Some ideas begin with a conversation. Others begin with a personal challenge, a community need, or one individual deciding that something must change.
TALTalks gives those stories a stage.
TALTalks 2026 will take place on October 29, 2026, at the Qualcomm Institute, UC San Diego. Built around the theme “Igniting the Social Change,” the conference brings together changemakers whose experiences can encourage communities to think differently, take action, and create meaningful impact.
More Than a Conference
TALTalks is a platform for authentic stories of service, leadership, resilience, innovation, and community transformation.
Speakers do more than present an idea. They share the experiences behind their work—the problem they witnessed, the action they took, the challenges they faced, and the lives affected by their efforts.
Past TALTalks conversations have explored areas such as:
- Social impact and community development
- Education and youth empowerment
- Healthcare access and well-being
- Environmental sustainability
- Mentorship and leadership
- Disability inclusion
- Food security
- Mental health
- Nonprofit collaboration
- Corporate social responsibility
The result is an event where practical experience meets inspiration.
Why Attend TALTalks 2026?
TALTalks is designed for people who want to learn from real-world changemakers and discover how ideas become action.
As an attendee, you can hear directly from nonprofit leaders, community advocates, researchers, social entrepreneurs, youth leaders, and professionals working on some of society’s most important challenges.
You will also have opportunities to:
- Discover impactful community initiatives
- Meet nonprofit and social-impact leaders
- Learn from successful programs and lived experiences
- Explore volunteering and partnership opportunities
- Connect with people who share your commitment to change
- Find inspiration for your own community project
Whether you represent a nonprofit, company, university, government organization, foundation, or local community, TALTalks can help you build meaningful connections.
Do You Have a Story Worth Sharing?
TALTalks 2026 is inviting changemakers, nonprofit leaders, CSR professionals, researchers, community champions, youth leaders, and social entrepreneurs to apply to speak.
The ideal TALTalks presentation is not simply a corporate introduction. It is a focused and authentic story that helps the audience understand:
- What challenge did you identify?
- Why did you decide to act?
- What solution did you develop?
- What obstacles did you overcome?
- What impact have you created?
- What can others learn from your journey?
The official speaker invitation encourages people with social-impact stories to inspire others, share their journeys, and drive action.
You do not need to be a celebrity or professional keynote speaker. A sincere story supported by meaningful experience can be more powerful than a highly polished presentation.
Who Should Apply to Speak?
TALTalks welcomes voices from many areas of social impact, including:
- Founders of nonprofit organizations
- Community organizers and volunteers
- Educators and youth mentors
- Healthcare and mental-health advocates
- Environmental leaders
- Social entrepreneurs
- CSR and sustainability professionals
- Researchers working on community challenges
- Students leading meaningful initiatives
- Individuals with powerful stories of resilience
Your story may give another person the courage to begin.
Be Part of the TALTalks Community
Social change grows when people share knowledge, build partnerships, and learn from one another.
TALTalks 2026 offers a space where inspiring stories can reach new audiences and where individuals with a shared purpose can connect. Seats are limited, and registration is required for attendance.
Event: TALTalks 2026 – San Diego
Date: October 29, 2026
Venue: Qualcomm Institute, UC San Diego
Register to attend and experience stories that can change the way you see your community.
Apply to speak and use your voice to inspire the next person to act.
