Clients share their experience of Toddy Talks
Toddy is a consummate professional
Keynote speaker, MC and coordinator of workshops
"As an organisation with 82 franchise territories the length and breadth of New Zealand, we have secured the services of Toddy as both a Keynote speaker, MC and coordinator of franchisee workshop sessions, for two of our annual conferences, one in 2014 and another in 2022.
Toddy is a consummate professional, who works with his given audience, with incredible accuracy, authenticity and relevance to the given topics. He is extremely articulate and has a genuine heartfelt delivery style that our franchisees, as business owners relate to with ease, and which contain excellent messages applicable to every audience. He combines a nice balance of humour interlinked with the topics in hand and this helps the recipients to easily relate to the messages and learn the key items of the presentation as required.
We thoroughly enjoy working with Toddy and would strongly recommend his services to any organisation looking for a high-quality MC or Keynote speaker, regardless of numbers, who can design the presentation to perfectly fit your occasion."
- Jack Harper, Director, Driving Miss Daisy
We presented the boring, finance stuff and Toddy’s brought the laughs
Keynote speaker
"Toddy was our keynote speaker at three recent investor events to celebrate our 20th birthday. We had the job of presenting the boring, finance stuff and Toddy’s job was to bring the laughs.
Together, we decided that ‘how to have a cracker of a day’ would be a great presentation topic. Although Toddy liked to call it ‘shits and giggles with a point’, which was quite accurate! Toddy’s presentation was entertaining, engaging, authentic and thought provoking, whilst still being professional. He had our audience belly laughing on a number of occasions, but they also went home with some practical tips and tricks that we hope will have a long lasting impact on their outlook on life.
The feedback from our customers was overwhelmingly positive. On top of that, Toddy was an absolute pleasure to work with. Toddy is humble, practical, considerate and perpetually positive. He’s one of those rare humans that make you feel more cheerful every time you are in his presence. I would absolutely recommend Toddy for your next occasion or event."
- Christie Campbell, Midlands Funds Management
The evening was 'on point, on topic, on time and didn’t drag on'
MC services
We recently had the pleasure of Toddy MCing our evening for the 2024 Napier Port Hawke's Bay Primary Sector Awards. I have received 100% positive feedback on the evening, with the main comment being that the evening was on point, on topic, on time and didn’t drag on unnecessarily.
Toddy has a great affinity with the people of the Hawke's Bay Primary Sector and this shows through in events such as these. While incorporating humour and banter with the crowd, he can keep things on track and on schedule. Toddy has a real presence in the room when he speaks but more importantly a demeanour that allows everyone to enjoy the night.
Toddy played a pivotal role in the success of this evening and we will definitely be calling on his duties for upcoming events."
Grant Charteris, Chairman, Hawke's Bay Primary Sector Awards Committee
Toddy's charisma and wit captivated our guests
MC services
David 'Toddy' Todd exceeded our expectations as the MC for our ANZSNM ASM Awards Dinner. His professionalism was evident from the moment he stepped into the conference venue. What truly impressed me was his dedication to understanding our audience; he took the time to engage with delegates, sponsors, and the committee during the day, gaining valuable insights that he seamlessly incorporated into his hosting duties later that evening.
During the awards dinner, Toddy's charisma and wit captivated our guests, keeping the atmosphere lively and the evening moving along smoothly. Thanks to his proficient hosting skills, we were able to navigate through the awards ceremony in a timely manner, leaving ample time for delegates to mingle, enjoy each other's company, and dance the night away.
Toddy's contribution played a significant role in making our event a success, and I would highly recommend him to anyone seeking a professional and entertaining MC for their next function.
