ACTFL is pleased to announce Hamilton actor Miguel Cervantes as the Opening Keynote Speaker, and Dr. Steve Boyes as the Closing Keynote Speaker, for the ACTFL Annual Convention and World Languages Expo.
On Friday, November 21, Miguel Cervantes, who for years was the actor behind the most visible role in performing arts, Alexander Hamilton, in Broadway’s Hamilton: An American Musical, will keynote the Opening General Session. He overcame setbacks and unthinkable personal tragedy to capture imaginations with his spellbinding portrayal of Alexander Hamilton and cement his legacy as one of the great performers of our time. All throughout and continuing after their young daughter’s battle with epilepsy, Cervantes and his wife, Kelly, became active in the Chicago nonprofit CURE Epilepsy, where Kelly serves on the board and as the organization’s chair. In addition to his philanthropic work, Miguel is an avid golfer and entrepreneur. His remarkable journey serves as a testament to the transformative power of art and reminds us of the boundless potential that lies within each of us to create, inspire, and change the world.
The 2025 Closing Keynote speaker, Dr. Steve Boyes, is a Conservationist, National Geographic Explorer, Rolex Perpetual Planet Ambassador, TED speaker, and Senior Fellow who has dedicated his life to preserving Africa’s wilderness areas and the species that depend upon them. His work has taken him all over Africa – studying wildlife rehabilitation and biodiversity, fighting the wild-caught bird trade, planting thousands of trees in forest restoration projects, working to bring Africa’s most endangered parrot species back from the brink of extinction, and working to preserve and protect Botswana’s uniquely pristine Okavango Delta and the vast Angolan watersheds. Boyes will share an eye-opening look at the world around us and insights on the power of exploration in all facets of life.
“We are delighted to welcome Miguel Cervantes and Dr. Steve Boyes to our Annual Convention as our main speakers,” said ACTFL Executive Director Dr. Lawrence Paska. “Attendees will be energized by their creativity, resilience, and unwavering dedication to purpose.”
The 2025 ACTFL Annual Convention and World Languages Expo will take place November 21-23, 2025 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, LA. Registration and housing for the Convention will open on March 10, 2025.