David Kwong
As a magician and New York Times crossword puzzle constructor, David Kwong has delighted and confounded audiences worldwide. A TED Talk favorite, Kwong speaks to corporations and associations around the world, demonstrating the principles of illusion and the science of why your brain is fooled.
David Kwong Booking & Availability
Speaking fees, availability and booking details for corporate events, keynotes and private appearances.
How do I book David Kwong for a corporate event?
Use the Check Availability form above to send your proposed event date, location, audience size, event format and program goals. The Mollie Plotkin Group will follow up with availability and next steps.
What is David Kwong’s speaking fee?
David Kwong’s current speaking fee is $35,000–$40,000. Final pricing can vary by date, location, event format and scope of the appearance.
Is David Kwong available for my event date?
Submit your proposed date and event details and the Mollie Plotkin Group will confirm current availability.
Who is David Kwong’s booking agent?
The Mollie Plotkin Group is David Kwong’s exclusive booking representative.
What types of events can David Kwong be booked for?
Corporate events, conferences, leadership meetings, keynote speeches, workshops, fireside chats, private events and virtual programs may be available depending on the engagement.
David Kwong Keynote Topics & Programs
David Kwong speaks on business, creativity, employee engagement and team building through keynote presentations and related programs.
In an era where artificial intelligence can create an elaborate image, a persuasive term paper, or a complex melody at the click of a button, David Kwong asks: is there still room for wonder?
Can we still experience awe and mind-blowing moments in the modern age of AI?
His answer is a resounding yes! And he has a brand-new show, Mentalist vs. The Machine, to illustrate this.
This one-of-a-kind hybrid of magic and message is more than a performance. It is a deeply resonant exploration of what makes us uniquely human in a world dominated by technology. In Mentalist vs. The Machine, David demonstrates wondrous digital miracles through tricks involving iPhones, Wikipedia, Alexa, and ChatGPT. He uses each illusion to illuminate a central idea: technology hasn’t taken away our sense of wonder. It has made it even more profound. The show culminates with David pitting his brain against The Machine’s, ultimately illustrating the power of human intellect and creativity.
Through awe-inspiring feats, David reveals how we can:
- Foster a culture of creative thinking in our organizations.
- Rediscover the thrill of curiosity, surprise, and wonder in a tech-driven world.
- Embrace a future of innovation and possibility with artificial intelligence.
Despite astounding CEOs, TED Talk audiences, and thousands of other hyper-rational people and making them see, believe, and even remember what David wants them to, David doesn’t pretend to have superpowers in any way. As he outlines in his book Spellbound: Seven Principles of Illusion, he believes that all magic is science. It’s the science of fooling your brain. Illusion is an ancient art that centers on control, and understanding the fundamental principles of illusion will lead to more command and control in both life and work. Successful leaders, from Steve Jobs, Warren Buffet, and Ted Turner to President Obama, Megyn Kelly, and Jeff Bezos, are masters of control and command who understand how to sway opinions and achieve goals.
Magic does not have to be about deceiving people, but rather getting ahead of the competition. David Kwong explains this principle in an interview with PBS: “If you’re in a job interview, why not have seven different copies of your resume?” You can then present the resume that will be best received by your interviewer based on how the conversation plays out. “That’s no different than a magician and playing cards,” David says.
Key Takeaways from Spellbound
- Bridge the gap between perception and reality to help increase your own powers of persuasion and influence.
- Learn the seven fundamental principles of illusion, rules anyone can learn to master.
- Discover a different way to sell your idea, product, or skills, and make your best shot better than everyone else’s.
In today’s modern world, we are bombarded with incessant new information and data. We’re constantly scrolling and updating news feeds; we’re sifting through a never-ending barrage of posts and emails. In this presentation, David demonstrates, through feats of magic and practical insight, how to:
- Organize vast amounts of data in your brain.
- See the world through the eyes of a magician, puzzle designer, and producer.
- Synthesize disparate bits of information into a holistic lifestyle.
Smart Entertainment – 5 programs
As a world-class illusionist and creator of the critically acclaimed performance The Enigmatist, David Kwong is a creative, professional, and energizing MC for corporate events. Work with the Mollie Plotkin Group and David Kwong to tailor his appearance to your company culture and occasion. At his appearances, David Kwong can perform any or all of the following:
- Master of Ceremonies services for your awards conference or benefit.
- 1:1 on-site magic performances for executives or small teams.
- A company-wide performance with audience participation.
David’s massive theatrical hit sold out The Kennedy Center in DC, The Geffen Playhouse in LA, and The Highline Hotel in New York. In this demonstration of illusion, puzzles, and cryptography, David regales his audience with the history of America’s first codebreakers while performing feats of mentalism and cerebral gymnastics. The fun begins right away: audience members come early to the show to solve the “Puzzle Room,” four creative puzzles that tie into the show. The Enigmatist is interactive, brainy, and fun for all ages.
