The Speaker Lab

If you are a Speaker Lab member and want to renew your membership in the Lab, click here.

The Speaker “Lab” is the ultimate opportunity to test new material or refine/improve existing material. The Lab is offered exclusively to members of the “Elite” NSA-Arizona Chapter–the only chapter nationally to offer this unique service.

speaker lab \ ’spē-kur * ’lab \ vb 1: elevating your speech to the next level; going from good to great. n 2: a meeting place where speakers come together to raise one another up. vb 3: the spirit of our founder Cavett Robert; living the NSA vision.

Speakers are allotted 30 minutes to present and receive feedback. Forty minute slots are also available, upon request.

• Elevator Speeches
• Humor
• Key Notes
• Openings/closings
• Recorded materials, DVD’s, CD’s
• Signature Story
• Special Vignettes
• Training exercise
• 3 minute story

What’s the Speaker Lab all about?

An important function of the Lab is to get confirmation on what we do right and awareness of what we do that can be improved. It’s been suggested that “magic” takes place at Speaker Lab.

Presenters get ideas, feedback in a “safe” place

What happens at Speaker Lab? Speakers get lots of critique, yes, but much more importantly, they get many suggestions for adding value to already good material. These speakers, already being paid to speak, recognize the need to get better so they can expect better fees!

Presenters range in experience from beginners to seasoned pros. Even the seasoned presenter is looking for ways to do better. Or working on new material. Or looking for a way to improve an introduction or a signature story. Or they’re venturing into a new area and need a “safe” place to experiment.

Morning and Evening Meetings

The AM Speaker Lab is held on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of every month.
Location: NSA Headquarters
1500 South Priest Drive
Tempe, AZ 85281
New time: 9:30 a.m. Networking / 9:45 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. LAB
Don Thoren and Maggie Hunts co-lead the AM Speaker Lab.

Contact Maggie Hunts regarding open speaking slots/scheduling.
Maggie Hunts, MaggieHunts@ItsASweetLifeNow.com
or 602-315-7788

Contact Don Thoren for Speaker Lab questions and feedback.
Don Thoren, CPAE, CMC, Dthoren@cox.net
or 480-838-7406

Typical Morning Agenda

9:30-9:45 AM - Networking (and set-time for presenters)
9:45-10:00 AM - Open Meeting, Announcements, Intros
10:00-10:30 AM - 1st Speaker
10:35-11:05 AM - 2nd Speaker
11:10-11:40 AM - 3rd Speaker
11:45 AM Close Meeting, Thank You’s

The Evening Speaker Lab meets on the 3rd Tuesday of every month.
Location: Best Western Inn Suites, 1615 E. Northern Ave.
(SE Corner of Northern & 16th St.)
Phoenix, AZ 85020, 602-997-6285
Please note this location is for evening meetings only.
Time: 6:15 p.m. Networking / 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. LAB
Attendees and Presenters, please RSVP by Mon. before.
Contact: Eileen Proctor, topdog@speaktopdogspeak.com
or 602-867-3647

Come on down!

Guests are invited to visit the Lab twice at no charge.

A message from Speaker Lab President, Larry Colbert

The late singer/songwriter John Denver is reported to have said… “For years I would write songs and sing them to myself all the while longing for someone to listen”. His dedication, hours of practice, and the passion for his music eventually paid off and the audiences found him.

Do you have a song to sing or a message to deliver? Have you longed for an audience who would listen? Well, wait no more. The NSA-Arizona Speakers Lab is ready for you!

Three times a month the members of the NSA-Arizona Chapter have an opportunity to speak to an eager group of individuals with a shared passion for the art of oral communication. Whether you are a veteran keynoter, seminar leader, or aspiring candidate, you will have an audience. The insight from the positive and constructive evaluation process of your peers is designed to assist you in fine tuning your message, refining your platform skills, and developing your signature stories. An added bonus is the video recording of your presentation and the oral evaluations.

The investment is small, yet the benefit is great. I encourage you to join us for 2 hours of fun and enlightenment as you work towards achieving your goals as a Professional Speaker

Carpe diem, Larry Colbert

Membership

Lab Membership dues, just $75.00 annually, help to defray the cost of the facilities used. Here’s your chance to try out new material, revise current material, practice delivery, and receive feedback from NSA speaking colleagues. New Members must attend at least 2 meetings before presenting so they will have an opportunity to learn how the group works. All Members are welcome to join the AM or PM Labs.

Speaker Lab Membership

Lab Members must be an active NSA-Arizona Professional or Candidate Member. To become a chapter member, click here

A message from Don Thoren, CPAE Speaker Hall of Fame and Past National President

“Early in my career, I spent two days with Cavett Robert, Bill Gove, Patricia Fripp, Charlie “Tremendous” Jones, Don Hutson and others as we reviewed video tapes of each others presentations. I never saw so much support, positive reinforcement, improvement ideas and enriching suggestions given by a group of speakers to each other. It was a help each other love-in!! During the past six years of the Speakers Lab, we have met twice a month to observe each other, recognize each others talent and offer suggestions for improvement. The results have been dramatic and the process personally satisfying. It is our own Arizona ‘help each other love-in’ and our doors are always open to those who want to help others and improve themselves.”

Don Thoren, CPAE Speaker Hall of Fame and Past National President

Questions? Contact Don Thoren, CPAE, at dthoren@cox.net or Eileen Roth at EileenRoth@aol.com

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