Inspiring Speakers & the World Championship of Public Speaking® Coming to Toastmasters International Convention

ENGLEWOOD, Colo., July 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Toastmasters International has announced an impressive lineup of speakers for its 2025 International Convention, to be held Aug. 20-23 in Philadelphia, PA. With more than 20 inspiring speakers and 28 speaker contestants, the 2025 International Convention will offer nearly triple the number of speakers as in previous years.

"We are thrilled to introduce more dynamic speakers and educational sessions at this year's International Convention," says Aletta Rochat, Toastmasters International President-Elect. "Each speaker is thoughtfully selected to inspire and empower our members as we look toward a bright future for our organization."

The keynote speaker, Anne Bonney, will kick off the convention during the highly anticipated Opening Ceremonies on Wednesday, Aug. 20. Known as a fun and energetic motivational speaker and trainer, Bonney uses her experience, education and expertise to ignite courage, confidence and resilience when navigating change, practicing courageous communication and developing emotional intelligence.

Matt Abrahams will take the stage on Aug. 22 to receive Toastmasters' 2025 Golden Gavel Award. He is a leading expert in communication, a lecturer in Organizational Behavior at Stanford University's Graduate School of Business and the host of the popular, award-winning podcast Think Fast, Talk Smart. As a communications consultant and coach, Abrahams has helped numerous presenters prepare for high-stakes talks, including IPO roadshows, Nobel Prize award presentations and appearances at TED and the World Economic Forum.

The World Championship of Public Speaking^® on Aug. 23 will showcase eight finalists competing for Toastmasters' most prestigious speaking title. The speakers have advanced through several rounds of competition, including the semifinal event on Aug. 21, with 28 contestants representing countries around the world. The World Championship of Public Speaking is a highly anticipated event that draws attendees from across the globe and highlights the power of public speaking to inspire, connect and lead. It can be attended as a stand-alone event during the Toastmasters 2025 International Convention.

Other educational speaker sessions:

• Dismantling Burnout: Cait Donovan, an expert in emotional intelligence and burnout prevention, will break down the shared responsibilities of leaders and team members in creating a work culture that combats burnout from all angles. Leaders will learn how to foster environments that prioritize well-being without overstepping into the role of therapist, while teams will discover their own role in managing stress, boundaries and workload. Together, they will explore actionable strategies to reduce burnout culture and build workplaces where everyone thrives.

• The Story Finder: Speaking Tips from a World Champion: 2000 World Champion of Public Speaking, international speaker, author and business executive Ed Tate will share ways to revitalize, re-energize and enhance presentation content. Presenting his proven four-step framework for creating a story in minutes, Tate will show how to build confidence, uncover humor and present ideas creatively and consistently.

• Futureboards Workshop: Sarah Centrella's Futureboards™ workshop, based on her number-one bestselling book #Futureboards, offers a dynamic, hands-on experience focused on her trademarked, proven method for creating actionable, clear visions for the future, with an emphasis on balance, abundance and success in all areas of life.

• Lights, Camera, Impact: Mastering Video for Brand Building and Success: "Filmpreneur" Forrest Tuff will explore the art and science of leveraging video to elevate a business and brand. Drawing from his award-winning multimedia and branding experience, Tuff will share tools and insights to help attendees create compelling, high-impact video content.

• Shaping a New Era of Public Speaking: The NET Approach: Organizational psychologist, speaker and award-winning facilitator Melinda Lee will lead an interactive session on the NET Approach (Notice, Extract, Transform)—a powerful framework designed to help speakers communicate with clarity, impact and influence in any setting.

• Toastmasters Journey Workshops: Four workshops, each presented by three dynamic speakers, will offer members practical strategies to sharpen skills in areas such as Corporate Club Clinic, Value-Added Membership, Club Growth on a Budget and Becoming Distinguished. These sessions will provide valuable takeaways for members and leaders alike.

To learn more about the Toastmasters 2025 International Convention, taking place Aug. 20–23, and to view the full schedule of events—including the Opening Ceremonies, Education Sessions, and the World Championship of Public Speaking—visit toastmasters.org/Convention. The Toastmasters 2025 International Convention will be a hybrid event and the public is invited to attend in person or online. View online details for ticketing information.

About Toastmasters International
Toastmasters International is a nonprofit educational organization that builds confidence and teaches public speaking skills through a worldwide network of clubs that meet online and in person. In a supportive community or corporate environment, members prepare and deliver speeches, respond to impromptu questions, and give and receive constructive feedback. It is through this regular practice that members are empowered to meet personal and professional communication goals. Founded in 1924, the organization is headquartered in Englewood, Colorado with approximately 270,000 members in more than 14,200 clubs in 148 countries. For information about local Toastmasters clubs, please visit toastmasters.org.

SOURCE Toastmasters International