"The Gentleman Thief"
Apollo Robbins: Biography at a Glance
- Apollo Robbins is a speaker, consultant, performer, and a pioneer in the application of deception to real world environments.
- Formerly known as “The Gentleman Thief,” Robbins first made national news as the man who pick-pocketed the Secret Service while entertaining U.S. president Jimmy Carter.
- Forbes called him “an artful manipulator of awareness,” and Wired Magazine reported that “he could steal the wallet of a man who knew he was going to have his pocket picked.”
- For those who know Robbins only from the mischief of his signature pickpocketing & sleight-of-hand abilities, his thought-provoking presentations – which take the audience on an immersive journey where their attention is hijacked and their foundation of reality is called into question - can be a pleasant surprise.
- Robbins expands the roles of misdirection and magic beyond entertainment, using their underpinning in deception design and attention management as an effective tool to covertly teach critical thinking and perception.
Biography
Apollo Robbins is a speaker, consultant, performer, and a pioneer in the application of deception to real world environments.
Formerly known as “The Gentleman Thief,” Robbins first made national news as the man who pick-pocketed the Secret Service while entertaining U.S. president Jimmy Carter. Forbes called him “an artful manipulator of awareness,” and Wired Magazine reported that “he could steal the wallet of a man who knew he was going to have his pocket picked.”
For those who know Robbins only from the mischief of his signature pickpocketing & sleight-of-hand abilities, his thought-provoking presentations – which take the audience on an immersive journey where their attention is hijacked and their foundation of reality is called into question - can be a pleasant surprise. Robbins expands the roles of misdirection and magic beyond entertainment, using their underpinning in deception design and attention management as an effective tool to covertly teach critical thinking and perception.
Frequently sought after as a thought leader, Robbins has lectured at a diverse range of institutions, including the Harvard Kennedy School of Business and the Society of Neuroscience. He has been profiled by The New Yorker and featured in The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, and The Wall Street Journal . Robbins’ entertainment credits include the long-running TNT series Leverage and the Warner Brothers blockbuster Focus with Will Smith. He produced and co-hosted the National Geographic program Brain Games , which was nominated for an Emmy as an Outstanding Informational Series. His popular appearance on The Today Show is a YouTube favorite at more than 8 million views. The TED editors described Robbins’ presentation at TED Global 2013 (among its 20 most-viewed talks) as a revelation in the flaws of human perception.
Topics
The Illusion of Knowledge
“The enemy of Knowledge is not Ignorance. It is the Illusion of Knowledge.” - Daniel J. Boorstin
This high energy keynote explores the gap between what we know and what we think we know. Using theatrical cons and magic, the Audience is introduced to their own cognitive blind spots.
The talk is broken into 3 parts:
1) What if "what is" isn't?
Why expertise can expire and how we must re-learn how to learn.
2) Why do we miss things
An introduction to the 4 types of misdirection.
3) Tactical curiosity
An exploration of why we need to ask new questions, and question old answers.
The Gentleman Thief
Apollo’s unique hybrid brand of sleight of hand, pickpocketing and Brain Games. This is a jazzy walk around, meet-and-greet style entertainment that is flexible for a wide variety of venues.
The Perception Show: It’s Not What Lou LOOK at That Matters… It’s What You SEE.
Are some people more perceptive than others? What opportunities are you missing simply because you didn’t SEE them? The Perception Show is a unique, interactive experience that involves the whole audience. Building on the Emmy-nominated format of National Geographic’s Brain Games, this 45 minute experience utilizes interactive videos, illusions, and hands-on immersive demonstrations.
The Con Test: Would You Fall for a Con?
This competitive workshop promotes critical thinking by teaching attendees how to design a CON. Not only must they attempt to pull off the Con, they must do so while actively avoiding being deceived themselves. By merging the problem-solving needs of their own mission with the situational awareness necessary to avoid being deceived, this session will force participants
to constantly challenge their own assumptions.
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FAQs
How do I book Apollo Robbins for my event?
Contact CAA Speakers at (424) 288-2898 or speakers@caa.com to book Apollo Robbins to speak at corporate or private events, keynote speeches, speaking engagements, workshops, fireside chats, motivational speaking, or virtual appearances.
Quick booking process- Email CAA Speakers with event details
- Get availability confirmation within 24 hours
- Review speaking fee and contract terms
- Sign agreement and finalize logistics
As one of the most influential talent agencies in the world, CAA handles all speaking engagements from contract to event day coordination.
Who is Apollo Robbins's booking agent?
CAA Speakers is the preferred booking agency to contact for Apollo Robbins’s speaking engagements. Contact speakers@caa.com for all Apollo Robbins in-person appearances and keynote speaking requests.
Contact Apollo Robbins's agent- Email: speakers@caa.com
- Website: caa.com/caaspeakers
- Response: Within 24 hours
CAA Speakers can check Apollo Robbins's speaking calendar with direct access to availability and official pricing. While many websites may list Apollo Robbins, CAA Speakers is the direct source for authentic information about availability and pricing.
What is Apollo Robbins's speaking fee?
Apollo Robbins's speaking fee varies by event type, location, and requirements. As a top keynote speaker, Apollo Robbins's fee reflects their expertise and market demand.
