In-Person Experience

Creative Lab In-Person Speaking Retreat

An immersive, multi-day speaking retreat led by TED Coach Cathey Armillas and Global Speaking Champion Marc Williams. Not a conference. Not a lecture. A lab where you practice, play, and transform.
Portland Creative Lab April 10-12 2026 Speaker Skills Academy in-person retreat with TED CoachPortland community photos

What's on the Agenda

Thursday Night: Arrive in PDX. Happy hour meetup TBD and dinner at Coach Cathey's home along with a Speaker Skills Academy storytelling exercise to kick things off.

Friday: TEDx PDX

Saturday: Speaker Skills Academy Skills Drills session: Dynamic Delivery. Afternoon Storytelling Adventure in the gorgeous Gorge! This creative workshop in nature with reflection walks and live coaching is one you don't want to miss. Speakers reflection and farewell dinner. Creative debrief, key takeaways, and action steps for your speaking journey ahead.

All event tickets included in your weekend registration. Food and beverages paid for by participants.

Spring
Portland, OR
TEDx Portland partnership • Columbia River Gorge storytelling hike • Brunch at Mother’s • Creative Lab workshops
Fall
New York City
3 days in NYC • Skills Drills sessions • NYC Pizza Crawl • Untermyer Gardens coaching • Farewell dinner
Past Creative Lab Experiences
Team Building
Brooklyn Bridge Walk
NYC Pizza Crawl
Moth StorySLAM
Columbia Gorge Hike
Storytelling Adventure
The Experience

What Is Creative Lab? The Immersive Speaking Retreat Experience

Creative Lab is Speaker Skills Academy’s signature bi-annual retreat. Over 3 action-packed days, you’ll practice speaking drills in real-world settings, receive live coaching from world-class coaches, and build deep connections with a community of speakers dedicated to growth.

This isn’t a sit-and-listen event. You’ll be moving, practicing, and building the kind of presence that makes you unforgettable. Each retreat blends expert coaching with immersive, creative experiences unique to the host city.

  • Live coaching from TED Coach Cathey Armillas & Global Speaking Champion Marc Williams
  • Hands-on Skills Drills™ in real-world environments
  • City-specific adventures that double as storytelling workshops
  • Community meals, reflection walks, and creative debriefs
  • 30-day online community access included with your ticket

NYC 2025 Highlights

Thursday Night: Arrive in NYC. Happy hour meetup in Times Square. Appetizers, intros, and a Speaker Skills Academy storytelling exercise to kick things off. Then head to the Moth MainStage at Peter Jay Sharp Theatre for a live storytelling performance.

Friday: Breakfast at Junior’s in Brooklyn. Storytelling stroll across the Brooklyn Bridge - speakers pair up to share short personal tales. The walk is a metaphorical and literal crossing. Lunch: NYC Pizza Crawl. Evening: Dinner at Friedman’s followed by a live performance at Upright Citizens Brigade.

Saturday: Speaker Skills Academy Skills Drills session: Dynamic Delivery. Afternoon at Untermyer Gardens - a creative workshop in nature with reflection walks and live coaching. Speakers reflection and farewell dinner. Creative debrief, key takeaways, and action steps for your speaking journey ahead.

All event tickets included in your weekend registration. Food and beverages paid for by participants.

Is This For You?

Creative Lab is For You If…

  • You want to practice speaking in a supportive, non-judgmental environment
  • You’re an aspiring TED/TEDx speaker ready to take it to the next level
  • You’re a professional who wants to communicate with more clarity and confidence
  • You believe that everyone can be great at speaking with the right practice
  • You want an experience, not just an event

Platinum members get first access to Creative Lab tickets. Space is limited and retreats sell out. Don’t wait.

Your Voice Deserves This Immersive Speaking Experience

Join us at the next Creative Lab and experience the transformation that only happens when practice meets community.