An Event to Remember

Step into an unforgettable evening of faith, excellence, and celebration at the International Christian Book Awards 2026 Gala— a red-carpet event dedicated to honoring and elevating Christian fiction and nonfiction authors from around the world.

This prestigious day begins with a power packed and inspiring conference experience, featuring dynamic keynote speakers who will pour implementable tactics, creative ideas, and inspiration into the hearts of attending authors. Guests will enjoy a complimentary box lunch and beverage, allowing time for fellowship, networking, and meaningful conversations with other Christian writers and leaders.

As the day unfolds, the atmosphere transforms into a red-carpet awards where we will celebrate our award-winning authors that will be recognized for their powerful contributions to Christian literature. Each honoree will have the opportunity to walk the red carpet, receive their award on stage, and share in a moment of well-deserved recognition for their commitment to carrying God’s message through story.

Join us for a night where faith meets creativity, and every story told in the name of Christ shines brightly. The International Christian Book Awards 2026 Gala is more than an event—it’s a movement to uplift, inspire, and unite authors who are impacting lives for eternity.

Meet our Emcee &

Keynote Speakers

The Author Elevate Conference brings together powerful keynote speakers Katie Hornor, Robyn Dykstra, Bob Wheatley, and Jon Kovich Jr. to equip Christian authors with the insight, strategy, and encouragement needed to grow their message beyond the page.

Through practical tips, proven tools, and faith-filled teaching, our keynote speakers will help authors strengthen their platform, expand their visibility, and take their next step with clarity, confidence, and Kingdom purpose.

Katie Hornor

International Association of Professional Christian Speakers

Robyn Dykstra

Christian Speakers Bootcamp

Bob Wheatley

Brand Builders

Jon Kovich Jr.

Integrity International Publishers

Katie Hornor

National Christian Association of Professional Speakers

Rising from extreme poverty in a third world country to become an international keynote speaker, high performance coach, business strategist, mom of five, Katie Hornor is an award-winning author of more than a dozen best-selling books and the CEO of the National Christian Association of Professional Speakers and The Flamingo Advantage. Katie Hornor has over 700 hours on stage and she is the recipient of the Stevie, TITAN and SUCCESS® Magazine Women of Influence awards and was named Visionary Coach of the Year in 2025. Katie has been featured in Time Square billboards, SUCCESS®Magazine, Insider Weekly, Woman’s Week, ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX and TEDx. Hornor’s mission is to empower high achieving leaders, entrepreneurs and business owners to design their life and work in service of their unique life purpose so they can have more joy, sales and impact.

Keynote:

“When God Owns the Business: Why Christian Authors must stop playing small”

Many Christian authors struggle with the tension between humility and visibility, wondering if marketing their message makes them appear self-centered. In this inspiring keynote, Katie Hornor challenges the fear-based beliefs that keep faith-driven leaders playing small. Using powerful flamingo metaphors, biblical wisdom, and personal stories from her journey as an author, speaker, and entrepreneur, Katie reframes marketing as stewardship, excellence as worship, and visibility as obedience. This session will encourage attendees to courageously share their message, embrace their God-given voice, and prepare their hearts to fully receive the transformational teaching throughout the event.

Robyn Dykstra

Christian Speakers Bootcamp

Robyn Dykstra is a national Christian speaker, bestselling author, and creator of Christian Speakers Boot Camp. With nearly 1,000 speaking engagements nationwide, Robyn equips Christian authors and speakers to turn their message into impactful presentations that serve audiences, expand ministry influence, and help get their books into more hands.

Keynote:

Turning Your Book Into a Message That Ministers

You didn’t write your book just to sit on a shelf. In this encouraging and practical session, Robyn Dykstra shares how Christian authors can transform their manuscript into a compelling message that connects with live audiences, expands their ministry impact, and helps place their book into the hands of readers who need its message most. Learn simple strategies to shape your content into a talk that serves, inspires, opens doors for greater Kingdom influence, and helps you clear the merch table by getting your books into more hands naturally and effectively.

Bob Wheatley

Christian Speakers Bootcamp

Bob Wheatley is a USA Today bestselling author, keynote speaker, and former professional athlete. His work has been featured on Way-FM, Christian Nation, K-LOVE, Focus on the Family, and various other international outlets. As a Brand Strategist at Brand Builders Group, Bob helps Christian authors, speakers, and entrepreneurs to clarify their positioning, grow their revenues, and increase their impact in the community. He lives in Nashville, Tennessee.

Keynote:

The Influential Personal Brand - How to Find Your Uniqueness and Serve God's Kingdom

Bestselling books aren't just written; they are planned. Great writing isn't enough to get your book noticed—because great marketing is what actually sells books.

That is the power of becoming a recognized expert in your space, and it’s more possible today than ever before.

In this empowering and well-researched keynote, USA Today Bestselling Author Bob Wheatley shares the industry secrets he has learned from building his own personal brand and working as a Strategist at Brand Builders Group. Brand Builders Group is the world’s top Personal Brand Strategy firm, advising some of the most influential personal brands in existence today (e.g., Matthew West, John Maxwell, Ed Mylett, Jenna Kutcher, Lewis Howes, Amy Porterfield, Eric Thomas "ET The HipHop Preacher", and more.)

During this keynote, you will be introduced to the signature frameworks of Brand Builders Group, including things like the Brand DNA Helix, the Relationship Engine, and the Content Diamond. These simple and straightforward tactics will help you to immediately clarify positioning in the marketplace, expand your reach, and increase the impact of your book.

Emcee, Jon Kovich, Jr.

Jon Kovich, Jr.

Integrity Publishing International

Jon Kovach Jr. is an award-winning motivational speaker, Global Mastermind Leader, Awards Show Host, 33x #1 Bestselling Author, and a publishing leader with Integrity Publishing International. Known for his high-energy storytelling, practical frameworks, and relationship-centered leadership, Jon helps authors, speakers, entrepreneurs, and leaders turn their stories into platforms of influence, accountability, and service.

As the Founder and Chairman of Champion Circle Professional Association, Jon teaches high-performance accountability, mastermind methodologies, and leadership principles that help professionals get unstuck, create momentum, and achieve meaningful goals. He has spoken on over 100 stages, podcasts, summits, and live events each year, including TEDxCincinnati and Amazon Prime TV’s Speak UP.

Jon has contributed to and helped launch bestselling book series in personal development, leadership, influence, mentorship, empowerment, frequency, and survival-to-thrival transformation. Through his work with Integrity Publishing International, Jon supports authors in bringing their books to market while helping them understand what comes next: visibility, interviews, podcasting, community, and long-term platform growth.

At the International Christian Book Awards Author Elevate Conference and Gala, Jon brings a powerful message for authors who want to steward their story with excellence, faith, purpose, and impact.

Keynote:

The Art of Podcasting and What Comes After Publishing

Publishing a book is a powerful milestone, but it is not the finish line. In this high-energy keynote, Jon Kovach Jr. shows authors how to move from published pages to purposeful conversations, using podcasting, storytelling, relationship-building, and platform strategy to multiply their message after launch.

Drawing from his experience as a Motivational Speaker, 33x #1 Bestselling Author, Global Mastermind Leader, Awards Show Host, and publishing leader with Integrity Publishing International, Jon teaches authors how to become interview-ready, create meaningful media moments, and steward their book into greater visibility, service, and lasting impact.

Attendees will walk away with practical tools to craft their podcast message, honor the host, serve the audience, extend the life of their book, and build a platform that reaches beyond the launch.