Lisa Beckham, Conference Manager, Think Business Events
Giving NZ Young Grower of the Year the gravitas it deserved
MC services
Toddy recently joined the NZ Young Grower of the Year to MC the awards night, on the recommendation of the Hawke's Bay Fruitgrowers Association – and what a spot-on recommendation it was! Toddy was communicative in the lead-up to the event and clearly did research into the competition and the competitors. He was so cool calm and collected and gave our event the gravitas that it deserved. His rural background and understanding of our sector was obvious in the humour he engaged and was the perfect blend of comedy and formality for the evening. Toddy is extremely professional, relaxed and easy to work with, and I would not hesitate at all to thoroughly recommend him to MC any event."
- Eve Williams - Horticulture New Zealand.
A fabulous professional contribution to Conference
MC services
"We engaged Toddy as our MC for the 2019 FANZ Conference held in Rotorua. Toddy’s preparation for the Conference was marvellous, he thoroughly researched our association and the speakers. Our conference had a very full agenda and timing was imperative. Toddy was able to keep the event to schedule without making the Keynotes/Speakers feel pressured. Toddy had a great knack of summarising the speakers whilst injecting humour where appropriate. Toddy ensured he met every speaker prior to their keynote and personally built rapports with sponsors and delegates during the business sessions and at the social events of the Conference. We all enjoyed his many humorous stories and jokes. Thanks Toddy for your fabulous professional contribution to our Conference and in helping to make it the success it was!"
- Susan Mott - Franchise Association of New Zealand.
Turning our event into a memorable experience
Keynote speaker
"Thank you for the research and willingness to be part of our conference in all its aspects. I thought your presentation and perspectives were compelling, and for me and for most, quite moving. Your time with us has been the best presentation yet offered over our 8 years of trying to engage with the Next Generation delegates and stimulate them in this amazing industry and beyond as participants and great young people in their own right. We graduated from an event to an experience that was a memorable day out. We appreciate your input.
- Tony Pearse, Producer Manager,
Deer Industry NZ
Our staff have grown massively
Training
We have engaged Toddy for several years now to handle all of our staff training. The training he gives is simple, interactive and he gets everyone’s buy in. Our staff have grown massively with his help. Everyone is looking forward to the next training session already.
- Ash Whitaker, The Cardrona Distillery and Museum
A real affinity with the rural sector
Speaker
“Toddy is an enthusiastic speaker, energising and importantly looks to grow the individual. He was professional and had a real affinity with the rural sector that worked for our group. His open style and interactive nature was appreciated. The 10+1 characteristics of a Winner was a highlight."
- Tom Dickie, Sales Manager, Ravensdown, www.ravensdown.co.nz
There was a real buzz in the room
Speaker
“Toddy was the guest speaker at a winter workshop we held in May 2017. After science and technical based presentations, our clients were ready for some fresh air…that came in the form of Toddy. From when he first took the stage, Toddy has us eating out of his hand. His rural background combined with his humour was the perfect blend to end our workshop. There was a real buzz in the room - why? Toddy was authentic and relevant, his positive attitude is infectious, combined with humour to bring the house down. Toddy took our clients on a journey that left them feeling completely energised.”
- Matt Holden, Kelso Genetics Limited, New Zealand
Awards evening huge success
MC services
Farmlands recently engaged Toddy as MC for an Awards Evening held in Christchurch. It was a huge advantage to have Toddy involved and actively participating in the preparation work. His input and collaboration into short movie clips, shown during the event, all contributed towards the success of the event. We found Toddy to be extremely professional and easy to work with. He has a great sense of humour and remained calm under pressure. Our Awards Evening was a huge success.
- Helen Shrewsbury, Sponsorship & Events Manager, Farmlands Co-operative Society Limited
Sales training was enlightening, you can teach an old dog new tricks
Training
Having engaged Toddy to undertake sales training previously it was refreshing to have him back in a different business and see him go well! Our team, whilst busy with solid streams of work were all enlightened by the time out to think about why we do what we do and how we can pitch that, not only to new but also existing customers - just proves you can teach “old dogs new tricks”.
- Keith Cooper, Managing Director, Miller Creative Group
Motivating, dynamic, stimulating...
