Global Speakers Summit 2005

Report by Scott Friedman CSP:

March 30, 2005; Leading up to the Event

The Peak of the Summit started in the afternoon (GSF, Global Speakers Forum) listening to speakers from around the world talk about the speaking industry and how best to approach it put a huge smile on my face.  I was so proud to see this really happening.  Later in the day we kicked off the Global Speakers Summit with a cocktail reception outside in back of the Grand Copthorne by the Singapore River.  Wow, the event had begun.

March 31, 2005 (from Journal)

Convention kickoff!  Wow, it really is happening.  Amazing.  It’s been quite a challenge getting here and now all the stress and obstacles make it worthwhile.  The opening Flag Ceremony hosted by Patricia Ball with my friends and colleagues from around the world carrying their respective flags reminded me of what a global community we really are. 

Paul Bridle followed with a State of the Federation address and then the official greetings from the Minister of Education.  What a bonus that he was actually a good speaker. Mark Sanborn, wooed the audience with his eloquence and great content.  Next up was founder of the Federation, Warren Evans, taking about trends & future of the speaking industry followed by our main sponsor and a great speaker in his own right, Roger Hamilton.

Then, we were treated to some old school motivation by Malaysia Association or Professionals Speaker founder, Dato Lawrence Chan. The infamous W Mitchell was as good as I’ve ever heard him at lunch with his famous talk, “It’s Not What Happens To You, It’s What You Do About It.” The afternoon was filled with some great breakout sessions followed by a very special speakers dinner at the Raffles Hotel hosted by Ron Kaufman. What a first class evening and such a special touch for the first official night of the Summit.  From taking your photo with the famous Raffles Doormen as they entered, to flowing wine, good food and global speaking chatter this was one classy speaker’s dinner.

April 1, 2005

Happy April Fool’s Day! Today is one of my favorite days of the year. Extra special celebrating it in Singapore at the first Global Speakers Summit. Ron Kaufman started the day off with a few little practical jokes with some plants in the audience, Ron’s April Fools gift to Paul Bridle and I was taking every single attending speaker’s book cover and superimposing our faces over their faces. Some very funny book covers indeed. 

A Humor morning with Rodney Marks, Tim Gard, and Irene Ang brought many laughs and smiles to the faces of the audience. Lunch was a big hit with Scott McKain’s program: The Speaking Business is Show Business.

Many superstar Breakout sessions and lots of activity at the book store hosted and run by Philip Tan.  Gala dinner was great fun with Donna Daniels singing and offering some hilarious audience participation exercises including one with four single guys competing for her affection.  Chris Davidson wrote her a long, endearing song and Peter Senge carried her off the stage. Good clean fun.

Ron Kaufman ended the evening by auctioning off 5 signed compilation spoof books that he presented that morning.  W. Mitchell paid the most ($3300) and I paid $2000 for one.  Money went to Laura’s Hope!