February 2009 News Flash
In this edition:
- Message from President Neil Dempster
- NSA-Arizona Monthly Meeting February 14
- Meeting Sponsor for February
- Meet the Board
- Candidate Program
- Living Room Forum
- New NSA-Arizona Members
- Speaker Labs
- Upcoming NSA-Arizona Programs
- NSA National Updates
- Bravo Corner
- Word Trippers from the Platform
- About This Newsletter
President’s Message from Neil Dempster
Saying “thank you” is one of the easiest ways to communicate to others just how much you appreciate a kind gesture, task, or support. But there are people in our lives who have played a significant role in helping us become who we are today. They deserve a lot more than a simple “thank you.”
Perhaps your special person is a spouse or partner who assists you with love and reinforcement when you need it most; perhaps it is a mentor who tells you what you should hear (and not just what you want to hear); maybe the person is a colleague who helps you perfect your craft or an administration support person who runs your office.
Regardless of their roles, they are the people who NSA A-to-Z will honor during our February 14th extravaganza (but only if you bring him/her as a guest!).
This month’s NSA A-to-Z meeting lands on Valentine’s Day—the perfect day to thank those who help you do what you love to do in the speaking business. For our “Bring Your Spouse, Significant Other and Special Person” Day, we offer an unbelievable combination of events that will inspire everyone in attendance. Your guests will truly understand how much you appreciate what they do to help you succeed. In the immortal words of Albert Schweitzer, “At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.”
To rekindle the flame within you and those who support you, be sure to sign up for this special Valentine’s Day meeting. It’s filling up fast.
Sincerely,
Neil Dempster, MBA, CSP
NSA-Arizona President 2008-2009
P.S. We have two new Professional members I would like to bring to your attention. First is Kristin Arnold, MBA, CPF, CMC, CSP, who is the Vice-President of NSA National (and will be NSA National President in two years!). Second is Joe Sherren who is the Immediate Past-President of the International Federation for Professional Speakers. Please give them both a HUGE Arizona welcome!
NSA-Arizona Monthly Meeting- February 14
Bring Your Spouse, Significant Other and Special Person Day
Valentine’s Day 2009 coincides with our monthly NSA-Arizona meeting. But there’s no reason to choose between the person you love and the career you love.
February 14 features our first-ever “Bring your Spouse, Significant Other and Special Person Day” to celebrate the people who give us guidance, emotional support, and even put up with us!
Honor your “special person” by sharing this exciting morning with keynote speaker Willie Jolley, known as “the ultimate romantic.” In addition to paying the member rate, your “date” will receive a special NSA-Arizona gift at the meeting.
What a way to say, “Thank You!”
Time: 9:00 am – 1:30 pm; networking/breakfast 8:00 am
Location: NSA Conference Center, 1500 S. Priest Dr., Tempe, AZ
Prepaid registration (by 5 pm Wed., Feb. 11): $30/members/spouse/special person, $45/guests (without member)
At-the-door registration: $40/members/spouse/ special person, $55/guests (without member)
No refunds after the early registration deadline.
Please notify us if you have any special needs for the meeting.
Keynote Speaker: Willie Jolley—Creating a Speaking Business Where Love and Dollars Flourish!
An award-winning speaker, world-class singer, best-selling author, and media personality all in one person, Willie Jolley, CSP, CPAE, accelerates success by growing people, performance, and profits. He’s come to our chapter to share how to create a speaking business where love and dollars flourish.
Willie is known as America’s premier celebrity speaker, singer, and author, inspiring millions with music and motivation. He was recently inducted into the Speakers Hall of Fame, joining luminaries Ronald Reagan, Zig Ziglar, Harvey McKay, and Les Brown. In 1999, he was named One of the Outstanding Five Speakers in the World by Toastmasters International. Former winners include Christopher Reeve, Margaret Thatcher, and Colin Powell. In 2003, the McDonald’s Corporation named him A Black History Maker of Today!
You’re in for special treats with Willie this Valentine’s Day!
Voice of Experience: Romancing the Bureau with Andrea Gold
Wouldn’t you LOVE to get the attention of a speaker bureau? Wouldn’t you LOVE to know which approaches to the bureau work and which don’t?
