National Speakers Association - Michigan

❗❗ Less than 16 days left to get your early bird ticket for our Last Story Standing competition on Saturday Feb 7❗❗
After Jan 31, prices go UP for attending this inspirational event.

If you've been saying "Oh! I want to attend!", but haven't snagged your ticket, now's the time. It all happens next week Saturday, February 7th, 10am – 2:30pm in Troy at The AWWC (Amour Women Work Community).

Visit the link in the comments to register now.

Connect with industry professionals, root on these 12 competitors, get inspired, have lunch with fellow NSA members and discover perspectives that could boost your business. This event is open to everyone, so if you want to be in the room where the movers and shakers are, here's your chance. And yes, bringing a friend is highly encouraged.

See you there !

Do you have a story to tell?

Here’s your chance to share it on the big stage!

Save the Date! NSA Michigan’s Last Story Standing 2026 will be held on Saturday, February 7. This is your opportunity to captivate an audience, compete with fellow speakers, and let your story shine. 🎙️

This annual storytelling showdown is one of our most popular events of the year — and competition spots always go fast. Participation is exclusive to NSA Michigan members, so if you’ve been thinking about joining, now’s the perfect time! Become a member today so you’ll be ready to register as soon as the details drop. https://nsamichigan.org/membership

Save the date and start crafting your winning story — details coming soon!

Ready to 𝐅𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐫?

Whether you’re just starting out, leveling up, or rebooting your speaking business, the Speakers Academy is for you! In just 6 sessions, you’ll learn from top industry pros who will share the real-world strategies, skills, and secrets to building a successful speaking business.

- Virtual or in-person options available
- Learn directly from the best of the best
- Proven 24-hour program that gets results

𝐄𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲 𝐁𝐢𝐫𝐝 𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞: 𝐒𝐞𝐩𝐭 𝟏𝟓 – 𝐒𝐚𝐯𝐞 $𝟐𝟎𝟎!

The NSA Michigan chapter, in affiliation with NSA St Louis, invites you to seize this opportunity. Click the link to learn more about it: https://nsastl.com/speakers-academy/

Or message the NSA Michigan liaison to the Speakers Academy Eleni Kelakos to schedule a chat.

Don’t miss it—your stage is waiting.

Speakers Academy SignUp - NSA STL St Louis Speakers Academy signup page gives aspiring speakers the tools they need to launch or grow a speaking business and succeed.

2025-2026 Seminar Subscriptions are now available!

Why worry about missing early-bird deadlines or scrambling to register at the last minute? With our members-only seminar subscription, NSA Michigan members can lock in a full year of Saturday morning seminars for just $275—that’s like getting one seminar free!

Even better, subscribers are automatically registered for all Virtual Summits and get instant access to every event recording as soon as it’s released. No forms. No deadlines. Just great content, delivered to you.

Secure your subscription today and enjoy a worry-free programming year! https://nsamichigan.org/subscription

👉 Meeting Planners, this is for YOU!

💥 Imagine planning an event that runs smoothly, looks amazing and wows the crowd. And the bonus? You're not stressed the entire time and your attendees are flooding you with fantastic feedback. Sound good? 💥

👉 Then grab your ticket to the NextGen Meetings Conference hosted by NSA-Michigan and Destination Michigan on June 2–3 at Saint John's Resort in Plymouth, Michigan. We're less than FIVE DAYS from the experience that will help make your event planning easier.

👉 Get your ticket: https://nsamichigan.org/nextgen

The NextGen Meetings Conferences is THE place to be to connect with industry leaders, gain insights on elevating your meetings and events and find your next speaker or venue. Get all of this and more:
-- Top-notch education with curated keynotes and interactive breakouts
-- Speaker sessions selected through a pre-event competition with NSA Michigan, ensuring only the best take the stage
-- A vibrant tradeshow and hosted buyer appointments connecting planners with hotels, destinations, and suppliers
-- Networking receptions, food stations, and plenty of surprises along the way

Don't miss this! You never know when one connection can change it all for you.

Grab your ticket now and bring a friend: https://nsamichigan.org/nextgen

🔥 Speakers, this is YOUR moment! 🔥

But time is running out.

Only 8 days left to apply to speak at the NextGen Meetings Conference on June 2–3, 2025! This isn't just another gig—it’s a game-changer for your speaking career.

Why should you apply?

✅ Big Exposure, Big Opportunities – Imagine speaking in front of decision-makers who book speakers for corporate, association, and government events. This is your shot to make the right connections in the right room.

🎥 Pro-Level Marketing Assets – Walk away with high-quality video and photos of you on stage. If you want to land bigger gigs, you need killer promo materials—this is your chance to upgrade your brand.

🤝 Face-to-Face Networking with Event Planners – You’ll have dedicated time to connect one-on-one with meeting planners looking for their next speaker. Bring your A-game and marketing materials and let’s get you booked!

🚀 VIP Coaching with Craig Valentine – Get coached by a World Champion of Public Speaking before you hit the stage. This alone is worth the application.

💡 Attend the Full Conference for FREE – While you’re there, you’ll gain insider knowledge on what event planners want right now. Stay ahead of the curve and learn what gets speakers hired.

💰 Value of these benefits? Over $4,400!
(And that's just the tangible benefits. Imagine where you could take your business being in the room where it happens)

🚨 The Deadline? March 26. That's it! 🚨

Be there:
June 2–3, 2025
Saint John's Resort, Plymouth, MI
Proudly hosted by Destination Michigan and NSA-Michigan

This is YOUR time to get in front of the people who can put you on more stages and share your valuable message with audience members from all around the state and beyond.

