2023 International Convention FAQ

The 2023 International Convention will be a hybrid event. Attendees will have an option to experience the event in person or online.

A hybrid event is one that can be accessed through an online platform or in person. Attendees can elect to register for an online experience or register to attend in person.

The online convention experience can be accessed from a computer, laptop, tablet, or smartphone (Android or iOS).

Toastmasters is excited to host the 2023 International Convention at the Grand Hyatt Baha Mar Resort in beautiful Nassau, Bahamas, from Wednesday, August 16 through Saturday, August 19, 2023.

The convention will take place in Nassau, Bahamas and all events and activities will be in Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) or Coordinated Universal Time -4 (UTC -4), which is the local time in Nassau, Bahamas. For your convenience, a time zone converter will be listed at the top of each agenda page.

Registration will open by April 2023.

Convention pricing information is available on the convention registration page. There will be a registration fee to attend the in-person experience in Nassau, Bahamas, and a fee to attend the online experience.

To become a Host District Helping Hand convention volunteer, click here to learn more and let us know you are interested. Once registration opens, we will send you an invitation to register as a Host District Helping Hand. Volunteer opportunities are limited and based on a first-come, first-served basis.

Do you have an amazing talent for capturing a crowd? Be considered to present at an upcoming Toastmasters event by filling out this form and submitting a captivating video. We welcome dynamic moderators, panelists, education speakers, keynotes, comedians, and more, who have experience addressing large international audiences, either in person or online (or both). Join the speaking elite of Toastmasters presenters; apply today at the link here!

Entry and visa requirements differ depending on your country of citizenship and residency. If a person is born in one country and resident in another (other than the U.S. or Canada), the documentation required is based upon the country of birth. Visa Requirements for visiting the Bahamas are available here.

If you require a Letter of Invitation to assist in your visa process, please click Request Letter to submit your request.

Request Letter Here: https://forms.office.com/r/XmuV7Z7A60

No. Registration for the 2023 International Convention is on a first-come, first-served basis; therefore, it is recommended that you make airfare or hotel reservations after receiving confirmation on your convention registration.

If you have any additional questions regarding the 2023 International Convention, please email conventionregistration@toastmasters.org.

Toastmasters International is working closely with the Bahamian Tourism Board and the Grand Hyatt Baha Mar to ensure convention attendee safety is at the forefront of the convention planning process. Toastmasters International will be diligently observing hurricane risk and preparedness procedures closely with our Bahamian event partners leading up to and during the event.

Toastmasters does not cover individual attendee travel insurance, however, Toastmasters International does obtain an event insurance policy each year.

Please contact conventionregistration@toastmasters.org with any inquiries related to registering for the convention.

For the best experience, use Chrome or Firefox on a desktop or laptop computer. If you don’t already have Chrome, you can download it for free here: https://www.google.com/chrome/browser/.

Before attending the event, check that your system is compatible with the virtual environment by following the Desktop Requirements link:
https://presentations.akamaized.net/ProductResources/Production/HTML/ComputerTips/ComputerTips.html.

Registered attendees will receive an invitation email to log into the online convention on August 16, 2023. The email will include a link to the online convention platform where you can view the event.

Toastmasters International has elected to use a variety of vendors to provide key services to ensure that the convention is a robust, dynamic experience. The goal of the convention is always to break even, and the All-Access fee of $55 USD will allow Toastmasters International to cover the incurred vendor costs.

Yes, each attendee will be required to register in advance and create an online attendee profile to access the Limited-Access pass. Registration will be available until August 19, 2023.

The attendee profile is considered your convention badge. Fellow convention attendees will be able to view your name (whether you are a Toastmasters member or not), your city, state, and country. You also have the option to hide your profile and attend the convention as an anonymous attendee. Instructions on how to make your profile anonymous will be posted in this FAQ soon.

Absolutely! You will be able to purchase exclusive convention souvenirs onsite. We anticipate offering additional souvenirs online through the Toastmasters Store. More details coming soon!

Toastmasters International, in partnership with our third-party event platform vendor, is making every effort to develop and keep the convention platform available for all users, regardless of ability or disability. Please contact us if you find pages that are difficult to read or access via screen reader or other assistive devices. We will make every effort to solve difficulties you are having accessing any information included in the online experience. All concerns should be sent to conventionregistration@toastmasters.org.

