Bob Arno
Comedy Pickpocket Entertainer
Bob Arno is a leading international provider of theft risk management solutions for the business and leisure sectors. Today, Fortune, Kiplinger’s, National Geographic Traveler, Law and Order, and others
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Full Bio
Bob Arno is a leading international provider of theft risk management solutions for the business and leisure sectors. He is an internationally recognized street-crime and diversion-theft authority specializing in a pervasive, yet little-understood subculture that has created a multi-billion-dollar industry. As an expert on body language and con games, Bob narrates his footage with insight and authority. His documentaries reveal amazingly devious con games and brazen thefts.
For the past 20 years, Bob has been “in the field,” tracking and filming real street thieves in action in the world’s top travel destinations. His goal was to bring new material to his presentations, adapted from the latest MOs of the street thieves themselves. His interviews and interrogations of countless criminals have given him a backdoor perspective on the mindset of this underclass. His unique footage of candid conversations and crime-in-action is incorporated into his presentations, shared with police and security forces around the world, and made into documentaries.
Bob’s career has moved from nightclubs to casino showrooms to theaters to industrial entertainment, and spans 30 years of success on five continents. He currently specializes in multinational corporate events, where audiences arrive with vastly varied experience and expectation. Multilingual and highly visual, his physical funny-business and audience participation break all language barriers.
He is a frequent presenter at Tourism Safety and Security Conferences and pre-Super Bowl seminars for law enforcement and security professionals. With exclusive video, live demonstrations, and well-appreciated humor, Bob offers a global perspective on diversion theft techniques and the latest international trends.
Bob Arno is a speaker, entertainer, author, and special lecturer to law enforcement agencies. He has been profiled or quoted on NPR, CNN, MSNBC, FoxNews, ABC’s 20/20, The Travel Channel, The Learning Channel, Discovery, Court TV, in The New York Times, USA Today, Fortune, Kiplinger’s, National Geographic Traveler, Law and Order, and others. He has lectured for the Police Departments of Chicago, San Diego, Houston, Las Vegas, Detroit, Honolulu, Anaheim, and many abroad; for Tourism Safety & Security Conferences around the country, and many others; for Kroll & Associates, RSA Security Conference, and more.
He taught an accredited course at the Connecticut State Police Training Academy. With his wife, Bambi Vincent, he is co-author of the book Travel Advisory: How to Avoid Thefts, Cons, and Street Scams.
Testimonials
Ernie was perfect for our Elders Conference at Little River Casino Resort in Manistee, Michigan. We will definitely be using PDA again!
LITTLE RIVER BAND OF OTTAWA INDIANS
Our speaker was great and the crowd enjoyed her! She was very engaging. Thank you again PDA for the great list of suggestions!
MEDTRONIC
Everything went great! and our speaker was wonderful! Thank you so much for all your help PDA! Looking forward to the next one.
UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI – KANSAS CITY
I hope that this message finds you well. We had a phenomenal time with Atsuko this past Thursday. We wanted to just let you know how amazing she was. All those that were in attendance thoroughly enjoyed her and had nothing but amazing things to say about her. Thank you for working with us to make sure this happened!
BAYLOR UNIVERSITY CAMPUS
We had a fantastic day with Inge! She was very engaging with all those that attended. Her personal stories about the holocaust were very special and we were moved that she was willing to share them with everyone. Thank you again, PDA for all your hard work and dedication to make this program such a success!
SALT LAKE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Dear PDA Group, Thank you so much for your hard work in scheduling our speaker! From the moment we reached out to you the first time, you worked with us on all details and logistics and kept us up-to-date on the progress. Thank you for all your hard work on making our event such a success! We couldn't have done it without you and your team!
SAP COMPANY
Thank you again, Dr. Kimbrough, for a great presentation, our attendees are still talking about it!
CAMPUS LABS
Dr. Henry Lee's presentation was entertaining, insightful and wise. I, and everyone at Pfizer, especially appreciate the remarks you directed about following your passion and preparing yourself to excel. Thank you, everyone, at PDA for helping to make this happen!
PFIZER
The event was successful! I received many messages expressing how awesome, outstanding and inspiring Ms. Webb-Christburg's speech was."
DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. MEMORIAL BREAKFAST, BOSTON, MLK SPEAKER
Everything went well. Atsuko was very easy to work with and the students enjoyed her performance! Thank you again for your recommendation and I hope to work with you again in the future!
CENTRAL MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
Dr. Novello left this morning after a very successful event on our campus! Thank you PDA Group for your help from the first phone to the last you were with us every step of the way.
GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY
Jordan Carlos was very very entertaining! A majority of students who answered the event survey indicated they really enjoyed Jordan and definitely will bring him back!
WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY
On behalf of myself and my organization Entertainment Unlimited the Campus Programming Board of Ferris State University, we thank you PDA and Dan for a successful event!! Dan was magnificent! Students really enjoyed the presentation. I know I did. Can't wait to bring in more programs with PDA Group.
