IBTM World announces Nathalie Nahai as keynote speaker for its opening day

The world's leading trade fair will explore its theme "People. Power. Potential" throughout its conference program, with first-day sessions focusing on the collective power of people to achieve extraordinary results.

AI: dangers and possibilities

The first day of the event will feature a thoughtful talk by Nathalie exploring one of the most pressing issues of our time: "The Power of Human Connection and Empathy in the Age of AI."

With all the headlines about AI's impact on work, relationships, and our collective future, how can we discern fact from fiction and distinguish AI hype from reality? Nathalie will explore the power of real connection in the technological age and what it means to leverage AI without losing what makes us human.

In a deep psychological dive, Nathalie will explore some of the dangers and possibilities of this moment, from the three types of human empathy (and whether AI can replicate them) to collaboration, creativity, and the power of real relationships to unleash human potential.

Shaping tomorrow

Picking up the baton of people power will be Grace Blakeley, former economic commentator for the New Statesman, editor of Tribune Magazine and author of several books, including 'Vulture Capitalism: Corporate Crimes, Backdoor Bailouts and the Death of Freedom'.  

Grace will bring her trademark passion and intelligence to this incisive talk, titled "Capitalism in Crisis? What is the Future of the Global Economy, Climate, and Democracy?"

Narrative impact

Natalia Talkowska, a six-time TEDx speaker and renowned global speaker, will share her expertise in neuroscience-based storytelling. Her session, “The Neuroscience of Storytelling for Event Success: Influence, Persuasion, and Unforgettable Experiences,” will reveal how stories shape attention, trust, and emotion, and how to use them to create experiences that stand out in a competitive marketplace.

Going Deeper

Also on day one, Julius Solaris, founder of Boldpush, will join the stage with Ameca, the world's most advanced humanoid robot, to answer the question: is AI ready to dominate events? In a fascinating session on the future of events, discover what happens when robotics meets real intelligence.

In 'Different, Diverse, Dynamic: Could This Be the Ultimate Conference Model?', founder of The Big Festoon and experienced diversity and inclusion speaker Dani Wallace will share a compelling case study on the benefits of working with an event's community to shape content, increase diversity, and develop an event with a look and feel like no other.

Lea Karam, award-winning behavioral scientist and founder of Mindscope, helps brands and organizers design experiences that resonate with the next generation. In "Youth, Behaviors, and Brands," Lea will reveal how Gen Z and Gen Alpha are redefining their identities in an ever-changing cultural and media landscape.

Claudia Hall, IBTM World Show Director, said: “This year’s conference program is one of our most comprehensive to date. With a dynamic cast of influential voices, both inside and outside the industry, we’ve created a platform designed to motivate, educate, and inspire.”

Our speakers share a common goal: to equip event professionals with knowledge, innovative ideas, and practical skills they can apply in their daily work. The breadth and diversity of topics this year is unmatched, and we are extremely proud to present a program that truly reflects the needs of our industry.

Lucy Dyer, IBTM World Conference Content Manager, commented: “When creating the conference program, our aim was to empower and inspire with impactful stories, groundbreaking conversations, and innovative ideas. From the rise of AI to the global economy, this year’s conference program debates big ideas and highlights the power of people to make a difference. I’m delighted to introduce our incredible speakers at this year’s event.”

Source: IBTM World.