Step into a world of mystery, magic, and mental gymnastics with David Kwong’s Puzzle Hunt, a one-of-a-kind adventure designed to unite your team through creative thinking and problem-solving. Trusted by top companies like Google, Amazon, and Morgan Stanley, this immersive experience blends David’s world-class talents as a magician and New York Times puzzle master into an unforgettable experience that strengthens bonds and sharpens minds.
What to Expect from Puzzle Hunt
The Puzzle Hunt is a highly interactive, collaborative event where participants are divided into small, diverse groups and given a series of interconnected puzzles to solve. “The puzzles are fun and not too hard!” says David. “They simply require you to think outside the box and look at things from a different perspective.” His challenges range from visually immersive to audio-based listening puzzles, from crosswords to logic problems. No prior trivia expertise is required. In fact, internet access and smartphones are encouraged, making the event inclusive and stress-free.
Each puzzle is designed not to stump, but to spark insight and “aha!” moments. Participants must combine their individual strengths, communicate effectively, and employ lateral thinking. The ultimate goal? Solve the final meta-puzzle that brings all the earlier clues together into one elegant, satisfying solution.
Theme from Puzzle Hunt
David brings his expertise as a New York Times crossword constructor and Hollywood producer to the puzzle writing process. He designs bespoke Puzzle Hunts that are tailored to your company or event. With each event, David’s goal is to create a Puzzle Hunt that encourages lateral thinking and cross-company interaction. Participants leave the hunt not only feeling smarter but more connected to their colleagues.
As Google put it: “It’s the perfect team event.”
Timing from Puzzle Hunt
The Puzzle Hunt is best experienced with 60–90 minutes of solve time. Part of David’s bespoke puzzle creation is to calibrate the set of puzzles to fit the allotted time and preferred team size. Moreover, David will be on hand to introduce the Puzzle Hunt and give hints throughout, assuring that each team can complete the set of puzzles.
The New York Times, in Science: The Magician and the Crossword, praised David Kwong’s presentation, as he values “an air of sophistication” in his performances.
This is one of David Kwong’s most requested performances because of its strength to bring teams together in wonder and amazement.
It’s no wonder that Inside the Box is a Critic’s Pick by the New York Times. World-class illusionist David Kwong transports you to the exhilarating world of puzzles and games. Attendees join an entirely interactive show of puzzles, hosted and facilitated by David as he drops fascinating facts on puzzle-making throughout history. This is the perfect team-building event for your remote-working team, large or small. “Inside the Box” is a sensational virtual experience, praised by the Los Angeles Daily News for its power to bring lively energy to Zoom meetings.
David Kwong Biography & Credentials
Following the sold-out runs of his show The Enigmatist in New York City and Washington, DC., David Kwong brought his hit show to the Chicago Shakespeare Theater in 2024. Critics rave about The Enigmatist, with the Washington Post calling it “a feat of cerebral sorcery.” Tickets will sell out fast!
David Kwong is also available to be booked for corporate and private events. Additionally, he is well-known for his keynote and motivational speaking. Contact the Mollie Plotkin Group today to inquire about David Kwong’s fees.
Want to book David Kwong for an event?
Contact the Mollie Plotkin Group at 215-995-0905 to book David Kwong for corporate or private events, keynote speeches, workshops, fireside chats, motivational speaking, or virtual appearances. Our agency will work directly with your organization and our keynote speakers to create an unforgettable event.
The Mollie Plotkin Group is the leading keynote speakers agency and entertainment bureau bringing excitement to audiences, clients, and employees. We represent subject-matter experts in every possible field, so whether we’re your partner in creating a memorable meeting, or your meeting planner’s secret weapon in securing the perfect keynote speaker, we’re in this with you.
“The Enigmatist” David Kwong
David Kwong is a magician and veteran “cruciverbalist” (crossword puzzle constructor). Using his unique skills, David has delighted and confounded audiences worldwide. He routinely creates puzzles for the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, and Wall Street Journal. Additionally, David was the head magic consultant for the hit movie Now You See Me. He has also worked on The Imitation Game, Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation, Ghostbusters: Afterlife, and The Afterparty on Apple TV.
His virtual show, Inside the Box, garnered a Critic’s Pick from the New York Times. Even more, his live one-man show, The Enigmatist, has sold out multiple runs in New York City, Chicago, and Washington, D.C. David’s brand of magic delights and challenges audiences around the world. His tricks and puzzles are never too hard, but just enough to get his audience thinking!
Keynote Speaking
As a keynote speaker, David Kwong has fascinated audiences as he explains and demonstrates “why we can be fooled so easily”. During his keynote speeches, David has pulled back the curtain on magic, explaining the science behind illusion. Similarly, in his book Spellbound: Seven Principles of Illusion to Captivate Audiences and Unlock the Secrets of Success he explains how to increase your powers of persuasion and influence. However, David’s speeches go far beyond magic. Cross-pollination is at the core of David’s keynotes. Kwong loves working with his audience to create an entirely unique event.
