Speaking at ignite

Everyone has a story. What's yours?

Do you have a great idea or a fascinating story?

Ignite Seattle is a unique chance to share something important, funny, or wonderful. What are you passionate about? Have a story that changed your perspective somehow? Big or small, heart wrenching or humorous, we want to hear it. And we’ve got the best audience in Seattle.

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Submissions for Ignite Seattle #50 are due Jan 16, 2026. You don't need to have it all figured out yet—all you need is a title and a brief description.

Submit your talk

Why Speak at Ignite?

All ideas are considered.

Our events do not have a theme. We want every talk to be unique and personal.

One of our few rules is no pitching: we do not accept talks that promote a business or a person.

Get world class speaker coaching.

All accepted speakers receive professional, supportive group and one-on-one coaching.

You do not need to have public speaking experience to talk at Ignite. Our team is here to help you succeed!

Be part of a great community.

Our volunteer organizers and audience are the most supportive crowd you’ll experience in your life.

They will cheer you on for taking this risk and getting on stage.

Advice on Getting Accepted

Write a great title.

‍Show us you can be interesting, compelling, and grab our attention in just a few words. Ignite is about brevity: show us you’re good at keeping it short. Look at past talks for a sense of what we accept.

Think about different kinds of talks.

Our speakers share personal stories (a profound or interesting life experience you had), lessons (teach us something we should know), crazy projects (tell us about something you built or a journey you took), and the uncategorizable (we’ve had live weddings and music performances at past events).

Watch past talks.

The best way to get a sense of what we accept is to watch previous talks to get the feel.

Want more? Dig deeper with these insights from Ignite Seattle speaker coach Scott Berkun:
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The Best Speaking Tips from Ignite Seattle

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How We Coach our Speakers

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47 Lessons from Speaking at Ignite

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Why are Ignite Talks 5 Minutes?

Hear from our alumni

“For those of you who’ve ever dreamed of stepping onto that stage—of transforming nerves into triumph—Ignite Seattle offers a proving ground like no other.

My own journey with Ignite Seattle #47 was nothing short of transformative. From the nerve-wracking off-the-cuff pitches and speaker training session…to the electric energy of the Town Hall a month later, every moment was a masterclass in growth, resilience, and the art of brevity.”

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you choose speakers?
What happens after I submit?
What’s the commitment?
How many talks can I submit?
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Submit a Talk

Submissions open for Ignite Seattle 50 on October 9th.

Submit a talk