I’ve just returned back to the office after an eventful week at the Toastmasters 2009 International Convention.  Like so many others at the convention, I had the opportunity to meet up with old friends and to make many new ones.  Darren LaCroix, Craig Valentine, and myself arrived a few days early to host “Get Paid to Speak” Champ Camps and The World Champions’ EDGE Summit.  It was a blast!

Darren LaCroix and I put together a few video journals of our trip and I am excited to share them with you.

Video Journal – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKlBta0v7PA

Contestant Advice – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52yqGsRWO2A

Pre-conference Activities – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2BcE1yYEPsk

The convention peaked on Saturday morning with the World Championship of Public Speaking Competition. Ten contestants came together after months, even years, of preparation to compete for the title of 2009 World Champion of Public Speaking. Congratulations to Mark Hunter of Australia for taking the title this year. Great job to all who competed!

I would love to hear if you attended the convention and what you thought of it. What was the highlight for you? What did you take away from the experience?  If you didn’t attend, start planning now for 2010, I’d love to see you there!