Lynden Pindling International Airport (NAS) is located six (6) miles from the Grand Hyatt Baha Mar Resort and Convention Center, which is approximately 14 minutes by car. Please visit the website for more information.

Taxi service is the preferred method of transportation and easily accessible outside the U.S., International, and Domestic terminals. The cost is approximately 25-40 USD each way. Please note this transportation method varies in cost based on the number of people and amount of luggage. Note that taxis vary in condition, and many do not take credit cards. Both U.S. Dollars and Bahamian Dollars are accepted.

Alternatively, you can pre-arrange airport transportation with any of the livery tour and ground transportation companies listed on the pages linked here. The Bahamas also offers Fast Track service at Lynden Pindling International Airport. For more information, please visit http://www.bahamasairportfasttrack.com/.

Toastmasters International has negotiated a discounted room rate of $199 plus taxes and fees (currently 21% charge that includes the Cable Beach Resort Association levy, the Nassau Paradise Island Promotion Board levy and all applicable VATs (subject to change), and $59 USD per night/per room resort fee plus VAT and a service fee at the Grand Hyatt Baha Mar Resort and Convention Center.

This special rate is available to Toastmasters convention attendees through July 26, 2023, on a first-come, first-served basis, while supply lasts. 

Click here to book online. If you need assistance, please contact World of Hyatt to speak directly to a representative and mention group code, G-TOAS

Unfortunately, we can’t assist you in searching for a roommate, but we can recommend utilizing social media to help. Post a status on the Facebook event page and get the conversation started.

Cancellation requests for in-person and online convention registration must be submitted no later than August 2, 2023, at 11:59 pm MDT (UTC -6). Cancellations will not be accepted after this date.

All in-person cancellations will be subject to a $25 USD administrative fee. Please submit your special event ticket and registration cancellation requests by clicking here or emailing conventionregistration@toastmasters.org.

Submit your in-person convention registration cancellation request here and select that you would prefer to attend the convention online. You will be provided a refund of your In-Person Convention Registration less $55 USD for the All-Access Pass (online) Registration.

Cancellation requests for in-person convention registration must be submitted no later than August 2, 2023, at 11:59 pm MDT (UTC -6). Cancellations will not be accepted after this date.

Upon registering, your confirmation email will include payment information for your records. Those unable to locate their confirmation email can email conventionregistration@toastmasters.org to request a receipt/invoice.

Please allow up to two business days for a response.

At this time, all convention attendees must be at least 18 years of age to attend the 2023 International Convention. Due to the nature of the event, Toastmasters International does not prohibit any speech topic, content, or language, as we recognize attendees may learn much about the world around them from listening to others’ speaking on a variety of subjects. For these reasons, Toastmasters International requires attendees be an adult that is at least 18 years of age.

Some attendees have notified us that their confirmation emails sent from the platform were sorted into their spam filter or otherwise absent from their inbox. Please use the following link and follow the posted instructions to whitelist the email sender as this will instruct your inbox to recognize that the emails are not spam.

Whitelisting Instructions (akamaized.net) 

The sender/email that you want to whitelist will be labeled "Toastmasters@theonlinexpo.com ".

 Once you have completed that process, please check your quarantine and spam folders for the confirmation/password rest email again. If you still have not received the confirmation email, please emailconventionregistration@toastmasters.orgto request that your confirmation email is resent to you.

The 2023 Accredited Speaker Program will be conducted as a hybrid event from Nassau, Bahamas. Each candidate will have the option to present onsite from Nassau or online from their home country. View a full convention schedule, including information about the Accredited Speaker Program, here.

The International Speech Contest Semifinals and World Championship of Public Speaking will be conducted as hybrid contests from Nassau, Bahamas. Each contestant will have the option to present onsite from Nassau or online from their home country. More information, including the region assignments for each of the four semifinals is available here.

Accessibility standards for all Toastmasters 2023 Convention events (including the Smedley Fund 5K) will be compliant with the Bahamian accessibility law Persons With Disabilities (Equal Opportunities) Act, 2014.