From Vancouver to District 91: now it's its turn. 29 August 2026 There are moments in leadership that stay with you. For me, one of those moments happened in Vancouver. Standing alongside Toastmasters from around the world, each carrying a flag representing a country at the Convention opening ceremony, I was reminded of the extraordinary diversity of its organisation. Hundreds of people from different cultures, backgrounds and walks of life, united by a shared belief: People can become more confident, capable communicators and leaders when they are given the opportunity, encouragement and support to grow. That is what Toastmasters means to me. And after an inspiring week, I have come back with one thought firmly in my mind: Toastmasters International has an incredible opportunity in District 91 this year. The International Convention gave Toastmasters International a chance to step back from the day-to-day running of its clubs and District and see the bigger picture. There are now 13,708 clubs and 265,512 members across 93 districts, with more than 101,000 education awards achieved in 2025-26. Behind every number is a member. Someone who found the courage to speak. Someone who learned to lead. Someone who became more confident at work. Someone who found friendship and connection. Perhaps someone who walked into a Toastmasters meeting feeling nervous and walked out thinking: Maybe I can do this. That is the impact Toastmasters International should never lose sight of. Proud moments for District 91 Alongside Lynne and Alison, I had the privilege of attending two days of District Leader training before the Convention. It was an intense and inspiring opportunity to learn, share ideas and connect with leaders from across the world. Toastmasters International were incredibly proud to see District 91 recognised as a Distinguished District, as well as being recognised in the top three Districts with the highest number of clubs with 20+ members. Debbie, its Immediate Past District Director, led the team to receive the award on behalf of District 91. And then came another very special moment: Jean Gamester, DTM, from District 91 was elected First Vice President of Toastmasters International for 2026-27. A tremendous achievement, Jean, congratulations! It is a wonderful reminder that members from its own District can make an impact far beyond their individual clubs. The World Champion is from its Region! One of the highlights of Convention is always the World Championship of Public Speaking. Eight speakers, having progressed through the Toastmasters contest journey from Club to Area, Division, District and Region, reached the World Championship stage. This year's World Champion is Dirceu D'Silva from District 59, Region 10, with his winning speech, "Best Decision Ever." And I love that he is from its Region. His journey began, just like every other contestant's, with a decision to stand up and speak. Perhaps there is a future World Champion sitting in one of its District 91 clubs today. When Toastmasters International create the environment and provide the opportunity, Toastmasters International encourage members to step forward. And then Toastmasters International support them to discover what they are capable of achieving. Turning strategy into action Over the past few weeks, Toastmasters International has been developing its District Success Plan and Budget. But a strategy on a page doesn't create success. People do. Its strategy comes alive in its clubs, in the welcoming meeting, the first speech, the completed Path, the new leader and the member who asks for help and finds someone ready to support them. That is why its immediate priority is Club Success Plans. Just as Toastmasters International has a plan for District success, every club needs a meaningful plan that creates its own trajectory towards excellence. These are due by the end of September, with special recognition for early submissions. Toastmasters International is also focused on new club growth, with recognition opportunities for clubs chartered before the end of September. If there is a gap at your workplace or community for a toastmasters club, let's work together to make it happen. Your Voice Matters On 19 September, Toastmasters International will hold its first District Council meeting of the year, following the District Executive Committee meeting on 6 September. District Council is an important part of how District 91 is governed and gives its clubs a voice in District business. I encourage every Club President and Vice President Education to register and attend. If you have questions, please speak to your Area or Division Director, or contact me. The people behind the progress Every District leader has chosen to give their time, energy and expertise to serve its members. To its District Leadership Team, Area Directors and Division Directors - thank you for everything you do, most of which happens quietly behind the scenes. A special thank you to Violet Karamagi, its Finance Manager, for her expertise and commitment to its budget work. And to Deborah Williams, its Administration Manager and Suhas Kumar, its Public Relations Manager, thank you for the incredible collaboration over these first few weeks. You have helped Toastmasters International communicate effectively and make the District run smoothly. I am genuinely proud to lead this team. 1-1-3-1 Challenge At the Convention, Toastmasters International were challenged to embrace the 1-1-3-1 Challenge: 1 - Invite someone. Invite 1 person who could benefit from Toastmasters. 