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Gather with other professional speakers at chapter events

Learn new skills. Get valuable feedback. Grow your business.

NSA Wisconsin events are focused on meeting the unique needs of starting, running and scaling a business as a professional speaker. Pick and choose educational sessions to attend. Or take advantage of the full support of the community as a Professional Member and get access to exclusive events designed to fit the needs of members. Either way, we hope you’ll join us as we gather in person and virtually to learn, share and create better businesses together.


When I came to my first meeting in Wisconsin, I met wonderful people who were really interested in my career, my journey, my path in terms of becoming a professional speaker. 

Eliz Greene, Professional Member since 2005

Educational Sessions

Those who have built successful speaking businesses share what they’ve learned to help you excel in the art and business of speaking. Open to Professional Members, Academy participants and non-members.

Community Sessions

Work together with other professional speakers through facilitated mastermind sessions to build better businesses for all. Exclusively for Established Members of NSA Wisconsin.

Learn About Membership

Speakers Lab

Try out new material or revisions to current material. Practice delivery techniques. And get valuable feedback from peers. Exclusively for Professional Members and Speakers Academy participants..

Learn more

Upcoming events

    • April 01, 2025
    • April 01, 2026
    Register

    Help Us Tell Our Story, and We'll Tell Yours
    Great stories have the transformative power to inspire, connect, and change lives. At the National Speakers Association - Wisconsin (NSA WI), we empower professional speakers to hone their craft and share impactful stories that make a profound difference.

    We invite you to be part of this inspiring mission. By sponsoring our annual events, "Last Story Standing" (in January) and "Breaking Through Live” (in May), you’ll help amplify the voices of professional speakers, and in return, we'll shine a spotlight on your story.

    As a sponsor, your organization will receive:

    • Prominent recognition during our events
    • Exposure on our website and event promotions
    • Connection with our engaged audience of professional speakers and attendees

    Your sponsorship demonstrates a commitment to the art of storytelling and professional development, elevating your visibility and impact.

    How to Become a Sponsor
    Join us in making these events extraordinary. Full details are available here. Register now or contact Eliz Greene with questions.

    Thank you for supporting the power of storytelling and helping us amplify voices that make a difference!

    • March 18, 2026
    • 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
    • via Zoom
    Register


    Join us as a speaker or come for the fun and gain some insights and tips as you watch others get coached by our established professional members.

    One of the most valuable services offered by NSA-WI is the Speakers Development Lab. All members -- from Past National Presidents and CPAEs to new candidate members -- are welcome to attend. The Lab operates much like a Hollywood “Actors Studio” where speakers, facilitators, seminar leaders, those who sell products or services through public presentations, etc. can go to try out new material, revise current material, practice delivery techniques, etc. 

    Our goal for the Speakers Lab is to take speakers, facilitators, teacher/leaders at their current level of skill, impact, fee level, etc., and help them move up to the next level. Both those speaking, and observers benefit from the Lab, and the net effect is to increase the skills and impact of each participant.

    Click here or more information.

    • March 21, 2026
    • 10:30 AM - 3:30 PM
    • Upper Dells Education and Research Center, N194 County Rd N, Wisconsin Dells
    Register

    Growing Your Business When YOU are the Business 

    presented by Mark LeBlanc, CSP, CPAE

    What is the shortest path to your dream? Find out what you need to know and what you need to do – to fill your calendar with more of what you want. Would it surprise you to know your approach could be think like an artist and act like a business owner?

    Hall of Fame speaker Mark LeBlanc will bring a treasure chest of insights, ideas, and a strategy or two for you to choose from. Our aim is for you to create a new starting line in the direction of your dream and make the next twelve months the best year of your life and work.

    It will not be for the faint of heart. He will hold up a mirror to what you want and what you are willing to do in order to get more of what you want. With 43 years of experience, over two thousand presentations, seven books, and twenty thousand business coaching hours–you will hear what you might never hear from anyone else. His first book, Growing Your Business is an underground bestseller and over eight hundred orders of fifty copies or more, he published the enhanced (25th anniversary) edition of the book that put him on the map and effectively became the catalyst for his incredibly career.

    As a result of listening to Mark, people often share they are more focused, gain undeniable momentum, and have more impact and influence with the people they serve best. This is the experience you do not want to hear about from someone else. If you have heard Mark before, you know you are in for a treat.

    On a professional note, in 2025, Mark was inducted as a Legend of the speaking profession by the Veteran Speakers Network in Washington, D.C. On a personal note, this past Summer he went on a short, five-hundred-mile walk across Spain – for the fourth time! You can find out more about Mark at www.GrowingYourBusiness.com.

