The Performing Hypnosis Summit 2026 wasn’t just another conference on the calendar.
It was something deeper. Something that felt long overdue.
For me, it was a mix of emotions, happy and sad at the same time.
Happy to see performers from all over the world together in one place, with no egos, no posturing, just genuine connection.
Sad too, because you could feel the absence of people who helped shape this industry and this event, especially Jim Kellner.
And yet, in many ways, they were still very much present.
Stage hypnosis can be a lonely profession.
Most of us spend our lives on the road, working solo, figuring things out as we go. Lone wolves, really.
PHS was created because of that, to bring performers together, not just to learn from each other, but to grow together.
And in 2026, that really showed.
What struck me most was seeing newer hypnotists and very established professionals sharing insights as equals. One standout moment was Kevin Lepine’s post-show Q&A. No rushing off. No “I’m too busy.” Just time, honesty, and real answers, exactly what people needed in that moment.
People think hypnosis conferences are just people talking about themselves or selling their “new thing.”
PHS is the opposite.
It’s a collaboration of ideas and ideals.
Being in person mattered more than ever this year. You could feel the energy in the rooms, but just as importantly, you could feel it in the corridors, over coffee, and at the socials. Those unscheduled conversations are where the real connections are made. You simply can’t replicate that on Zoom.
The atmosphere was open but intimate, welcoming without being overwhelming, supportive without being performative.
Jim Kellner was always about raising others up.
That spirit was everywhere at PHS 2026.
A perfect example was Jack Goobie. Last year he attended as a delegate. This year, he was on stage, sharing how he booked 20 shows before even doing his first performance. That’s not just inspiring, that’s the community working exactly as it should.
It was also genuinely moving to see how giving the top-level professionals were with their time. People like Kevin Lepine, Catherine Hickland, and Michael DeShalit didn’t just show up and deliver, they listened, encouraged, and shared. That generosity sets the tone for everything else.
By bringing performers together, we don’t just help individuals, we advance the craft itself.
Standards rise. Ethics improve. Ideas evolve.
And perhaps most importantly, people realise they’re not alone.
PHS 2026 felt like a moment where stage hypnosis stopped being a collection of individuals and started acting like a professional community.
And I’ll say this plainly.
If you’re serious about stage hypnosis or entertainment hypnosis, about the future of this craft, then being part of spaces like this matters. Not for status. Not for sales. But for growth, connection, and contribution.
PHS 2026 was more than a conference.
It was a reminder of what’s possible when we come together.
Looking Ahead to 2027
If PHS 2026 showed us anything, it’s that this community matters, and it’s only getting stronger.
Planning is already underway for Performing Hypnosis Summit 2027, and the intention remains the same:
to bring performers together, raise standards, share openly, and continue advancing the craft of entertainment hypnosis — together.
If this blog resonated with you, 2027 is where the conversation continues.
Watch the 2026 Replays
Missed PHS 2026, or want to revisit the sessions, insights, and conversations?
All 2026 summit replays are available, giving you access to the talks, ideas, and perspectives that made this year truly more than a conference.
👉 Access the PHS 2026 replays here:
Whether you’re new to the field or a seasoned professional, the learning — and the spirit behind it — is still very much alive.
