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• In-Person Speakers Development Lab

  • When
    January 09, 2025
  •  
    9:00 AM - 11:15 AM
  • Location
    Milwaukee location TBA

  Register

  
  

  Join us as a speaker or come for the fun and gain some insights and tips as you watch others get coached by our established professional members.

  One of the most valuable services offered by NSA-WI is the Speakers Development Lab. All members -- from Past National Presidents and CPAEs to new candidate members -- are welcome to attend. The Lab operates much like a Hollywood “Actors Studio” where speakers, facilitators, seminar leaders, those who sell products or services through public presentations, etc. can go to try out new material, revise current material, practice delivery techniques, etc. 

  Our goal for the Speakers Lab is to take speakers, facilitators, teacher/leaders at their current level of skill, impact, fee level, etc., and help them move up to the next level. Both those speaking, and observers benefit from the Lab, and the net effect is to increase the skills and impact of each participant.

  Click here or more information.

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• January Chapter Meeting -- The Power of Relatability: How to Deliver Memorable Messages

  • When
    January 09, 2025
  •  
    1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
  • Location
    Milwaukee Community Sailing Center, 1450 N Lincoln Memorial Dr, Milwaukee

  Register

  The Power of Relatability: How to Deliver Memorable Messages

  Connecting with the audience is the most important thing a speaker does while on stage. Without that connection our points don’t stick, our jokes never land, and we rarely get leads after. In this workshop-style session, we will discuss how to be more relatable with your audiences using storytelling techniques and audience interaction strategies. Participants will leave with new stories to use and renewed confidence in being themselves when they stop on stage. This session is ideal for speakers looking to take their craft to the next level – and especially for those who are getting ready for our chapter’s Last Story Standing competition in late January.
  
  James Robilotta, CSP, is a leadership author, motivational speaker, emcee, and trained improv comedian. After years of building, training, and leading teams, James followed an entrepreneurial dream and built two successful businesses. The first is an organization that incorporates freestyle rap into improv comedy (a success story for another day). And the second is his speaking and coaching business (a success story for today). James has been speaking internationally to willing and unwilling audiences since 2009 and has found that quality humor is the secret to hosting powerful conversations that make a genuine impact. His attendees leave feeling recharged, introspective, and ready to get out of their own way.

  With years of research (and a few too many real-life case studies within his work), James has learned everything he can about fighting apathy and building strong company cultures. He uses this insight to help leaders manage and retain talent and give feedback that sticks, and to help organizations create community buy-in using curiosity. James’ cornerstone concept is that we as humans can’t learn from people who are perfect, we can only learn from people who are imperfect. And companies like American Express, GE, Accenture, and Afterpay have gravitated toward this message and found the insights to be invaluable in shifting the way their people show up for each other. James is working to bring humanity and community back into the workplace. He is on a mission to ensure that people are seen, heard, respected... and giggling a little, too.
  

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• Refresh Your Brand and Tell Your Story — Visually!

  • When
    January 29, 2025
  •  
    9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
  • Location
    Madison, WI - Exact location TBA

  Register

  Refresh Your Brand and Tell Your Story — Visually!

  Are you someone who speaks on stages, writes books, facilitates trainings, runs online communities, consults with clients, coaches, or relies on your image to bring in business?

  Then, you need a comprehensive portfolio of compelling visual assets that reflect your brand and engage your audience.

  NSA Wisconsin is bringing nationally renowned photographer and visual storytelling expert, John DeMato all the way from New York City for a exciting opportunity to get fresh, high-quality photos to help you:

  • Stay Relevant After a Rebrand: Signal your new direction and maintain audience interest with striking visuals.
  • Navigate a Life Transition: Reflect your current reality and resonate with your audience through genuine photos.
  • Win Final Mile Decisions: Stand out from the competition with a polished and authentic visual presence that persuades clients to choose you.

