Toastmasters International -

Toastmasters International Conventions over the years have produced many milestones, showcased an array of top-flight speakers, and given members the chance to learn, network, and grow. They have also been a setting for celebration, fun, and sometimes spirited silliness as well (toga parties, anyone?).

Fun Nights

Fun Nights became part of the convention tradition early in the 1970s and lasted through the 1990s. These evening festivities usually had a theme, which was reflected in the decorations, music, food, entertainment, and attire. The shindigs were also often tied to something the host city or area was known for.

The 1974 convention had a Roaring Twenties theme, highlighting the organization’s founding 50 years earlier, in 1924. Convention-goers dressed as mobsters and flappers, danced to the music of the Dixie Ramblers, and participated in a jitterbug.

Other Fun Nights included themes such as Western World, Canadian Caper, and Maritime Masquerade.

Proxy Prowls

Candidates for Toastmasters officer positions also got into the spirit. They turned to some unusual tactics to attract attention—and votes. The gimmicks included dressing up in campaign-themed clothing or using their children and families as campaign ambassadors. In 1982, one candidate hired a bagpiper to play, and the following year, another candidate had a dancer perform.

Themed Costume Parties

Donning costumes was a big part of the festivities. For a “’60s Fun Night” in 1995, attendees dressed up in tie-dye and hippie outfits. At a safari-style event, members wore pith helmets and khaki duds. An “All-Star Sports Night” drew celebrants in their favorite sports attire.

The 2000 convention in Miami Beach, Florida, featured a pirate-themed party. At the San Antonio, Texas, convention in 2002, the costume motif was “Denim and Diamonds”; cowboy hats and other Western wear abounded. A toga party highlighted the following year’s event, in Atlanta, Georgia.

Man holding up woman in red dress on dance floor

Music

The International Convention has provided some big-time entertainment over the years. At one point, musical acts included Chubby Checker—famed purveyor of “The Twist”—as well as The Shirelles, the first Black female group to top any record charts. Other well-known acts included country-music star Jerry Reed, the band Asleep at the Wheel, and Little Anthony and the Imperials.

Districts often led convention entertainment. Which is how “the Beatles” made an appearance one year. The band dashed onstage and performed at the 1964 convention in Denver, Colorado, but when they removed their wigs, the Fab Four were revealed to be The Denveraires, four members of the District 26 host committee who were in a quartet.

Ted Corcoran, DTM, 2003–2004 International President, started the Sing-Along tradition at the 1992 Las Vegas convention, and it soon became a convention favorite. It’s a chance for Toastmasters to socialize and sing songs from around the world together, including Corcoran’s signature rendition of the Irish ballad “Danny Boy.”

At the 2016 International Convention in Washington, D.C., The Water Coolers, a comedy troupe, wrote and performed a tune tailored for Toastmasters, based on the mega-hit “We Are the Champions” by the rock band Queen. The song’s title: “Toastmasters Champions.”

In honor of Toastmasters International’s 100th anniversary, this is the eighth in a year-long series of articles commemorating historic milestones.