Programme
08:50
Registration / Networking
09:15
Event Starts - MC Welcome with Jenna Dominique
Guiding us through IMPACT! 26 is our MC, Jenna Dominique — a highly sought-after professional event host known for her polished delivery, sharp wit, and ability to keep events running seamlessly.
An experienced conference MC, speaker and communication coach, Jenna has hosted everything from national conferences and awards ceremonies to pitch competitions and large-scale corporate events. Her skill lies in balancing professionalism with warmth, ensuring speakers feel supported while audiences remain engaged and energised throughout the programme.
With her meticulous preparation, natural stage presence, and ability to read the room, Jenna keeps the day flowing smoothly while bringing just the right level of energy, humour and connection to the stage.
09:25
Alastair Greener - President
Welcome to IMPACT! 26
09:40
Lee Jackson
Welcome to IMPACT! 26
Opening IMPACT! 26 is Lee Jackson, delivering a warm Yorkshire welcome to this year’s event. Known for his down-to-earth style, good humour, and straight-talking wisdom, Lee sets the tone perfectly for a gathering taking place right here in Yorkshire.
Lee has been a dedicated leader within the organisation, serving as Past President, Past Foundation Director, and Past Yorkshire Regional President. He is a Fellow member and PSAE. His long-standing commitment and passion for the community make him the ideal person to kick things off.
Expect a genuine welcome, a touch of Yorkshire wit, and a reminder of the shared purpose that brings everyone together for IMPACT! 26.
10:00
Nienke Bloem: Fall in Love with Your Customer
If your business isn’t growing, you might be connected with the wrong thing. Too many speakers fall in love with their expertise. The successful ones fall in love with their customer’s problem.
In this keynote, CX expert Nienke Bloem reveals how to uncover the real problem your clients hire you to solve. That insight leads to stronger connection, clearer positioning, and a smarter ecosystem of offers.
10:25
Tea & Coffee Break
10:55
Welcome back with Jenna Dominique
Ben Afia: Authentic Voice in the Age of AI: Protecting Your Brand
AI is rapidly changing how content is created—but for speakers, authenticity and connection remain everything.
In this practical and thought-provoking keynote, Ben explores how speakers can use AI while protecting the one thing that truly differentiates them: their unique voice and brand. Demonstrating how he has trained AI to write in his own authentic tone of voice, Ben will show how the right prompts, principles and writing examples can enable AI to support your thinking without diluting your identity.
Through real examples and live audience interaction, Ben will also invite attendees to share their biggest questions and concerns about AI. Using live polling, participants will help shape the discussion that follows in the panel session.
This keynote sets the stage for a wider conversation about how speakers can use AI thoughtfully—enhancing productivity while staying recognisably, and powerfully, human.
AI Keynote Panel: AI and the Future of the Speaking Business
With Julie Holmes, Liz Hardwick, Nathan Littleton & host Ben Afia.
Following Ben’s keynote, he will moderate a lively panel discussion exploring how AI is reshaping the speaking business and what it means for speakers today.
Rather than traditional presentations, this session will be driven by audience questions submitted during the keynote, ensuring the discussion focuses on what matters most to attendees.
Each panellist brings a different perspective on how AI is impacting the industry:
Julie Holmes will explore market dynamics and why speakers must understand how clients are using AI – highlighting the real risk of becoming ordinary as AI raises expectations across industries.
Nathan Littleton will focus on marketing and lead generation, sharing how AI can support visibility and growth, including accessible approaches such as vibe coding.
Ben Afia will expand on tone of voice and brand, discussing how speakers can maintain authenticity while using AI tools effectively.
Liz Hardwick will look at practical workflows and productivity, demonstrating how AI can be implemented in ways that support speakers’ businesses without demanding constant daily use.
Together, the panel will explore the opportunities, tensions and realities of working with AI – from craftsmanship and critical thinking to the practical ways speakers can stay relevant to clients who are already embracing these technologies.
This interactive session will provide insight, debate and practical ideas to help speakers navigate a rapidly evolving landscape – while staying connected to what makes them unique.
Nick Bowen - Emerging Speaker of the Year 2025
Winner of the 2025 Emerging Speaker of the Year award, Nick Bowen joins us on the main stage at IMPACT! 26.
Jackie Handy : Connection Starts With M
How does something so simple often feel so challenging?
Everyone is talking about connection right now, but still it can feel difficult to achieve. In her presentation Jackie will share:
- Why great communicators still struggle to connect
- The small behaviours that show people they are seen
- Why moments of resonance strengthen rapport
Expect honesty, fresh insights and an invitation to rethink what connection really means to you.
12:50
Lunch / Networking
13:50
Welcome back with Jenna Dominique
Oliver Watson: The Power of Collective Connection
Priscilla Leigh: The Sound of Connection: How the Auditory Brain Shapes Trust, Attention and Influence
What if connection is hiding in places you least expect it? In this keynote, psychoaudiologist Priscilla Leigh reveals three overlooked elements that shape human connection.
Drawing on auditory science, you’ll discover practical ways to deepen trust, sharpen attention, and build stronger relationships in business, speaking, and everyday conversations.
Emerging Speaker of the Year - Final
The stage is set! After conquering the regional heats and semi-final, our three finalists go head-to-head one last time to win the title of Emerging Speaker of the Year 2026.
15:15
Tea & Coffee Break
15:35
Awards, hosted by Denise Fay & Olga Geidane
Join us in celebrating this year’s PSA Spring awards!
Yvonne Emery - PSA UK & Ireland Chair
Yvonne will give an update on our Association & the plans to come in the next twelve months.
Alastair Greener - Speaking Business Summit Update
Join our President Alastair Greener for an exciting update on the upcoming Speaking Business Summit, centred around this year’s theme of Connection.
In this session, Alastair will share some exciting announcements, a few surprises, and a preview of the exciting experiences still to come. Connection is at the heart of a great speaking business and Alastair will show us how this years’ Speaking Business Summit will bring it to life.
Deri Llewellyn-Davies: The Science of Connection. How Top Speakers Create Instant Trust with Clients, Audiences - and Each Other
Most speakers try to “perform connection”. The best speakers regulate into it.
In this keynote, Deri Llewellyn-Davies breaks down connection as a nervous system skill — not a personality trait. Using the UltraStates framework, you’ll discover how Ultra Connect creates safety, trust and belonging with clients and audiences, and why speakers who can access it consistently become commercially unstoppable. You’ll also learn how to pair Ultra Focus with sharp messaging, and Ultra Flow with effortless delivery — so your performance becomes both powerful and repeatable.
17:00
MC Close with Jenna Dominique
But that's not all...
18:00
Afterglow Party!
Let’s continue the connection. Don’t let the magic end when the IMPACT! 26 wraps. Stay on, enjoy a light finger buffet at the Novotel (just 5 minutes walk from The Studio), and keep the connections, collaborations, and conversations going late into the evening.
