If you’ve ever struggled to explain what you actually do for a living, this year’s State of the Presentation Professional Report is your new favorite reference. In a lively session at the State of the Presentation Industry event, Monica Longoria (Presentation Guild Research Director and Head of Marketing Insights, LG Ad Solutions) walked through findings that go way beyond slide design—touching on titles, skills, tools, and how our day-to-day work is evolving. 

Four ways we work (and why that matters) 

Instead of treating “presentation designer” as one monolithic role, the report splits our world into four work types: self-employed, business owners, in-house employees, and dual workers (in-house + freelance). That lens matters because expectations and experiences—everything from collaboration to stress—look different across each path. 

Job titles: we’re hiding in plain sight 

Only one in four respondents have “presentation” in their title. Most of us are scattered across design, communications, marketing, product, or operations roles—doing high stakes presentation work without the label. The takeaway: don’t wait for the perfect title to validate your value. Make your impact visible, internally and to clients. 

“Most of us don’t have ‘presentation’ in our title—so advocate for the skill and the value you bring.” 

Where the work is (and who pays for it) 

Unsurprisingly, professional services, finance, and tech keep showing up—industries that live on complex ideas, product demos, and pitch storytelling. Whether you’re job hunting or building a client list, those sectors still look like the steadiest ground. 

Skills that travel well 

Yes, presentation design is core—but the top companion skills are telling: template systems, data visualization and reporting, graphic design, training and coaching. The picture is clear: teams want designers who can both build systems and teach others to use them. 

Where we work (and how we feel) 

Remote is still the default for many, even as some in-house teams trend back toward office time. Most respondents feel fulfilled and valued, but there’s a notable thread of stress (especially in-house) and loneliness (especially self-employed). The human fix: community. Mentorship, peer groups, and shared standards make the work better and lighter. 

Growth and learning: lots of interest, uneven access 

Roughly 70% of us don’t have formal education in this field, yet there’s strong appetite for learning resources—especially among in-house and dual workers who struggle to find them. On the business-owner side, the desire is there but time is short. Translation: curated, practical training (including business-ops content) makes a real difference. 

Storytelling: gaining recognition 

Monica noted something subtle but important: “storytelling” is finally showing up in job descriptions. The market is catching up to what practitioners have known for years—this work isn’t just about slides; it’s about shaping decisions. 

AI: already part of the workflow 

More than half of respondents are concerned about AI, but most expect to use it regularly within the next year. Today’s sweet spots: ideation, brainstorming, and copy support—with gradual growth in on-slide and visual automation as people get comfortable. The main point: use AI to speed up the tedious parts so you can spend more time on story and strategy. 

“Whether we like it or not, AI is here—so use it to your advantage, not to your detriment.” 

Tools: PowerPoint still leads, Canva surges, Slides stays scrappy 

PowerPoint remains the front-runner, but Canva’s usage has doubled since 2023 and now sits firmly in the #2 spot, with Google Slides holding its ground. On the collaboration side, OneDrive, SharePoint, and Teams dominate; Zoom still earns high marks for presenting. Knowing all these tools across creation and delivery is now table stakes. 

What to do with all this 

• Show the value. If your title doesn’t say “presentation,” your outcomes should—tie your work to revenue, clarity, and decisions.
• Broaden your toolkit. Systems + data + coaching travel across industries and raise your ceiling. 
• Invest in your community. t reduces isolation, accelerates growth, and raises standards for everyone. 

➡️ Download and study the full report. Look for your own personal takeaways—compare your role, skills, and pay against the data to spot opportunities. The report is free for all Presentation Guild members and available for purchase if you’re not a member.

Non-members: Purchase the report here