NSA Illinois Fall Speakers Academy Equips Aspiring Professional Speakers for Success

NSA Illinois seeks to create a professional and supportive environment where speakers can develop their speaking business, improve their skills, and network with peers who are interested in everyone’s mutual success. Academy classes start on 9/22/18.

Presented by professional members of the National Speakers Association Illinois Chapter, Speakers Academy provides valuable information aspiring professional speakers need to launch a successful career in the public speaking business. Designed by professional trainers, the 24-hour program offers the “inside track” on how to launch and grow a successful speaking business. Attendees also receive a reference handbook of resources, templates, and guides.

Classes begin on September 22, 2018 at Roosevelt University in the Wabash Building at 425 S. Wabash Avenue in downtown Chicago. Well-known local speakers Conor Cunneen and Col. Jill Morgenthaler serve as co-deans for this information-packed series. For more information and to apply, visit https://www.nsa-il.org/Latest-Speakers-Academy or call 847-991-0772.

At every session, students will learn the inside out from the best speakers in the business.

Speaker Academy Goals: From Student to Stage to Entrepreneur

NSA Illinois’ Speakers Academy focuses on how to develop and market to people at corporations, associations, and organizations who hire—and invest in—keynotes, workshops, consulting and training.

Students will learn how to:

• Refine business plans

• Increase visibility

• Create a fee schedule

• Craft marketing strategies

• Develop profitable products

• Improve platform skills


NSA Illinois Spring Speakers Academy 2018 Curriculum

Location: Room WB 1015 at Roosevelt University, Wabash Building, 425 S. Wabash Avenue, Chicago

Dates: Saturday September 22 & 29, October 13, 20, & 27, November 3

Time: 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Tuition: $795.00

Each session covers essential information, ranging from improving platform skills to marketing and running your business. Participants will be equipped with the tools they need to succeed as professional speakers in today’s ever-changing market.


Session 1 – Orientation, Professional Awareness and Topic Development

Students will identify their core area of expertise and discover how to define and refine topics for target audiences.


Session 2 – Presenting and Performing, and Platform Mechanics

Developing speaker skills includes commitment to the profession, the art of presentation skills, and the logistics of speaking from the stage. Learn about everything from “owning the room” to managing the microphone.

Session 3 - Sales and Marketing

Success in the speaking business depends upon one’s ability to market services. This session covers positioning, the importance of the sales cycle, and marketing techniques to get booked.

Session 4 – Authorship and Product Development

Giving a speech is only one way professional speakers build their businesses. Learn how books, workbooks, CDs, webinars, and workshops can generate profits and expand your platform.

Session 5 – Managing Your Business

While someone can be great on stage, what happens behind the scenes drives success. Understand how to set up and maintain the business side to take speaking from a hobby or sideline into a profit center.


Session 6 – Putting it All Together / Graduation

Time to take a bow! You’ve gone through the 10-module workbook, heard from top-notch speakers in 24 hours of classes! Now, it’s time to take the stage and make a speech. Class concludes with a graduation celebration with NSA Illinois board members, Certified Speaking Professionals, faculty, and guests.


To apply to attend Speakers Academy, visit https://www.nsa-il.org/Latest-Speakers-Academy

About NSA Illinois

A local chapter of the National Speakers Association [NSA], NSA Illinois is dedicated to advancing the art and value of those who speak professionally. NSA Illinois seeks to create a professional and supportive environment where speakers can develop their speaking business, improve their skills, and network with peers who are interested in everyone’s mutual success. Board members: Lynne Franklin- President, Bill Guertin - President Elect, Haydn Shaw - Vice President, Amy Simatos - Secretary, Carl Seidman - Treasurer, Colonel (Ret.) Jill Morgenthaler - Past President, and Allie Pleiter - Director. For more information, visit http://nsa-il.org.

Contact Information

Christy Moore, CMP

Executive Director

National Speakers Association - Illinois Chapter

Christy.Moore@nsa-il.org