TenTalks at the 2026 SOAR Summit
Local Voices. Bold Ideas. Real Solutions for Eastern Kentucky.
Take the stage October 7-9, 2026, in Corbin, Kentucky, and share an idea, lesson, or story that could spark change across the region.
Two Slides. Your Passion.
A Message That Matters.
TenTalk is a fast-paced storytelling experience at the 2026 SOAR Summit, presented by Appalachian Wireless and the Appalachian Regional Commission, designed to spotlight the people, projects, and ideas shaping the future of Eastern Kentucky.
At its core, TenTalk is about local voices sharing local solutions.
Across the region, communities are navigating real challenges, from workforce and infrastructure needs to health, education, entrepreneurship, tourism, and economic transition. But alongside those challenges, Eastern Kentuckians are building, leading, testing new ideas, and finding ways forward.
TenTalks creates a platform for those ideas to be shared.
What Is TenTalk?
TenTalk is a short-form presentation series built around a simple format:
Two slides. Your passion. A message that matters.
Selected participants will deliver concise, high-impact talks that share an idea, story, project, lesson, or solution connected to the future of Eastern Kentucky.
This is not about polished perfection or professional speaking experience.
It is about authenticity, purpose, and practical insight.
Topic Areas
Topics can range far and wide, but each TenTalk should connect to issues and opportunities relevant to Eastern Kentucky.
Suggested topic areas include:
Who should apply?
TenTalk is open to individuals who:
- Live in Eastern Kentucky
- Have an idea, story, project, or lesson connected to the future of the region
- Want to share something that could inspire, equip, or connect others
- Are willing to present in a concise, fast-paced format
You do not need prior speaking experience to apply.
What We’re Looking For
We are looking for ideas that are rooted in Eastern Kentucky and connected to real regional opportunity.
Strong submissions may include:
- A community success story
- A practical “how-to” or lesson learned
- A project or initiative that others could replicate
- A bold idea for the future of the region
- A challenge your community is addressing in a creative way
- A story that could spark collaboration across county lines
Your idea does not have to be fully developed. It simply needs to matter.