and spark creativity, while keeping human judgment firmly in the driver’s seat. She introduces her Practical Use Guide for AI, including four guiding principles for maintaining a healthy balance between embracing AI and becoming overly reliant on it.
Audiences leave with practical ideas they can use immediately — and a better understanding of when to use AI, when not to, and why the human element still matters.
Perfect for: Businesses, nonprofits, educators, marketers, entrepreneurs, creatives, and teams navigating AI in the workplace.
-
As AI becomes more capable, organizations face a difficult question: Do we retrain our people to work with AI — or replace some roles with it?
Bess guides leaders through her 9-step decision-making framework for evaluating that question objectively, balancing the bottom line with the human line. Her formula examines where AI makes sense, where human talent remains essential, and when investing in retraining may be the smarter choice.
And when automation does lead to workforce reductions, the responsibility doesn't end with the decision. Bess explores how organizations can navigate change with transparency, compassion, and empathy — while avoiding the reputational damage that can come from getting it wrong.
Perfect for: Executives, business owners, HR leaders, managers, boards, and organizations developing an AI strategy.
-
The right message delivered at the wrong time — or through the wrong technology — can easily get lost. But before either matters, you have to understand your Why.
Bess helps audiences take a fresh look at their mission and uncover the Why at the heart of their community. From there, she explores how that purpose should guide what you communicate, when you communicate it, and which technologies you use to reach people.
Audiences leave with a clearer understanding of how purpose, timing, and technology work together to help communities grow, scale, and stay connected.
Perfect for: Businesses, nonprofits, associations, marketers, entrepreneurs, and community leaders.
Bess is always happy to customize any talk to fit your audience’s concerns and pain points to create a truly meaningful and memorable experience.
Speaker Gallery