  Shape how you want to be perceived by your audience and clients through genuine visuals. Let John deliver magic to help you attract those that need your help most.

  Photo shoot options are available here. Make sure you read this page before registering so you can select the option that's the best fit for you.

  You will be able to choose your session time once you register. Selections are made in order that registration is received. Register early to get your preferred time! Spaces are limited.
  

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• The Last Story Standing: A Night of Riveting Stories and Fierce Competition

  • When
    January 30, 2025
  •  
    6:30 PM - 9:00 PM
  • Location
    Madison Youth Arts, 1055 E Mifflin Street, Madison
  • Spaces left
    149

  Register

  The Last Story Standing: A Night of Riveting Stories and Fierce Competition

  Get ready for an electrifying evening as eight exceptional National Speakers Association Wisconsin Chapter storytellers go head-to-head in The Last Story Standing competition! Each speaker has just five minutes to deliver their most powerful story, aiming to captivate, entertain, and inspire. They’ll be judged by a panel of seasoned, high-powered speakers on three critical criteria:

  • Purpose: Does the story reveal and communicate a clear lesson or actionable takeaway that audience members can leverage in their own lives?
  • Impact: How well-crafted is the story? Does it entertain, educate, and motivate through structure and depth?
  • Delivery: How masterfully does the speaker engage the audience using professional techniques—eye contact, vocal tone, and body language?

  The stakes are high, as the evening’s chapter champion will go on to compete at the regional level, with the ultimate goal of reaching the National Championship in July. Audience members can expect to be deeply inspired, entertained, and moved by stories that carry powerful lessons and unforgettable moments. Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind event where top talent meets compelling storytelling for an evening of connection, wisdom, and applause!

  Seating available for individuals or groups of six. For larger groups, contact eliz@elizgreene.com.
  

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• What The Heck Do I Do With All These Photos? Maximizing the Value of Your Photos

  • When
    January 31, 2025
  •  
    9:00 AM - 10:30 AM
  • Location
    Madison Youth Arts, 1055 E Mifflin Street, Madison, WI

  Register

  What The Heck Do I Do With All These Photos? Maximizing the Value of Your Photos

  So, you have photos, probably lots of photos—professional branding shots, event photos, and maybe even some smartphone gems—but now what?

  This fireside chat with photographer and visual storytelling expert John DeMato dives into the strategy behind selecting the photos you share online intentionally, teaching you how to sift through that collection and use it to tell a compelling story that actually serves your brand by adding value to those you serve.

  It’s about choosing images that don’t just look good but connect with your audience in a way that matters.

  We’ll explore techniques to pull real stories from your photos, align them with your message, and share them strategically across all your platforms. John will choose photos from the NSA Wisconsin Photoshoot on January 29th and demonstrate how to construct visual stories live on our stage.

  This session is perfect for anyone who speaks on stages, writes books, facilitates trainings, runs online communities, consults with clients, coaches, or relies on their image to bring in business.

  Take-aways

  • How to choose photos beyond aesthetics to reinforce your brand’s message.
  • Practical strategies for combining professional and smartphone photos to consistently tell your story.
  • Creative methods to uncover the unique stories within your photos and connect them to your messaging.
  • Seamless ways to incorporate images across websites, social profiles, and other marketing channels.

  Plan to stay after this event to see three-minute presentations from professional speakers during our Video Sizzle Sessions with Dan Lipman.  Register at no cost as an audience member and select “Optional Lunch” if you'd like to order a box lunch too.

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• Video Sizzle with Dan Lipman

  • When
    January 31, 2025
  •  
    11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
  • Location
    Madison Youth Arts, 1055 E Mifflin Street, Madison

  Register

  Video Sizzle with Dan Lipman

  Don't miss this opportunity to get HD video of you telling your best three-minute story! Perfect for creating a new speaker reel or getting video for your visual assets library and social media.

