Arriving on Tuesday, July 25, ahead of my first Learning Journey the next day, was a good move. Settling into the room early helped navigate jet lag. It was through incredible luck that a Vancouver local was able to provide terrific accommodations via Avril Orloff, conference volunteer extraordinaire. There I was, situated close to Granville, and ready to rock.

My conference experience was already off to a great start due to the helpful and exuberant Anna Alexander, AIN Administrator, who tirelessly answered all questions, and ensured everything was smooth sailing. Plus, choosing to start the conference with Jeanne Lambin’s The Quest – Improvisation for Transformation was an inspired choice, because Jeanne is truly, well, inspiring. She spent the morning guiding us – at The Improv Centre theater – so our minds and bodies could recalibrate to an “improvisational mindset” where we immersed ourselves in connection. In the afternoon, we went off on individual “Quests”, complete with directions on how to hold space for our adventure, and open to improv delights. This soulful start set the tone for a beautiful AIN Conference adventure.

On Thursday, I spent the day in the amazing Patrick Short’s, AI for Performers and Non-Performers Learning Journey. This event was a total hands-on, dig into the exercises kinda day. Totally worthwhile, and infused with real-world AI techniques, with a particular focus on business. Right up my alley. He even let us sit in on a live discovery call with a client, and he later booked the business too.

"All the sessions had the power to transform me."

As I integrated my conference odyssey so far, on Thursday evening, David Diamond blew my mind with his provocative, Building Bridges Through Improvisation human art show. An interactive, captivating, fascinating, riveting event. 

First thing on Friday morning, there was a wonderful Warm-up with Improv event led by Matt Weinstein and Carol Ann Fried, with the lovely nickname, “Pookie,” to help everyone connect and get into the spirit. Did we ever. My only wish was that I could have attended every AIN session. I chose Kat Koppett’s session Our Value Proposition in Action: Focusing the “Why” in Appl“Y”, which was a thought-provoking and informative time. Like all the sessions, Kat was totally experiential and invited everyone to form small groups, and to create an AI pitch to a fictional customer. This type of hands-on design action is crucial. Some groups were invited to present on stage, and Kat provided great tips on how to focus on customer goals and outcomes.

Let’s stop here for a moment and talk about the conference volunteer team, led by the indomitable Kirsten Anderson. Everything about this conference – from the registration, conference topics, locations, food, swag – even the weather was spot on, and high-vibe, like a beautiful improv scene that leaves one joyous, and forever changed. That’s how I felt about the entire AIN conference journey – beautifully altered and shaped anew.

All the sessions had the power to transform me. From the inspired, AI for Difficult Conversations about Social Challenges held by the fantastic team of Lisa Yeager, Bobbie Brown, and Karen Strong, to the absolutely phenomenal Q&A (wonderfully hosted by Nancy Watt) and TWO-SET IMPROV SHOW by Colin Mochrie (my jaw was on the floor). It was incredible to witness Colin’s talent, generosity, and spirit through every moment. (I even got a treasured selfie with Colin which is a forever keepsake).

In the afternoon on Friday, my co-presenter, Steve Gravenkemper and I presented our own session, Applied Improvisation: Creating a client-centered framework for achieving organizational objectives. There were about fifteen people in the room, all passionate and providing terrific input through true caring conversations. The workshop exceeded our expectations. We left with feedback forms from everyone – all offering great ideas – and an opportunity to continue the conversation later.

I do think this is one of the strongest benefits of the AIN Conference: all the people that you meet, all the opportunities to share information, and to continue the collaboration and discussions, leading to a deeper understanding and connection around what AI can be around the world. This is the heartbeat of it all.

On Saturday, the deep sharing continued when I attended John Windmueller’s Connecting Applied Improv and Conflict Resolution: Theory and Practice session. Wow! One of John’s goals is to leave everyone in the room with AI tidbits, exercises, and practices that they can “steal” from him. Total generosity. Did I leave with any tips? A ton! Frankly, every session left me with an abundance of solid, adaptable ideas. It’s because everyone does things a little differently. 

We can all benefit from this sharing teamwork. The world benefits too. When fellow AIN leaders like Jessica Breitenfeld, Melissa Dinwiddie, and Kat Koppett shared their uniquely different approaches to building their businesses, I was further inspired to do the same.

More tips were found at Expanding Your AI Business with Strategic Collaborations, in the room with Ellen Feldman Ornato, Jenny Drescher, and Nancy Watt. Learning about how these folks are adding client outcome surveys, through online apps and tools, added another dimension. This idea of “integrating platforms and assessments to enhance offerings” offers another layer and set of tools. So helpful!

I finished my day with a couple of hours of incredible Silent Disco starting at 9:00 pm. A great way to move the body, musically connect and dance the night away...enjoying the smiling company of people like Erica Marx, Ed Reggi, Gary Ware and Jan Keck...all grooving to shared tunes on our magical headsets.

Did I mention the bunnies?

You know, all the little things add up to a great experience wherever you are. For me, it was at the Granville Island market mornings around 8:00 am, grabbing a toasted pumpernickel bagel, loaded with fresh veggies and cream cheese, then sitting by the water for some quiet alone time.

Or, hanging out on the lawn by the Granville Island Hotel, with those enchanting bunnies – the ever-present providers of deep reflection and in-the-momentness.

All these little moments that we find in new places, all the shared meals, acknowledgements as we walk past one another, new people and conversations that we discover in the workshops – all the trust-building.

"It seems like I made two hundred new friends from all over the world."

On Sunday afternoon, David Westerlund led an Integrating Your Experience session that invited us to get vulnerable and imagine ourselves living our dreams through reflection and communication. A delightful conference finale!

It seems like I made two hundred new friends from all over the world. Now, I feel connected to a wonderful and generous ensemble. I’ll be contacting you. Or please contact me. Let’s keep the conversations going, until we all meet again.

About the Author: Tracy Shea-Porter

Tracy attended her first improv show in 1987, at Theatresports, Toronto, Canada. She then joined their improv classes, formed a comedy troupe, and never left the community. For 30 years, she worked in the business world in communications, marketing, and sales, while also continuing with improv. One day, her working world and hobby collided and today she is the CEO and Co-founder of Yes Unlimited, where she designs and facilitates corporate and education AI training and events.

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(Last Updated: Friday, January 23rd, 2026)