Tony Robbins, self-help guru accused of sexual misconduct, set to headline eMerge Americas
Miami’s premier tech conference, eMerge Americas, has announced its keynote speaker: Tony Robbins, a popular self-help guru who has reportedly been accused of sexual misconduct and harassment by several women.
In a Tuesday announcement posted on social media, eMerge wrote that “Tony Robbins has distilled nearly 40 years of launching companies and consulting the most accomplished business leaders around the globe ... Hear him up close and personal at #eMergeAmericas2020 to catapult your business to peak performance.”
Miami-Dade County allotted $250,000 in funding to eMerge in this year’s budget, according to county spokeswoman Myriam Márquez.
In a statement to the Miami Herald, Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez said: “This is the first we’re hearing of Tony Robbins being the keynote speaker and we’re looking into it.”
The conference, which will take place at the Miami Beach Convention Center on March 30 and March 31, was created in 2014 by local entrepreneur Manny Medina to attract tech talent to South Florida and boost the region’s profile within Silicon Valley. Last year, an estimated 16,000 people attended. The conference also touts its “WIT,” or women in tech, panels.
In the past year, BuzzFeed News has reported extensively on accusations of sexual misconduct against Robbins, who has turned his brand of self-help into what is reportedly a multibillion-dollar business. Ten women have said Robbins groped them, exposed himself or sexually harassed them between the 1980s and early 2000s, according to BuzzFeed. One alleged victim said Robbins sexually assaulted her at a summer camp when she was underage, the news outlet reported. Robbins has denied the accusations and sued BuzzFeed.
In 2018, a video surfaced showing Robbins criticizing women speaking out as part of the #MeToo movement against sexual harassment and assault. He later wrote he regretted the comments.
He was also filmed in the 1980s using racial slurs in a session with what he said was a predominantly black audience, telling attendees they would “never be free” if they allowed matters of race to offend them.
In a statement, eMerge Americas defended the conference’s decision to recruit Robbins.
“At eMerge Americas, we take the topic of sexual misconduct and harassment extremely seriously, and support the thorough and truthful investigation of any and all allegations of such conduct. At this time, we understand Mr. Robbins has filed pleadings with the court against BuzzFeed, which vigorously deny the allegations published about him,” the statement said. ”eMerge Americas’ decision to invite Mr. Robbins to participate as a speaker in its signature event is based on Mr. Robbins’ roles as a #1 New York Times best-selling author, entrepreneur and philanthropist. Throughout his career, Mr. Robbins has inspired entrepreneurs from around the world to pursue their dreams, while The Tony Robbins Foundation has mentored thousands of young leaders.”
Manny Medina, still the chairman of the event, could not immediately be reached.
Jennifer Connelly, a spokeswoman for Robbins, directed the Miami Herald to a November statement in which she said that “tabloid journalists at BuzzFeed are fueling a cancel culture agenda, abusing their position as ‘journalists,’ and spreading false and destructive narratives.” The statement also said that two women interviewed by BuzzFeed “came forward to correct and refute” its reporting.
Robbins has sued BuzzFeed in Ireland — a country whose libel laws favor plaintiffs — for defamation over a story detailing the alleged sexual assault against the underage victim.
In an email, BuzzFeed spokesman Matt Mittenthal said the website stands “totally and vigorously behind our reporting.”
“Mr. Robbins has chosen to sue us abroad rather than address the detailed account of the woman who said he attacked her; the two women who say they saw it happen; and the accounts of dozens of others. The fact that he doesn’t even seek to address these claims, choosing instead to abuse the Irish court system and attack BuzzFeed, speaks for itself,” Mittenthal said. “BuzzFeed News’ series of reports on Tony Robbins are based on hundreds of interviews, audio recordings, and documentary evidence. The evidence speaks for itself.”
BuzzFeed also reported that Robbins’ attorneys threatened two people who spoke to the outlet.
Among eMerge America’s 2020 sponsors are some of the biggest names in tech, including Microsoft and Google.
Other sponsors include the law firm Greenberg Traurig, Florida International University, the University of Miami, Miami Dade College, Florida Atlantic University, Verizon, Delta, the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise Florida and the Miami-Dade Beacon Council.
FIU, in a statement issued through a spokeswoman, said: “At FIU, we nurture a culture of growth, tolerance, respect and dignity for everyone. Behavior that undermines the individual and targets people based on their race or gender [is] unacceptable. We trust all charges are being investigated.”
She added: “We do not participate in the selection of keynote speakers for eMerge. However, we are watching this closely.”
FIU’s commitment to eMerge this year is $125,000, which includes space at the conference, as well as admission for students and faculty.
In response to questions from the Miami Herald, Microsoft said it had “nothing to share.” None of the other sponsors immediately responded to requests for comment.
The Miami Herald and Knight Foundation are listed on eMerge’s website as “founding partners,” but both said they currently provide no direct financial support and have no say in programming.
Miami Mayor Francis Suarez faced criticism when he awarded Robbins the key to the city last year and proclaimed Nov. 6 to be “Tony Robbins Day.”
“My decision to present Tony Robbins with the key to the city of Miami is based solely on his decades of serving as a positive force,” Suarez said at the time. “His ability to change lives, inspire and uplift people around the world through hope and philanthropy is something that resonates deeply with our community.” Suarez did not respond to a request for comment Wednesday.
A spokesman for Suarez said Wednesday the mayor had nothing to add to his previous statement.
Past eMerge keynote speakers include retired Gen. Colin Powell, former White House intern Monica Lewinsky and former Mexican President Vicente Fox.
This story was originally published January 22, 2020 at 6:29 PM.
