Members traveled to Southern California, where Toastmasters first began 100 years ago, for the 2024 International Convention from August 14 to 17. Online attendees took part in the centennial celebration via a livestreamed experience.
This historic convention in Anaheim had a little more than 1,500 in-person attendees from approximately 80 countries. The milestone convention featured such history-flavored touches as a popular museum exhibit—with an accompanying documentary—showcasing Toastmasters’ first century. The onsite store, always a convention favorite, sold an array of centennial-themed items, from tote bags to the coffee-table book Confident Voices: The Story of Toastmasters.
Befitting the special occasion, the four-day program drew numerous past World Champions of Public Speaking as well as 23 Past International Presidents.
The 1920s-themed President’s Celebration, held after the installation of 2024–2025 International President Radhi Spear, DTM, concluded the convention, putting a festive punctuation point on the historic event.
Opening Ceremonies
The convention started with a flourish, as one by one, members from more than 120 countries strode onstage carrying the national flag during the colorful Parade of Flags.
Keynote speaker Shawn Ellis engaged the audience as he talked about the importance of being resilient in a world of constant change. Touching on his neurodivergent son, he urged people to find the richness in everyday life and stay in the present—to "master the moments.”
Also during the opening ceremonies, outgoing International President Morag Mathieson, DTM, reflected on her year of service and saluted the abundant support of her husband, David, who labeled himself the “IPA” (International President’s Assistant).
A Global Celebration Reception was held after the event, with members from around the world dressing in cultural attire and connecting with fellow members and friends.
The Golden Gavel Award
Lisa Sun is the 2024 recipient of Toastmasters’ prestigious Golden Gavel Award. In her presentation, Sun encouraged audience members to choose self-confidence, work to harness their “superpower,” and use gravitas to advance personally and professionally.
As an entrepreneur, Sun founded her company, Gravitas, in 2012 with a mission to catalyze confidence. She is the national best-selling author of Gravitas: The 8 Strengths That Redefine Confidence. Learn more about Sun in this Toastmaster profile.
World Championship of Public Speaking
From an initial pool of 30,000 participants in 148 countries, 28 members competed in the International Speech Contest Semifinals at convention. Eight finalists—two from each of the four semifinal rounds—advanced to the World Championship of Public Speaking held Saturday, August 17.
Luisa Montalvo took first place with her speech titled “37 Strangers.” In her speech, the Toastmaster from San Juan, Texas, representing District 55, recalled how 37 strangers, including firefighters, EMT specialists, helicopter pilots, surgeons, and nurses, came together to save her life after an automobile accident and how they helped her recognize her value.
Second place went to Hannah Cheng (District 67) from Taoyuan City, Taiwan, with her speech “Are You Ready?”
Angeli Raven Fitch (District 4) from San Bruno, California, finished in third place with her speech “Replaced by Sophia.”
The five other WCPS finalists were Stefano Cossalter (District 96), Marc Williams (District 119), Elizabeth Hutson (District 30), Ravi Uduwela (District 82), and Fursey Gotuaco (District 128).
Video Speech Contest (for undistricted clubs)
First Place: Mehr Tanvir, Husne WorldWise Advanced Toastmasters, Islamabad, Pakistan
Second Place: Angie Palmer, DTM, Earthlings Toastmasters Club, Tseung Kwan O, Hong Kong
Third Place: Erum Fatima Rizvi, DTM, Quantum Leap Advanced Toastmasters Club, Islamabad, Pakistan
Accredited Speaker Program
Two of the three initial candidates went on to earn the Accredited Speaker designation. Lauren Parsons, DTM, of Ashhurst, New Zealand, and Maureen Zappala, DTM, of Henderson, Nevada, became the 94th and 95th Accredited Speakers since the program began in 1981.
This elite title is reserved for those who combine expert knowledge in a particular subject with a mastery of public speaking during a competitive two-level selection process. For their Level 2 speeches, Parsons discussed the importance of resilience and offered wellbeing tips in her speech “Resilience to Not Just Survive but Thrive,” and Zappala presented on overcoming imposter syndrome in her speech “Confidence Is NOT Rocket Science.”
Learn more about the Accredited Speaker Program and how to apply.
Education Sessions and Events
Attendees in Anaheim journeyed through the Toastmasters Through the Years Exhibit, which featured memorabilia from founder Ralph C. Smedley, historic documents, a new documentary, past International Convention pins, and more. Other highlights included the Smedley Fund Eras of Exercise Experience, networking luncheons, the special nighttime Sing-Along, a Toastmaster magazine photo booth, and book signings of Confident Voices: The Story of Toastmasters.
Other highlights included a prestigious panel of Past International Presidents as they discussed Toastmasters’ heritage, along with semifinal speakers, and the World Championship of Public Speaking.
Featured Sessions:
- Negotiating Conflicts Confidently With Alica Shikina
- An Extraordinary History: Past Leaders Discuss 100 Years of History
- Toast Talk Sessions:
- Gia Abao: Build a Club Social Media Presence Amidst the Noise
- Marty Dickinson: This Missing Piece to Club Growth and Longevity
- Sravanthi Vallampati, DTM: Keep ‘Em Coming Back!
Hall of Fame
The annual Hall of Fame ceremony celebrated the successes of Distinguished Districts and individual members in the 2023–2024 program year. Below, winning Districts are listed by the highest percentage of Distinguished clubs within each Distinguished level.
During the ceremony, Districts 127, 120, 118*, 93, 94*, 125, 98, 109, and 13 were recognized as Smedley Distinguished, the highest level of recognition a District can achieve. Districts 92, 91, 124, 101, and 107 were recognized as President’s Distinguished, and Districts 80, 59, 102, 71, 87, 85, 119, 18, 117, 96, 104, 128, 100, and 97 were recognized as Select Distinguished. Districts 88, 52, 69, 30, and 90 were recognized as Distinguished.
In addition, Presidential Citations were given to 17 members for exemplary service and dedication at the club, District, or international level.
(The * denotes the Excellence in Leadership Award for achieving Distinguished District for three or more consecutive years.)
Annual Business Meeting
There were no proposals for 2024.
International Board of Directors
2024-2025 Executive Committee:
International President: Radhi Spear, DTM, Piscataway, New Jersey
International President-Elect: Aletta Rochat, DTM, Cape Town, South Africa
First Vice President: Stefano McGhee, DTM, Weymouth, Massachusetts
Second Vice President: Gauri Seshadri, DTM, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
Immediate Past International President: Morag Mathieson, DTM, Moehrendorf, Germany
2024–2025 International Directors seated for two-year terms:
Mark Lucas, DTM
Region 2
Srinivas Saineni, DTM
Region 4
Jenilee Taylor ,DTM
Region 6
Sujit Sukumaran, DTM
Region 8
Francesco Fedele, DTM
Region 10
Monique Tonna, DTM
Region 12
Viola Lee, DTM
Region 14
Convention On Demand
Did you miss out on the convention sessions or events? Enjoy unlimited access to sessions and highlights for 100 USD by purchasing On Demand.
Staff The Toastmaster magazine staff is comprised of five editorial team members. Learn more about them on the Staff page.
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