    Agenda

    10:30-11:30 -- In-Meeting Speaker Lab (requires separate registration if you would like to speak)

    11:30-12:30 -- Networking, lunch, and announcements
    12:30-3:30
    -- Mark LeBlanc: Growing Your Business When YOU are the Business (Cont'd)
    3:30-4:00 -- Inside the Speaker Studio

    • March 21, 2026
    • 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
    • Upper Dells Education and Research Center, N194 County Rd N, Wisconsin Dells
    Registration is closed


    In-Meeting Lab
    Join us as a speaker and take advantage of the built-in audience at our chapter meeting

    One of the most valuable services offered by NSA-WI is the Speakers Development Lab. The Lab operates much like a Hollywood “Actors Studio” where speakers, facilitators, seminar leaders, those who sell products or services through public presentations, etc. can go to try out new material, revise current material, practice delivery techniques, etc. 

    Our goal for the Speakers Lab is to take speakers, facilitators, teacher/leaders at their current level of skill, impact, fee level, etc., and help them move up to the next level. Both those speaking, and observers benefit from the Lab, and the net effect is to increase the skills and impact of each participant.

    Click here or more information.

    If you would like to also attend the Chapter Meeting, register here.

    • April 10, 2026
    • 12:00 PM - 2:30 PM
    • via Zoom
    Register

    Rescheduled from December

    Booked, Remembered, and Referred: Your 2026 LinkedIn Glow-Up
    presented by Sheri Fitts

    Let’s be honest: most speakers’ LinkedIn profiles are a hot mess. They read like resumes instead of booking magnets, hide contact info like it’s a state secret, and showcase everything except why someone should pay you to speak. Planners and decision-makers aren’t going to dig for gold—they’ll just move on to the next name in their feed.

    That’s where this session comes in.

    Join longtime NSA member Sheri Fitts (teaching professionals how to crush it on LinkedIn since 2008) for a no-fluff, bring-your-laptop, roll-up-your-sleeves workshop. Together we’ll dive into your own profile and:

    • Fix the “resume trap” so your profile screams “professional speaker” in under seven seconds
    • Nail your headline, banner, and About section so you stop being scrolled past
    • Showcase your speaking skills with the kind of social proof and video planners crave
    • Learn how to connect without being cringey or salesy
    • Walk away with a LinkedIn presence that actually gets you booked, remembered, and referred

    This isn’t a lecture. It’s a working session. So grab your computer, park the excuses, and let’s make LinkedIn finally work for you.

    Sheri Fitts has been teaching professionals how to stand out on LinkedIn since 2008, long before “personal brand” was a buzzword. A dynamic keynote speaker and innovator, Sheri transforms the way leaders, entrepreneurs, and change-makers think about digital influence. She is the creator of digitalEQ®, a groundbreaking framework that fuses emotional intelligence with online presence, and the founder of SWAY | LIVE, a fast-growing conference that is redefining what it means to build a purpose-driven personal brand.

    A proud member of NSA since 2003, Sheri does not just talk about LinkedIn. She has been shaping the conversation for more than 15 years, helping thousands of professionals move beyond algorithms and into authentic connection. With her signature mix of humor, candor, and forward-thinking insights, Sheri inspires audiences to claim their voice, expand their influence, and lead with impact in today’s noisy digital world.

    • April 21, 2026
    • 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
    • 6 Ralph Judd Ct., Sugar Grove, IL 60554
    Register

    Beyond the Stage: Planting Roots, Expanding Reach, and Growing Revenue
    presented by Deborah Biddle for Established Members only

    The speaking industry is evolving. Today’s most successful speakers don’t just deliver keynotes—they create integrated businesses that blend thought leadership, consulting, training, and long-term client relationships. But how can you grow that kind of business when life changes your location, the market shifts, or your clients are scattered across the Midwest and beyond?

    Deborah Biddle, The People Culture Architect™, leads The People Company Consulting Group. She is a certified diversity practitioner, consultant, and speaker, who offers a personalized approach to helping her clients feel empowered, seen, and heard. With tailored workshops and consulting sessions, she is committed to helping organizations maximize belonging, productivity, and performance. 

    In this engaging and practical session, Deborah shares her real story of moving during the pandemic while maintaining and growing a successful dual business in speaking and consulting. From staying connected with Wisconsin clients to expanding into new markets in Illinois and across the region, she highlights what it takes to stay visible, credible, and connected—no matter where you are.

    This program provides speakers with a roadmap to turn their expertise into a flexible, scalable business that extends beyond their ZIP code. If you’re ready to expand your influence, diversify your income, and build a practice that gains recognition—not just locally but regionally and nationally—this session is for you.

    KEY TAKEAWAYS
    Participants will learn how to: 

    • Develop a business model that combines paid speaking engagements with consulting, training, and advisory services. 
    • Maintain and expand a geographically diverse client portfolio, even after relocating. 
    • Create design systems that enable a mobile, multi-state practice while maintaining client connection. 
    • Boost visibility and trust in major Midwest markets and prepare for nationwide expansion.
    • Transition from transactional speaking to becoming a strategic partner clients depend on year after year. 
    • Create a specific regional expansion plan based on your expertise and goals. 