In this special Valentine’s Day edition of Voices of Experience, we focus on ways to develop and enhance your bureau relationships. You will love the information that Andrea Gold of Gold Stars Speakers Bureau shares with us. She’ll demonstrate how to “romance” a bureau in a way that will have you laughing one minute and re-thinking your entire approach the next.
Andrea Gold is president and owner of Gold Stars Speakers Bureau, based in Tucson in business nearly 20 years. Gold Stars represents an extensive variety of speakers, celebrities, sports figures, facilitators, entertainers, emcees, and consultants worldwide.
Be prepared for Andrea to challenge your assumptions, dispel a few myths, and give you the insider’s perspective on how it all works. Don’t miss it!
Business Building Session: When Meeting Planners Hire Speakers, What’s Love Got to Do with It?
12:15 pm – 1:30 pm
This session provides tools for building your speaking businesses. All Professional members, Candidate members, and guests attending the morning session are welcome.
LIVE FROM THE MEETING WORLD! This extraordinary session welcomes several professional meeting planners—key people involved in hiring speakers for their programs. From their “loving” perspective, you’ll learn what it takes to win their hearts—and their business.
In this session, a panel of planners will discuss:
- Topics of current interest
- Best communication formats
- Types of speakers their audiences are looking for
- How to market to planners in today’s tough economy
You’ll have the opportunity to ask questions and find out how it takes more than LOVE to seal a bond.
This panel of meeting planners is facilitated by Deborah Gardner, CMP, The Competition Gal and president of Compete Better Now! In addition to being a member of NSA, she’s president of the Arizona Sunbelt Meeting Professional International Chapter (MPI) and board member for the Arizona Tourism Alliance (ATA). Deborah’s hot-off-the press book is How to Sell to Men Without Wearing a Low-Cut Dress. For details, go to http://www.DeborahGardner.com
Congratulations to Lynn Murphy who won a free meeting attendance by completing his evaluation form at January’s meeting. Submit your evaluations at the February meeting to participate in a drawing for a free meeting.
Prepayment Procedures: To streamline check-in at our monthly meetings, please prepay for your meeting attendance. Members and guests save $10 when they prepay by 5 p.m. on the Wednesday before the Saturday meeting. Registration at the door (available as space allows) is $40 for members and $55 for nonmembers.
Note from Executive Director Gwen Henson: We are happy to keep your credit card on file for meeting payments but it is not an automatic service. Please specifically ask us to do that.
To register for this meeting and save $10, follow these prepayment procedures.
Three ways to register:
- Online: go to http://nsa-arizona.org/meetings/feb14-2009/
- By email: send name, company, and number of attendees to Gwen@nsa-arizona.org
- By telephone: call (480) 968-7443
SUPPORT OUR MEETING SPONSOR: Mullins Creative
Does your marketing deserve a smack or a smooch?
Mullins Creative has had a crush on the creative marketing world since 1991. Vickie Mullins and her staff have been puttin’ luv in design solutions for clients of all sizes, from solo-preneurs to the largest printer in the world, the Government Printing Office in Washington, D.C.
In 2007, Vickie began her affair with the world of speakers when she became an NSA Candidate. She’s committed to learning about the speaking business as a way to market her eight self-published books. Her company offers get-hired one-sheets to gorgeous logos, book designs, self-publishing consulting, e-newsletter development, booklets and everything marketing in-between. Mullins Creative can help you create the marketing pieces that get you the smooch you deserve.
Susan Ratcliff Susan@exhibitexpertsaz.com heads the Sponsorship Committee 2008-2009.
Meet the Board—Eileen Proctor
To help answer your questions about what your Board is up to, this monthly segment profiles a single board member in an interview format. This month features Eileen Proctor, Board Member and Chair of the Marketing and Communications Committee.
Q. Eileen, what attracted you to serve on the NSA-Arizona Board?
I’m never one for just sitting in the background and waiting to see what’s going to happen—I like to get involved. To use a car analogy, there’s a huge difference between being a passenger who’s along for the ride and the driver who’s actively engaged in getting to a destination. I was a Candidate member for two and a half years, and I have been a Professional member for about a year and a half. I felt that I had some great ideas and energy that I could use to help an already strong Board get even better.
