Preparation
Speaker Setup
Conference speakers prepare their presentation areas before guests arrive.
Saturday • October 17, 2026 • Bloomington, Minnesota
A Celebration
of Hope
Join authors, speakers, families, and literary honorees for a meaningful day of connection, inspiration, red-carpet memories, and the PIHBA Awards Presentation.
Your Gala destination
Wyndham Bloomington
Mall of America Hotel
Saturday morning conference & author network session
Connection begins
at 9:00 AM.
Coffee, tea, drinks, and finger snacks will be available throughout the morning gathering.
Author Network Session
Meet, Connect & Share
Author meet and greet, networking, book sales and exchanges, book signings, and meaningful new connections.
The Conference Begins
PIHBA Morning Conference
Welcome messages, inspiring presentations, new PIHBA announcements, and conversations created to strengthen authors and stories of hope.
Morning Closing
Closing & Group Photo
The conference concludes with Juanél Volk-Specht’s closing message and a commemorative group photograph.
The Saturday morning stage
Conference
Speakers & Program
A purposeful lineup of authors, leaders, visionaries, and advocates sharing messages that educate, encourage, and inspire.
Master of Ceremonies
Juanél Volk-Specht
“Opening and Welcome Message”
Juanél earned her diploma in Business, Marketing, and Accounting in December 2023. The oldest daughter of PIHBA founder Johanna Vendel, she brings business knowledge, creativity, and a love of singing and art to her role as Master of Ceremonies.
CEO & Founder of PIHBA
Johanna Vendel
“Welcome Message”
Johanna is an award-winning author, inspirational speaker, editor, screenplay writer, podcast host, and the founder of PIHBA and Voices of Hope Magazine. Her faith-led mission transforms lived pain into purpose while creating opportunities for authors worldwide.
Conference Speaker
Pastor Jim Halstead
“The Great Commission — Matthew 28:18–20”
Pastor Jim Halstead is a faith-centered author and ministry leader whose work encourages Christians to live out the Great Commission. Through his book Go and Tell, he inspires believers to share their faith with courage, compassion, and purpose.
Conference Speaker
Dr. Alexandra Elinsky
“Radical Healing: Your Wounds Are Not Someone Else’s Sentence”
Dr. Alexandra Elinsky is an award-winning author, speaker, and advocate for radical healing and personal transformation. Her message encourages people to heal responsibly, break harmful cycles, and ensure their wounds do not become someone else’s burden.
Conference Speaker
Dr. Jerry L. Woodbridge
“At the Intersection of Hard Topics and Hope: Children’s Fiction That Matters”
Dr. Jerry L. Woodbridge is an author and thoughtful advocate for children’s stories that approach difficult subjects with compassion and hope. His work demonstrates how meaningful fiction can help young readers understand hardship without losing sight of healing.
PIHBA Presentation
Juanél Volk-Specht
“Introducing New Things Coming to PIHBA”
With a diploma in Business, Marketing, and Accounting, Juanél brings a fresh generation’s perspective to PIHBA. As Johanna Vendel’s oldest daughter, she will introduce new developments created to strengthen the organization and its growing author community.
Conference Speaker
Gary McDougall
“Anatomy of a Speaker Reel”
Gary McDougall is an award-winning author, survivor, engineer, speaker, mentor, and faith-driven leader. His extraordinary journey from survival to significance equips him to show authors how a compelling speaker reel can communicate credibility, purpose, and impact.
Conference Speaker
Chantelle Rogers
“Free Yourself From F#ckery: Heal What’s Holding You Back”
Chantelle Rogers is an author and empowering speaker whose direct, courageous message invites people to confront what keeps them stuck. She speaks about honest healing, personal freedom, and reclaiming the strength to move forward.
Conference Speaker
Analee Vizcarra Vinyard
“Yes, It’s True! Your Story Can Be Someone’s Hope”
Analee Vizcarra Vinyard is an award-winning author whose writing preserves faith, family, love, and legacy. Through stories shaped by lived experience, she reminds audiences that sharing one’s journey can become a source of comfort and hope for someone else.
Conference Speaker
William A. Stephens
“Purpose and Direction”
William A. Stephens is an award-winning author, veteran, speaker, mental-health advocate, and voice for the voiceless. Through his writing and Story Tyme with Stevo platform, he encourages honest conversation and helps others rediscover hope, purpose, and direction.
