How I Held an Online Event with 8,304 Registrants

In May 2020, I held an online event with a global audience. 8,304 people signed up. Almost 4,500 attended live that day. 

In this presentation, I'll share with you exactly:

Shahab Anari is an international speaker and author on high performance and personal branding. Every year, Shahab speaks at close to 100 sessions (virtually and in-person), where he has shared the stage with legendary speakers such as Deepak Chopra, Brian Tracy, Jack Canfield, and Robert Kiyosaki. Shahab's work has been featured on the Wall Street Journal, Forbes and Toronto Star. Shahab proudly sits on the board of ICF (International Coaching federation) Toronto, and he is also a big proponent of Diversity and Inclusion.

How to build sponsor relationships in a virtual world - Increase income, impact and influence with 3 steps

This session will provide attendees/speakers with:
- a tangible sponsorship model to apply immediately following the  Convention
- a simple way to quickly identify potential brand partners and  engage them through LinkedIn so that you land the call
- a 3 step action plan to bring brand partners into your speaking business immediately. 

Attendees will be provided with Charmaine's: 
-  LinkedIn Connection request script, 
- Sample voice mail message script, 
- A prospect tracking chart, 
- tips on engaging partners and sponsors in a virtual world, how to stand out on partner meetings via zoom and land the next meeting!

Charmaine Hammond has always found ways to bring collaboration into her business. She was contracted by the government as the Community Partnership Enhancement Facilitator, raised over a million dollars, and sat on the other side of the funder sponsor table in a previous role. She is co-producer of an animated movie to be released this winter, stars many widely recognized celebrities (including Oscar and Emmy winners) and sponsorship was the key funding source of this movie.

The ONE magic strategy to generate work through COVID and beyond

Speakers who step up their game using this one strategy will be better off and far more ready to confront the challenges—and opportunities—of the next normal than those who do not. Join Joe, Dave, and a special guest who will amaze you with live magic and astound you as he explains the unique way he is generating momentum and paid work during Covid. You will learn the technique so you can start using it today!

Joe Heaps is a managing partner and Chief Marketing Officer at eSpeakers. With over 18 years in the speaking and meetings industry, Joe’s strategic vision and leadership has propelled eSpeakers forward as the leading software provider in the industry. He has helped lead the charge in the meetings industry with the widespread use of online bookings, shared calendars, event reporting, online listing management, and various other industry utilities. 

Creating A Productive and On-Brand Workspace

As a productivity coach, I recognize that our spaces not only have to be functional, they have to make us feel good, and as speakers, they have to support our brands.

You have no doubt figured out how to be an effective virtual presenter, but there are likely things you can do to drive a deeper impact when coming through the screen.

I'll share examples of polished, productive workspaces from speakers I've worked with since the pandemic hit to help them make the most of the real estate they have. You’ll see compelling, on-brand spaces, as well as other leading examples of productive environments. 

We'll cover the practical things like ergonomics and lighting which directly affect performance, as well as what helps make you memorable - colour and style. You'll walk away with a few ideas you can easily implement to boost your productivity and performance and leave a powerful impression.

Productivity catalyst Clare Kumar serves busy professionals science-backed strategies to deliver sustainable performance. As a Certified Executive Coach and speaker, Clare helps leaders get the best from the most and the most from the best with the inclusion of different temperaments, neurodiversity, and invisible illness. Clare is a sought-after media contributor and brand spokesperson on productivity, organization, and work-life integration, appearing regularly in print and on-camera.  

Normal Is Always “Normal”! Adapting To The New Truth.

How Recognition NOW Will Bring Your Business Tomorrow

Want to attract clients, warm up leads, and follow up with raving fans? Want to navigate better that delicate balance of staying connected yet "not bothering anyone?" Join Sarah, Canada's Recognition Expert, as she helps you leverage client recognition to build, strengthen and deepen relationships with clients, meeting professionals and bureaus. 

Sarah will briefly highlight how leveraging recognition, her first COVID pivot strategy, was a critical factor in getting her business' revenue back on track and ending with a record year. www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYWe_prtrJI

Sarah McVanel helps organizations leverage the exponential power of recognition to retain top talent & delight customers. She has a few letters behind her name - BA, MSc, PCC, CSODP, CHRL, CSP - but her most important credential is MOM.

