Speaker of the Year Awards

The dynamic Bronwyn Roberts - notwithstanding being quite seriously preggy, was the mover and shaker behind the inaugural Speakers Inc. Speaker of the Year Awards at Gallagher Estate on Thursday night 19th April 2007.

Bronwyn, heading up the most professional and innovative speaker bureau in South Africa, decided to do something to celebrate and recognise the talent in the industry. So she's introduced what is hoped will become an annual event, with at least three special awards. A 'Newcomer' award for the speaker who'd just started out but has done the best on the financial front as a 'newbie'. The second award is the Lifetime Achievement Award, voted by industry peers, for the person who's made a very significant and long-term contribution to the industry in South Africa. The third award - also peer-voted, is for the Speaker of the Year. The black-tie gala evening was attended by a who's-who of the speaker business including many clients who use the services of Speakers Inc.

Vernon Cresswell was winner of the Newcomer Award. Go visit his website to read more about him and what he has on offer. A former top banking executive, he's making a significant impact in the people development business.

Congratulations Vernon and we look forward to further networking with you.

Stef du Plessis, one of the veterans of the (local and international) speaking, leadership coaching and people-development business was the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award. Stef is the founding President of the National Speakers Association of Southern Africa (NSASA - see below). Although there were several nominees, the choice was unanimous. The wording from my nomination letter was used in the actual presentation, so I might as well share it with you!

I’d like to nominate Stef du Plessis for the Speakers Inc. Lifetime Achievement award. My motivation: He was the mover and shaker behind the formation of the NSASA (National Speakers Association of Southern Africa). That body will hopefully have the effect of focusing and unifying elements within the speaking industry. It will also raise the profile of speakers and their role across the board. On that basis, I feel that Stef’s made a very significant, if not the most significant contribution to the industry of any of us. Congrats to Stef on well-deserved recognition!

Dr. Graeme Codrington, author, speaker and the charismatic youthful guru behind the TomorrowToday.biz network, was the very worthy winner of the Speaker Of The Year Award. Graeme's a highly visible personality in the South African speaking industry - despite being (by his own admission!) 'an introvert'. Just goes to show - there is hope for you!

The evening was a great success and provided a marvellous opportunity to bring together under one roof, many very busy people who typically just don't manage to get together (en masse, anyhow) with any degree of regularity.

The speaker business in South Africa is being taken to a whole new level of professionalism through the gradually evolving role of the NSASA. It's therefore of particular merit that a bureau like Speaker Inc. with Bronwyn, husband Gareth, mom Gladys Hall, Michelle (client management) and Simone on the IT front, have taken the time and put the energy into something that adds significant value to the sector.

On behalf of everyone in the South African speaking industry, thanks Bronwyn, Gareth and Team from and may you go from strength to strength. Hey - and good luck with that baby!