Calen Otto is an internationally-known public speaker who covers topics such as sustainable travel, anti-speciesist travel, travel ethics, alternative living and budget travel, among others.
Calen’s unruly life experience paired with their passion for creating a more balanced, eco-minded world leaves audience members empowered with life-changing tools and hope for a better future. From Playa del Carmen, Mexico, to Los Angeles, California, Calen’s been a prominent speaker at Women’s Travel Fest and has delivered talks for Match Group LLC, The Nomadic Network, and more.
Speaker Reviews
I invited Calen to speak to Trust & Safety teams at Match Group. The audience, in-person and live feed from US and international offices, included teams from Tinder, Hinge, OKCupid and other leading dating apps. Calen connected with the audience and demonstrated deep knowledge in solo travel, inclusion and the use of online platforms. They spoke confidently and drove home their points with relatable stories and actionable advice. Calen is a great speaker that also brings humor, heart and fantastic energy, keeping audiences engaged throughout!
“I watched Calen confidently share their sustainable travel advice and actionable tips to a live audience of over 75 people at the Women’s Travel Fest in NYC. They shared the stage and held their own on a panel of notable authors and seasoned travel entrepreneurs. Their insights on how you could travel (and live) in a more environmentally-aligned way were impactful and thought-provoking. Can’t wait to see Calen speak on stages and at other conferences in the future.”
Having Calen on our stage was a true delight! So well-spoken, informed, and with such a compassionate energy that inspired our audience while also relating to them directly. I wouldn’t hesitate to have them back on our stage!”
Current Topics:
Sustainable Travel & Living
In a world where greenwashing lurks in every corner, the words “sustainable travel” are tossed around in the industry, but what do they really mean? In this talk Calen Otto will answer the question, “What Is Sustainable Travel, Really?”
After traveling the world as an anti-speciesist, eco-minded journalist with a background in food justice Calen will discuss how they got into sustainable travel and why it’s important for all of us, whether we’re “nature people” or not.
We’ll focus on 4 categories that are essential to travel: food, accommodation, transportation, and gear. Attendees will walk away with new information on how to travel greener, more ethically, and lighter. This presentation will leave them feeling empowered and hopeful for the future.
Biking Across The USA With $300: Making Travel More Accessible To All
Calen Otto set off across the United States with a bicycle and $300, solo, at just 19 years old. Despite never having been west of their hometown in Ohio, Calen wanted to explore the world by whatever means necessary.
On this 6 month challenging journey they work traded, CouchSurfed, and hitch hiked their way across the country. This experience left them with the knowing that travel is possible even on a small budget, and that traveling is a powerful way to become more open-minded, compassionate, and resilient.
In this talk Calen talks about the ins and outs of their everyday life and experiences while biking across the country, sharing laughable tales of mishaps from the road and incredible encounters where the oddest of strangers were turned into friends. Calen also teaches audience members how they can travel regardless of income, making travel more accessible to tall.
Contact Calen at calenotto@gmail.com for inquires, rates, and additional topics.
