National Speakers Association Annual Convention

This was my third year attending the National Speakers Association annual conference.  As always it was a great experience and it was a good opportunity to connect with other professional speakers.

Speaking is a wonderful career, but it can also be very lonely.  Many of my friends and family have no idea what I do all day or what is involved with working full-time as a speaker, trainer, consultant, etc....  Additionally some clients are not even familiar with the industry of speaking.  The conference is a great place to be with my peers, see how others cultivate their businesses, share best practices, establish friendships, and view some of the all time greats on the "Main Stage".

Several other speakers from the Austin Chapter of NSA were also in attendance (Sara Canaday and Patti DeNucci are pictured above), and all agreed that our young chapter will continue to benefit from our affiliation with the National Speakers Association.  Each month we have a local meeting with camaraderie and experiential education.  I look forward to my continued support of this amazing group.

My oldest daughter also attended the Teen Leadership Program that NSA hosts for the children of the members.  With a plethora of the country's greatest speakers and thought leaders in attendance the teenagers are exposed to new ideas, concepts and inspiration.  This program has existed for over twenty years, and it surprises me that other organizations do not have similar offerings for the families of their members.  It is a great chance for me to share NSA with my kids.

Our whole family also took a few days in Southern California after the event to have dinner with old friends and explore the Los Angeles area following the convention.  While we had a great vacation to Italy in July, this extra trip was an important part of our summer.

Now I am back at work preparing for several keynotes and "Conference Catalyst" presentations that are coming up in the next few weeks.  I am also working to implement the ideas I learned at the NSA event into the marketing of my business.  Attending industry events is a great way to get exposed to new concepts and trends, but implementation is key.

Have A Great Day

thom singer