Greg the Comedian
Corporate Comedian & Keynote Speaker
Let’s make it happen
Corporate Keynote & Humor Expert
As a corporate keynote speaker and business humorist, Greg Schwem has spent two decades finding the funny in office chaos, deadline stress, and everyday corporate life, then turning it into stories your team will still be repeating at the water cooler weeks later. It’s no accident the Chicago Tribune called Greg “king of the hill in the growing world of corporate comedy.” Whether he’s opening a sales meeting or closing a conference, Greg’s goal stays the same: leave the room lighter than he found it.
From Journalism to Laughter: Greg Schwem’s Road to Comedy
Greg offers a unique opportunity for meeting and event planners to give a memorable experience to their attendees.
A graduate of Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, Greg always thought comedy would be just a hobby. But, while working as a TV news reporter in West Palm Beach, Florida, and doing comedy at night, Greg eventually followed his heart. “I realized I liked making people laugh more than depressing them,” he said on a recent podcast. “And that’s what I was doing every night on TV.”
Back in his hometown of Chicago, Greg honed his act in nightclubs while also serving as a trade show narrator for some of the world’s most renowned companies. What he saw on trade show floors eventually became fodder for a new kind of comedy: “The Business Humor Specialist”
In 2024, Greg underwent successful surgery for colon cancer. After receiving a clean bill of health, Greg decided to use his comedy skills on “any stage that would have me.” In addition to corporate work he added cruise ships to his repertoire. He returned to his comedy club roots, testing material at some of the nation’s most popular comedy clubs. “For the longest time, I’d been telling audiences that laughter was a great way to deal with personal and professional crises. Now I had to do that myself,” he recalls.
Since 2010 Greg has written the nationally syndicated Humor Hotel column for Tribune Content Agency. When not on stage, he gives bicycle and walking tours of the Windy City. Visiting Chicago for business or a personal trip? Contact Greg and, if he’s in town, he will be happy to show you around the city he calls home.
Back in his hometown of Chicago, Greg honed his act in nightclubs while also serving as a trade show narrator for some of the world’s most renowned companies. What he saw on trade show floors eventually became fodder for a new kind of comedy: “The Business Humor Specialist”
In 2024, Greg underwent successful surgery for colon cancer. After receiving a clean bill of health, Greg decided to use his comedy skills on “any stage that would have me.” In addition to corporate work he added cruise ships to his repertoire. He returned to his comedy club roots, testing material at some of the nation’s most popular comedy clubs. “For the longest time, I’d been telling audiences that laughter was a great way to deal with personal and professional crises. Now I had to do that myself,” he recalls.
Since 2010 Greg has written the nationally syndicated Humor Hotel column for Tribune Content Agency. When not on stage, he gives bicycle and walking tours of the Windy City. Visiting Chicago for business or a personal trip? Contact Greg and, if he’s in town, he will be happy to show you around the city he calls home.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Greg Schwem?
Greg Schwem is a Chicago-based corporate comedian, keynote speaker, and nationally syndicated humor columnist. A graduate of Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, he worked as a TV news reporter before building a two-decade career bringing clean, relatable humor to Fortune 500 companies, associations, and leadership teams.
Is Greg Schwem’s comedy appropriate for corporate events?
Yes. Greg’s material is clean, customized, and researched specifically for each client’s industry and culture, making it appropriate for corporate keynotes, conferences, sales meetings, and association events.
What topics does Greg Schwem cover in his keynotes?
Greg’s keynotes cover humor in the workplace, resilience, generational differences at work, and turning setbacks into stories, drawing on his own experience as a colon cancer survivor and 20-plus years as a business humorist.
Where is Greg Schwem based, and does he travel for events?
Greg is based in the USA and performs worldwide, taking his corporate comedy from Fortune 500 boardrooms to international stages, including cruise ships and overseas events.
How do you book Greg Schwem for an event?
You can book Greg by reaching out through the contact form on gregschwem.com or by emailing greg@gregschwem.com. He typically responds within 24 hours to discuss availability and event details.
Ready to Book Greg for Your Next Event?
Greg Schwem brings clean, customized humor to corporate keynotes, conferences, and sales meetings nationwide.