A Century of Excellence: Highlights from the Toastmasters International Convention 2024
From August 14th to 17th, 2024, Toastmasters from around the globe gathered in Anaheim, California, to celebrate a monumental milestone – the 100th anniversary of Toastmasters International. This historic event was held near Santa Ana, where the very first Toastmasters club was founded by Ralph C. Smedley in 1924. The convention was a vibrant celebration of a century of empowering individuals to become confident communicators and leaders.
The excitement was palpable as 1700 members from over 120 countries participated in the convention in person and many more virtually. The event kicked off with the colourful Parade of Flags, where representatives proudly carried their national flags, symbolizing the global unity and diversity of Toastmasters. This was especially moving as most flag bearers wore a traditional costume from their country.
One of the highlights of the convention was the presence so many District Trios from around the world. District 17 Trio from Western Australia. Jeff Zhang, District Director; Tom Bielski, DTM, Program Quality Director; and Maree Pickens, DTM, Club Growth Director, made the long journey to Anaheim to be part of this once-in-a-lifetime celebration. Their attendance was particularly special as it underscored the global reach and impact of Toastmasters. The trio’s enthusiasm and dedication to the organization were evident as they engaged with fellow members, shared insights, and participated in various sessions and most importantly accepted awards in the Hall of Fame event.
Ian Pickens, DTM, Immediate Past District Director won a District Club Strength Award, in recognition of exceptional growth in average club size by 17.55%. Jeff Zhang was recognised for Leadership Excellence in Program Quality with 25 District 17 clubs achieving Distinguished or better in the Distinguished Club Program. Finally, the most prestigious award was to Leonor Ragan, DTM, Past District Director – a President’s Citation presented by 2023-2024 Toastmasters International President Morag Mathieson, DTM. Recipients are selected at the sole discretion of the International President, based on their significant, long-term contributions at the district or international levels, and their efforts in promoting Toastmasters’ core values. Leonor was so deserving of this honour and though she couldn’t be there in person to accept it, Jeff was honoured to accept on her behalf.
Adding to the excitement, members of Perth’s very own Sunday Sundowners hybrid club, Dorothy Chanakira and Viola Donda, travelled all the way from Zimbabwe to join the festivities. Their presence highlighted the strong connections and friendships that Toastmasters fosters across continents. It was a heartwarming reunion that showcased the enduring bonds formed through the organization and all the more special as Tom Bielski was able to present Dorothy’s Distinguished Toastmaster Award medal to her in person.The convention featured a series of inspiring keynote speeches, educational sessions, and workshops. Shawn Ellis, the keynote speaker, captivated the audience with his talk on resilience and the importance of mastering the moments in life. His message resonated deeply with attendees, encouraging them to embrace change and find strength in everyday experiences. Hear his podcast here…
Tom Bielski, DTM, Dorothy Chanakira, DTM, Maree Pickens, DTM, Viola Donda, Jeff Zhang
This year, the prestigious Golden Gavel Award at the Toastmasters International Convention was presented to Lisa Sun, an entrepreneur and national best-selling author. In her inspiring presentation, Sun encouraged the audience to embrace self-confidence, harness their unique “superpower,” and use gravitas to advance both personally and professionally. Her journey from being told she “lacked gravitas” to founding her company, Gravitas, and becoming a celebrated speaker, resonated deeply with attendees. Sun’s message of empowerment and resilience was a highlight of the convention, leaving a lasting impact on all who heard her speak. Maree even got her book personally signed by the winner herself! Read more about Lisa and her book here.
A special museum exhibit and documentary showcased the rich history of Toastmasters, taking attendees on a journey through the organization’s first century. The onsite store, a convention favourite, offered a range of centennial-themed items, from tote bags to the hefty coffee-table book “Confident Voices: The Story of Toastmasters.” The District Trio also got to ‘star’ on the front page of the Toastmasters Magazine!!
The World Championship of Public Speaking was another highlight, drawing participants from around the world to compete for the coveted title. The competition was fierce, and the speeches were nothing short of extraordinary, reflecting the high calibre of talent within Toastmasters. With an inspirational speech titled “37 Strangers,” Luisa Montalvo, a 65-year-old retiree and dog rescue volunteer from San Juan, Texas, won the World Champion title. Along with seven other final contestants, she reached the championship level after several eliminating rounds that began more than six months ago with 30,000 participants from 150 countries. [Watch Montalvo’s winning speech here.]
The convention also honoured past leaders and champions, with numerous past World Champions of Public Speaking and 23 Past International Presidents in attendance. The 1920s-themed President’s Celebration, held after the installation of the 2024–2025 International President Radhi Spear, DTM, was a festive conclusion to the event. Attendees dressed in period attire, danced, and celebrated the legacy and future of Toastmasters. In fact there was a lot of dancing throughout the three days whenever the audience had to wait for the next vote in the board meeting, the chief judge to return and the next session to start – a sight to behold!
For the District 17 Trio, the convention was an opportunity to connect with other leaders, gain new perspectives, and bring back valuable insights to their home district. Jeff, Tom, and Maree were particularly inspired by the innovative ideas and best practices shared during the pre-convention District Leader training sessions, which they plan to implement to further strengthen their clubs in Western Australia.
The convention was not just a celebration of the past but also a look towards the future. It reinforced the mission of Toastmasters to empower individuals through effective communication and leadership. The energy, camaraderie, and shared vision of the attendees made the 2024 International Convention a truly unforgettable experience.
As we reflect on this historic event, we are reminded of the profound impact Toastmasters has had on countless lives over the past century. The 100th anniversary convention in Anaheim was a testament to the enduring legacy of Toastmasters and its commitment to helping individuals achieve their full potential. Here’s to the next 100 years of excellence and growth! ????
