As an award winning speaker and entertainer, Gerry Forde has developed a unique brand of interactive humour that brings people together, creates “legends in the audience” and shared experiences that are talked about for weeks afterwards. He works with you beforehand to select your hard cases and characters that thrive on interaction, thereby freeing up everyone to let their hair down and have a huge time.
Testimonials: After Dinner
“Gerry Forde – unbelievable local! He really got the audience going in all ways. He’s got a unique way of actually getting involved with the audience. I’d definitely use him again. He was great!”
Todd McDonald, General Manager Kia Motors NZ
"My experience with him in a recent Celebrity Debate was just amazing … I was definitely on the edge of my seat, waiting for the next sentence of his speech.”
Natalie Avellino, International Netball Commentator.
“Brilliant performance tonight by Gerry! We had 350 to the showroom opening and to bring them in and do an interactive show like that was just amazing. And it got them involved, it feels friendly, it’s like a family type thing. And the comments since have been absolutely phenomenal. We had people down from head office, from Auckland, and they said they’ve never been to a presentation like this. They were just blown away!”
Richard Murrell, Manager Southland Vehicle Sales.
“Gerry Forde – unbelievable! He made the night. He got everyone involved, everybody having a good time. Without him it wouldn’t have gone off the way it has. He’s a brilliant guest speaker!”
Ian Kiernan, Event Manager, Centenary of Rugby League
“I attend many functions throughout New Zealand as a guest speaker mainly at charity fundraising events and one of the key elements to making the event a success is a good MC. I would have no hesitation in recommending Gerry Forde both as a MC and Guest Speaker.”
Steve Williams, Caddy to Tiger Woods
“Gerry easily created a congenial atmosphere and by picking up on those who enjoyed a joke or needed an awakening drew the factions together into an atmosphere of goodwill and conviviality -strongly recommend as MC or entertainer."
Brian Railton, National Power Boat Conference, 2007
“Gerry Forde epitomises the positiveness of our wonderful province. He is the crux of Southland’s Spirit, always thereto support and promote the province.”
The Southland Times, Salute to Business, 7 October 2007
“Gerry is a born communicator, a speaker for all occasions whose humour and style hit the mark; he is ultra versatile, professional, a good ambassador for Southland – and his Tim Shadbolt is nearly as good as mine!”
Tim Shadbolt, Mayor of Invercargill
“Watch this man - Gerry Forde is the next best thing in speaking.”
John Shackleton, NZ National Speakers Association Speaker of the Year, 2007
Testimonials: MC
“You were a fantastic MC … Praise has continued throughout our subsequent NZIA meetings for the hospitality, generosity and the humour which you brought into that evening.”
Ian Athfield, President NZ Institute of Architects.
“Gerry Forde is a highly competent MC with a personality that enables the client and the audience to relax and enjoy, knowing that they are in the hands of a thorough professional! I highly recommend him.”
Frankie Stevens, Compeer and Entertainer
“I have received many positive comments regarding your energising, and comical presentation. Even in the event of an unexpected situation (namely our guest speaker Gordon Teitjens flight being delayed) you were able to adapt and keep the crowd of over 320 totally alive and entertained.”
Bryan Townley, Director Invercargill Sunrise Rotary
“I have had excellent feedback from our customers and that in my view is achieving the goal – our customers are going to remember the good time they had on a tour sponsored by Humes and entertainment provided by you played a major part in achieving that goal.”
Akshay Gupte, Product Manager, Humes Pipeline Systems, Ingenium Bus Tour.
“I organise a lot of conferences throughout NZ and … do a lot of speaking engagements, I hear a lot of people, I know what they cost and what Gerry delivered today was exceptional.”
Tony Laker, Speaker, Conference Manager, Principal of Laker House of Travel.
“From his opening Tim Shadbolt take-off to joining in the grand march passed, and all the little games and jokes in between, he brought the event alive and the women just loved him!”
Dianne Blair, Event Manager 2008 National Leisure Marching Weekend
"Gerry’s style as an MC at our Koru Care Luncheon was professional, interactive, refreshing and thoroughly entertaining. His research on the speaker is legendary, knows and reads the crowd well and despite all the antics was not ashamed to shed a tear when appropriate.”
Peter Burgess, Manager Koru Care Fundraiser Luncheon
“He read the audience beautifully and his quick witted humour was always very well received. I truly believe that the generosity shown on the night was a direct result of the way Gerry made people feel about themselves.”
Jim Turrell, principal of Heddon Bush School. (Auction)
“I found him to be extremely professional and did basically everything a good MC should, warmed the crowd up with his great sense of humour and laid a solid foundation and intro for me to deliver my speech. I do hope I get the opportunity to work with Gerry again sometime in the future." Tawera Nikau MNZM
“Gerry was an MC at our recent school fundraiser, his preparation, flexibility, humour and positive approach was key to a highly successful event. He was absolutely the right man for the job and gave it 100% plus. We have had feedback from our major sponsor (Southern Wide) endorsing the event as being the best school fundraiser he has ever attended and was very successful from a sponsors view point. We would use Gerry again in a heart beat.”
Ben Witheford, Principal Otautau School
