Reflections on Global Speaker Summit 2026 in Cairns and the power of human connection for Digital Experience.

Andy Jarvis
Mar 20
2 min read

Reflection

My heart is full as I reflect on the time here in Cairns. The Global Speaker Summit #GSS2026 has been an amazing experience and it was a joy to see so many professional speakers shine their light and share their stories. I am especially proud of Claire Boscq for her incredible success. She earned her certified speaking professional award and two awards from the virtual speakers association international for breakthrough speaker and dedicated service. Her dedication to her craft is inspiring and it was wonderful to celebrate her on the global stage.

Takeaway

This week has given me three main takeaways that I want to share. The most significant point for me was that every message was about humanity. Regardless of the subject matter the focus was on how we connect with each other and serve each other. We often talk about the machine or the technology but the true value lies in the human connection. This reinforces my belief that we must lead with soul even when we are building complex digital architecture.

I was proud to represent the virtual speakers association (VSAI) and our president Wendy Lee. My time as EMCEE for the Unique Speaker Bureau International was also a highlight. They are doing amazing things for the industry by creating true and lasting partnerships. This ensures that clients receive the best value from speakers world wide.

I was truly humbled by the story of Warren Macdonald. He continues to thrive and rebuilt his life after losing his legs in a climbing accident. His resilience is a powerful reminder of what the human spirit can achieve when faced with the unexpected, and his humour along the way was both powerful and humbling.

Thanks

I also want to give credit for a thought provoking and important session "The art and science of an educational session". The focus was on navigating the unexpected and unpredictable which we all have to do from time to time. This was a real life and valuable session from Ian Stephens, Steve Simpson, Leanne Faraday-Brash, Yamini Naidu, and Allan Parker.

To wrap it all up the amazing Paul Huschilt who closed the conference with a hilarious recap. He brought the audience to their feet in applause in only a way he can do.

Bringing better Digital Experience home

These experiences allow me to bring fresh energy and global knowledge back to my clients. By understanding how to navigate the unexpected and by focusing on human connection I can help partner organisations build better digital and human experiences. This conference has shown me that when we combine structure with heart we create something truly sensational. I am excited to bring this back to our business and to help you elevate your own experiences.

Thank you to everyone who made this week so special. We are already booked for the next #GSS2028 in Garmisch-Partenkirchen which was announced at this years conference.