NSA 2011 Convention: Advance Planning

Marriott Anaheim At the end of the month, I’m off to Anaheim, for my 7th NSA Convention. The theme this year is Influence and the conference chair is NSA bad-boy Randy Gage. He rocked the house a couple of years back with a religion-bashing keynote that, for the first time ever, did not get a knee-jerk 100% standing ovation as presentations at NSA conferences typically enjoy. Randy is a multi-millionaire entrepreneur who is not afraid to stir up controversy.

So I’m looking for the ways NSA presenters will shake it up this year.

In addition to the main tent sessions which fill the first two days, here’s where I’ll be spending my time. If you’ll be at the convention be sure to get in touch and say Hi.

Bloggers Breakfast

Rebecca Morgan, CSP, CMC and I will be hosting a Bloggers (and wanna be bloggers) Breakfast on Sunday July 31st. We meet at 7:30am in the Gold Key III room. Grab breakfast and come along with ideas to share about how to increase blog traffic, subscribers or revenue!

The Serious Side of Comedy, Mark Mayfield, CSP, CPAE

So where do you find funny stuff? How do you diagram a joke? What’s a throw-away line? Find out the answers to these questions and many more as seriously funny Mark Mayfield explores the SCIENCE of comedy. The performance art of comedy is critical and is part of this breakout, but it still takes a back seat to the mechanics of comedy. You’ll learn secrets and techniques that great comics use and learn how to incorporate them into your programs. By attending this session, you will be able to: understand why humor works and when it doesn’t; find comedy in observational experience; and improve your comedy writing and performing skills.

(Since the awesome Bill Stainton workshop at the Northern California Chapter back in March, I’ve had a deeper appreciation for the value of really good comedy in any speech. Looking forward to Mark’s suggestions here.)

Branding, Story Telling and Social Media for Speakers, Simon Mainwaring

This program will examine the fundamentals of brand definition, core values and effective communication across social media platforms. It reveals the need for you to integrate purpose and profit if social media is to work for, rather than against you. You’ll learn from some of the best practices and case studies of Fortune 500 brands to give companies the confidence and action steps to become the social technology leaders of tomorrow. By attending this session, you will be able to: define your brands to take advantage of the social business marketplace; further your branding and community building; leverage the latest in mobile, gaming and social technologies.

(Given my own interest in Social Media and past presentations I’ve given on this topic, this is a must. It’s been fascinating to watch the ways in which professional speakers have been using social media.)

Making Money in Your Jammies, Rebecca Morgan, CSP, CMC

The speaking business has shifted dramatically. How do you continue to make good income by redeploying your skills, talents and material? Learn to use teleseminars, webinars, blogs and your current intellectual property to make money in your jammies. Turn your IP into books, e-books, recordings, transcripts, e-learning, e-reports, e-booklets, bundled related products and ongoing revenue. This is a must-attend program for increasing your cash flow with your current IP. By attending this session, you will be able to:understand why “jammies” income is so important now because the speaking business has changed in the last few years; know why delivering your information virtually is critical and which types of teleseminars/webinars are right for your style and your target audience; and discover how you can create ongoing income from blogs, teleseminars/webinars.

(Rebecca is a key member of the Northern California Chapter who is a doyenne of the world of blogging and virtual meetings. As the co-publisher of SpeakerNetNews she has her finger on the pulse of the speaking business.)

How to Turn Customers into Crusaders, Doc Hendley

Doc gives a motivational and inspiring presentation that retells the story of his journey from bartender and musician to accidental humanitarian. When we consider a problem as far-reaching as the global water crisis, we often question the impact that we have as an individual. Doc’s life work and incredible story answers the question of how much impact one person can have. By attending this session, you will be able to: do what we can with what we have; recognize the immense power of relationships to transcend perceived barriers; and Internalize the power of one to transform the impossible into the inevitable.

(Executives face the twin challenge of showing how their companies are “doing well by doing good” as well as putting meat on the bones on their corporate social responsibility claims. Water is a fundamental need for life on earth. Jesus turned water into wine. Doc’s organization’s goal is to allow Jesus to turn His miracle around for the needy people of this world. Powerful stuff.)

1 Comment so far
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Ian-

Glad to hear you are making your preparations to come to the National Speakers Association (NSA) convention in just one more week! I think you have picked some great sessions! I must tell you, that ANY of the sessions will be knock-your-socks off brilliant content for the professional speaker.
See you soon, Ian!



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