e253 – What Makes the 2026 Presentation Summit a Must-Attend Event for Presentation Professionals?

Show Notes – Episode #253

Episode 253 welcomes Presentation Summit founder Rick Altman to chat with hosts Troy Chollar, Sandy Johnson, and Nolan Haims about the upcoming 2026 Presentation Summit. Celebrating its 24th year, the Summit remains the gold standard for presentation training and networking.

It is a fully virtual event, globally accessible (for both attendees and presenters!), a packed schedule with the industry’s best presentation instructors, and amazing non-industry guest keynotes.

Want to know what makes this year’s event special? Tune in and get a behind-the-scenes preview before the conference begins. 

Highlights

  • A Community Like No Other: Rick shared how the Summit started back in 2003 as “PowerPoint Live.” It was born from the idea of bringing together people who are serious about the craft of presenting. It’s not just about slides; it’s about storytelling, design, and connecting with an audience. Hearing him talk about it reminded me why this community is so special.
  • Fascinating Guests: This year’s lineup is incredible. Forget typical corporate speakers. We’re talking about an Olympic gold medalist, a world-class guitarist, a shark whisperer from the Bahamas, and even CNN’s White House correspondent, Caitlin Collins. The theme is “Performance When It Counts,” and these guests are the definition of it.
  • The Virtual Hangout Spot: Worried about a virtual event feeling distant? The Summit has “Conference Central,” a 24/7 Zoom room where you can pop in anytime to ask questions, get help, or just chat with presenters and other attendees. It’s where the real magic happens—those spontaneous conversations that spark new ideas.
  • Will Rick Play the Guitar? A fun little tidbit: Rick has a guitar in his office that he claims he can’t play well. But he hinted he might just pick it up and play during the Summit this year. You have to be there to see if it happens!
  • This is more than just a conference: It is the place to be for anyone who wants to elevate their presentation game. The energy, the people, and the practical skills you’ll learn are truly game-changing.

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