Finishing the Year Strong: What’s Inspiring Us Heading Into 2026
As we approach the final stretch of an incredible year at Talent Bureau, we’re reflecting on the moments, stories, and insights shaping the events landscape and the conversations planners are bringing to us as they prepare for a busy 2026. This month’s Center Stage is all about performance under pressure, reconnecting teams, rethinking conference design, and celebrating the voices shaping the future of events.
November Highlights from Talent Bureau
1. Lessons From the Blue Jays: Leadership, Performance Under Pressure & Showing Up When It Counts
Canadians felt the heartbreak of the Jays’ playoff exit, but if you zoom out from the scoreboard, their season was a masterclass in teamwork and resilience. From stepping up in big moments to handling pressure with composure, the Jays remind us why audiences resonate so deeply with stories of grit, collaboration, and leadership. We broke down the themes planners can borrow for their own events—plus the speakers who bring these lessons to life.
Read the full breakdown: What we learned from the Toronto Blue Jays in the World Series
2. What Makes a Great Conference Today? Over 250 People Told Us.
This year we asked Canadian professionals a simple question: What makes a conference great? The responses were crystal clear—and surprisingly aligned.
Attendees want:
- impactful sessions
- shorter formats
- more opportunities to connect
- speakers who bring substance (not fluff)
- interactive, human-centered experiences
The full report breaks down the trends that will shape 2025 event programming and offers planners a clear playbook for designing experiences audiences actually want.
Explore the key insights: What Makes a Great Conference
This research is already influencing how planners shape their events for early 2026, from SKOs to AGMs to leadership retreats.
3. How to Bring Celebrity Speakers to Your Stage (Yes, It’s Possible)
One of the biggest misconceptions we hear from planners? “Big-name speakers probably won’t be available for us.”
Good news: that’s not true. We’re putting finishing touches on a new guide for event planners on how to bring celebrity speakers like Mel Robbins, Simon Sinek, Brené Brown, Gary Vaynerchuk, and Robin Sharma to your stage, including timelines, budgets, logistics, and smart alternatives when schedules don’t align.
This How to Book Celebrity Speakers guide sets you up with everything you need to make big-name talent a real option for your event.
4. Tod Maffin on Trust, Culture & ‘Relentless Decency’
We recently sat down with Tod Maffin for one of the most insightful interviews we’ve published this year. In a climate where division and fatigue are real challenges for workplaces, Tod’s message of Relentless Decency feels both timely and deeply needed.
He speaks candidly about:
- why outrage is rewarded
- how trust breaks down inside teams
- what real leadership looks like in 2025
- why decency is a competitive advantage
- the power of community-building moments like the Nanaimo Infusion
If you’re planning an event around trust, culture, or rebuilding connection, this conversation is a must-read.
Read the our interview with Tod Maffin on Relentless Decency.
5. Celebrating Excellence: Jennifer Botterill & Danièle Sauvageau
A major highlight this month: Jennifer Botterill and Danièle Sauvageau were inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. Both are trailblazers in Canadian sport, champions of leadership, performance under pressure, and setting a new standard for teamwork. Their induction is not just a personal milestone; it’s a moment of pride for the entire events community. Their ability to inspire audiences continues to make them two of the most impactful speakers in North America. We couldn’t be happier to celebrate them.
Looking Ahead: December on the Horizon
To help planners gear up for a massively important booking season, next month we’re focusing on two high-demand themes:
1. Top Speakers for Your 2026 Sales Kickoff: High-energy, actionable keynotes designed to motivate teams through change, competition, and ambitious targets.
2. The Best Corporate Entertainers for Conferences & Galas: Because sometimes your event needs a moment of joy, levity, and surprise.
As you finalize your 2026 calendar, we’ll bring you recommendations and insights to help you craft an unforgettable program.
Closing Thoughts
It’s been a year of growth, creativity, bold keynote programming, and meaningful conversations. As we head into the final month of 2025, we’re energized by what we’re seeing: planners thinking strategically, audiences asking for depth, and organizations returning to events with renewed purpose.
Thanks for being part of the Talent Bureau community and for continuing to bring the world’s most important conversations to your stages. If you’re planning for early 2026 and want personalized recommendations, our team is always here to help.