Saturday, January 30, 2027 · Downtown Phoenix
Impact Fest
A full day of authors, entrepreneurs, and speakers taking over the largest hotel ballroom in downtown Phoenix. One ticket, open to everyone.
date
January 30, 2027
9:00am to 4:00pm
Venue
Sheraton Phoenix Downtown
340 North 3rd Street
ADMISSION
$25 general
Open to everyone, no invitation needed
Program included. No hidden fees, and the price shown is the price paid.
What it is
Impact Fest is the International Impact Book Awards' author and thought-leadership festival, returning to downtown Phoenix on January 30. More than two hundred authors, entrepreneurs, and speakers fill the largest hotel ballroom in the city for a full day. Some are on the main stage. Most are on the floor with their books. All of them are there to be met.
There are two halves to the day. The main stage runs sessions on everything that comes after publishing: visibility, media, speaking, and turning a book into a business. The floor is where the authors are, signing and selling and happy to talk. You can spend the day at one or move between both, and most people do the second.
General admission is open to anyone. You do not need to be an author, and you do not need an invitation.
What's included
Your $25 gets you the whole day
01
Full-day access to main stage programming, live author interviews, and speakers running from morning through to close.
02
Book signings
Book signings run throughout the day across the floor. Meet the authors, get the copy signed, and talk to the person who wrote it. Bring a bag.
03
The festival floor
Come and go across the author and vendor floor for as long as the doors are open. Your ticket covers the whole day.
04
The Impact Fest Program
Your copy of the program, with the full floor layout, who is where, and what each author and exhibitor is bringing. Handed to you at the door.
Who comes
Readers
Two hundred authors in one place, most of whom you will not find in a bookstore near you. Come for the day, leave with a stack.
Writers
Whether your book is finished, half-written, or still an idea, this is a room full of people who have done it and are happy to say how.
Anyone curious
You do not need to be either. It is a good day out with real stories, real people, and the energy a room full of authors brings with it.
On the main stage
What you will actually learn
Experts across media, business, publishing, and entertainment, breaking down what is working right now. All of it is included in general admission.
Visibility and media
How to get featured on podcasts, television, and in media outlets. What publicists look for. How to position your story so media wants it, and the mistakes authors make trying.
Author to brand
Turning a book into a personal brand. Messaging that makes people remember you, content that reaches the readers you want, and the difference between being an author and being an authority.
Making money from your book
Building offers and services out of what you have written. Coaching, speaking, and programs, and how to structure them.
AI and modern marketing
Using AI for content, marketing, and systems without losing your voice. What authors are actually doing with it, and how to stay consistent without burning out.
Speaking and authority
Positioning yourself as a speaker, getting booked for stages and podcasts, and building presence in front of a room.
Film and entertainment
What producers look for when adapting a book. How storytelling moves from page to screen, and where the openings are in documentary and film.
From book to brand, the closing panel
A live conversation with authors who have done it. What worked, what they would do differently, and what to focus on next.
Doors at 9:00am, close at 4:00pm. Signings and the author floor run throughout rather than at fixed times, so you can move between the stage and the room as you like. The full program is published closer to the date.
For authors
Speak, sign, or take a table
General admission gets you in the room. If you want the room looking at you, that is booked separately.
01
Speaking slots
Time on the main stage in front of the full room. Limited, and booked well ahead of the day.
02
Signing tables
Your own table on the festival floor for the whole day. Sell your books, sign them, and talk to everyone who walks past.
03
Everything else
Vendor space, sponsorship, and the other festival placements, including options for authors who want more than a table.
Questions
Before you come
Do I need to be an author?
No. General admission is open to anyone. Plenty of people come simply because they like books and want to meet the people who write them.
Can I come and go during the day?
Yes. Your ticket covers the full day and you are free to leave and come back.
Can I bring my children?
Yes. Impact Fest is a family-friendly event and children are welcome all day.
Where do I park?
