Patrick van Gils

About Patrick van Gils

Patrick van Gils turns professionals into visible leaders. From employees into proud ambassadors. From ideas into compelling stories.

Do you want an event that sticks? Then you don’t book a speaker. You book impact.

In his evaluations, two words are mentioned most often: “TOP!”. “Inspiring!”.

Patrick van Gils is a highly sought-after keynote speaker. He brings energy, sharpness, and movement to the room. With his unique combination of interaction, content, and inspiration, he transforms an event into an experience that people will talk about later. Many call him ‘the pitch king of the Netherlands.’ He is the author of the book Effective Pitching & Presenting. A communication expert and ambassador-maker. Former executive and spokesperson for, among others, McDonald’s Netherlands.

He believes in the power of pride as an untapped potential in every organization. He has spoken and trained for Queen Máxima and for as many participants as can fit in a full Johan Cruyff Arena.

The ‘Pitch King of the Netherlands’ who turns professionals into proud ambassadors.

As an organizer, you want energy in your event. An audience that is awake. High evaluations. And participants who will talk about it later. In a world where everyone has something to say, the one who can present it clearly, concisely, and convincingly wins.

Patrick van Gils is the authority in the Netherlands on the Perfect Pitch and Speaking with Impact. He helps leaders, entrepreneurs, and all those experts and professionals who are content-rich but have not yet articulated their story sharply enough, thus leaving impact on the table. His mission is clear: every professional deserves their stage. And their pitch. A message that sticks.

From A-brand spokesperson to ambassador-maker

Patrick worked for over 20 years in the corporate world in top marketing and communication positions at strong A-brands such as McDonald’s Netherlands, Makro Netherlands, Studio 100, Content & Schoevers. As a spokesperson and marketing communication executive, he has stood on countless small and large stages. From boardrooms to congresses with thousands of people. From media spokesperson for radio & TV, large press conferences to challenging crisis situations. He learned how to remain clear under pressure. How to tell your own story. How to deflect criticism. How to build trust and take people along. He received the international President’s Award, an exclusive recognition for the absolute top 1% of employees worldwide, for his contribution to reputation, positioning, and innovation at McDonald’s in the Netherlands.

But he also saw this for many years: Brilliant professionals who underestimate themselves. Strong ideas that do not land. Teams that do not truly understand each other.
From the shop floor to the boardroom. Even for people at the top, it remains exciting. That’s when he decided to make it his life’s work.

Pride & Ambassadorship start from within

Patrick is the ambassador-maker of the Netherlands. For years, he has been a proud ambassador for the organizations he worked for and has represented these companies outwardly and inwardly.
He believes: starting from within is winning outside. Organizations want engagement, ownership, and strong customer experiences. That starts with pride. When employees dare to tell their story. When leaders articulate their vision authentically and sharply. When entrepreneurs see themselves as strong A-brands. The effect: more energy, better collaboration, and a culture that becomes noticeably stronger.

Patrick stands for:

• Meaning
• Energy
• Enthusiasm
• Passion

“SOAP”. It stands for his proven method, described in his book Effective Presenting and Pitching. His sessions are not monologues. They are interactive experiences where the audience participates, thinks along, and practices directly. No theory to forget later. But practical tools that are applied during the event. This ensures high evaluations. And conversations that continue after the event.

Royal recognition

During 12 large-scale events across the Netherlands, organized by Google Netherlands in collaboration with Qredits, Patrick inspired more than 10,000 leaders, experts, and entrepreneurs in over 100 keynotes and workshops. His keynotes were rated the highest all 12 times. Queen Máxima personally attended his entire keynote. That says enough.