March 2009 News Flash

In this edition

Message from President Neil Dempster
NSA-Arizona Monthly Meeting March 14
Meeting Sponsor for March
Board Member Spotlight
Candidate Program: The Wealthy Speaker
Living Room Forum
New NSA-Arizona Members
Speaker Labs
Upcoming NSA-Arizona Programs
Upcoming NSA National Events
Bravo Corner
Word Trippers from the Platform
About This Newsletter

President’s Message from Neil Dempster

During our January monthly meeting, our keynote speaker, Al Walker, CSP, CPAE, said something that still resonates with me.

Al has been delivering keynotes and training programs for years and has thousands of presentations behind him. Yet he still gets together frequently with an intimate group of fellow professional speakers to work on his speeches and platform skills. Wow! What that tells me is true professionals don’t ever rest on their laurels. They continually strive for improvement; they know that developing new material is critical in a changing world; they understand that, as audience demographics shift, so must their delivery methods.

I revisit this important message because the NSA A-to-Z chapter has something unique that no other chapter in the U.S. has—a Speakers Lab. This is the perfect vehicle to practice new material, test out humor moments, develop platform techniques, as well as a myriad of other benefits.

This resource is for the seasoned professional as well as the emerging speaker. (Let’s face it, new material is new, whether you are experienced or not!) I encourage you to think of the Speakers Lab as an integral part of your growth as a speaker.

Your audiences will love that you did!

Sincerely,
Neil Dempster, MBA, CSP
NSA-Arizona President 2008-2009

P.S. This year, the NSA Annual conference is right here in our own backyard! No expensive travel required; no need to stay in the conference hotel (if you don’t want to); no need to worry about being away from home.

Yes, this year you can get the amazing benefits that come from attending this value-packed conference for just the price of admission. Look at this as a don’t-miss opportunity that comes to Arizona infrequently.

Put July 18-21, 2009 in your calendar right now. Start planning for an amazing learning experience!

NSA-Arizona Monthly Meeting—March 14

Networking/Breakfast: 8am – 9am
Meeting: 9am – 1:30pm
NSA Conference Center, 1500 S. Priest Dr., Tempe, AZ

Prepaid registration (by 5 pm Wed., Mar. 11): $30/members, $45/guests
At-the-door registration: $40/members, $55/guests
No refunds after the early registration deadline.
Please notify us if you require any special needs for the meeting.

KEYNOTE SPEAKER: CARL HAMMERSCHLAG, MD, CPAE

The Soul of Speaking

Dr. Carl Hammerschlag CPAE, is an inspirational speaker, author, physician, and healer. Recognized internationally, he shares extraordinary life experiences that have given him a unique perspective about how people can restore balance in their lives.

Using the language of science, the power of legends, and his vast clinical experience, Dr. Hammerschlag’s stories help people become the principal agents in their own lives. His work with Native Americans has been chronicled in three critically acclaimed books: The Dancing Healers, The Theft of the Spirit and Healing Ceremonies.

Dr. H. has been awarded the highest honor in professional speaking, the CPAE Speakers Hall of Fame Award, given to fewer than 250 individuals since 1977. He’s the only physician to be honored in this way.

VOICE OF EXPERIENCE: ED SCANNELL, CSP, CMP

Learning is Not a Spectator Sport!

Whether you offer a keynote or workshop, today’s audiences don’t want to be “talked at.” In this fun, interactive session, you’ll review some basics of adult learning and, more important, learn how to put them into practice. Plus you’ll leave with at least a dozen activities that you can use in your next program.

Edward E. Scannell, CMP, CSP, has presented interactive workshops to over 100 NSA and ASTD chapters across the country. His “Games Trainers Play” series, which has sold over a million copies, is used by speakers, trainers, and meeting planners around the globe.

TALENT TRIAGE PANEL

Debbie Allen, Don Thoren, Larry Colbert

Debbie Allen, CSP, is an international business speaker who has presented before thousands of people in 12 countries. She is the author of six books on business and personal development including her best seller, Confessions of Shameless Self Promoters. Her expertise has also been featured in four motivational movies including the newly released movie The Compass.

Don Thoren, CPAE, is a former NSA National President and member of the NSA Speaker Hall of Fame. This NSA legend shares his secrets for speaking success.

