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My intention is to give daily posts on the exciting speakers here at the National Speakers Association in Orlando. And the lessons to be learned as well.
The relentless pace is getting the better of me, as I’ll keep my promise, but the posts will not be as meaty while it is going on for the next two days. But there is a lot of fodder for following posts.
Martha Williamson – who is one of the few here who is NOT a professional speaker, happened to give 
a classic speech. Actually, it was an experience, as any great speech will be. Martha was the creator and Executive Producer of the hit CBS TV Show Touched By An Angel, and she had the entire audience leap to a standing ovation. In tears. She was authentic, while being skilled. She stood out among professionals, and she doesn’t do it for a living. I’ll review her in detail later, as she was not only a master storyteller, but departed from her script to relate her personal story to the needs and interests of the audience. Very moving.
Two professionals who do speak for a living, and do a lot more as well, were highlights of today. If you ever get a chance to hear either Charlie "Tremendous" Jones or Nido Qubein – run, don’t walk to a seat in their audience. I am inspired by the spirit and soul of Charlie, and could sit at the feet of Nido and listen and learn.
More later.
Bert, I couldn’t agree with you more. Martha was a standout among excellent speakers we saw. She was heartfelt, sincere, articulate, self-effacing, thought provoking, funny and authentic. She exemplified a speaker who put her ego — and canned, polished talk — aside and spoke to what she thought would serve her audience better, even if it was an off-the-cuff, from-the-heart message. We did love it!
Let’s remind your readers that they don’t have to be NSA members to attend the events and watch and learn from great speakers. Since you are a former NSA Board of Directors member, and I am a current one, we want folks to know that they can still tap NSA’s resources. I know you have a link to NSA, but if they go to the Meetings section, they can see the dates for the Feb. Denver event, or next year’s convention in July in San Diego.