The Fall 2019 speakers Academy Program

Roosevelt University 425 South Wabash Avenue, Chicago, Illinois

September 7, 14 & 21, October 5, 12 & 19

Each session contains essential information, ranging from improving platform skills to marketing and running your business. Participants will get the tools they need to succeed as professional speakers.

Sessions are held on Saturday mornings from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at Roosevelt University, Wabash Building - Room WB 1015, 425 S.Wabash Avenue, Chicago, IL

Session 1 – September 7: Orientation, Professional Awareness and Topic Development

We’ll have an overview of the course, highlight the importance of the speaking profession, and then help you 1) identify your area of expertise and 2) how to define and refine your topic for your target audience.

Guest Faculty:  Kevin O'Connor, CSP

 Kevin E. O'Connor, CSP has been speaking professionally since 1976   specializing in working with leaders who are called to lead their former peers.   Kevin has three masters degrees, has co-authored three books on speaking,   and teaches at Loyola University of Chicago. He holds the CSP designation   (Certified Speaking Professional) fewer than 600 persons in the world hold this   honor for speaking excellence. He is a past president of the National Speakers Association Illinois Chapter. And like you, he learns something new about this speaking business every day!

Session 2 – September 14: SALES AND MARKETING & PROFESSIONAL RELATIONSHIPS 

Success in the speaking business depends on your ability to sell and market your services.  This class discusses successful strategies for positioning yourself to the people who hire speakers, the importance of the sales cycle, and the marketing techniques to get booked.

Guest Faculty:  Bill Guertin

 Bill Guertin (pronounced like “13”) is our current NSA-IL President.  He is known   as The 800-Pound Gorilla of Sales Performance’, and his niche is rather unique.   Bill is a sales trainer to the ticket sales departments of professional sports   teams. Over the past 15 years, he has become one of the most recognized   names within the business of sports.  He has worked with over (100) different   teams at every level throughout North America, including our own Chicago   Bulls, Blackhawks and White Sox. Bill has two published books in sales and marketing, and is working on a NEW, very unique keynote called “The Seven Voices In Your Head”.  

Session 3 – September 21: presenting, and performing & platform mechanics

Developing your skills as a speaker includes your commitment to the profession, the art of presentations skills, and the logistics of speaking from the stage. You’ll learn about everything from “owning the room” to managing the microphone.

Guest Faculty:  Terry Watson, CSP

 Terry goes by the nickname “The AHA Guy” because it’s his goal to give your   audiences ideas they’ve never heard before… and that will drastically change   the way they do business in the future. As a CSP, Terry has been designated one   of the world’s top speaking professionals. (Only 10% of the speakers who   belong to the Global Speakers Federation hold this title – fewer than 600   worldwide.) His 20+ years of experience serving thousands of clients has made   him a consummate professional in the world of wannabe speakers. Terry’s style is bold, funny, and wildly entertaining – while still delivering real world lessons that resonate with your audience and solve real problems for his clients.

Session 4 – October 5: Authorship/new product development

Giving a speech isn't the only way professional speakers build their businesses.  Learn how to expand your platform and profits through books, workbooks, CDs, webinars and other products and services.

Guest Faculty: Lori Miller & Rajeev Prayerdashi

 Lori Miller, founder and President of Tooty Inc., has designed, implemented and   managed web-based and classroom training, and customer service recognition   programs for companies and organizations both small and large.  Tooty Inc. has   listened to and evaluated more than 225,000 of sales and customer service   related conversations (Tooty Secret shopper) along with providing Tooty   Training™ to thousands. Ms. Miller is a tried and trusted resource   to organizational leaders who want to change workplace culture, improve interoffice/department communication, effectively address complaints and improve customer experience. Lori is a Past President of NSA-IL and her 30-year speaking career has focused on training.  

Rajeev Priyadarshi is an author, award winning speaker, a leading online        trainer and an IT consultant who has had considerable success in developing  online membership / subscription programs.

Session 5 – October 12: Managing Your Business

You can be great on the stage, but a lot of your success will depend on what happens behind the scenes. This session focuses on how to set up and maintain the business side of speaking, so you can move this from a hobby into a profit center.

Guest Faculty: John Blumberg, CSP

 John G. Blumberg is redefining ROI at the intersection of personal and   organizational core values. In 1996, John left behind an 18-year career he loved   … one that had taken him from CPA to worldwide recruiting responsibilities at   Arthur Andersen. Since then, John has evolved his general focus on leadership   and culture … to a laser focus on precisely what fuels them. John is the author   of Return On Integrity:  The New Definition of ROI and Why Every Leader Needs to Know It.  His newest book is Return On Integrity:  The Individual’s Journey to the One Essential Thing.

SESSION 6 - October 19: PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER-BEST PRACTICES and GRADUATION

Time to take a bow! You've gone through the 10-module workbook, heard from top-notch speakers, and now it's time to give your own speech.  Everyone gets a little stage time.  Then we end the class by celebrating with the representatives of the NSA Illinois Board and our very own chapter CSPs.

Guest Faculty: Catherine Johns

 Professionals turn to Catherine Johns when they need to speak with more   power and presence so they can influence their listeners to take action. A one-   time wallflower, Catherine developed her own powerful presence – and her   way with words – as a radio news anchor, talk show host and savvy, sassy   morning show side-chick. With radio in the rearview mirror, Catherine joined a   communication consulting firm as a presentation and leadership coach. She   guided executives and entrepreneurs to speak up…stand out…and make their message more magnetic. Her individual coaching clients are business owners, association executives, and corporate leaders on the way up. Catherine is the author of Show Up and Shine: Simple Steps to Boost Your Confidence and Charisma. She’s the proud winner of NSA Illinois’s Wordsmith Award.

COST

The investment in your future success is $795, which includes six 4-hour classes. NSA Illinois’ Speakers Academy alumni (graduates from the last five years only) may attend for a $195 reviewer fee. Reviewers also must complete the application

Please note: Once accepted and registered for NSA Illinois’ Speakers Academy, your program tuition will not be refunded, however make-up sessions are available for one year following the current session.

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