Seven years ago, the Greater Los Angeles Chapter of the National Speakers Association ("GLAC") created Pro Speak, formerly Fast Track, as a way to help emerging and serious aspiring speakers learn the business of speaking:

Academy Goals

1. To teach emerging and serious aspiring speakers the business skills necessary to become successful paid speakers.

2. To assist members of the Academy gain admittance to the National Speakers Association.

3. To create a supportive community consisting of fellow Academy members, alumni, and GLAC members that will contribute to the personal and professional development of Academy members.

4. To ensure that Academy members perform at the highest ethical and service standards of the speaking profession.

5. To provide access to resources that will allow Academy members to improve their presentations and sharpen their business acumen.

Tentative Curriculum

The Academy's program consists of 9 monthly sessions. Subject to the availability of speakers, the course schedule is as follows:

October 13 - Approach Your Business Strategically
How to leverage your expertise and speaking skills into a successful business. NSA membership requirements and ethical standards.

Note: November and December topics have been switched
November 10 - Identify a Paying Client
Detailing the various channels in which speakers get booked, and determining who will pay you to speak.

December 8 - Develop a Topic
Identifying a topic that is marketable and for which you have a passion and Refining your topic to match the market.

January 12 - Polish Your Speaking Expertise
Becoming an elite level speaker who is consistently invited to return and Optimize your speaking skills to Board of Directors and CEOs.

February ?? - Develop and Sell Products
Creating products and multiple revenue streams; Learn about audio and multi-media technologies with specific strategies for implementation.

March 8 - Create Marketing Materials
Create eye-catching promotional materials.

April 12 - Create Your Marketing Plan
Identify multiple markets within your specific expertise.

May 10 - Finalize Your Business Plan
How to run your office and put the past 8 months into action

June 14 - Finale: Strategies for Personal, Professional, and Business Growth

Program Information

1. This is a structured program in which every session builds upon previous sessions and assignments. Most monthly meetings will take place between noon and 4:00 p.m. of the second Saturday of each month. In addition, there will be 2 or 3 full-day sessions, also on a Saturday.

2. Class size will be capped at 40. Based on past experience, class size is expected to be between 25 and 40.

3. Most meetings will take place at the Wyndham Hotel in the City of Commerce, immediately following the monthly meeting of the Greater Los Angeles Chapter.

4. Homework assignments will be required between meetings.

5. During the course of the Academy's program, you will have the opportunity to join a MasterMind group consisting of between 6-8 fellow program participants. Such groups meet regularly and provide an important additional vehicle to grow your speaking business.

6. Successful professional speakers will present. Presenters are selected for their expertise in specific areas that are important to the development of a professional speaking business.

7. Upon admission to the Fast Track Academy, you will also become an Apprentice Member of the Greater Los Angeles Chapter for one year. As an Apprentice Member, you will be eligible to attend monthly chapter meetings.

8. Completing the Fast Track Academy program does not make you eligible to join the National Speakers Association or authorize you to use the NSA logo.

Pro Speak Academy Staff

Our Staff reviews applications, and manages the Academy. This year's Academy Staff are:

Brian Grossman, drbrian@drbriangrossman.com

Dr. Brian helps optimize organizations and create strategies that stick. Has ten years experience conducting seminars and workshops on an international level.

Gideon Grunfeld, gideon@scslawcareers.com

Gideon is a business and career consultant, a graduate of the Fast Track class of 2005, and also a member of the Chapter's Board.

Liz de Clifford, liz@decliffordinternational.com

Liz is a sought-after keynote speaker, business consultant, and expert on international etiquette, and a member of the Board of Directors of the GLAC.

Eligibility and Application Process

No prior paid speaking engagements are required to be eligible to apply. You are eligible to apply to the Pro Speak Academy if any of the following apply to you:

• Already have been paid to speak; or

• Are seriously interested in pursuing a career as a professional speaker; or

• Are seeking to use paid speeches as an important way to promote a business, foundation, or some other endeavor.

Above all, the Pro Speak Staff seeks a commitment to learn and master the business of professional speaking, as demonstrated in the answers on the application form. The Staff will closely consider applicants commitment to attend, participate, and follow-through on program activities.

Please download the appication (PDF) submit your application as directed.

If you feel that you currently qualify for full membership to the NSA, please contact Beverly Babb of the NSA, at (480) 968-2552 or click here.

Program Fee

The program fee is $650 for Professional Members or Apprentice of the GLAC, and $845 for non-members.

The fee includes:

• Nine monthly program meetings
• Pro Speak Academy program materials
• For non-members, an Apprentice Membership to the Greater Los Angeles Chapter of the NSA

With respect to the program fee, a deposit in the amount of $200 is due within 15 days of acceptance to the Academy. The balance ($450 or $645) is due by October 31, 2007.

In addition, you have the option of pre-registering for 8 NSA/GLAC monthly meetings that will take place between October 2007 and June 2008 for $300.00 (a $150 savings off of the regular fee for monthly meetings). To receive the discount, prepayment for monthly meetings is due on or before October 13, 2007.

Fees are non-refundable.