Speaker
“Motivating, stimulating, interesting, dynamic, entertaining, challenging, my three words to describe Toddy’s presentation. If your life seems too complicated, rushed and a real grind, then listening to Toddy will help with the CHALLENGES you may have. Having been privileged to hear Toddy twice I challenge you to make the time for him. The real rewards are the seeds sown within your mind for the future of your business or personal being.”
- John and Leanne Howard, Dairy Farm Owners - Whakatane.
Humble simplicity and a clear message
Speaker
“With humble simplicity Toddy challenged each of us to consider the important areas in our life and business, with insights that can only come from considered experience. Light heartedly addressing serious issues, reminding us all that we already know many of the answers and we simply need to take action on them. My ABC’s have a whole new meaning. Thanks Toddy."
- Mark Magill, President - City Business SWAP Sydney, Australia
Smooth style, with a touch of humour
Speaker
“My wife Heather and I both went to David’s session at SIDE 2011. Funny, thought provoking and even emotional. The way he put it across meant that the messages stuck. David connected really well with the audience. Very smooth style - easy to listen to, just the right amount of humour. Bringing his own family goals into the presentation was great and made him more interesting as a speaker."
- Simon Mackle, Dairy Farmer, SIDE 2011 Organising Committee
An asset to our conference
MC services
“We employed Toddy as the MC for the 2012 Landcorp Biennial Farm Manager Conference. We found him to be an asset to the conference; quickly determining the communication style required, introducing speakers with the right mix of information and humour, and keeping proceedings flowing at the right pace. His end-of-session summaries were well received and appreciated for their concise capture of the information presented while reinforcing the relevance of the speakers to the conference theme. Toddy mixed well with both presenters and attendees and we have had many positive comments.”
- Al McCone, National Manager, Staff Relations and Training, Landcorp.
Skilled at tailoring style for audience
Speaker and MC services
“David Todd (‘Toddy’) has been a wonderful asset to our organisation over recent years, as a very versatile presenter, entertainer and master of ceremonies. David is very skilled at tailoring his presentation style and content to the situation required. He is well prepared, with plenty of research done in advance and has the ability to use his well placed (and timed) sense of humour to enhance his presentation delivery. His enjoyment of people and interactive style make him a very effective presenter and I would have no hesitation what-so-ever in recommending him to others.”
- Ross Scrymgeour, Headmaster 2002-2015 - Hereworth School.
Presentation a hit! A perfect way to end
Speaker
“Thanks Toddy. Your presentation was a hit. Thanks for all the planning you had obviously put into the session for us. The feedback from both the new and the more experienced within the group was extremely positive. It was the perfect way to end our day. We will certainly recommend you to anyone who is looking for a speaker!”
- Russell Lundy, Residential Manager, Southern Wide Real Estate, Dunedin.
Toddy was a class act in all respects
MC services
"Toddy was MC for our 2015 Lawlink conference in Queenstown with over 140 delegates. The event ran over three days and Toddy was MC for both the business and social events.
Prior to the event, Toddy met with me as organiser to run through the programme, and gain background of the speakers that would be presenting at conference. Toddy is very professional in his approach, yet has a relaxed and humorous style of delivery that the audience really enjoyed.
He kept the programme running to time, which is very important for an organiser, and appropriately acknowledged our sponsors which is also very important to the organiser.
Toddy summed up each presentation brilliantly, and a total bonus, was that at the end of conference Toddy provided us with a written summary which could be distributed to delegates.
I would have no hesitation in recommending Toddy for similar roles, and I know that we will certainly engage him again in the future. The following is typical of the comments we received: “Toddy was a class act in all respects. Everyone I spoke to thought he would be great to secure for the future, in that role.”
- Carol Patton, Lawlink
Phone: +64 6 974 8145
Mobile: +64 27 452 5400
David Todd
Todd Enterprises
RD 10, HASTINGS