Q. Eileen, one of your responsibilities on the Board is Marketing and Communications. What does the new “A-to-Z” brand mean to you?
Well, first I have to thank you, Neil, for coming up with the concept of NSA A-to-Z. When you first mentioned it, I got excited. I knew that we needed a new graphic logo that would represent the enthusiasm you intended. The new brand communicates a subtle but consistent message that NSA Arizona gives you everything that you need–A to Z, soup to nuts, top to bottom. That is, our chapter provides the information, inspiration, and support necessary for speakers to succeed. I’m just glad we live in Arizona because it would be tough to have that brand if we lived in Wisconsin!
Q. That’s funny. And yes, we’re glad to live in Arizona. But seriously, you have turned the A-to-Z concept into quite a brand!
It’s all about the marketing. Whether it’s for the chapter or for us personally, it’s about finding ways to get our brands out there.
Q. Absolutely. The Board is fully committed to providing value to members, as you know, Eileen. Could you describe areas where you have received value from the chapter?
I want to acknowledge the encouragement to do new things I get both personally and professionally from Professional members and Candidates as well as the CSPs involved in the chapter. Every week, there is something different to participate in that helps us learn and grow. In addition to the monthly meetings, we’ve got the Living Room Forum and the Speaker Development Labs. I also get energy and validation being around professional speakers at any level. I’ve heard the expression “fake it till you make it.” Well, that’s not what you have to do here. At NSA, it’s “when you see it, you know you can be it.”
Another important element is the friendships I’ve developed at different levels—people I never would have met otherwise. That’s what I take away both professionally and personally.
Well said. Your comments about friendships are a great acknowledgment to the family we have created at our chapter.
Candidate Program: Ready, Aim, Fire!
We are continuing our year-long series based on the Ready, Aim, Fire approach from The Wealthy Speaker. We are focused on “Aim: Marketing to Reflect Positioning and Benefits.” Please join us for our next monthly tele-seminar on Saturday, February 21, 2009, from 11:00 to 12:00 MST. Watch for call details.
“How to Turn the Internet into Your 24/7 Client Attraction Magnet” with Debbie LaChusa
A seasoned marketer with over 21 years of experience, Debbie turned her sights to the Internet in 2004. Since then, she has become known online as a marketing and home-based business expert to her thousands of clients worldwide. She runs several successful websites and teaches others how to leverage the web to become a recognized, sought-after expert and attract clients 24/7.
Debbie is the founder and president of 10stepmarketing.com and 6FigureWorkAtHomeMom.com
Michelle May heads the Candidates Program for 2008-2009.
Living Room Forum – February 25
Note: LRF meets on the fourth Wednesday of each month September through November (third Wednesday) and January through May.
Gwen Henson, executive director of the Arizona Book Publishing Association, will lead a discussion on publishing.
What three questions will help you determine whether you should seek a publisher or self-publish your book?
How can you find trustworthy editors, designers and printers?
How are speakers uniquely qualified to market their books?
What secret technique will help you determine what book subjects are in demand?
In addition to being our own NSA-Arizona executive director, Gwen is the executive director of the Arizona Book Publishing Association. Her company Sagebrush Publications has been helping authors and publishers publish high-quality, marketable books for 17 years. With her background in book design, typesetting and editing, she is well-versed in the tricks of the publishing trade.
Kitty Wiemelt kitty@kittywiemelt.com and Bonnie Mattick bonnie@bonniemattick.com chair the Living Room Forum for 2008-2009.
New NSA-Arizona Members
Welcome to our newest Professional members: Natalie Sayer, Kristin Arnold, CSP, Joe Sherren, CSP
Welcome to our newest Candidate members: Barbara Atkins, Gilat Ben-Dor, Kelly Damron, Jack Lindsley, Jean Slagel, Patrice Tinlin
Please check out NSA-Arizona’s website
Join Us at the Speaker Labs
The Speaker Lab is the ultimate opportunity to test new material or refine/improve existing material. The Lab is offered exclusively to members of NSA-Arizona, the only chapter nationally to offer this unique service. Speakers are allotted 30 minutes to present and receive feedback. Forty-minute slots are also available on request. Guests are invited to visit the Lab twice at no charge.
