A new speaker platform backed by USA Today will debut on February 26, 2026, at the Saban Theater in Beverly Hills, positioning itself as a venue for entrepreneurs and creators to establish thought leadership and expand their reach. WILDx: Axium, founded by Rhonda Swan and Jules Schroeder, combines live speaker performances with media production services and expert evaluation to help participants develop visibility across multiple platforms.
The inaugural event will feature speakers spanning wellness, business, and cultural impact sectors, with evaluation provided by a judging panel including Michael Beckwith, Hazel Ortega, and Marie Diamond. The platform's model integrates performance, production, and expert feedback to create a comprehensive experience designed to accelerate participants' professional visibility and credibility development.
The launch represents an expansion of USA Today's broader content and events strategy, extending the publication's reach into speaker development and creator economy services. By combining traditional speaker events with modern media production infrastructure, WILDx: Axium targets the growing market of professionals seeking structured pathways to establish authority within their respective industries.