Discover, Learn, and Lead: 2026 Conference Education Sessions Are Here
- Apr 17
- 3 min read
Updated: May 3
The 2026 District 55 Annual Conference (May 29-31) is shaping up to be an unforgettable experience! Time to explore our full lineup of education sessions, expert presenters, and learning tracks.
Designed to help you Practice with Purpose, this year’s program delivers practical tools, fresh ideas, and meaningful growth opportunities for every Toastmaster.
Featured Keynote Speakers
Be inspired by three powerful voices taking the main stage:
Friday Night Keynote - Chris Raneri, DTM - International Director, Region 3 (2025–2027)
A respected leader with 25+ years in telecommunications, Chris inspires audiences to grow through confident communication and servant leadership.
Saturday Noon Keynote - Jay Johnson - Servant Leadership Expert and Founder of J2 Servant Leadership. A retired U.S. Air Force veteran, Jay empowers leaders to build trust, lead with intention, and create lasting impact through service.
Saturday Night Keynote - Luisa Montalvo - 2024 World Champion of Public Speaking Luisa captivates audiences with heartfelt storytelling, sharing a powerful journey of resilience that led to her world championship-winning speech, “37 Strangers.”
Education Tracks Designed for You
With 4 powerful tracks: Leadership, Membership, Club Excellence, and Personal Growth, you can customize your experience and Practice with Purpose. Choose one track to follow, or jump around between tracks to pick and choose your own adventure. The choice is yours!
*See the full description of sessions here
Leadership Development
Build the mindset and skills to lead in today’s evolving world.
Pathways to Success: Project Management for Toastmasters – Tim McDearmon.
Learn how to apply practical project management tools to successfully complete Pathways projects and leadership roles.
Leading the Trailblazers: Reimagining Leadership for the Next Century – Juliane Croker. Discover how creativity and curiosity can help you lead effectively in an AI-driven future.
The Next Generational AI-Powered Toastmasters – Satish Shenoy
Explore how to elevate your pitching and communication skills to engage audiences and drive meaningful results.
Hitch your Wagon to a Stronger Leadership Journey – Darlene Cross & Livya Mitchell. Uncover how Toastmasters leadership roles prepare you for real-life opportunities in unexpected ways.
Strengthening Our Membership
Grow, engage, and retain a thriving club community.
18 Steps to a Winning Speech – Luisa Montalvo
Gain a clear framework for crafting and delivering competitive speeches that score highly with judges.
The Art of Membership: Recruitment, Retention, and Reengagement – Wafae Owen
Learn strategies to attract new members while strengthening engagement and long-term retention.
The Hidden Driver: Addressing Fear, Performance, & Better Decisions – Sa Huynh & Theo Bill. Identify hidden fears that impact performance and apply tools to make clearer, more confident decisions.
Impromptu Speaking to Win Life’s Toughest Rodeos – Maria-Cristina Spiak
Master impromptu speaking skills to handle high-pressure moments with confidence and success.
Club Process & Excellence
Enhance your club operations and meeting quality.
From Chaos to Control – Dan Jackson
Learn how to confidently step into leadership and bring structure to even the most disorganized meetings.
Rope in Your Audience with a Great Opening and Send Them Off with a Closing – Amy Villameriel. Practice proven techniques to create engaging openings and memorable closings for your speeches.
TI Guide to Effective Judging – Chuck Hinkle
Develop the skills to be a fair, objective, and effective judge in Toastmasters speech contests.
Beyond the Agenda: Mastering Your Meetings (Easy-Speak vs FreeToastHost) – Grace Bennett & Jeff Puckett. Compare two popular club management platforms to determine which best supports your club’s success.
Personal & Professional Development
Invest in your confidence, voice, and personal growth.
Turn Your Story Into Impact: Writing Your First Book at Any Age – Lisa Traugott
Gain practical steps to overcome self-doubt and start writing your first book with clarity and confidence.
The Pre-Speech Playbook: Pose, Talk, Rehearse – Veronica Williams
Use simple psychological techniques to reduce nerves and elevate your speaking performance.
Developing Authentic, Winning Content Speeches Based on Your Personality Style – Gary Seale. Discover how your personality type can shape more authentic and impactful presentations.
Taming Your Inner Outlaw: Wrangling Impostor Syndrome – Scott Hopkins
Learn strategies to overcome self-doubt and build lasting confidence in your abilities.
Your Growth Starts Here
Each session is designed to be interactive, practical, and immediately applicable, so you leave not just inspired, but equipped to take action.
Whether you're building confidence, strengthening your club, or stepping into leadership, this conference is your opportunity to grow with purpose.
Secure your spot, plan your schedule, and get ready to Practice with Purpose.
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