Tom Power, keynote speaker
Tom Power is the award-winning host of Q with Tom Power produced by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC). Tom’s heartfelt and enthusiastic interview style has attracted guests from around the globe including Harry Styles, Bono, Denzel Washington, Bruce Springsteen, Jerry Seinfeld, Lee Jung-Jae, Celine Dion, Guillermo del Toro and Janelle Monae.
Since becoming the host of Q in October 2016, listeners have come to know Tom for his in-depth interviewing style (speaking to Atlanta rapper Killer Mike about the Ferguson grand jury verdict), his mischievous sense of humour (jokingly chiding actor Catherine O'Hara for her parenting skills in Home Alone), and his genuine enthusiasm and fearlessness (singing a duet with Mavis Staples). In 2021 Tom’s moving and insightful conversation with the iconic Canadian actor Michael J. Fox earned him and the Q Team the prestigious Gold medal for Best Interview at the New York Festivals Radio Awards. On the heels of that honour, Tom was granted an exclusive Canadian sit down interview with Adele to discuss her new album, 30. Over the course of their intimate and in-depth conversation Adele opened up about life, love, and struggles with fame, sharing stories that made international headlines. To date, the interview has garnered over 1.4 million views on YouTube and was a finalist for Best Interview at the 2022 New York Festivals Radio Awards. Also in 2022 Tom spoke in front of a live audience with Friends star Matthew Perry. That warm and frank conversation about the actor’s struggles with substance abuse struck a chord, leading to almost 7 million views on Instagram (and counting) while being picked up by news outlets internationally including Vanity Fair and CNN. Tom’s disarming nature puts the guests so much at ease that the conversations sometimes lead to fun viral moments (Omar Apollo on Q/ TikTok) Tom started his radio career in his home of St. John’s Newfoundand while studying folklore at Memorial University. At just 21 he joined CBC full time as the host of the folk music show Deep Roots, making him the youngest host of a national radio show since Peter Jennings. In 2011 Tom relocated to Toronto to take over the national music show Radio 2 Morning on CBC, which he hosted for 5 years before he was announced as the full-time host of Q in 2016. In the early days of the COVID-19 lockdown he hosted the national television talk show What're You At? with Tom Power from his living room, speaking with celebrities, first responders and other Canadians. When he’s not behind the mic, Tom is a fixture at traditional music sessions across the country. An in-demand public speaker and beloved presence on social media, he can usually be found frequenting the dingy pool halls of whatever city he finds himself in. The keynote address takes place Friday, Oct 20, 1:00 p.m. -2:00 p.m. in Triffo Theatre.
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