The Sheraton Phoenix Downtown has a parking garage on site, and there are several public garages within a block of the venue.
Is food available?
The hotel has food and coffee on site, and downtown Phoenix has plenty within a short walk. You are free to come and go during the day.
Is the venue accessible?
The Sheraton Phoenix Downtown ballroom is step-free and accessible. If you have specific requirements, write to us before the day and we will make sure everything is in place.
Is this the awards ceremony?
No, and the two are separate. Impact Fest is the public festival on Saturday. The Impact Honors & Gala Weekend, where authors are honored, runs alongside it and is by invitation. A festival ticket does not include the gala, and no festival ticket is required to be honored.
General admission
$25
per person, full-day access
No hidden fees. Price shown is price paid.
TESTIMONIALS
Real Experiences from Impact Author Festival
Lady Tiffany
Author "Never Say Never"
"A Life-Changing Author Experience"
IIBA truly made an impact on my life! I am so grateful to the International Impact Book Awards for creating opportunities for authors to be seen, heard, and celebrated. Being part of the IIBA Impact Author Festival gave me the special opportunity to share my work, connect with readers, and experience my very first book signing. It was a meaningful moment I will always remember. Thank you, IIBA, for giving authors a space to share their voices and their books.
Ettariga
Author "The Cosmic Handyman"
"A Great Day Connecting with Fellow Authors"
It was a great opportunity to meet fellow authors, connect with people who share a love for books and writing, and hear inspiring stories from others in the author community. The event created a welcoming space where authors could support one another, build new connections, and celebrate the work that goes into bringing a book to life. I left feeling grateful for the conversations, the connections, and the chance to be part of such a meaningful gathering for authors.
Linda H. Helms
Author "The Witch Of Purity"
"A Community That Helps Authors Grow."
Being part of the International Impact Book Awards has been a meaningful part of my growth as an author. Through the IIBA community and the Impact Author Festival, I have had opportunities to bring more awareness to my book, connect with fellow authors, and learn from people who understand the publishing world.
The resources, conversations, and shared experiences have given me valuable insight that I can continue using as I grow. What makes the experience especially meaningful is being part of a community where authors can ask questions, exchange ideas, support one another, and celebrate each other's work. I am grateful for the connections I have made and for the opportunities IIBA continues to provide for authors to learn, connect, and be seen.
Beverly Ann Hansen
Author "White Noise-Dark Impact"
"Sharing My Message on the Author Fest Stage."
Speaking at the IIBA Impact Author Festival in Arizona was such a meaningful opportunity. I was able to share the story behind my book, White Noise-Dark Impact: Are We Damaging Children's Brains?, and speak about a topic that has become deeply important to me.
What began as a personal concern has grown into a much bigger conversation, and being able to bring that message to the Author Fest stage was incredibly special. I am grateful to the International Impact Book Awards for creating a space where authors can share their work, connect with others, and bring important ideas to a wider audience.
Princess Millens
Author "The Cost of Carrying Everything"
"A Meaningful Book Launch at Impact Author Festival."
Launching and signing my book, The Cost of Carrying Everything, at the IIBA Impact Author Festival was a deeply meaningful experience. I had the opportunity to meet readers, celebrate this special milestone, and step onto the festival stage to share a message that has been on my heart for years.
I am grateful to the International Impact Book Awards for creating a space where authors can share the stories behind their work, connect with others, and bring important conversations to a wider audience. This festival made my book launch feel even more special and gave me a moment I will always remember.
Inyillah Kallon
Aspiring Author
"A Room That Made the Dream Feel Possible."
Attending the IIBA Impact Author Festival in Phoenix was such a meaningful experience. Being surrounded by writers, publishers, and people who believe in the power of stories gave me the chance to learn, connect, and listen to others who share the same passion for writing.
As someone who hopes to become a published author one day, the festival reminded me that my goals are worth pursuing. I left feeling inspired, encouraged, and grateful to have been part of a space that supports writers at every stage.
