Elizabeth Bartmess, Update on AI: Sorting Out Hype and Reality

Large-language-model-based AI chatbots don’t produce viable indexes. They do produce documents that look enough like indexes to fool authors, editors, and publishers. So what are we doing about it? Elizabeth, who is Chair of the AI Committee of the American Society for Indexing will bring us up to date on their recent and upcoming research and outreach efforts.

Iva Cheung, Sorting out work with the feds: What Accessibility Standards Canada’s Plain Language standard means for indexing

In October 2025, Accessibility Standards Canada published the Plain Language standard. If this standard is adopted into regulation, federally regulated entities will have to follow it to create accessible, audience-centred communications. The bonus for indexers is a proposed clause that could mean more project opportunities. Note: Iva will speak as herself only and not as a representative of Accessibility Standards Canada.

Larisa Smyk, Regular Expressions

Regular expressions (aka regex) are powerful sequences of characters used to find, match, and manipulate text. Using examples, Larisa will show you some common regex that can shave hours off your editing time.

Glenda Brown, Kim Berchall, Rachel Gee, Devon Thomas, Alex Peace, Teaching Indexing

Have you wondered what it’s like to teach indexing? Learn insights from this panel of experienced indexing teachers.

Danny Bate, Keynote: Who ordered the alphabet?

Join Dr. Danny Bate on a journey back through time to uncover the origins of the English alphabet and why they are ordered from A through Z. Dr. Bate, who resides in Czech Republic, is a linguist, writer, and podcaster. His book, Why Q Needs U, was published in 2025.

Pierke Bosschieter

Good tools can advance your efficiency and the quality of your work. Pierke will introduce the tech she uses to support her indexing. If you’re stuck in a productivity rut, this session is for you.

Michelle Guiliano, Sorting Blocks of Time: Tracking Time to Increase Your Bottom Line

To make a good living in your indexing practice, you need superb time management and the ability to sustain focus for long periods. Michelle has cracked the problem with her approach to time tracking and time blocking. You’ll come away with new strategies to get more out of a day of indexing.

Inderjeet (Indy) Takhar, Is it really Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

Keeping with this year’s theme, let’s sort out what is carpal tunnel and what isn’t. Indy will teach you about the carpal tunnel and its associated nerve, the median nerve. You’ll learn about the role of the nerve, all the areas it can be pinched, how to prevent and treat carpal tunnel syndrome without surgery, and specific exercises you can do to stay syndrome-free. Indy is a registered Physiotherapist who has been specializing in hand therapy for over a decade.

Carlisle Froese, Mary Newberry, Joan Shapiro, Alyssa Graybeal, Subcontracting

Have your ever thought about expanding your business by subcontracting your indexing tasks, or offering to be a subcontractor for another indexer? Our panel, which has indexers from both sides of the arrangement, will share their experiences and tips.