Larry Colbert, keynote speaker and author of Insights From An Out-Of-Sight Guy, is a two-decade member of NSA and serves on the board of NSA-AZ. He gives his perspective on how to communicate effectively without using a visual component.

BUSINESS BUILDING SESSION: SUSAN RATLIFF

Exhibit Like an Expert: Bling Your Booth, Maximize Your Marketing and Turn Your Product Display Into a Powerful Profit Center at Tradeshows, Conventions or After You Speak

This session provides tools for building your speaking businesses. All professional members, Candidate members, and guests attending the morning sessions are welcome.

Don’t turn down that free exhibit booth space! Make sales soar at the back of the room. This fun, fast-paced session is power-packed with relevant techniques, practical tips, and real-world examples guaranteed to boost your brand, generate leads, and move more product every time you exhibit.

By attending this session, you will discover why exhibit marketing is the best-kept secret in the speaking business. You’ll master the five most essential elements needed for booth selling success using Susan’s formulas for effective exhibiting.

Les Taylor heads the 2008-2009 Program Committee, assisted by Maggie Hunts, Debra Exner, and Celeste Bumpus.

Please Pre-pay for Meeting Attendance To streamline check-in at our monthly meetings, please prepay for your meeting attendance. Members and guests SAVE $10 when they prepay by 5pm on the Wednesday before the Saturday meeting.

Prepaid Registration (by Wed., Mar. 11 at 5 pm): $30/members $45/guests
At-the-door registration (available as space allows): $40/members /$55/guests
Did you know you can bring your spouse/partner/staff member at the member rate?

Online: Register
By email: send name, company, and number of attendees to Gwen@nsa-arizona.org
By telephone: call (480) 968-7443

SUPPORT OUR MEETING SPONSOR: Please Support Our Meeting Sponsor

Taylor Scott, My Computer Works!

My Computer Works! provides immediate and unlimited computer support by connecting to you over the Internet. U.S.-based technicians can remotely repair problems, answer your computing questions, and make a difference as they:

Reduce time spent dealing with computer problems
Secure information from outside intruders
Extend the lifetime of computer software
Improve computer performance
Increase system availability
Lower IT costs

Call 1-800-990-4MCW or 602-635-6150 ask for Taylor Scott.

Susan Ratliff chairs the 2008/2009 Sponsorship Committee.

Board Member Spotlight—Susan Ratliff

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 Susan Ratliff, Board Member and Chair of the Sponsorship Committee.

Neil: Susan, tell us why having sponsors is important to our chapter.

Susan: Our sponsorship privileges provide an opportunity for local businesses to introduce products and services that are beneficial to the membership. For example, our sponsors have included a photographer, a graphic designer, a computer support firm, and many other services that members use frequently. In addition, it’s a lucrative way to generate revenue for the chapter. I call it a win/win proposition.

Neil: How many times have you seen sponsors come back and sponsor a second time?

Susan: Pretty consistently. Our sponsors are finding value in their participation because I see probably 50 percent coming back.

Neil: Susan, of all of the things you’ve learned as a member of NSA, what are the top three things that have helped you grow your business?

Susan: Participating in chapter meetings and especially in the business building sessions have provided knowledge about the speaking business that would have taken me years to research on my own. The information shared about product development has been especially valuable to me. The training from video and website experts have helped me create new technology that targets my customers. Of course, knowing about the mistakes speakers make when developing collateral and marketing has saved me a lot of time and money.

Neil: Isn’t that the truth! In your first year on the Board, what areas do you see as priorities for the immediate future?

Susan: I would like the Board to collect and record historical data about what’s worked to build the chapter and what activities or processes are old and outdated. By categorizing all the programs, fundraisers and meeting formats, and then recording the successes or failures, we can prevent new board members and each new president from wasting time with ideas that didn’t work.

I’d also like to see the Board spend time tapping into the collective knowledge and creativity of Board and Chapter members to keep us on the cutting edge. They have a wealth of information if we can find a way to ask for it.

Also important is the Chapter’s profile in the community; we need to increase our influence and exposure in our own backyard. We have some outstanding leaders and phenomenal members that should get more accolades than they’re getting. The community would benefit from knowing we have these powerhouse people in our chapter.

Neil: Susan, thank you for your time and your commitment to our NSA chapter.

