Wayne Rostad Speaker Profile at The Lavin Agency

Every week for over twenty years, CBC Television's On The Road Again with Wayne Rostad showcased the inspiring Canadians who embrace life in ways many of us have never imagined. A national institution, Wayne Rostad has given us—perhaps more than any other broadcaster—an immeasurably rich and detailed account of how real Canadians live, work and play.

Musician and storyteller Wayne Rostad has devoted his life to telling the stories of thousands of ordinary Canadians who are quietly making their mark on the world. His affable style makes him a hit with everyone he meets in his travels as well as with fans at home in their living rooms. His stories from the rural outposts and booming cities, taken collectively, are a helpful guide for anyone who wants to better understand the national character.

On the Road Again was a staple of Canadian television, as evidenced by the many devoted viewers who faithfully tuned in every week. It won four Geminis for Best Lifestyle Series and Rostad was nominated seven times for Best Host. Although ostensibly about all things Canadian, the show's universal appeal was recognized by the New York Festival, which awarded it a Gold Medal for Best Human Relations Series. Rostad also won a nomination for the prestigious Peabody Award (television's highest honour), for his special The Place We Call Home.

Wayne Rostad may well have seen more of this country than any other living Canadian. For over 30 years, he has crisscrossed the nation to find the interesting stories, quirky characters and inspiring people who make this country the rich tapestry that it is—and this wealth of experience provides the material for his keynote speeches. With his signature warmth and down-to-earth sense of humour, Rostad brings the reality of Canada alive to his audiences, helping them to see what makes it such a wonderful place to live and work. It truly is a celebration—of people, places, and the diversity that makes us all stronger and richer.

He can often bring a local flavour to his talks, sharing stories about the people he has met and the locales he has visited from whatever province he happens to be speaking in. This skill makes him a particularly good choice for provincial or regional groups that want to focus on their shared sense of identity and history. On the other hand, the breadth of his national experience lends itself well to a talk to national groups that want to underscore the things we all have in common as Canadians. And, whatever the event, there's always the chance that Rostad may bring out his guitar and sing a song or two to liven things up.