Malaysian Association of Professional Speakers

MAPS, the Malaysian Association of Professional Speakers, was established to help its members grow their speaking business through various education and training programs and marketing efforts.

MAPS organizes regular activities to give its members the opportunity to expose their speaking business and apply their speaking skills. Through MAPS, members also get the opportunity to collaborate in learning partnerships and connection to international linkages.

MAPS was founded in Malaysia on 16 January 2001 by Dato’ Lawrence Chan, CSP, who is a professional member of NSA, USA since 1983. He received support and blessings from Cavett Robert, founder of NSA, John Hammond, Somers White and Naomi Rhode to form an association of professional speakers in Malaysia. He wanted to form a national association whereby to promote and upgrade professionalism in the speaking business for those in various professions. A platform where members can improve the speaking skills, exchange ideas, share experiences, build their professional speaking business and network with the peers locally and internationally. He felt that public speaking in Malaysia faced numerous challenges to be recognized as a profession. MAPS members make their living, entirely or partially, from professional speaking as trainers, facilitators, coaches, consultants, facilitators, authors, adult educators, motivators and keynoters.

MAPS strives to help its members grow their speaking business by developing eight professional competencies which are enhanced through marketing & promotion, collaboration with learning partnerships, connection to international linkages and advancement of speaking professionals through participation in the Global Speakers Federation (GSF). MAPS has been a member of GSF since 2006 where its members have had the opportunity to participate in the GSF events such as the Global Speakers Summit.

MAPS has been spearheaded by various significant Executive Committee (ExCo) members who had served MAPS to make it a better association today. The followings are the significant points of MAPS history:

MAPS 2001-2002
Founder President & Advisor: Dato’ Lawrence Chan Kum Peng, CSP

The 1st MAPS Convention 2001 was successfully organised at Cititel Hotel, Mid Valley Kuala Lumpur with 27 speakers inducted as member. The event was officiated by our guest of honour, Y.B. Datuk Dr. Fong Chan Onn, Minister of Human Resources;
The first educational program for MAPS entitled @ Work was introduced in 2001;

MAPS 2002-2004
President: Dr Yew K K

The 3rd MAPS Convention 2004 was held in Holiday Villa, Subang with our guest of honour, Y.B. Datuk Hanifah Bin Hj Amin, Deputy Minister of Plantation Industries and Commondities;
Every year, MAPS successfully organised its annual MAPS Convention for the benefit of its members with renowed speakers from GSF;

MAPS 2004-2006
President: Mr P M Low

The 4th MAPS Convention 2005 was held in Pan Pacific Hotel, Kuala Lumpur with our guest of honour, Y.B. Datuk Wira Dr. Fong Chan Onn, Minister of Human Resources. With the advice and strong support given by Scott Friedman, CSP, President of NSA, USA, MAPS qualified to become a member of GSF (formerly known as IFFPS);
Agreement with GSF was signed in 2006;

The first MAPS representatives who participated in the 1st Global Speakers Summit 2005 in Singapore:
Dato’ Lawrence Chan, CSP (Main stage speaker)
Dato’ Dr Sheikh Omar
Datuk Maznah Hamid
Mr P M Low
Ms Viviana Viterrelli
Ms Zuraina Zaharin

MAPS 2006-2008
President: Dato’ Dr Sheikh Omar

Dato’ Dr Sheikh Omar initiated MAPS first accreditation and presented Malaysian Speaking Professional (MSP) in 2008 where its requirements are currently being re-assessed by the current ExCo members to emphasize on its exclusivity;
Dato’ Lawrence Chan, CSP, participated in the NSA Annual Convention in New York from August 2nd to 5th, 2008 and he was a Malaysian delegate with the International members of GSF to the United Nations Headquarters on August 5th, 2008;

MAPS Representative(s) who participated in the 2nd Global Speakers Summit 2007 in Dubai, UAE:
Ganesh Segaran
Matthias Gelber

MAPS 2008-2010
President1: Yogathevan
President2: Datuk Maznah Hamid
President3: Ng Thian Watt

MAPS experienced 3 presidents in one term as President1 and President2 had to step down during their presidencies due to unforeseen circumstances;
The 1st MOU was signed between MAPS and Rotary Clubs in 2008 to provide speakers to Rotary Clubs;
The 1st ‘Meet the Pros’ session was brought in by 6 international speakers at MAPS @ Work in December 2008. More than 200 people attended the session;
The 2nd MOU was signed between MAPS and MDDA in 2009 to provide speakers to MDDA;
E-speakers database was introduced by Scott Friedman, CSP, and Joe Heaps to MAPS in 2009;
The 3rd MOU was signed between MAPS and Lions Club in 2009 to provide speakers to Lions Clubs;

MAPS Representatives who participated in the 3rd Global Speakers Summit 2009 in Cape Town, South Africa:
Datuk Maznah Hamid (Main stage speaker)
Ms Zuraina Zaharin (Showcase speaker)
Mr Matthias Gelber (Showcase speaker)
Ms Putri Juliani Johari
Ms Faridah Rohani

MAPS 2010-2012
President: Mr Jonathan Low

On May 10th and 11th, 2010 we successfully held the 10th MAPS Convention at SWAN Convention Center, Petaling Jaya, Selangor with President Elect, Raymond Phoon as the Organizing Chairman

Gathering of Past & Current Presidents of MAPS, NSA, GSF and invited Convention Speakers. From right to left:
Datuk Sheikh Omar Abdul Rahman, Datuk Maznah Hamid, Lindsay Adams, Sam Silverstein, Phil van Hooser, Jonathan Low, KC See, Dato Lawrence Chan, Gustav Gous, Scott Friedman, Tim Wade

GSF President Lindsay Adams and MAPS President Jonathan Low, holding up the GSF Banner symbolizing the GSF presence at the MAPS National Convention 2010.

E-speakers database was incorporated in MAPS website in 2010;
Online payment via MAPS website was implemented in 2010;

Ms Zuraina Zaharin, Ms Putri Juliani Johari, Ms Faridah Rohani, Mr Matthias Gelber and Mr Ganesh Segaran have served the ExCo for a few terms. Other important members than those names listed above who have served MAPS ExCo for more than 5 years are:
Mr Vicky @ Viknasvaran – founder member
Mr Rajen Devadasan
Mr N J Singam

Membership grows from less than 50 in 2005 to 210 in 2010 with little promotion via social media and word-of-mouth and the rest is ongoing history! Since it was established in 2001, MAPS has been growing from strength due to effective leadership and ‘service-before-self’ dedicated members. Presently MAPS is making good progress due to the right discipline and upholding the noble attribute – the desire to educate, help and inspire others - in its code of ethics, conventions, workshops and monthly sessions.