What Attendees Say About Convention
What's it like to attend this annual event?
Every year, the Toastmasters International Convention attracts nearly 2,000 attendees from all over the world. What’s it like to take part in this major event? Here are some comments from members who have attended past Conventions:
“The International Convention is a celebration of everything Toastmasters – from the individual members to club and district successes. I love sharing it all with such positive people from around the globe. This year I am accompanying a first-timer from my club. I have no doubt she will catch the Convention bug!”
— Judy Murphy, Lilydale Toastmasters, Melbourne, Australia
“Why the Convention? I simply refuse to miss the best Toastmasters event of the year. It's a pure treat to hear and learn from the world's best teachers – both speakers and leaders – and to pick new heroes to emulate in my continuing quest for excellence in both areas.”
— Gerald Fleischmann, Orange Upon a Time Toastmasters, Orange, California
“I made new friends and collected many business cards. I made a friend from Australia, and we’ve become Facebook friends. The speakers in the International Speech Contest were so wonderful! Someone should warn you to bring Kleenex when you attend an International Speech Contest!”
— Monnica Lamb, Awesome Articulators club, Greenville, Texas
“I wouldn’t think of missing the free mentoring moments, caring friendships and other valuable experiences at the Convention. One of the best reasons for attending the Convention was the opportunity to watch the organization’s future unfold by attending the Board of Directors Briefing and Annual Business Meeting. I was able to witness, first-hand, the elections of our leaders, and I learned a lot from their campaigns.”
— Deniz Senelt, Istanbul Toastmasters, Istanbul, Turkey
“I attended the last two International Conventions. The one in Connecticut [2009] was my first Convention and I was able to meet a lot of new people and see some that I knew from my Toastmasters region. The guest speakers were fabulous, especially Golden Gavel winner Bruce Tulgan. At last year’s Convention in Palm Desert, I loved watching Todd Newton deliver the opening keynote. He really started the Convention off on the right foot."
— Rob Christeson, Boeing Achievers club, Wichita, Kansas