On Thursday, April 9, 2026, I performed a 45-minute mind-reading stage show for Chad Willardson’s ELEVATED leadership retreat, a private mastermind gathering for CEOs, founders, and entrepreneurs. This executive retreat had about 60 people in attendance, and took place on a private beach next to The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel in Dana Point, California.
Event Details
- Client: Chad Willardson’s ELEVATED (Pacific Capital)
- Occasion: Private executive leadership retreat
- Date: Thursday, April 9, 2026
- Hotel: Accommodations at The Ranch, Laguna Beach, CA
- Event Venue: Private beach next to The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel, Dana Point, CA
- Region: National
- Format: Strolling mentalism during cocktails, followed by a 45-minute stage show
- Show Start Time: Approximately 7:30 PM, following dinner
- Attendees: 60 – including CEOs, founders, entrepreneurs, and guests
- Setup: Professional lighting, riser stage, round-table seating, full sound reinforcement with a dedicated audio engineer.
C-Level Audience
Chad Willardson is well known among CEOs and entrepreneurs. His best-selling books help leaders achieve more success without sacrificing their personal lives. His ELEVATED leadership retreats have a smart crowd, and his team reached out to me for dynamic, interactive entertainment that would close out their retreat in style.
A Referral-Based Booking
I was brought into this event through a referral from another mentalist who wasn’t available and recommended me in his place. In December 2025, I was contacted by Oriya Hirschhorn, Chad Willardson’s executive assistant. She wanted dynamic, interactive executive retreat entertainment that could work outdoors, right next to the pacific ocean. Fortunately, they reached out months in advance, and I was available.
An Evening in Two Parts
The evening had two distinct performance segments. During the cocktail reception, I moved through the crowd performing up-close strolling mentalism. Strolling entertainment is a great way to get guests excited for the main event. After dinner, I took the stage for a 45-minute show. But this wasn’t my typical corporate show.
The Blindfold Act
As a corporate event mentalist, I adapt my shows to fit the circumstances. For the smaller audience at this event, I decided to add something really special – my blindfold act.
The blindfold act is special, and I only do it when the audience is the right fit. Towards the end of the show, I put on a blindfold, stand on stage, and pick up on questions and thoughts from people throughout the room. I tell people about their hobbies, answer questions about their future, and much more. There’s laughter, gasps, and moments of pure astonishment.
It’s the kind of theatrical mind reading that dates back to the 1920s, and it’s the closest thing to actual “reading minds” that a mentalist can perform.
Adapting to a Beachfront Show
Performing outdoors comes with its own logistics. The walk from the parking area to the stage was long, so I packed my entire show into my travel luggage to make the trip in one pass instead of several.
Ocean wind is another factor outdoor stage shows have to account for. Although the event provided state of the art sound system and microphone, I brought my own Countryman E6 headset mic. It’s practically invisible, and includes a windshield for windy conditions.
A Memorable Moment
My favorite moment came early in the show, when I was demonstrating how experts can read poker tells.
When I told an on-stage volunteer exactly which card she was thinking of, she screamed and stomped her feet, and the rest of the audience laughed right along with her. These unscripted reactions are what live entertainment is all about.
Results
I stayed after the performance for a meet & greet with the attendees, and they had lovely things to say. In fact, so many people asked for my business card that I actually ran out!
Chad Willardson, the ELEVATED head-honcho, recorded a video testimonial after the event:
“We just had Joe here performing at our special event for CEOs, business leaders and entrepreneurs from all over the world, and it was a fantastic show. People are still talking about it hours later. It was great entertainment, and I highly recommend and endorse Joe Skilton for any of your corporate events.”
Chad Willardson, Best-Selling Author, President & Founder, Pacific Capital
One other thing to note: One of the founders in the audience had his executive team reach out to me for their company’s event later this year. Although the timing didn’t work out, we’ll connect soon about 2027.
If you’re planning a national, executive-level event and want mind-reading entertainment built for a room full of CEOs and founders, I’d love to talk about your event. You can learn more about what I offer as a corporate mentalist for events like this one.
