Keynote Speaker in Rochester, MN
Former Mayor · First Liberian-American mayor in U.S. history
Minnesota's conference city — the Mayo Civic Center hosts the municipal-league, county, and public-sector gatherings where Minnesota's city leaders actually meet. Ninety minutes from home.
Ninety minutes south — drive-down market, no flights needed.
Mike Elliott speaks on leading through crisis, community-centered public safety, environmental justice, pandemic leadership, and the refugee experience — told by the mayor who lived it, with the honest ledger intact.
Talks that fit Rochester
Leading Through Crisis
72 hours that tested a city: command decisions, community trust, and leading under national scrutiny after the killing of Daunte Wright.
Governing Through a Pandemic
Early emergency declarations, food-shelf funding, and mayoral proclamations that protected the most vulnerable — emergency leadership at city scale.
Building Communities That Work for Everyone
Community-centered leadership — equity, belonging, and practical civic leadership in diverse, working-class cities.
When the Highway Comes for Your Neighborhood
How a mayor put residents in charge of fighting a six-lane freeway expansion — and how their research helped defeat a state agency's environmental assessment.
Booking in Rochester — common questions
How far ahead should we book a keynote in Rochester?
Three to six months is typical for conference keynotes; municipal and community events can often be scheduled sooner. Commencement season (April–June) books earliest.
Does Mike Elliott charge travel fees?
Travel is billed at cost from Minneapolis–Saint Paul (MSP) — flights, hotel, and ground transport. Minneapolis–Saint Paul metro events carry no travel costs; mission-aligned community rates are available.
Can the talk be tailored to our city or organization?
Yes — every talk is tailored. Local references, your audience's specific questions, and format (keynote, panel, workshop, commencement) are worked out in a pre-event call.
Is a virtual or hybrid format available?
Yes — all talks can be delivered virtually to Rochester audiences or hybrid with an in-person room.
Book Mike for your Rochester event
Mention your Rochester event in the request — date, venue, audience size, and format all help him tailor the talk.