Description
about the event ...
This year, in addition to our awards ceremony, we’re offering something extra special: a powerful educational session and presentations from our Last Story Standing Chapter Champion, Martina Mathisen, and, new this year, a presentation from one of our Speaker’s Academy Grads.
Chris Carter, our chapter’s President, will host our program of networking, education, and celebration in his usual entertaining way.
This event is one of the highlights of the year, offering both inspiration and celebration. Save the date and register soon!
NSA Illinois members: Be sure to log in to your account for the member rate. Not a member? Join us today and enjoy exclusive benefits!
Event Information
- Date: Friday, June 12 2026
- Time: 8:30 AM - 11:30 AM
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Location: Harper College
1200 West Algonquin Road
Palatine, IL 60067
Wojcik Conference Center
Building W
Event Schedule
- 8:30 – 9:00am: Registration
- 9:00 – 11:00am: Educational Program
- 11:00 – 11:30am: Conclusion & Networking
MEET OUR GUEST SPEAKER
Megy Karydes
Megy Karydes helps leaders find their voice — and turn it into a book. As a ghostwriter, book coach, and strategic communications consultant, Megy partners with executives, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders who have a powerful story to tell but need expert support to shape it, write it, and get it into readers’ hands.
With more than 20 years of professional writing experience, she brings both the craft and the strategy to every project. Megy is the author of 50 Ways to More Calm, Less Stress: Scientifically Proven Ways to Reduce Your Anxiety and Boost Your Mental Health, and her byline has appeared in the New York Times, National Geographic, Architectural Digest, House Beautiful, The Atlantic, Fortune, Forbes, and dozens of other national publications.
That journalism background means she knows how to find the story inside the story and make it compelling for any audience. She teaches graduate-level communications at Johns Hopkins University and is an active member of the American Society of Journalists and Authors (ASJA). Based in Chicago, she works with clients across industries, from nonprofits and cultural institutions to business leaders ready to establish their thought leadership through a book.
If you have a book inside you, Megy can help you get it out. Reach out to her via email at megy@karydesconsulting.com for a free 30-minute consultation or visit MegyKarydes.com to learn more about her and her work.