⏳ NSA-Michigan members APPLY NOW before it's too late: nsamichigan.org/nextgen

Not an NSA-Michigan member? No problem! Visit the link in the comments to apply now.

Tag or share this with a speaker who NEEDS to be on this stage!
Robin Shear, Joy To The World Coaching

Are you a speaker wanting more exposure and potential business leads? Have you heard about the big opportunity to speak at the NextGen Meetings Conference in June? If you said YES, we answered the top questions we received about this prestigious event.

👉🏼 Are there actual, tangible benefits to speakers?
YES 100%! And the intangible benefits may be even more valuable.

👉🏼Do I have to be an NSA-Michigan member to apply?
Yes, this is an exclusive members-only opportunity. If you're not a current member, you can apply right here: https://nsamichigan.clubexpress.com/content.aspx?page_id=22&club_id=424408&module_id=565068

👉🏼Can I live outside of Michigan and still join?
Yes! There are many virtual business-building benefits to having an NSA-Michigan membership.

👉🏼What should I speak about?
There are 9 categories that your message can/must fit within.

👉🏼Can I apply just as an emcee?
Yes. The application walks you through that process.

👉🏼Will the application save my work if the tab closes before I’m done?
No, but taking screenshots may help.

Get detailed answers to these questions and many more by watching NSA Michigan’s Q&A call replay. A link to the recording is in the comments.

Applications are rolling in and due by March 26 (less than 3 weeks). If you want to take advantage of this huge opportunity, do not wait!

For detailed info about the event and application process, visit this link: https://nsamichigan.org/nextgen

🔥 We can finally announce our BIG event coming soon! 🔥

NSA-Michigan is partnering with Destination Michigan to create the NextGen Meetings Conference on June 2–3, 2025 at the stunning Saint John's Resort in Plymouth, MI. This inaugural event will set a new standard for premier professional gatherings in the meetings industry. This highly anticipated event is designed to inspire, educate, and connect meeting professionals with innovative ideas, cutting-edge trends, and actionable strategies to shape the future of the meetings and events industry.

👉 We're currently looking for NSA-Michigan members to seize the opportunity and apply to speak to a room filled with industry professionals, meeting planners and community leaders.

➡️ To answer all questions about this exciting opportunity, we're hosting a Q&A Zoom call on March 4, 6:30pm ET. ⬅️
Mark your calendar and access the Zoom call here: https://zoom.us/j/91960847133?pwd=4M01cyqhaE8I2LEVaUhKleVibZtT7r.1

Why apply?
-- Exposure: Position yourself as the thought leader to hire among a very well-networked audience of association, corporate, government, and other meeting professionals and decision makers from all around the state of Michigan.
-- Dedicated Networking Opportunities: Engage in meaningful, one-on-one conversations with meeting professionals who will be especially interested in your message and delivery. You'll also have a dedicated table and are encouraged to bring your speaker one sheets and various marketing materials to put in the hands of planners sourcing speakers.
-- Professional Branding: Presenters will receive high resolution, professional photo and video footage set against a premier stage of their session for promotional use.
-- Speech Coaching: Receive individual hotseat coaching on a portion of your presentation 3 weeks before the event from Craig Valentine, 1999 World Champion of Public Speaking
-- Community Building: Invite friends, family, fans, your support community, speaker bureaus and other professional speakers who might refer you after experiencing your talents.
-- High Value: The tangible and intangible benefits of investing in this business-building opportunity is truly priceless due to our specially-curated audience of event professionals and decision makers.

The event is limited to 15 speaking spots for this prestigious opportunity and video auditions will be required. Find all the details and link to the March 4 Q&A Zoom meeting right here: https://nsamichigan.org/nextgen

This is exclusive perk is for NSA-Michigan members only. If you're not a member yet, you can join right here:
https://nsamichigan.clubexpress.com/content.aspx?page_id=22&club_id=424408&module_id=565068

Mark your calendars now and we'll see you there!

🔥 That's a wrap! The Last Story Standing event = a packed house, fantastic storytelling, tons of connections and countless motivational moments.

Our 11 storytellers brought out their best on stage. The room was filled with tears, gasps, light bulb moments, laughs, never-ending inspiration and most of all, authenticity.

In the end, Michael Spehn reigned victorious as our 1st place champion, our 1st runner up was Josie Ann Lee and 2nd runner up was Lorrena Black. Michael will represent NSA-Michigan at the upcoming regional competition for a chance to compete at the national level in July.

Huge congrats to all the contestants
Darla Bishop, DrPH, Dr. Fred L. Johnson III, Josie Ann Lee, Kris Liebau, ACC, CMQ/OE, CQE, Cathy Mott, MCC, ISEI, Alondra Rosas Ornelas, Michelle Silverthorn, Angel Vallejo, MSOL, Lindsaya VanDeusen

Many thanks to:
-- the event team led by Kevandre Thompson
-- our judges Amelia Mimi Brown, CSP, Marilynn Semonick, Eleni Kelakos, CSP
-- our photographer Russell Climie
-- our venue University of Michigan-Dearborn
-- our esteemed emcee Princess Castleberry
and of course every member of the audience who shared in the experience! If you were there, What was your most memorable moment? We want to hear it!