Candidate Program: The Wealthy Speaker: Aim

We are continuing our year-long series based on the Ready, Aim, Fire approach from Jane Atkinson’s The Wealthy Speaker. We are currently focused on Aim: Marketing to Reflect Positioning and Benefits.

Please join us for our next tele-seminar with Neil Dempster, MBA, CSP
Saturday, March 21, 2009
11:00 to 12:00 MST

Call-in details will be sent to participants prior to session.

More Visitors or More Buyers . . . You Choose!

We know that speakers, trainers, and consultants need to have a website. But is driving traffic to your site effective if visitors are simply out browsing and not part of your target audience?

If content is king on the world wide web, what content will keep you booked?
This session shows you how to get the people who BUY to your site and techniques to CLOSE them once they are there.

Join Neil Dempster, MBA, CSP, for this candid, non-technical session on what he’s learned about building a speaker website that works as an effective marketing tool. (You may be surprised by how simple it can be!)

Questions? Email Michelle May, M.D. or Vickie Bouffard.

Michelle May heads the Candidates Program for 2008-2009.

Living Room Forum: Jim Taszarek

How to Increase Your Income with the Electronic “Speech Magnifiers” (or “You Magnifiers”)

March 25, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.

We’ve always needed to have a great speech, but we’re now competing with speakers who know how to magnify their message with tools like PowerPoint, GoToWebinar, and WordPress, LinkedIn, iContact, and a couple dozen more.

Jim Taszarek is the former GM of KTAR & K-Lite Radio. Today, he works with major league sports franchises and media of every kind using new technologies. He spends much of his time showing clients the simplicity (and profitability) of applying various “Speaker’s Miracles.”

Specially, he’ll share tips on—

Webinars. (Making an excellent speaking income without going to the airport or getting dressed up.)
Presentation Zen: The Do’s and Don’ts of PowerPoint. (How to cause your audience to either fall asleep or stand up and cheer.)
Blogs. (The no-cost replacement for the old-fashioned website.)
LinkedIn. (I got a six-figure consulting gig from a guy in England who first thought I was dead.)
Constant Contact. (There’s a better one that’s easier, cheaper, and local.)
The Twitter Class of Online Stuff. (Interesting, but not much return.)
KEYNOTE—Mac’s version of PowerPoint. (The ultimate knock-’em-dead presentation tool)

When you sign up, you’ll be sent an online, pre-meeting survey. (Another free tool you can use.)

Cost: $15 members, $25 Guests
Registration and payment required in advance; no refunds.
For additional information, call Gwen Henson (480) 968-7443.
Note: Living Room Forums meet on the fourth Wednesday evening of each month September through November (third Wednesday) and January through May.

Kitty Wiemelt and Bonnie Mattick co-chair the Living Room Forum for 2008-2009.

New NSA-Arizona Members

Welcome to our newest Professional members: Mary Feeley, CSP; Sherry Anshara; Joel Weldon, CPAE

Welcome to our newest Candidate members: Sylva Leduc; Terry Sprouse; John Rossi

Please check out NSA-Arizona’s website for bios and contact details.

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

Evening Speaker Lab held 3rd Tuesday of every month. An enhanced Speaker’s Lab experience continues at our new location, Jobing.com headquarters. 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

To participate, please contact Maggie Hunts for open speaking slots/scheduling via email or 602-315-7788.

For Speaker Lab questions and feedback, contact Don Thoren, CPAE, CMC or 480-838-7406
Speaker Lab Chair for 2008-2009 is Larry Colbert or 480-894-2639

Upcoming NSA-Arizona Programs

Please join us for these monthly programs.

April 11, Roxanne Emmerich, CSP, CMC, CPAE
May 9, Alan Zimmerman, PhD, CSP, CPAE
June 13, Tim Gard, CSP, CPAE

Upcoming NSA National Events

Mark your calendar for these fabulous NSA events:

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 NSA

Bravo Corner

Andrea Beaulieu has launched Finding Your Authentic Voice: Seven Practices to Free the Real You and Experience Love, Happiness, and Fulfillment.

Deborah Gardner has published her book How to Sell to Men Without Wearing a Low-cut Dress.

Barbara McNichol now has her ebook 2009 Word Trippers available, with 300+ word pairings that can trip up writers, readers, and speakers.

Word Tripper 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.

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.”

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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National Speakers Association – Arizona