In The News

One of the most important decisions in event planning isn’t just who you bring in as a speaker, but how you structure the session. Some speakers are at their best delivering a traditional keynote, building a clear throughline that inspires and energizes an audience from start to finish. But when a speaker’s content spans multiple ideas, areas of expertise, or perspectives that don’t naturally fit into one linear flow—or when you want the speaker to cover several topics within a single session—a different format can create a stronger, more cohesive experience. We’re seeing more planners lean into moderated conversations or fireside chats in these moments, allowing the content to unfold with more focus, flexibility, and clarity.

One of the biggest shifts in today’s events landscape is that organizations aren’t just looking for a keynote, they’re looking for something their audience can actively engage with and remember. That shift is showing up in how programs are built. More speakers are incorporating real-time interaction, whether that’s audience participation, reflection moments, or simple exercises that help people apply ideas on the spot. We’re seeing more and more planners choose interactive formats over traditional keynotes, prioritizing programs where audiences can engage with and apply ideas in real time.

In today’s fast-moving global economy, accurate forecasting isn’t just valuable—it’s essential. That’s why the latest recognition of Jason Schenker, today's leading financial futurist and a sought-after keynote speaker, is making waves across financial and business communities worldwide. Bloomberg News has ranked Schenker, President of Prestige Economics, the #1 Major Currency Forecaster in the World for a fourth consecutive quarter—a remarkable achievement that underscores both consistency and precision in an increasingly uncertain environment.

As NASA prepares to return humans to the Moon for the first time in more than 50 years, former astronaut and APB speaker Jeanette Epps is offering a powerful perspective on what this next chapter—Artemis—really means. The Artemis II mission will send four astronauts on a 10-day journey around the Moon, marking the first time since 1972 that humans will travel to and view its far side. While the crew will not land, the mission represents a critical step forward in deep space exploration.  

Each April, National Minority Health Month brings renewed attention to one of the most pressing challenges in healthcare: ensuring equitable access, outcomes and opportunities for all communities. Despite advances in medicine and technology, significant disparities persist—driven by factors that extend far beyond clinical care. From where people live and work to access to resources and trusted care, the conditions shaping health are deeply interconnected. Today’s leading voices in public health are working to address these challenges head-on.

Patient Experience Week (April 27 – May 1, 2026) is a time to recognize the people, stories, and innovations shaping compassionate, patient-centered care. It’s an opportunity for healthcare organizations to reflect on the human side of medicine where empathy, communication, and trust make all the difference. This year, we’re spotlighting a group of powerful voices who are redefining what it means to truly listen to and care for patients.

Each May, Mental Health Awareness Month serves as an important reminder that mental health is an essential part of overall well-being. Just like physical health, our mental and emotional states shape how we think, feel, connect with others, and navigate daily life. Yet for many, conversations around mental health are still met with silence or stigma.

Award-winning actor and APB speaker Blair Underwood is paying tribute to his late mother in a deeply personal new project, announcing that he and his sister, Marlo Underwood, will co-narrate the audiobook version of her biography, A Soldier’s Wife: My Mother, the Marvelous Mrs. Marilyn A. Underwood. Set for release on April 14, 2026, the book offers an intimate portrait of Marilyn Underwood—a trailblazing woman whose life spanned roles as a fashion designer, entrepreneur, military spouse, and mother. 

In a country where dissent can carry severe consequences, Nobel Peace Prize-winning journalist and APB speaker Dmitri A. Muratov remains one of the few voices still speaking openly from within Russia. From a modest studio at his newspaper, Novaya Gazeta, Muratov continues to deliver pointed commentary on the state of his nation—criticizing political repression, calling for the release of prisoners, and warning of the country’s growing militarization.

Before diving into speaker options, take a step back and define what success actually looks like. The goal of your program should shape every decision that follows. Are you looking to leave your audience with meaningful, actionable takeaways? Or is the priority to drive attendance with a recognizable headliner? Both are valid, but they lead you down very different paths.