74th Annual Toastmasters International Conference

We were fortunate to meet some really heavy hitters in both the public speaking and Toastmasters' worlds:

I got to meet Gene Perret, nominated 6 times for an Emmy award, and winner 3-times  (1974, 1975 and 1978).  Gene was also the head writer for Bob Hope for 10 years.  A truly awesome man, whose talents were evident from the moment he spoke.

I also got to meet motivational writer and business writer Marcus Buckingham.

Who wouldn't enjoy the chance to shake hands with the quintessential Public Speaking Guru, Toronto's own Bob Proctor?

And I'm so pleased to have had the chance to meet "Fat Daddy", Dr. Randy Harvey, who taught us all about "Speaking in 3D".

Here's a golden opportunity! A picture of me sandwiched between two Toastmasters Presidents!

From left to right - Darren Gahan, CL, Past President of Simcoe Shores Toastmasters (SST); Lynne Davis, VP-Education of SST; Dr. Dilip Abayasekara, DTM, 2005-2006 International President; me; Jon R. Greiner, DTM, 2004-2005 International President; and Bill Bienia, DTM, International Director for our Region.

How about a picture of our SST gang with 2005 World Public Speaking Championships 3rd place finisher Erick Rainey ATM-B!  From left to right, Sharon Hoar, CL, VP-Membership of SST; me; Alaysa Rainey; Erick Rainey, ATM-B; David Hoar, President of SST; Darren Gahan, CL, Past President of SST; and Lynn Davis, VP-Education of SST.

Or, better still, a picture of the SST gang with 2005 World Public Speaking Championships 2nd place finisher Angela Louie!  From left to right, Lynn Davis, VP-Education of SST; Sharon Hoar, CL, VP-Membership of SST; Darren Gahan, CL, Past President of SST; Angela Louie, DTM; me; and David Hoar, President of SST.

Finally, la crême de la crême of the 2005 World Public Speaking Championships, 1st place finisher Lance Miller. From left to right, Lynn Davis, VP-Education of SST; Darren Gahan, CL, Past President of SST; Sharon Hoar, CL, VP-Membership of SST;  Lance Miller; me; and David Hoar, President of SST.

Just on top of the flag one can see (from left to right)  John MacDonald, DTM, Lt. Governor of Marketing; Kathleen Wong, DTM, Lt. Governor of Education; John Rich, DTM, 2005-2006 District Governor of District 60; Joan Binetti, DTM, 2004-2005 District Governor of District 60; Jon R. Greiner, DTM 2004-2005 International President.

It couldn't get more stirring than seeing the whole of District 60 take to the stage to claim their title as Number 1 district in North America, and Number 2 in the world! There were so many joyous Canadians, it took 10 minutes to assemble them, and two pictures to show them!

What a great time!  I am looking forward to taking my 2006 vacation in Washington DC, home of the 2006 Toastmasters International Annual Conference!

While many people may have shied away from asking these important people for a moment of their time, these pictures are a testament to asking the question - look at the result! 

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