AM Speaker Lab is held 2nd and 4th Tuesday of every month.
Location: NSA Headquarters, 1500 South Priest Drive, Tempe, AZ 85281
Time: 9:30 a.m. Networking / 9:45 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. LAB
To participate, please contact Maggie Hunts for open speaking slots/scheduling. MaggieHunts@gmail.com or 602-315-7788
Evening Speaker Lab held 3rd Tuesday of every month. An enhanced Speaker’s Lab experience continues at our new location, Jobing.com headquarters. It will be held on the third Tuesday, Feb. 17. NSA members, Candidates, and guests are welcome to see the value NSA offers. One or more CSPs or CPAEs will be present to give feedback.
Location: Jobing.com, 4747 North 22nd Street, 2nd floor
Phoenix, AZ 85016 (Camelback & 22nd area)
Time: 6:15 p.m. Networking / 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. LAB
Contact: Bill Johnson at Bill@BillJohnson.com or Maggie Hunts at MaggieHunts@gmail.com
For Speaker Lab questions and feedback, contact Don Thoren, CPAE, CMC, Dthoren@cox.net or 480-838-7406 Speaker Lab Chair for 2008-2009 is Larry Colbert, 480-894-2639, larry@drivingvision.com
Upcoming NSA-Arizona Programs
- March 14, Carl Hammerschlag, CPAE, MD
- April 11, Roxanne Emmerich, CPAE, CSP, CMC
- May 9, Alan Zimmerman, CPAE, PhD, CSP
- June 13, Tim Gard, CPAE, CSP
Members: If you have not picked up your insulated drink tumbler with 08-09 schedule, request one from Bill Johnson at 602-870-3333.
NSA National Updates
Mark your calendar for these fabulous NSA events:
2009 Winter Conference – Feb. 12-15, 2009 in Orlando, Florida
2009 NSA Convention – July 18-21, 2009 in Phoenix, Arizona
2009 Fall Conference – November 19-22, 2009 in Phoenix, Arizona
2010 Winter Conference – February 11-14, 2010 in Nashville, Tennessee
2010 NSA Convention – July 17-20, 2010 in Orlando, Florida
2011 NSA Convention – July 30-August 2, 2011 in Anaheim, California
For more details, go to the NSA website at http://www.nsaspeaker.org
Bravo Corner
Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), Greater Arizona Chapter has selected marketing consultant Elaine Fogel as the recipient of its 2008 President’s Award. She chairs the chapter’s communications committee and serves on its board of directors. Elaine is president and CMO of Solutions Marketing & Consulting LLC.
Andrea Gold and Gary Yamamoto have just released their new ebook, The Business of Speaking: Proven Secrets to Becoming a Million Dollar Speaker.
Word Trippers from the Platform
By Barbara McNichol (editor@barbaramcnichol.com)
Improve how you use words on the platform! Don’t let these pesky pairings trip you up.
Prognosis, prognostication – While “prognosis” and “prognostication” both mean a forecast or prediction, “prognosis” specifically refers to the probable course or outcome of a disease, including the likelihood of recovery. “The prognosis for people who have certain kinds of cancer is good if it is detected early.” “Before we had daily weather forecasts, we often turned to the Farmer’s Almanac for weather prognostication.”
Rational, rationale – “Rational” (RA-tion-al) means having or exercising reason; based on reasoning or logic. “Rationale” (ra-tion-AL) means the fundamental reasons serving to account for something; explanation of reasons. “You’re not being rational; your rationale for buying that expensive car is your passion for its color.”
Renounce, denounce – “Renounce” means to give up, especially by formal declaration; to disown. “Denounce” means to condemn or censure publicly; to accuse formally; to announce the ending of (e.g., a treaty). “The young aristocrat renounced his title and denounced his family for their refusal to sanction his relationship with a commoner.”
Sign up for Barbara’s Word Tripper of the Week at http://www.BarbaraMcNichol.com and receive a complimentary ebook of 300+ Word Trippers. Barbara is your perennial NewsFlash editor.
About This Newsletter
Email your News Flash announcements to editor Barbara McNichol at editor@barbaramcnichol.com or call 520-615-7910 by 15th of each month.
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