NSB Logo Steve Patterson Steve Patterson

Steve Patterson

Speaker

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Award-Winning Comedian & Humour Writer

Host of the hit radio show and podcast ‘The Debaters’ since 2007, with over 750,000 weekly listeners, Patterson’s voice is instantly recognizable to many. But what many may not know is that he is also one of the most experienced, versatile corporate speakers working today. From keynote appearances for groups like the Calgary Teacher’s Association, the Canadian Bar Association or Boston Consulting Group, to multi-day conference moderation for organizations such as Manulife Financial, the Young President’s Organization (YPO), or Frito Lay North America, Patterson adds the value of laughter and makes long events seem a lot shorter. Where possible, he even brings his funny friends along in customized versions of ‘The Debaters Live’ which have proven to be the ideal headline event for groups such as IBM, BGC (formerly Boys’ and Girls’ clubs) and McMaster University.

In short, Patterson is a comedian who packs much more than punchlines into each appearance. He helps every attendee of the events he takes part in be a little happier that they attended.

Platform Plus Presentations

Unique formats and ways to connect with audiences.
Comedy Performance
If you are looking to book a “good” comedian for your next event, there are several good choices. If you would prefer to book a one-of-a-kind performer who has been recognized as the best in the business, Steve Patterson could be your best choice. Comedy performances are typically 45 min but can range from 20-60 min.
Keynote
Cap off your conference with laughter! Steve Patterson expertly weaves industry current events into a unique (and hilarious) keynote. Example for Steve Patterson Keynote for an event for Teachers in Alberta (with testimonials from past clients): https://vimeo.com/358089160/cf689b1afc
A true Master of Ceremonies
Veteran host Steve Patterson ensures your event flows merrily along, injecting wit wherever possible and making long nights seem a lot shorter. A typical event will begin with a short, customized monologue diving into industry topics and current events. He sets the tone and captures the attention of the audience. You want a host with the experience to read the room, know what the audience needs, nail the necessary talking points but also pivot when necessary. Booking Patterson as your MC guarantees your attendees will be served quality entertainment. Do you need additional customization at your event or full day conference? Consider Steve Patterson to moderate a panel discussion or host an engaging interview.
Master Moderator
There are many moderators who are well-versed in their topic of expertise. There are many comedians who are very funny. But there aren’t many very funny comedians well-versed in enough business topics to moderate a panel of experts and leave everyone, including the experts, laughing as they are learning. Steve Patterson is one of these rare master moderators.
Virtual Comedy
Bring a comedy performance to your screens! Patterson can deliver a live show or pre-recorded keynote. The preferred online time to allot is 20-30 min and Patterson’s preference is to perform to a “virtual front row” of at least 10 faces with cameras on.
Virtual Hosting
Patterson’s expertise in moderating panels and interviews translates well on screen (he does, after all, have over a decade experience hosting various television projects). Keep the at home audience engaged! Please note: For best production results for virtual events, Steve brings in a technician to be in his private studio office. The technician will advance with the organization’s tech lead. Past clients have noted the benefits with the quality audio and video feed, set up and navigation of chatrooms for questions and answers or panel discussions. For virtual shows, by allowing an expert to take charge of the technical side, Steve is present and focused on doing what he does best – perform an entertaining and memorable show.
The Debaters Live!
Be it resolved that The Debaters Live! is a fantastic way to liven up your next event, corporate function, or fund-raiser. Real live Debaters host, Steve Patterson, and two stand-up comedians will entertain your group with a relevant exchange of facts and funny, written to a topic of your group’s choosing! Creator, Richard Side, works with you to produce a custom debate topic. With 30 min of stand-up and one custom debate, The Debaters Live! guarantees comedy that is original, hilarious and pertinent to each group they perform for.
Play-through! Uncommonly funny golf commentary with Steve Patterson and Dave Hemstad
Golf is not only a great sport to enjoy the great outdoors, but also a very friendly way to socialize. If you’re planning a golf tournament, you're going to want to make sure everyone that attends has the best time they possibly can. Enter “Play Through!”, uncommonly funny golf commentary with veteran Canadian comedians Steve Patterson and Dave Hemstad. Set up for the day in a “broadcasters booth” at a prominent hole on the course, Steve & Dave provide play-by-play commentary like what you would hear on golf broadcasts, except instead of being quiet and serious, they are boisterous and hilarious! Exchanging quick-witted banter combining current events, golf knowledge and off-the-cuff remarks, Play Through! will have every foursome feeling like the star of the show and will always ensure that the targets of their jokes are laughing the loudest. With their ability to find the funny in every situation, paired with their decades of friendship and comedy collaboration, listening to Steve & Dave will lighten the mood during the day and provide the fodder for a completely customized comedy show and “awards” presentation at the evening dinner. Find out for yourself why one client has booked Play though! For 9 years in a row now.

