12:00 – 12:15pm WELCOME

Welcome to PANAcon!

12:15 – 12:40pm KEYNOTE

Hillary Huber

Legendary Audiobook Narrator Hillary Huber will deliver the keynote speech at PANAcon 2026. An award-winning narrator, VO actor and audiobook coach, Hillary was recently named a Golden Voice by AudioFile magazine and was inducted as an inaugural member of the APA Hall of Fame as well as the Audible Hall of Fame. Hillary has narrated over 800 audiobooks spanning a wide range of genres.

12:40 – 1:40pm PANEL – Sponsored by Whole Story Studios

Finding Your Unique Voice Online – Creating Authenticity with Your Social Media Brand

Panelists: Laura Horowitz, Kelsey Navarro Foster, & Celia Siegel
Moderated by Amanda Stribling
We often hear that in order to market ourselves online we need to know our Brand and that visibility is often more work than the narration itself. When does your work become “content” and your talent, a “commodity” focused on gaining views? These experts on social media and branding will cover ways to stay authentic even as you extend your reach.

1:45 – 2:30pm BREAKOUT SESSIONS – Sponsored by Backstage

BREAKOUT 1

Just Show Up: Social Media Basics for Narrators Who’d Rather Be in the Booth

Speaker: Kelsey Navarro Foster
Social media doesn’t have to take over your life in order to further your career. This session is for active audiobook narrators worried that creating content means sacrificing time in the booth. We’ll cover the do’s and don’ts of social media, what an active presence actually looks like, which platforms work best for what, and how to find content without starting from scratch. You’ll leave with a doable action plan to keep you present and professional online, without the draining commitment of a full-time content creator.

BREAKOUT 2

Giving Your Website Casting Appeal

Speaker: Andrea Emmes
Your website is a key part of your professional branding. When Casting Directors, Publishers, and Authors visit your site, what are they hoping to find? Award-winning narrator and web designer Andrea Emmes shares practical insights on presenting the information decision-makers need—and creating a website with true Casting Appeal.

2:35 – 3:35pm BREAKOUT SESSIONS – Sponsored by Backstage

BREAKOUT 3

Your Pseudonym and You: Building an Online Presence While Remaining Faceless

Speaker: Dominique Franceschi
Looking for tools to establish your pseudonym in the industry without having to reveal your true identity to the public? Where do you even start “your” branding when you want to remove the “you” out of the equation (and can you really brand just an “r”)? How can creating this new persona be exciting (and not draining), safe and still feel real and grounded? In “Branding Your Pseudonym” get clear strategies to build a presence, be findable, and connect with your community, all while staying faceless!

BREAKOUT 4

What’s Your Vibe? A Deep Dive Into Making Your Brand Work For You.

Speaker: Celia Siegel
Your brand tells your story before you ever hit “play.” But is it actually reflecting who you are? Branding expert Celia Siegel breaks down what makes narrator branding effective, memorable, and authentic. She’ll share actionable insights to help you clarify your message and present yourself with confidence.

BREAK

4:05 – 5:05pm PANEL – Sponsored by Whole Story Studios

Thriving in a Shifting Industry for Seasoned Narrators

Panelists: Lisa Cahn, Amy Rubinate, Tavia Gilbert
Moderated by: André Santana
Publishing has always been a dynamic business but never more so than today. Some of our most experienced experts discuss how to survive and thrive through the industry’s dramatic changes.

5:10 – 6:00pm BREAKOUT SESSIONS – Sponsored by Backstage

BREAKOUT 5

Smart Approaches to Narrating Non-Fiction: Subgenre Matters

Panelists: Jesse Bickford, Carly Katz, Sean Pratt
Moderated by David Swerdloff
What does it mean to narrate Non-fiction? Mastering the huge variety of subgenres in non-fiction requires a different level of understanding and flexibility. Explore the universe of non-fiction with our panel of experts and discover how to adjust narration techniques to suit.

BREAKOUT 6

The Business of Audiobooks: Pushing the Boundaries Between Narration and Publishing

Panelists: Ruthie Bowles, Daniel Henning, Paige Reisenfeld
Moderated by Jennifer Pickens
Whether creating LLCs to manage royalties, buying rights to books they wanted to narrate, or even becoming verified publishers themselves, this panel of narrators have all taken their entrepreneurial businesses to the next level in different ways. Come learn about their motivations, challenges, and rewards they’ve discovered pursuing multifaceted careers.

6:00 – 6:50pm BREAKOUT SESSIONS – Sponsored by Backstage

BREAKOUT 7

FICTION Workout – Keeping Your Performance Uniquely Human

Speaker: Paul Alan Ruben
Two lottery-selected narrators will work through fiction samples with legendary coach Paul Alan Ruben to dig into what “authentic” sounds like.

BREAKOUT 8

NON-FICTION Workout – Authenticity and Humanity in Non-Fiction

Speaker: Ron Butler
Even the most structured non-fiction holds a story—if you know how to find it. This session explores how to bring clarity, connection, and your authentic voice to non-fiction text. Two narrators will be chosen by lottery.

6:00 – 6:50pm STATE OF PANA

Speakers: André Santana and AhDream Smith.