General News
24 March, 2026
Non-stop ‘best’ talkfest
MORE than 400 delegates from 27 countries have spoken their minds at the Global Speakers Summit 2026 in Cairns, with organisers and attendees describing it as “the best event since its inception”.
Held over four days at the Cairns Convention Centre, the summit was hosted by Professional Speakers Australia and brought together experienced and emerging professional speakers for a program focused on business development, industry insights and practical strategies.
Representatives from a wide range of industries, included Dean Publishing, Indie Experts Publishing, Australia Gallery Cairns and TCE Strategy, alongside IT and technology specialists, strategic futurists, investment property strategists, and face-reading and body-language experts.
Delegates praised the depth of the sessions, the quality of the presenters and the strong sense of community, with many describing the event as the standout summit since it began in 2015.
Summit chairman Lindsay Adams OAM said the event exceeded expectations.
“We set out to create an exceptional summit experience and the feedback from delegates has been overwhelming,” he said.
“I am grateful for the support, the warmth and the positive comments we have received. Cairns has embraced our international visitors and helped us create something special.”
Among the speakers was Crystal Leonardi, CEO of Bowerbird Publishing and author, who said the event offered valuable insights for business owners who used public speaking.
“I’m getting a lot of great knowledge and insight into how to leverage public speaking in the business as well,” she said.
Nicola Baker, founder of Moyamoya Australia, said the conference provided valuable insight and inspiration.
“I’ve listened to people speak about philanthropy and how to craft the perfect speech – and even the IT technology assistance behind every speaker,” Ms Baker said.
Cairns-based professional speaker Suzanne Rath, director, owner and lead physiotherapist of Wellness Embodied Cairns, said it delivered strong local benefits alongside professional development.
“It’s been great for Cairns and great networking,” Ms Rath said.
Author, book coach and professional speaker Andrew Griffiths, who is originally from Cairns but now lives in Hobart, said the event’s international nature added significant value.
“It’s a fabulous event … it gives us, as speakers, that great opportunity to be able to go well, what is happening in the speaking industry around the world?,” he said.
Professional speaker, author and gender equality advocate Jilinda Lee said hosting the event in Cairns was a rare opportunity.
“It is such a privilege, such a benefit, to have something like this come to Cairns,” she said.
