WENATCHEE, Wash. - s4story -- INSPIRE Northwest™ returns to the Performing Arts Center on Thursday, October 8, bringing a national-caliber stage to North Central Washington. Headlined by Mark Bowden, one of the world's leading body language and communication experts, the second annual conference gathers marketers, communicators, sales leaders, executives, entrepreneurs, educators, and students for an afternoon of practical learning and real connection.

Each session engages attendees, challenges their thinking, and delivers at least one immediately actionable idea, along with new connections and momentum.

Keynote:

Mark Bowden, founder of TRUTHPLANE®, has built an international reputation coaching political leaders, executives, and public figures on the nonverbal signals that shape trust, credibility, and influence. His keynote gives attendees practical techniques for commanding a room, leading a meeting, or holding their own in a negotiation. Whether you're pitching a client or investor, presenting to a board, or standing in front of a classroom, the takeaways apply the next morning.

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Featured Sessions

Nancy Tedeschi of Pickleball Bella brings an energetic, entrepreneurial take on brand-building and community engagement, drawn from growing her company into a recognized name in one of the fastest-growing sports in the country.

Apurva Luty of Optimly cuts through the hype around artificial intelligence and turns it into practical marketing strategy, showing how AI is changing the way brands reach and understand their audiences, and what professionals can do about it now.

The panel "Three Lenses, One Story" brings together Jeff Ostenson, Joey Seeman, and Kelsey Kurtis to explore how different creative disciplines come together to tell a single, compelling video story. The session is designed for marketers, educators, and business owners looking to sharpen their own storytelling.

Built for Connection

Beyond the main stage, INSPIRE Northwest features a Business-to-Business vendor area open from noon to 1:30 p.m. and a closing networking social that puts attendees in the same room with leaders from across industries, from corner offices to classrooms.

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Community Partners

INSPIRE Northwest is made possible by Co-Title Presenter Swire Coca-Cola, and TRUTHPLANE, Networking Sponsor Convergence Networks, Session Presenters iPro Building Services and SkillSource, and regional partners including NCW Tech Alliance, Wenatchee World, Native Network, Pool to Spa, Chelan-Douglas Regional Port Authority, Washington Trust Bank, Nancy's Party Rental, Cancer Support Community Central Washington, and Terminal Media. The event is guided by a North Central Washington leadership team.

Tickets

All-day passes are $75 plus tax; student tickets are $20 plus tax. Tickets and full event details are available at https://www.inspire-nw.net/

High-resolution speaker photos, logos, and interviews available upon request.