FAQ

Who is the speaker?

Gary S. Chan is a security mentalist who takes audiences on a mind-bending journey where psychology meets mystery. With over 25 years of experience captivating audiences, Gary’s career includes award-winning performances and being featured at the renowned Chicago Magic Lounge. He combines psychology, game theory, and math to create daring demonstrations of influence and impossible predictions. More than just tricks, his performances challenge the way you think about choice, chance, and control. Offstage, Gary serves as Chief Information Security Officer for a leading U.S. healthcare system, bringing real-world security insights of human behavior that make his mentalism uniquely thought-provoking. Audiences leave his shows not only amazed, but also questioning what they thought was possible.

Gary has decades of experience in security and is trained in behavioral profiling, conflict management, negotiation, interrogation, and mediation. He architected anti-fraud systems for state agencies, led the information security teams for a large-cap technology company, and currently leads the security teams for a large multi-state healthcare system. He was an evaluator and mentor for cybersecurity start-ups as part of a venture capital fund. He served as President of the FBI St. Louis Citizens Academy Alumni Association and Technology Officer for the Greater St. Louis Association of Certified Fraud Examiners. Education-wise, he holds four security certifications and a degree in Electrical Engineering & Computer Science from MIT.

Gary S. Chan, Security Mentalist and Speaker, https://www.linkedin.com/in/gschan2000/

Where are the engagements?

Anywhere in the world, although primarily in the United States. The audience must be proficient in English.

Are there any physical items that audience members can bring home?

The learning and fun don’t need to end at the end of the event.  Your participants can bring home a magic kit to play with and share with their kids.  These teach security concepts, provide entertainment, and build confidence for public speaking.

What is the fee?

A memorable keynote can set the tone for an entire event. My conference keynote fee typically begins at $10,000 for events within the United States. The final investment depends upon the scope of the engagement, which can include multiple sessions, customizations, and giveaways branded with your logo.

To deepen engagement, many organizers invest about $500 in magic kits for attendees. These may be presented as deluxe kits for on‑stage volunteers or smaller kits reserved for the first 50 audience members to arrive. While optional, this hands‑on element extends the keynote beyond the stage because attendees take the kits home to share with their families—turning the experience into lasting family memories.

To secure a date, a 50% deposit is required at the time of booking, with the balance due within 14 days after the event.

If you’re planning an event and want to explore creating an engaging experience for your audience, please complete the inquiry form below for a personalized proposal.

How long is a typical keynote?

Every keynote presentation is customized for the client and typically ranges in duration from 25 minutes to 80 minutes.

Almost all clients opt for a 50-minute keynote to fit into a 1-hour time slot.  The remaining 10 minutes are for an emcee introduction, other announcements, and a break before the next session/meeting.

What is the cancellation policy?

If you cancel, the cancellation fee is generally the deposit amount. If I cancel (which I’ve never done before), I’ll refund anything you already paid. The exact terms are in the contract that you will have an opportunity to review.

What is a mentalist?

Mentalists and magicians both create magical outcomes, so they are both commonly referred to as magicians.  However, mentalists and magicians create magic in different ways.

A mentalist specializes in psychological games, whereas a magician oftentimes relies upon dexterity.  Whereas a magician might use sleight of hand to find your card, a mentalist will use mind games to determine which card you thought of.

Similar to a magic show, my security mentalism performance is highly interactive and engaging with the audience.  Audience members will be joining me on stage throughout the event.

Why are you called a “security mentalist” and not just “mentalist”?

Many of my mentalism demonstrations are based on security concepts and can also be used as part of a security awareness program.  I use game theory, math, and other techniques to understand, predict, and influence people.  For example, I use interrogation techniques to perform a truth or lie detection.

How do I hire a security mentalist?

Please fill out the contact form below with as many details as you can, and I’ll generally respond within a day.