The Presidential year begins

Alan Stevens' first blog as GSF President

It’s an enormous honour to be elected President of the GSF.

As you can see, I received the gavel from my predecessor, Lindsay Adams CSP, at the NSA Convention in Orlando, Florida in July. I have made a commitment to visit every national convention, and hope to meet as many GSF members as possible. I’m here to serve you and this marvellous organisation. Tell me how I can help you.

Don’t forget that there are GSF Council members (those lovely people below)in every member country. They will also be more than happy to help you.

I’m looking forward to my first “official” engagement as GSF President, attending the German Speakers Association (GSA) Convention in Cologne, Germany. GSA are one of the fastest-growing speaking associations in the world, and they always have sell-out events. Not only will there be some wonderful speeches and workshops, but as ever at meetings like this, there will be some extraordinary people to meet in the coffee breaks, at meals, and even in the restaurants and bars later in the day (I will only be drinking sparkling water, of course). The global community of speakers is, in my experience unique in its philosophy of helping each other, and long may it continue.

I will be documenting my travels in this blog, and I hope you find it interesting and useful. Furthermore, work has started on the development of a GSF radio show (or podcast if you prefer) which will include advice and tips, and interviews with speakers around the world. If you would like to be involved in any way, either by helping to create and produce the show, or by being interviewed, contact me via this website, or directly at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) (you can Skype me at mediacoach too).

I look forward to meeting you on my travels, and if you want to ask me anything about the GSF, or speaking in general, you know where to find me.