Available to book
David Salyers
Transform workplace culture with David Salyers, speaker and former Chick-fil-A VP of Marketing. David works with organizations to develop servant leadership, marketing excellence, and remarkable customer experiences, recognized through his bestselling book and Distinguished Alumni Award.
David Salyers is a former Vice President of Marketing at Chick-fil-A, where he worked for 37 years. He began his career on the day he graduated in 1981, joining a two-person marketing department in a converted warehouse. Over the years, he contributed to the growth of Chick-fil-A, which now has over 2,300 restaurants and a marketing team of more than 200. The company has achieved over 50 years of sales growth and is a leading brand in the U.S. David played a key role in developing the iconic ‘cow campaign’ and helped elevate the marketing department to international recognition.
He is known for his marketing expertise and commitment to servant leadership. In 2016, he published a book titled "Remarkable!", which shares leadership lessons aimed at improving workplace culture. He is also the co-founder of Champion Tribes, an initiative to strengthen father-son relationships. David serves on the boards of several organizations, including CenterState Banks, ExecuTrain Corporation, and the Atlanta Sports Council.
He has also been involved in various startups and nonprofits, such as the Growing Leaders Foundation and reThink. In the community, David was the original director of Eagle Ranch, co-founded Davar Partners International, and served as an envoy for the 1996 New Zealand Olympic team. He has supported the University of Georgia’s Terry College, leading a $1.2 million campaign to establish an endowment in honor of Chick-fil-A founder S. Truett Cathy. In 2017, he received the Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of Georgia’s Terry College of Business.
Topics, sessions and talks
In his talk, former Chick-fil-A Marketing VP David Salyers explores how remarkable organizations prioritize creating raving fans over merely increasing sales. He shares insights from Chick-fil-A’s successes, highlighting strategies that foster deep customer connections. Attendees will learn how to identify their brand’s competitive advantage and transform their business from within, ultimately leading to loyal customers who are willing to pay full price, visit more frequently, and promote the brand to others.
In his signature talk, David Salyers reveals how Chick-fil-A distinguishes itself from competitors through a unique 20% of its operations. While 80% may be similar, this distinctive approach drives exceptional results for customers, employees, and stakeholders. Attendees will explore key themes of culture, values, and mission, gaining insights on how to create their own remarkable 20% to enhance organizational performance and achieve transformative results.
In his engaging talk, David Salyers will introduce the concept of “moment-ization,” shifting the focus from merely addressing negative customer experiences to creating “remarkable moments.” He will challenge organizations to rethink their approach to hospitality and service, drawing on Chick-fil-A’s “Second Mile Service” strategy. Attendees will learn how to generate significant ROI by fostering memorable experiences, transforming their businesses into opportunities for both monetization and meaningful customer engagement.
In his insightful talk, David Salyers delves into the true essence of leadership, challenging the notion that it revolves around power or recognition. He emphasizes the importance of creating a lasting impact that transcends individual achievements. By exploring the connections between leadership, stewardship, and culture, David illustrates how a service-oriented mindset can foster collaboration and inspiration. Attendees will learn how to harness their leadership calling to effect positive change within their organizations and beyond.
In this session, David Salyers, a father of three, shares his transformative journey towards actively shaping his children's lives. He realized he wanted to be more than a spectator in their defining moments. Inspired by a bar mitzvah experience, he developed Champion Tribes, a program designed to guide children into adulthood. Attendees will learn the importance of blessing and affirming their children, and how to coach them not just in sports, but in life.
Book David Salyers to inspire your team with proven strategies for cultivating a remarkable workplace culture. His insights from Chick-fil-A’s extraordinary growth will empower your organization to embrace servant leadership and drive lasting success. Don’t miss the chance to learn from a true marketing visionary and cultural architect.
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frequently asked questions
Something we've not covered here?
To book David Salyers, email david.salyers@getapeptalk.com or call PepTalk on +44 20 3835 2929 (UK) or +1 737 888 5112 (US), and one of our speaker agents will contact you within hours to confirm David's availability and speaking fee. If you can, please include your budget upfront – it helps us fast-track your request. It’s also helpful to know the date, format (virtual or in-person), location, and about your audience.
No. PepTalk adds no booking fee, so you pay the speaker's fee and nothing beyond it. The service, from shortlist through to contracts and event-day logistics, is included. For repeat or multi-event bookings, PepTalk can agree preferential rates with your procurement team.
Share your event date, audience, format, objectives and budget, and PepTalk sends a hand-picked shortlist within 24 hours. Each suggestion comes with a profile, a fee and a recommendation on the strongest fit. Once you choose, PepTalk handles contracts, travel and logistics through to event day.
The typical fee range is the speaker's standard in-person fee in their home market, shown in their local currency. It moves with format, location, date and session length: virtual sessions and shorter slots usually cost less, while international travel and peak dates cost more. Send your brief to PepTalk and the team will confirm the exact fee in your currency.
Not all of them, and it makes no difference to your booking. PepTalk's network of 15,000+ speakers covers talent the team works with directly alongside speakers represented by agents and agencies worldwide. PepTalk approaches the speaker, negotiates the fee and handles contracting either way.
Three to six months ahead is comfortable for most events, and 12 months is better for large conferences, peak-season dates or one specific in-demand speaker. Shorter timelines are workable, and PepTalk regularly fills last-minute and replacement bookings within days. Availability is the constraint, so get in touch as soon as you have a date.
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