PORTLAND, Ore., May 16, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Robert Brewer, age 25, of Gresham, Oregon, is one step closer to the title of World Champion of Public Speaking. Brewer took first place at the Toastmasters District 7 International Speech Contest this month in Eugene, Oregon, earning him the privilege to compete on August 20 with 90 other semifinalists at the Toastmasters International Convention in Washington, D.C.

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Brewer said he joined Toastmasters in 2013 "because it would help me become a better communicator." Over time, Brewer said, Toastmasters helped him develop and sharpen his communication skills. More importantly, it helped him become a better listener.

"It's helped me grow in confidence," he said. "I have a lot of fun at Toastmasters, in large part due to being around a positive and affirmative group week in and week out."

"I chose to compete because I enjoy speaking. I felt like this would be a good way for me to grow as a speaker and to help me get out of my comfort zone."

"Quite often I doubt myself and feel that I do not have something important to say. My speech was as much a message to myself as it was to my audience. I find speaking to sometimes be a therapeutic process for me. I wanted my message to be authentic and come from an honest place, so I felt it appropriate to share how I process speaking."

This year's Toastmasters International Speech Contest began in February with over 30,000 contestants in 135 countries. In the semifinal round, Brewer will compete against speakers from across the United States, as well as China and India. He said he plans to work with previous District 7 contest winners to perfect his speech.

According to speech contest rules, Brewer is also constructing a completely new speech, which he will need if he advances past the semifinals to the championship on August 20. Members of District 7 are extending offers to help him polish and perfect his speeches for the upcoming semifinals.

Brewer is a member of Gresham Toastmasters Club. He graduated from Warner Pacific College in 2014 with a bachelor's degree in business administration and social science. He is a sales professional for Sports Management Worldwide, an online sports career training company in Portland.

About District 7 Toastmasters
District 7 represents 175 Toastmasters clubs in Oregon, Southwest Washington and Northern California. For more information, please visit www.d7toastmasters.org.

About Toastmasters International
Toastmasters International is a nonprofit educational organization that teaches public speaking and leadership skills through a worldwide network of meeting locations. Headquartered in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, the organization's membership exceeds 332,000 in more than 15,400 clubs in 135 countries. Since 1924, Toastmasters International has helped people of all backgrounds become more confident in front of an audience.

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SOURCE District 7 Toastmasters

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