FERRIS STATE UNIVERSITY
It was a great pleasure to work with PDA Group! The communication was always prompt, friendly and helpful. We loved the speakers and events we booked through Mr. Peter Walker (PDA Group).
WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
Thank you, Peter, for all your help, you'll be happy to know that the event went incredibly well! Aneesa Ferreira was by far one of the best speakers we've ever had!
FURMAN UNIVERSITY
Topics
The Art of the Steal
Interactive comedy pickpocket stage show blends hilarity and reality. High-impact, high-comedy, audience participation, ideally 55 minutes long. Bob excels at ice-breaking multinational audiences, and is a powerful closer at gala awards dinners. In the middle of the show, he projects a few minutes of his own footage of real street thieves in action. Audiences always find the video fascinating, and Bob follows it with a comedy spoof. With smart, timely, useful content, audiences learn through their tears of laughter. Different, powerful, side-splitting.
Secrets of the Steal Business
Keynote & comedy: timely security topics for all. Renown travel safety expert Bob Arno shares his entertaining insight through the back door of street crime. Packed with humor and anti-theft advice, this demo-rich, destination-specific presentation is fully customizable and includes relevant video from Bob’s own archive. Regularly praised as “fascinating,” ”educational,” & “invaluable.”
The Illicit Acquisitions Game
Same as above, but less comedy, less fun, concentration on delivery of serious information. Can be booked as a second, separate presentation with The Art of the Steal.
Identity Theft in the Internet Age
Bob Arno is an international street-crime and diversion theft authority. He scouts the world’s major cities to track and film con artists and scamsters in action. His extraordinary footage, frequently used on news- and talk-shows, is a highlight of his presentations. It reveals creative ruses, brazen thefts, secret MOs, and techniques in identity theft never before documented. Many hours of interrogation of thieves have given Bob a unique insight into the mind and manners of identity thieves and their latest tricks-of-the-trade. Bob stresses the importance of simple and serious steps to reduce exposure and risk of ID theft.
Travel Safety: Thefts, Cons, and Street Scams
In today’s climate of fear and suspicion, we all seem to be looking over our shoulders when we travel. But do we know what to look for? Would we know a bad guy if we saw one? Criminologist Bob Arno practically guarantees the safety of his attendees after this show-and-tell lecture. Illustrated with demonstrations, brought to life with video, and peppered with anecdotes, Bob’s upbeat presentation teaches awareness and how to spot suspicious behavior. Talks are tailored for specific audiences according to travel sophistication level, and may be general or customized for particular itineraries. Usually, the world’s favorite tourist destinations are covered. For each country and city discussed, Bob defines the creative ruses used to con or rob a tourist and shows video examples of actual incidents. Each MO is admirable for its sheer deviousness.
Videos
Bob Arno pickpocket, global comedy, official promo
Bob Arno Live
News
Testimonials
“We are honored and pleased that you have participated as a speaker at the opening session of the 14th Microsoft NT Conference 2009, organized between May 25 and May 27 in Portoroz. You really spiced up the keynote at our annual conference! Your terrific performance completely surprised the audience and left them with their mouths wide open in amazement. We can surely proclaim you as one of the highlights of the conference since the word about your keynote show spread around in record time. It’s also worth mentioning that you equally impressed both journalists and IT experts at separate sessions. We can therefore recommend you for any event hosting different audiences with different tastes as your energy and outstanding enthusiasm during the show activates everyone in the room.
Microsoft
“Bob Arno was exactly what my members needed to end our conference on a high. Smart, witty, intriguing and hilarious, I have never seen such a reaction from my folks. He was a pure delight to work with both on and off the stage and was the buzz of the conference…definitely!
GAMA International
“After a major internal re-organisation we hired Bob to bring the new teams together and create a shared experience they could relate to. He was highly effective in breaking down barriers and had the team talking for weeks afterwards. Entertaining and engaging as well as informative, I would recommend Bob to anyone looking to create a “talking point” at any event.
SunGard
“Bob Arno had the audience spellbound once again. Having worked with Bob for several years now his show keeps getting stronger and stronger. His quick wit and uncanny ability to interact with the entire audience keeps all engagedn and a look of “are you kidding me?” In my over 20 years booking entertainment Bob’s “Art of the Steal” is one of the best corporate shows you can choose.
NBP Productions Inc
“Bob was awesome. He had the audience in the palms of his hands.”
Mutual of Omaha
“Bob is a MUST for your event. Attendees at our engineering and construction event were talking about his performance for days. Captivating, funny, an amazing, talented performer.”
North American Society for Trenchless Technology
“The audience LOVED Bob Arno … A huge hit with everyone! Attendees at our event were talking about his performance for days. Captivating, funny, an amazing, talented performer. Bob is a MUST for your event. In addition, Bob & Bambi were such a pleasure to meet and work with.”
Benjamin Media
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