Keynote Speakers

SCOTT HAMMELL (he/him)

Scott Hammell has been entertaining professionally since 1998. In the two decades since, the four-time Guinness World Record holder has hung upside down from a hot air balloon while locked in a straitjacket and chains at 7 200 feet (World’s Highest Suspension Straitjacket Escape), dangled by his ankles and juggled for over a minute and a half (Longest Inverted Juggling Duration), successfully completed a card trick while skydiving (World’s Fastest Moving Card Trick) and jumped from an airplane to skydive while blindfolded and handcuffed (Highest Blindfolded Skydive). He has performed Houdini’s famous Milk Can Escape, juggled live explosives and has been shot at with a sniper rifle and caught the bullet as it ricocheted off a steel plate that hung around Scott’s neck. Scott has traveled the world performing in North America, Europe, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Africa and Australia. His audiences are as varied as his skill sets. Whether it’s a royal sheik in Abu Dhabi, a prime minister in Malaysia or a group of village elders who don’t speak English in Kenya, Scott always brings his passion for his art to entertain and inspire! 

KELLIE LODER (they/them)

Who is Kellie Loder? There is something undeniably captivating about JUNO Award nominee Kellie Loder. A gifted songwriter and storyteller, Loder possesses a voice that radiates both warmth and power. With lyrics that are honest and vulnerable, they craft music that feels deeply personal—resonating through heartfelt songs, playful charm, and exhilarating live performances. Described as “a multi-genre marvel,” Loder’s sound blends Americana, folk, and indie pop, reflecting the spirit and depth of their Newfoundland and Labrador roots.

Loder’s latest album, Transitions, has propelled their artistry to new heights, earning a 2025 JUNO Award nomination, two East Coast Music Awards, two MusicNL Awards, a #1 SOCAN Songwriter Award, and a #1 song on CBC Music’s Top 20 and Year-End Chart with the hit single “When It Comes to You”. Their impressive career continues to flourish, with extensive touring across Canada, the UK, Denmark, Australia, and most recently, Japan, showcasing a dynamic performer whose music connects across cultures and continents.