1 - Ask for help. Ask 1 person to support you. None of Toastmasters International has to do everything alone. 3 - Recognise people. Recognise 3 people for the contribution they make. 1 - Celebrate one success. Stop and celebrate 1 thing you or your club has achieved. Then do it again. Vancouver reminded me how big Toastmasters is. District 91 reminds me why it matters. And let's make this a year Toastmasters International can all look back on and say: Toastmasters International made a difference. Are you ready? Last Updated on 29th August 2026 by Suhas Kumar

Toastmasters 2026 International Convention set for Aug. 19-22 in Vancouver. Four-day global gathering offers world-class leadership workshops, innovative sessions, and the World Championship of Public Speaking(R). ENGLEWOOD, Colo., Aug. 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ - Toastmasters International will host its 2026 International Convention in Vancouver, Canada, from Aug. 19-22, providing a global stage for professional development in communication and leadership. The four-day event features a high-density schedule of keynote addresses, educational workshops, and the world's premier public speaking competition. Psychologist and human connection expert Jody Carrington serves as the keynote speaker, presenting "Decoding Emotional Intelligence." Carrington will explore the psychological foundations of effective leadership and team dynamics. Award-winning journalist and workplace strategist Jennifer Moss will be recognized with the 2026 Golden Gavel award. Following this honor, she will present "Why Are We Here? Creating a Work Culture Everyone Wants," which examines the evolving requirements of employee retention and organizational health. The convention program shifts toward emerging technology and tactical skill-building through specialized general sessions. Mariam Tariq, a senior technology executive, will lead a workshop on using artificial intelligence to craft high-impact pitches, while workplace behavior expert Joshua M. Evans focuses on purpose-driven leadership. The event features the World Championship of Public Speaking(R), bringing 26 semifinalists from around the world to compete for a spot in the final eight. These finalists will take the stage on Friday, Aug. 21, to vie for the title of World Champion. This specific competition serves as a global showcase for narrative power and public speaking excellence, attracting attendees from nearly 100 countries. Attendees may participate in the championship as a stand-alone session or as part of the broader convention itinerary. "Look at what our speakers are actually talking about. Emotional intelligence. Purpose. How we create a workplace where people want to stay. Even the session on artificial intelligence comes down to making a human point land," says Stefano McGhee, Toastmasters International President-Elect. "The tools keep changing. The need to reach another person never does. That's the thread running through this convention" * Strategic Communication: Joel Schwartzberg will provide methods for sharpening professional messaging in his session "Get to the Point!" * Leadership Development: Entrepreneur Dai Manual will guide attendees through creative approaches to organizational growth and club management. * Purpose or Perish: Leading with Meaning: TEDx programmer, Joshua M. Evans, will inspire the audience to reconnect to their deeper "why. * AI Integration: Mariam Tariq will demonstrate how AI-driven digital marketing can attract new members and streamline outreach efforts. * Toastmasters Journey Workshops: A series of special workshops will be presented by Toastmasters, for Toastmasters, on topics aimed at developing skills and enhancing club experiences. The convention serves as the primary annual gathering for the organization's network of over 265,000 members who meet in more than 13,800 clubs worldwide. For further information: 720-679-0046, [email protected]

Second Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) award! Celebrating an Extraordinary Achievement! Congratulations to Nnana S. Langa of Sandton Toastmasters Club on earning his second Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) award! Achieving the Distinguished Toastmaster designation once is an exceptional accomplishment. Earning it a second time is a remarkable testament to sustained excellence, continuous learning, outstanding leadership, and an unwavering commitment to personal growth and helping others succeed. Your journey exemplifies the Toastmasters promise of lifelong learning and demonstrates that there is always another level of excellence to pursue. Your dedication continues to inspire members across District 74 and beyond. Congratulations on this outstanding milestone, Nnana! May your passion for communication, leadership, and service continue to leave a lasting impact on everyone you mentor and inspire. Congratulations on your second DTM! #District74 #Toastmasters #DistinguishedToastmaster #SecondDTM