Studio Magic: Unleash Your Creativity, Nail Your Process

Creativity keeps things fresh and fun, and process makes them smooth. Run your studio with an optimal blend of both using these simple Studio Operating Procedures:

S-SETUP: Set yourself up in a dedicated space, with gear & décor you already own.
O-OPERATIONALIZE: Run a smooth operation with robust and repeatable practices. Build checklists, organize your tech, and label everything!
P-PROTOTYPE: Push the envelope. Prototype new ideas, test and refine. Keep improving your space to create ease for yourself and make magic for your audience.

Emily Nichols is a professional engineer with a BIG heart and a pair of safety boots in her luggage. Speaking from the stage or the factory floor, Emily inspires technical people to embrace their human skills so they can become better problem solvers, team players, and leaders.

Emily has a B.Sc. in Systems Engineering (University of Guelph) and a M.A.Sc. in Chemical Engineering (McMaster University). She summarized her masters thesis in five Dr. Seuss rhymes.

Creating Powerful Stories for the Screen: How to Adapt Your Storytelling for a Virtual Audience

As a professional speaker,  the ability to keep your audience engaged in virtual environments is now more important than ever. Stories have always been the best way to engage and influence an audience, but how can you optimize your storytelling for a virtual meeting to keep people’s attention? 

Attendees will learn:
* An effective five-point plot structure that ensures your stories can be told quickly without sacrificing power or message. 
* How to add emotional content and humour to your story when your audience is physically distant.
* Technical and production ideas that can add visual ‘spice” to your narratives. 

Jason Reid has been writing, producing and communicating stories to Canadian audiences for more than 30 years. As a budding screenwriter, Jason learned his craft from a wide range of Oscar and Emmy winning writers in Hollywood. Returning to journalism, Jason became a news writer, TV producer and eventually head of content at The Weather Network.For the past seven years, Jason has worked with entrepreneurs and professional speakers to create talks that inspire audiences.

How to Make Your Virtual Events More Interactive and Fun!

Have you ever been asked to include an interactive activity into your presentation?  Of Course! You know the classic in person ice breakers, but then COVID hits and now you need to do a fun interactive VIRTUAL activity with an audience that is alone at their computers or even worse phones. Virtual events can still have fun activities that are personalized and help the attendees to get to know each other without playing “Networking bingo”. 

This fun and interactive session will not only have you learning new activities to do with your audiences, but you’ll be part of the demonstration! 

Award-Winning Coach, Speaker and Dynamic Women® CEO, Diane Rolston has been called THE expert on being Dynamic. She is a behind the scenes advisor and coach for speakers, and high achievers.Her systems & processes help you have “clarity” on what to focus on, “confidence” to go for it, and an “action” plan with tangible steps.She teaches how to correctly manage, package, and sell your time, experience, and expertise - while also having balance.

Hosting a Virtual Convention

What creates a great in-person conference isn't what creates a great virtual conference. You can't just string a bunch of pre-recorded webinars in place and press play. If you're charging attendees upfront (and aren't planning on selling from the stage), you need to create an experience that is equal, or better, than the in-person experience (especially if you haven't changed your pricing), and that isn't easy!

Find out what you need to consider, and do, to make it successful. From pricing, marketing, networking, platforms, SWAG bags, presentations, interaction, and more!Learn the secrets you didn't know you were missing!

Insightful, humorous, entertaining, even contagious; words that describe Rhonda Scharf.

Rhonda is an author, speaker, trainer, and grandmother! She has earned her CSP, Hall of Fame, Global Speaking Fellow, and Spirit of CAPS award. She is the ONLY speaker in the entire world who has earned all four awards. Rhonda’s professional speaking career began at age two… when her mother would offer her 25 cents to be quiet for five minutes! 

Retirement Planning in the face of pandemics and economic downturns for Professional Speakers

Many retirement planning concepts have changed in the last few years. A million dollars saved used to provide a safe reliable yearly income of $40,000. It now requires about three times that amount. With health care costs increasing we can forget about having a quiet, inexpensive retirement. Will you become a burden upon your kids?  So, preparing for retirement is more important than it ever has been. One solution is to die early but we are living longer now. What can you do now, to insure your retirement is not a disaster but becomes the best years of your life.