Conference Speaker
Johanna Vendel
“Leadership”
Johanna Vendel leads from lived experience, faith, compassion, and a deep commitment to serving others. As CEO and founder of PIHBA, she has built an international community that recognizes authors not only for literary excellence, but for the hope their words bring to the world.
Film Director
Raymond Edwards
“Story, Film, and Creative Direction”
Raymond Edwards brings experience in screenwriting, adaptation, visual development, filmmaking, and cinematic presentation. His creative perspective helps authors understand how a powerful written story may begin its journey from the page toward the screen.
Master of Ceremonies
Juanél Volk-Specht
“Closing Message”
Juanél Volk-Specht will bring the morning conference to a close and guide guests toward the commemorative group photograph, completing a program centered on connection, creativity, professional growth, and hope.
Saturday evening • Gala Awards Celebration
The red carpet
awaits.
Bring your partner or family onto the red carpet for a photograph together. They are part of your journey and are joining you to celebrate and support you.
Priority Arrival
Executive & VIP Entrance
Prestigious Executive Gala Experience, Executive, and VIP guests arrive for red-carpet interviews and photo opportunities.
General Arrival
Doors Open
General-entry guests arrive and Juanél Volk-Specht welcomes everyone to the celebration.
Dinner
Buffet & Opening Prayer
Pastor Jim Halstead opens the evening with prayer before the buffet dinner begins.
The Main Celebration
Awards Presentation
The PIHBA Awards Presentation begins, honoring remarkable authors and announcing the Author of the Year recognitions.
Choose your Gala experience
Find the package
created for you.
Select one or more packages, review everything in your PIHBA cart, and complete one secure Stripe payment without visiting Webador.
01
The Complete Gala Experience
General Gala Entry 2026
$595
Perfect for first-time attendees who want to experience the Awards in person.
- Admission to the Gala Dinner
- Digital event photographs
- Listing in the official event program
- Morning networking conference access
- Red-carpet photographs at the event backdrop
- Digital Attending Author social announcement
- Automatic entry into Author of the Year 2026
- Crystal Glass Open-Book Trophy included
02
Celebrate Together
General Gala Entry — Plus One
$500
For the partner, family member, or supporter joining a winning author for this meaningful celebration.
- Gala Dinner admission at the same entry time as the winning partner
- Morning networking conference access
- Red-carpet photographs together at the event backdrop
03
Elevated Visibility & Comfort
VIP Experience Entry 2026
$1,200
A premium experience with priority access, recognition, and meaningful media opportunities.
- All General Entry benefits
- Priority seating and highlighted program listing
- VIP early ballroom entry and lounge access
- Four professional priority red-carpet photographs
- 15–30 second red-carpet mini-interview clip
- Give Me Hope with Johanna podcast opportunity by Zoom
- Complimentary glass of champagne
- Crystal Glass Open-Book Trophy included
- Automatic entry into Author of the Year 2026
04
Professional Brand Visibility
Executive Experience Gala Entry 2026
For authors and professionals seeking a highly visible, media-rich Gala experience.
- All VIP benefits
- Premium seating in the first few rows
- Two-minute pre-show red-carpet video spotlight
- Book display at the Gala
- One-on-one interview with Johanna on Friday, October 16
- Featured PIHBA social-media placement
- Six dedicated red-carpet photographs with your book
- Early access to post-event media
- PIHBA Executive Honoree Spotlight website feature
- 60-second acceptance speech
- Give Me Hope with Johanna podcast opportunity
- Automatic entry into Author of the Year 2026
05
The Highest Honor Package
Prestigious Executive Experience Gala Entry 2026
The most prestigious experience, created for unmatched visibility, recognition, and lasting professional assets.
- All Executive benefits
- Professional photo shoot one day before the event
- 20-minute one-on-one interview with Johanna on Friday, October 16
- Morning conference promotional table for books and QR-code sales
- Personalized PIHBA and book banner to keep
- Two-to-three-minute custom red-carpet video interview
- Reserved Platinum Row premium table
- 15-minute motivational speaking opportunity at the morning conference
- On-stage acknowledgment and 90-second acceptance speech
- Three-post social-media campaign
- Platinum Excellence Recipient website feature
- A special Gala-day gift
- Dedicated PIHBA Author Directory page
- Two-page Voices of Hope Magazine feature after the Gala
- Automatic entry into Author of the Year 2026
Your celebration begins here
One secure cart.
One unforgettable experience.
Honoring stories of hope worldwide