    WHO SHOULD ATTEND
    Established Members who are professional speakers, consultants, trainers, coaches, and aspiring thought leaders aiming to increase revenue, deepen influence, and develop a sustainable business across regions.

    • April 30, 2026
    • 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
    • Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts, 3270 Mitchell Park Dr., Brookfield,
    Register


    Step away from the ordinary and spend an afternoon immersed in live storytelling, fresh perspectives, and engaging performances. Breaking Through Live, presented by the National Speakers Association Wisconsin Chapter, brings together 8 to 10 experienced professional speakers for a fast-paced showcase of powerful 15-minute mini-keynotes. Each voice is different. Each message is designed to spark new thinking, meaningful conversation, and moments you will remember long after the curtain closes on the spectacular Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts stage.

    This is not a traditional lecture or conference. It is a dynamic, variety-style experience where the energy shifts with every speaker. Expect insight paired with entertainment, thoughtful ideas delivered with personality, and an atmosphere that keeps the afternoon moving. Come curious. Leave energized.

    Why Attend
    If you enjoy live performances that make you think, laugh, and see familiar challenges in a new way, this afternoon is for you. Breaking Through Live offers a rare opportunity to hear multiple professional speakers on one stage, each bringing their own stories, styles, and perspectives. It is an easy way to refresh your thinking, gather new ideas, and enjoy a live event that feels both meaningful and fun.

    For Event Industry Professionals
    Meeting professionals, association leaders, HR teams, and others who hire speakers are invited to attend as guests of the chapter, with a reception following the showcase. Experience multiple seasoned speakers in one afternoon and see how they connect with a live audience, far beyond what a demo reel can show. One lucky guest will receive a keynote giveaway valued at up to $25,000.

    Event industry partners can reach out to Eliz Greene for guest registration details.

    Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts patrons, use the code you received in an email for discounted tickets.

    Bring Your Group
    Some events are better experienced together, and Breaking Through Live is one of them. Gather your team, invite your network, or plan a midweek outing with friends. The fast-paced lineup keeps you engaged, and every presentation gives your group something new to talk about on the drive home.

    Contact Eliz Greene now if your group is 10 or more to unlock special group pricing and reserve your seats together.

    Reserve your seat now and be part of an afternoon where powerful stories, engaging performances, and ideas worth your time take center stage.

    Presenting Sponsor

      • May 14, 2026
      • 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
      • Madison Location TBA
      Register

      Boosting Voice Health for Speakers
      presented by Brienne Hennesy

      Voice is an integral asset as a speaker, yet most don’t know ways to keep it healthy and vibrant long-term. Brienne Hennessy, M.A., will provide evidence and experience-based voice health and wellness strategies, plus playful exercises so that NSA-WI members learn key concepts about protecting their voice function, reducing strain, and tuning into embodied presence so their sound resonates with more speaking prowess -- all of which benefits their communication and  livelihood. The intention is to bring high-value interactivity with tangible takeaways for all attendees.

      Brienne Hennessy (she/her), founder of Your Vocal Vitality, LLC, is a highly-sought after voice activator, intuitive listener, speaker, and author. For 17 years, she has specialized in voice and how it connects to our well-being and self-worth. Brienne has expertly guided executives, entrepreneurs, and speakers to communicate with more assertiveness, speak without fatigue or strain, and listen to their intuitive voice to show up as their truest selves. 

      Brienne is also a former speech-voice pathologist with 14 years of clinical experience and 60+ public speaking appearances. Her clients have succeeded in protecting against hoarseness and voice loss while improving clarity, stamina, and ease. All while elevating communication confidence, which has resulted in more captivating presence and profit for their businesses!

      You’ll often find Brienne incorporating water into her day, whether hydrating, lounging at the lake, or blowing bubbles to warm-up her voice!

      Agenda

      10:00-11:30 -- In-Meeting Speaker Lab (requires separate registration if you would like to speak)

      11:30-Noon -- Networking

      Noon-1:00 -- Lunch

      1:00-3:30 -- Brienne HennesyBoosting Voice Health for Speakers
      3:30-4:00 -- Inside the Speaker Studio

      • May 14, 2026
      • 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
      • Madison location TBA
      Register


      In-Meeting Lab
      Join us as a speaker and take advantage of the built-in audience at our chapter meeting

      One of the most valuable services offered by NSA-WI is the Speakers Development Lab. The Lab operates much like a Hollywood “Actors Studio” where speakers, facilitators, seminar leaders, those who sell products or services through public presentations, etc. can go to try out new material, revise current material, practice delivery techniques, etc. 

      Our goal for the Speakers Lab is to take speakers, facilitators, teacher/leaders at their current level of skill, impact, fee level, etc., and help them move up to the next level. Both those speaking, and observers benefit from the Lab, and the net effect is to increase the skills and impact of each participant.

      Click here or more information.

      If you would like to also attend the Chapter Meeting, register here.

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