The Speaking Industry in Australia
Until recently the role of a professional speaker in Australia hardly existed. Companies and organisations seeking people to address conferences and meetings relied largely on finding people with something to say who could be cajoled to say it.
The increasing pace of change, the heightened sophistication of audiences and the focus on achieving results led to the demand for a better answer and a new role was created that of professional speaker. A role to be filled by someone who could present information of interest and value in an interesting and valuable way.
Now every day in Australia at literally hundreds of events ranging from small team sales meetings and service group dinners to huge corporate conventions and multi national conferences, professional speakers go about their business of presenting ideas, information, views and values to entertain, enthral, educate and energize both the audience and the organisers.
Who We Are
Professional Speakers Australia was established in 1987. The Association was a founding member of the Global Speakers Federation and is one of only two national associations which grants the international Certified Speaking Professional designation.
It is the only professional body in Australia representing the members of the professional speaking industry. It exists to develop, promote and uphold the highest possible standards for the benefit of both its members and the public they serve. Any person who has an interest in the speaking industry whether speaker or supplier, seasoned professional or raw recruit is eligible to apply for membership and accreditation at the appropriate level.
What We Do
Mission
The mission of Professional Speakers Australia is to ensure the standard of excellence in the profession of speaking and to promote professional speaking through:
- A belief in and adherence to the highest standard of ethics.
- Demonstrated professional competence.
- A commitment to continued development of expertise and knowledge.
- A responsibility to clients and to the professional services we provide.
- Monthly Chapter Meetings in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Perth.
- Professional Development Workshops in Chapters based on 8 Professional Speaking Competencies.
- Designation Levels.
- On line and printed directory of accredited members.
- Website discussion board and chat rooms.
- Professional speaker magazine (10 issues per annum).
- Voices of Experience audio programs (10 issues per annum).
- Annual convention.
- Certified Professional Speakers Forums.
- Membership of Global Speakers Federation with reciprocal rights to services and events internationally.
- Networking with experts and peers in the profession.
- Opportunities for mentoring through developing professional relationships.
- Code of Professional Conduct.
Life Members
A select group of people are Life Members of Professional Speakers in recognition of their great service to the Association and the speaking profession in Australia.
Code of Professional Conduct
Members of Professional Speakers abide by a Code of Professional Conduct. To ensure that these are maintained to the highest standards, there is a standard procedure for dealing with complaints.
Our Values
Professional Speakers strives to be recognized as an organization of stature in the business and broader community.
Our Association Values are an important guide to members, the business and broader community about who we are and what we stand for as members of Professional Speakers Australia. Our Values are guiding principles to assist our individual and collective thoughts, words, decisions and actions.
In their most practical use, our Association Values are used as a reference point for decision making, particularly at board or chapter leadership level especially in regard to policy.
Our Association Core Values
Community – An understanding that we are part of a local and international community of people who use the power of the word and share the platform to enrich the potential of ourselves and others. Our community embraces generosity in sharing our gifts, talents, knowledge, expertise and experience and a willingness to respect and accept the legitimacy of alternate opinions and experiences and to strive to work together to give and receive reciprocal value.
Growth – An attitude supported by thought and action to continually challenge mediocrity in ourselves, personally and collectively in the many pursuits and facets of our lives.
Possibility Thinking – An open-mindedness to pursue the potential of success, to embrace technology and through our own personal empowerment to assist others find their own possible futures.
Integrity – To promise and commit to that which we can and ought to deliver and to deliver on those promises to the best of our abilities; to act congruently with the behaviours and messages we present on and off the platform.
Along with and above our Core Values, the ethical standards of the Association and the Code of Professional Conduct prevail.