StoryConnect 2026 is making waves, April 13-16, in Tacoma, Washington! With four days of inspiration, sea-worthy networking and a lineup of world-class speakers, this is an experience you don’t want to miss. The conference is so packed-to-the-gills with content that we’ve added a whole extra morning of content based on popular demand in attendee surveys.

But first, we’ve always wondered …

Why do dolphins make great speakers?
Because they always talk with porpoise.

We haven’t found talking dolphins—yet—but we’ve already booked four incredible storytellers for StoryConnect.

Joey Clift

Need help connecting with youth? Joey writes for some of the most popular kid shows out there, including Molly of Denali, Paw Patrol and Spirit Rangers. He joins us for a seaside chat on how to help younger audiences relate to your story.

An Emmy and Peabody-nominated TV writer, Joey brings humor and heart to his work and has a gift for storytelling that connects audiences across generations. A member of the Cowlitz tribe, Joey brings an important perspective to his writing, comedy and filmmaking including his new short film, Pow!, which we will screen at StoryConnect.

Goldie Chan

It’s hard to be bold when you’d rather curl up with a book, right? Goldie gets it. As an introvert herself, she’s found ways to maximize her impact without draining her social battery, and she’s sharing her secrets with us!

Dubbed the “Oprah of LinkedIn” by Huffington Post, Goldie is a global branding expert, author and an award-winning social media strategist. With nearly 400,000 followers and a debut book, Personal Branding for Introverts, hitting shelves this fall, Goldie knows how to help you make your brand shine, even if you’re not the loudest voice in the room. Many StoryConnect attendees will be provided with one of the new books and Goldie will be happy to sign them for anyone bold enough to ask.

Kathi Rennaker

Got a sweet tooth for great storytelling? Kathi sure does. As the marketing mind behind Almond ROCA, she keeps her century-old brand fresh, relevant and oh-so shareable. She’ll unwrap the secrets to blending tradition with modern marketing in ways that stick.

As director of marketing at Brown & Haley, Kathi leads brand storytelling and community engagement for one of the region’s most iconic companies. She’s passionate about connecting heritage with today’s audiences, making sure the beloved buttercrunch toffee continues to delight generations while strengthening community pride along the way.

We know what you’re thinking, and the answer is yes. She promised to bring candy.

Billy Weeks

Think your stories need a stronger focus? Billy spent his career capturing moments that speak louder than words. From the World Series to remote villages in Central America, his photographs remind us that powerful storytelling often happens between the lines.

An award-winning photojournalist and lecturer at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Billy’s work has appeared in Time Magazine’s Top 100 Photos of the Year, Communication Arts and galleries nationwide. Returning to StoryConnect for a third time as our extremely popular photo instructor, he’ll share how images can connect communities, inspire action and give your story the clarity it deserves.

What to Expect in Tacoma

Get ready to dive headfirst into four days of inspiration by the sea! Expect:

• Networking Adventures: Some people start conferences with a round of golf. At StoryConnect, we like to begin with fun, local experiences. On Monday we lined up four optional networking adventures: painting orcas, learning how to cook over a fire at a living history museum, raising a pint on a brewery tour or exploring Mount Rainier. Cost ranges from $45 to $275—mountain guides are not cheap, but you get bragging rights. You’ll all be back at the hotel in time for our welcome party Monday night!
• Story-Packed Sessions with an Extra Half Day: You asked, so we expanded StoryConnect! Ride two full waves of sessions Tuesday and Wednesday, with a bonus half day of learning on Thursday. Expect a mix of inspirational speakers, peer roundtables and hands-on creativity. Whether you’re fine-tuning your brand, diving into AI tools or swapping ideas with peers, you’ll head home with practical takeaways—and a few new dad jokes.
• Hands-On A.I. Workshop: If that’s still not enough time, sign up for our hands-on workshop Thursday afternoon, Generate A.I. Storytelling Strengths. We’ll build a custom GPT, explore agents and work together to refine your prompts and repurpose content to strengthen your story.