Audience reviews:

  • Steve Patterson is not only one of the funniest comedians on this planet, but he can act, write, host and even SING! His talent is unparalleled and to top it all off, he is a wonderful and warm human being. - President & CEO, hala inc.
  • Over the past few years, Steve has made a huge impression on our gala attendees. He is gregarious, hilarious, and whip-smart. He tailors his material to our crowd, can be seen jotting down jokes about breaking news at the very last minute, and truly isn’t afraid to toe the line – a combination that makes for a truly remarkable host. Our guests were floored by his performance in the first year he joined us, and they’ve been begging to have him back every year since! Steve is right on the money. - Writers’ Trust of Canada
  • You can’t do better than Steve Patterson for an event MC! He’s funny, relevant, engaged, and easy to work with. The 600+ corporate leaders who attend our event each year have given us rave reviews on Steve’s participation. We’re thrilled to have had him back to host two years in a row (and hope to have him join us for a third). - President and CEO, Waterstone Human Capital
  • It was no coincidence that Steve Patterson was host of the most attended TCA Luncheon in 75 years! In a notoriously tough room, Steve had the eclectic audience laughing from beginning to end. If he wasn’t married, I’d introduce him to my wife! - Events Administrator, Toronto Construction Association
  • We were blown away with the customization of this show! Steve connected with our audience from the second he stepped on stage. He’s simply in a league of his own. - Chair of Grain Farmers of Ontario
  • Steve Patterson is not only a great comedian, author, and CBC celebrity, but also an awesome guy. He flew to a small town in a corner of our country to be our headline comedian over 3 nights as a fundraiser. He consistently delivered great material each night, made it relevant to our cause, and learned enough about our small town's culture to make it part of the show. The fundraiser was a success, everyone laughed, had fun, and they're still talking about it. Thanks, Steve! - Yukon Ride for Dad
  • Steve Patterson was absolutely perfect as a host and the first act for our inaugural poverty & punchlines comedy night fundraiser. He had a wonderful rapport with the audience and had everyone roaring! ...a top talent to be sure!

    - Venture Advisor | Engineers Without Borders
  • The feedback has been overwhelmingly consistent - "best mc in a very, very, very long time"...thank you for all the hard work that went into preparing for our dinner, and of course the flawless execution throughout the night.

    - Former President, Calgary CFA Society
  • The content Steve used was extremely fitting and he masterfully kept the audience engaged. His knowledge of our organization and his stage presence helped make the evening a resounding success.

    - Former President, Canadian Olympic Committee
  • What I really appreciate about Steve is his willingness to research and customize his act.....even as a comedian vs keynote speaker, I found his level of customization was exceptional. - UBCM Convention Coordinator, Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM)

Speaker Biography

Steve Patterson is a comedian who makes audiences happier. With over 25 years of experience performing his original material across Canada and around the world and over 15 seasons at the helm of the hit comedy debating show, The Debaters, Patterson provides a trusted source of material that he is constantly updating.

Best described as ‘honest and erudite’, combining well-crafted writing with incomparable off-the-cuff wit, Steve packs a well-travelled, well-honed delivery with diligent research to create one-of-a-kind shows for each audience he faces.

Twice named best male stand-up at the Canadian Comedy Awards, Steve is known for masterfully keeping the audience engaged with “funny because they’re true” stories, well-written letters, and even original songs. In short, Patterson packs much more than just punchlines into his shows.

Arguably one of the best working comedians today, there is no arguing that he is the funniest and most experienced debate moderator in Canada and beyond. With over 1000 debates moderated live and recorded in theatres since 2007, Patterson has helped bring levity to otherwise staid subjects for a loyal listening audience that averages over 700,000 weekly listeners.

Patterson is also a seasoned interviewer: having hosted 10 seasons of CBC’s Short Film Faceoff, where he spoke with emerging filmmakers; 2 seasons of HGTV’s I Wrecked My House, making sure people (usually husbands) who took on home renos were able to laugh about their lack of skills; and corporate clients, who he has interviewed many senior executives in front of live audiences, creating informative and entertaining sessions.

Rounding out his services, Patterson also serves as host of ‘The Debaters Live’, a customized corporate version of the hit show where he brings along two hand-picked comedians to debate a topic chosen specifically for the audience they are facing in a truly unique and personalized product.