Neil Sharpham has conducted 800 Retirement Planning Workshops across Canada mostly to employees of big organizations with good pensions. Neil can be trusted. His only product is workshops. One or three days long. He does not take any individual clients nor sell any products. Neil worked for Taxation, has a “Bachelor of Commerce”, “Certified Financial Planner” and “Professional Retirement Planner”. Neil Retired from the Federal Government at age 55, then started his speaking career.

Reinventing in a time of crisis
Se réinventer en temps de crise

Note: This session will be presented in English for Round 1 and in French for Round 2.

How do you reinvent yourself and your business in a time of crisis? Join Danielle Silverman in this interactive session to discover what strategic planning means in today’s world.  Does it even make sense to make a 5 or even a 3 year plan when the future is so uncertain - when even the present is uncertain?

You'll get to experience the newest emergent strategy; a tool that embraces flexibility, rewards action, and encourages focus for your successful business planning – THE key to your ability to reinvent yourself and your business – in particular during a time of crisis.

Comment se réinventer en temps de crise ? Danielle Silverman vous offre une session interactive pour découvrir ce que signifie la planification stratégique dans le monde d’aujourd’hui. Est-il même judicieux de faire un plan sur 5 ou même 3 ans alors que l'avenir est si incertain - alors que même le présent est incertain ?

Venez expérimenter le plus récent outil de stratégie émergente; un outil qui englobe la flexibilité, récompense l'action et encourage la concentration pour une planification réussie. C’est LA clé dont vous avez besoin pour vous réinventer - surtout en période de crise.

Danielle Silverman is Founder and Chief Reinvention Officer at Vision Coach International, dedicated to helping organizations and individuals embrace change. She is a Certified Reinvention Practioner and co-founder of Reinvention Canada, part of the global Reinvention Society.

Danielle has provided management and leadership coaching and training to dozens of companies; and recognized early on why it is important to reinvent, pre, during, or post pandemic. 

En tant que fondatrice et chef de la réinvention chez Vision Coach International, Danielle Silverman se dédie à aider les organisations et les individus à adopter le changement. Elle est cofondatrice de Réinvention Canada, qui fait partie de la Société Globale de Réinvention.

Danielle a offert des formations en gestion et en leadership à des dizaines d’entreprises ; et reconnu très tôt pourquoi il est important de se réinventer, avant, pendant ou après la pandémie.

You Can't Build a Castle on Quicksand - Create a solid foundation for adapting to the new hybrid future of virtual and in-person events.

Like the tide or rain that instantly flattens a sandcastle, health guidelines to physically distance has presented opportunity to rebuild, re-imagine, and redesign our business.  The essence of sand is impermanence, and it’s lessons are relative to our industry.

The great pause of 2020 provides time to redefine our new future, once we got our head out of the sand.  The exciting silver lining on the CoVid cloud is that everyone's castle was leveled; creating an even playing field. 

I'll share my foundational steps for a solid business including a plan, in-office studio and improved client value, marketing and confidence.

Penny Tremblay is the founder of Tremblay Leadership Center, and the Workplace Sandbox System™. Organizations save millions of dollars by helping their teams manage conflict from the inside out. Harvard training and years of experience bring fresh concepts and stories to Penny's audiences, which have up until early 2020 been all in-person events.  Since early April, Penny has adapted mediation, training, strategic planning and keynotes to be delivered virtually, in-person, or a hybrid of both.

Re-Energize... How to Turbocharge YOU and Your Brand Post-Covid

“Developing your brand is key to monetizing your passion.” Gary Vee

Does your brand deliver a consistent message that truly reflects you? Does your brand generate qualified leads that drive sales? Now is the perfect time to re-energize your brand to help you achieve the results you deserve! 

In this up-close-and-digital session you will: 
- Assess how well your branding & marketing collateral is serving you 
- Create a short & sweet customized branding plan for next year 
- Hear what’s been working for your colleagues who are rocking it 
- Get inspired with ideas you can immediately implement  

Azadeh Yaraghi is a Brand Strategist and #1 bestseller on Amazon. With 15+ years of experience working locally and internationally in branding and marketing, she has built successful brands and picked-up awards along the way. She works with speakers, entrepreneurs and organizations who are looking to built an authentic and magnetic brand to ultimately make a difference in the world. She has a passion for dancing, beach volleyball, and taking long walks by the water.