Speaking fee factors:- Event type and audience size
- Travel distance and logistics
- Presentation length and customization
- Virtual vs. in-person delivery
Additional costs: Travel, accommodation, A/V requirements, and optional meet-and-greets.
Contact CAA Speakers at speakers@caa.com for Apollo Robbins's current speaking fee and detailed cost breakdown.
How much does it cost to book Apollo Robbins as a keynote speaker?
The cost to book Apollo Robbins as keynote speaker includes their speaking fee plus travel and logistics expenses.
Total booking cost includes:- Apollo Robbins's keynote speaking fee
- Travel and accommodation
- Technical requirements and A/V setup
- Optional add-ons like book signing and meet & greets
- Virtual presentations
- Local/regional events
- Off-peak booking periods
- Flexible event dates
Email speakers@caa.com for Apollo Robbins's exact booking cost and customized pricing proposal.
How to contact Apollo Robbins for speaking engagements?
Contact CAA Speakers at speakers@caa.com for all Apollo Robbins speaking engagements.
Official contact for Apollo Robbins bookings:- Email: speakers@caa.com
- Website: https://www.caa.com/caaspeakers/apollo-robbins
- Response time: 24 hours
Include your event date, location, audience size, and budget when contacting CAA about booking Apollo Robbins.
Is Apollo Robbins available for virtual speaking events?
Yes, Apollo Robbins speaks at virtual events with professional-grade equipment and interactive presentation style.
Apollo Robbins's virtual event options:- Live virtual keynotes with Q&A
- Interactive workshops and breakouts
- Hybrid events (in-person + virtual)
- Pre-recorded presentations
Virtual events offer global reach, flexible scheduling, and reduced travel costs while maintaining Apollo Robbins's engaging presentation quality.
Contact CAA Speakers for Apollo Robbins's virtual event availability and technical specifications.
What events can I book Apollo Robbins for?
Book Apollo Robbins for corporate conferences, industry events, private functions, and virtual presentations. Apollo Robbins customizes content for any audience size or event type.
Event types:- Corporate meetings and conferences
- Industry summits and trade shows
- Private executive retreats
- Educational institution events
- Virtual and hybrid conferences
Apollo Robbins engages audiences from private executive meetings to large conferences with thousands of attendees.
Contact CAA Speakers to discuss how Apollo Robbins can customize their presentation for your specific event.
Apollo Robbins booking information and availability
Check Apollo Robbins's speaking availability through CAA Speakers at speakers@caa.com. Book 3-6 months in advance for best date selection during peak seasons (September-November, March-May).
Availability factors:- Event date and location
- Speaking fee and budget
- Lead time for booking
- Peak conference seasons
- 3-6 months: Best availability
- 3-6 months: Best availability
- 2-3 months: Good availability
- 1-2 months: Select availability
- Under 30 days: Limited availability
Contact CAA early in your planning process to secure Apollo Robbins for your preferred event date.
Book Apollo Robbins keynote speaker through CAA
Book Apollo Robbins through CAA Speakers for guaranteed authentic representation and professional event coordination. CAA is the preferred booking agent for Apollo Robbins, with direct access to their speaking availability and decades of experience representing the world’s top keynote speakers.
CAA booking advantages:- Direct access to Apollo Robbins's calendar
- 24-hour availability confirmations
- Professional contract negotiation
- Full logistics coordination
- Industry-leading client service
Trusted by Fortune 500 companies for their most important speaking engagements. Contact speakers@caa.com to book Apollo Robbins for your next event.
Will Apollo Robbins speak at private events?
Yes, Apollo Robbins speaks at private corporate events, executive retreats, board meetings, and exclusive functions.
Private event types:- Executive retreats and board presentations
- Client entertainment and VIP gatherings
- Corporate celebrations and award ceremonies
- Private dinners and exclusive functions
Private event benefits: Customized content, enhanced interaction, complete confidentiality, and flexible scheduling.
Contact CAA Speakers for Apollo Robbins's private event availability and confidential pricing proposals.
How quickly will I get a response about booking Apollo Robbins?
CAA Speakers responds to Apollo Robbins booking inquiries within 24 hours during business days. Complex requests or international events may take up to 48 hours for detailed proposals.
Response timeline:- Initial acknowledgment: Within 24 hours
- Availability confirmation: 24-48 hours
- Detailed pricing proposal: 48-72 hours
- Urgent requests: Same-day priority response
Include complete event details (date, location, audience size, budget) for fastest response times.
How far in advance should I book Apollo Robbins?
Book Apollo Robbins 3-6 months in advance for best availability, especially during peak speaking seasons. Early booking ensures better date selection and rate negotiations.
Recommended booking timeline:- 3-6 months: Optimal availability and pricing
- 2-3 months: Good availability
- 1-2 months: Select availability
- Under 30 days: Limited availability
Peak seasons: September-November and March-May book fastest. Contact CAA Speakers early for priority consideration.
How do I get Apollo Robbins pricing information?
Get Apollo Robbins pricing information by contacting CAA Speakers at speakers@caa.com with your event details. Receive detailed cost breakdown within 24-48 hours with no obligation to book.
For accurate pricing, include:- Event date and location
- Audience size and type
- Event format and duration
- Budget parameters
CAA provides transparent pricing with all costs included - speaking fee, travel, accommodation, and technical requirements.