The Engaging Retreat 2026
About this Event
When was the last time you left a professional event more energized than when you arrived?
Not just inspired.
Not just informed.
Energized.
The kind of energy that makes ideas fly, conversations spark, and possibilities suddenly feel within reach.
That’s CHENERGY.
And from October 20–22, 2026, you’re invited to experience it firsthand at The Engaging Retreat.
Hosted by engagement expert John Chen, CSP, this immersive, three-day experience brings together speakers, facilitators, meeting planners, trainers, emcees, entrepreneurs, and event professionals who believe audiences deserve more than another slide deck and a polite round of applause.
Here, you won’t just hear about engagement.
You’ll experience what happens when creativity meets participation.
When strangers become collaborators.
When fresh perspectives turn familiar problems into unexpected possibilities.
When a room stops acting like an audience—and starts acting like a community.
Expect meaningful connections, creative breakthroughs, practical ideas, and the contagious momentum that comes from being surrounded by people who care as deeply about engagement as you do.
Whether you lead from the stage, behind the scenes, on-screen, or across a conference table, you’ll discover new ways to create experiences people remember—and put them to work long after the retreat ends.
Because real engagement isn’t about having more energy than everyone else.
It’s about knowing how to create energy with everyone else.
That’s the magic.
That’s the momentum.
That’s CHENERGY.
Your next audience deserves it.
Your next event demands it.
And honestly?
You could probably use some, too.
Join us October 20–22, 2026, for three days designed to recharge your creativity, strengthen your connections, and transform how you bring people together.
Don’t just attend. Plug into the CHENERGY. Register for The Engaging Retreat 2026.
What do you get with an IN-PERSON ticket?
- Over 15 top speakers on engagement
- 5-Minutes on stage with 4-camera footage
- 3 Meals a day including alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages
- Expert speaker coaching and hotseats
- Exclusive networking
Speakers Include (CPAE means National Speakers Association Hall of Fame speaker 1 of 275, CSP means Certified Speaking Professional 1 of 700)
- Brian Walter, CSP, CPAE, Cavett
- Tim Gard, CSP, CPAE
- Marilyn Sherman, CSP, CPAE
- Alvin Law, CSP, Hall of Fame from the Canadian Association of Professional Speakers
- Jim Spellos, Meetings Professional International Legend
- Elizabeth McCormick, CSP and 1 of the first 100 women Blackhawk Pilots
- Scott Cooksey, CSP
- Jim Harris, AI Disruption and Innovation
- Jacques Martiquet, creator of JoyCamp
- Adam Bacher, NSA Oregon Photographer
- Bruce Hill
- Ivy Meadors, Past President NSA Northwest
- Luam Wersom, champion of Food Dignity, owner of Mojitos
- Dr. Robin Nussbaum, creator of Sexual Liberation
- Bruce Hill
- Ming-Ming Tung Edelson
- and me John Chen, CSP, #1 Amazon Author of Engaging Virtual Meetings and your host
The first 50 IN-PERSON attendees get a 5-minute 4-camera fully edited video of themselves speaking!
Engage, empower, and evolve together. Your unique story is our collective strength.
🌍♿️🏳️🌈Note: Accessible formats & captioning are readily available.
Attend virtually!
Attend in-person!
Attend what a PhD called, "The Best HYBRID E.V.E.R!"
Click "FOLLOW" for speaker announcements and agenda updates! See speaker videos below.
Tuesday 10/20/2026 - The 6th Anniversary of Publishing the #1 Amazon "Engaging Virtual Meetings"
7:30 am Doors Open, hosted by Virtual Emcee JO Welch
8:00 am The Engaging Conference Opening Ceremony hosted by John Chen, CSP
8:50 am Fast Interaction with Brian Walter, CSP, CPAE, Cavett
9:40 am Break
10:20 am The Art and Science of JoyCamp - Jacques Mariquet
11:10 am From Basics to Brilliance: Generative AI - Jim Spellos
12:00 pm Lunch
1:00 pm Front-Row Success - Marilyn Sherman, CSP, CPAE
1:50 pm Step Into Your Greatness(tm) - Alvin Law, CSP, HoF
2:40 pm Break
3:20 pm Hotseats (Audience speaks, Speakers coach)
4:10 pm - The Engaging Debrief by John Chen, CSP
5:00 pm Dinner/Networking, end of virtual (In-Person Only)
7:00 pm Optional Evening Activity (In-Person Only)
Wednesday 10/21/2026
7:30 am Doors Open, hosted by Virtual Emcee JO Welch
8:00 am 6 Ways For More Engaging Hybrid Keynotes by John Chen, CSP
8:50 am Elizabeth McCormick, CSP
9:40 am Break
10:20 am The LEADOUT Advantage - Scott Cooksey, CSP
11:10 am Disruptive AI - Jim Harris
12:00 pm Lunch
1:00 pm Stitch. Care. Rise - Ming-Ming Tung Edelson
1:25 pm TBD
1:50 pm The SPARK Method - Devon Montgomery-Pasha
2:40 pm Break
3:20 pm Hotseats (Audience speaks, Speakers coach)
4:10pm - The Engaging Debrief by John Chen, CSP
5:00 pm Dinner/Networking, end of virtual (In-Peson Only)
7:00 pm Optional Evening Activity (In-Person Only)
Thursday 10/22/2026
7:30am Doors Open, hosted by Virtual Emcee JO Welch
8:00am The Hybrid Advantage with John Chen, CSP
TBD
3:20pm - Super Engaging Panel moderated by John Chen, CSP
4:10pm The Engaging Retreat Closing Ceremony with John Chen, CSP
5:00 pm End of Virtual, Dinner/Networking (In-Person Only)
7:00 pm Celebration (In-Person Only)
In-Person Hotel Suggestions
McMenamins Anderson School
18607 Bothell Way NE, Bothell, WA 98011
To book by phone -
Call 425-398-0122
To book online -
Visit https://reserve.mcmenamins.com/mcmenamins/availability.asp
Comfort Inn & Suites Bothell - Seattle North
1414 228th St SE, Bothell, WA 98021
(425) 402-0900
Your Speakers:
John Chen, CSP
He’s the author of the #1 Amazon Hot New Book Release, Engaging Virtual Meetings. He’s been meeting virtually for over 38 years. He has produced over 4,000 virtual meetings including an EIGHT language meeting and the only 100% LIVE virtual conference in the training industry. He’s 1 of only 400 Certified Speaking Professionals designated by the National Speakers Association. Let’s WELCOME your speaker, John Chen, CSP!
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
USD 0.00 to USD 2129.59
