Social psychologist Amy Cuddy has been confirmed as the opening keynote speaker for the 2017 ISPA Conference & Expo at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas from 16-18 October 2017.

The 27th annual event will kick off with Cuddy, who is also a professor at Harvard Business School and Harvard School of Public Health, New York Times best-selling author, and Young Global Leader at the World Economic Forum.

She has also written for New York magazine, Harvard Business Review and CNN.

Cuddy teaches people how to become more present, influential and satisfied in their professional and personal lives. Her presentation focuses on the power of nonverbal behaviour, prejudice and stereotyping, the balance of trustworthiness and strength, and the ways in which people can affect their own thoughts, feelings, and behaviours.

“Amy Cuddy’s opening keynote presentation and her contagious passion for educating others will bring this year’s Conference theme, IGNITE, to life,” said ISPA president Lynne McNees.

“Her game-changing remarks will impact how we embrace the act of being present and understand the power of our nonverbal behaviors within both our personal and professional lives.”

The second day and closing keynote speakers are to be announced at a later date.