  Dan Lipman, founder of Video My Story, is offering video sessions to our members and non-members alike. Dan comes highly recommended by our very own Patty Hendrickson, CSP. She shared: “Talented videographer/producer Dan Lipman, is located in the Twin Cities and does great work. He is hired regularly by Minnesota speakers’ bureaus. Three times he has created something for me where he was hired by the client of a big conference. He has great energy. He knows our industry.” Here’s peak at a promo video Dan created for Patty.

  What’s Included
  

  • 3 minutes of professional videography with at least four camera angles and wireless lavalier microphone on the spectacular MYArts Starlight Stage
  • 3-Minute fully edited video switching between camera angles
  • Raw camera footage from each of the angles
  • Link to download edited video and raw camera footage (in 3-4 weeks).

  We have 24 video spots available. When they're taken, that's it. Register now, don't wait!

  Tips to prepare:  Three minutes of speaking out loud is roughly equivalent to a 420-word written script. Be sure to wear clothes that reflect your brand. Please plan to be present for the entire time -- including before and after your session. We encourage everyone to be an audience member for the other speakers, just like they're doing for you. Please feel free to invite your own guests too.

  Additionally, your registration fee includes our "fireside chat" with NYC photographer and visual storytelling expert John DeMato. Get ready for insights, tips, and a dose of creative inspiration that will leave you feeling empowered and ready to make your own mark. Our special guest will reveal the power of visual storytelling and the important aspects you need to get booked.

  You’ll discover what visual storytelling is and:
  

  • Key visual storytelling gaps most miss
  • Important visual aspects you need to get booked:  like your speaker kit, profile photo, and social media photography
  • Why visual variety is so important
  • What a comprehensive photo library looks like

  Whether you're a storytelling enthusiast, a visual content creator, or someone looking for a unique way to share your story, this event is tailor-made for you! Expect an atmosphere filled with joy & creativity. Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity. 

  Participants are encouraged to register and attend the “What The Heck Do I Do With All These Photos? Maximizing the Value of Your Photos” event before the video sessions and stay to enjoy the other presentations.  We all do better with an appreciative audience!
  

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• February Chapter Meeting -- YouTube Domination in Four Months

  • When
    February 20, 2025
  •  
    1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
  • Location
    via Zoom

  Register

  YouTube Domination in Four Months

  Discover the proven tactical steps to dominate YouTube in just four months and attract high-quality, referral-ready leads who already admire your expertise and are eager to work with you. In this session, you’ll learn how to transform your knowledge into a powerful platform for thought leadership, using organic, evergreen content that consistently generates results for years to come.
  
  Nate Woodbury is a renowned producer of over 50 successful YouTube channels, specializing in helping coaches and speakers transform their expertise into thriving platforms of thought leadership. With a proven, tactical strategy to dominate YouTube search, Nate has consistently delivered measurable results, turning subscribers into high-quality leads. Backed by a dedicated team of 35 experts, Nate offers a comprehensive Done-For-You system, making YouTube Lead Generation seamless and predictable for his clients.
  

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• Virtual Speakers Development Lab

  • When
    February 22, 2025
  •  
    9:30 AM - 11:45 AM
  • Location
    via Zoom

  Register

  
  

  Join us as a speaker or come for the fun and gain some insights and tips as you watch others get coached by our established professional members.

  One of the most valuable services offered by NSA-WI is the Speakers Development Lab. All members -- from Past National Presidents and CPAEs to new candidate members -- are welcome to attend. The Lab operates much like a Hollywood “Actors Studio” where speakers, facilitators, seminar leaders, those who sell products or services through public presentations, etc. can go to try out new material, revise current material, practice delivery techniques, etc. 

  Our goal for the Speakers Lab is to take speakers, facilitators, teacher/leaders at their current level of skill, impact, fee level, etc., and help them move up to the next level. Both those speaking, and observers benefit from the Lab, and the net effect is to increase the skills and impact of each participant.

  Click here or more information.

  Show details