You'll hear from Toastmasters from all around the globe, ranging from local Toastmasters to others who trekked up to 40 hours to get to Vancouver to attend the premier event. Some are new Toastmasters, joining within the last month and others have been members for decades.

If you’ve never attended an International Convention, listen to what the attendees have to say. There are so many events and activities packed into the four-day event and there's truly something for everyone.

In the second half of the podcast, you'll get to meet seven volunteers, many who have taken on various tasks during the event. You'll learn why they signed up to offer at least 10 hours of their time, some of the things they've experienced, even behind the scenes. You’ll no doubt sense the fun they had, the people they met, some memorable moments and the endless opportunities for leadership.

     - Steve Gilliland: Follow Me (Keynote) 

     - Lars Sudmann: The Innovative Toastmaster: Spice up your leadership and communication skills with practical innovation strategies

     - Eldonna Lewis Fernandez: Think Like a Negotiator – Ways to Create Win-Win Results

     - Michelle Tillis Lederman: How to Get What You Want: Influencing Others Into Action

Register for the convention today by visiting: https://www.toastmasters.org/Events/2018-International-Convention/Registration-Options

Johnson, a coach and Toastmaster since 1983, shares her experience about the role as chair and why she said yes to taking on such major endeavor; what was involved and her experience putting together and working with such an incredible team. We learn about her leadership journey, what she learned, the skills she used, and hear advice for people thinking of taking on a major leadership role. Johnson happily reminisces about her first convention (Chicago 1989) and offers an insight on how leadership as a conference chair differs from International President.

Drake shares how he discovered Toastmasters during the Q & A portion of a Brendon Burchard, High Performance Academy presentation. This helped earn him a position with the team of Live Different, a non-profit organization that tours across Canada delivering motivational & inspirational presentations in front of young people as well as organizes the building of homes in places like the Dominican Republic, Haiti and Mexico.

Listen as Drake  explains the difference between empathy and sympathy, and details how his need for fulfillment and passion caused him to leave his dream job for an opportunity to make a difference in young people’s lives.

Myles Drake can be reached on Facebook.