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Toastmasters International today announced the speakers for its upcoming 2010 International Convention. The lineup includes Travel Channel host Todd Newton, former NBA star Mark Eaton and entrepreneur Rory Vaden.

"We have an impressive group of presenters this year," says Toastmasters International President Gary Schmidt. "Attendees can expect these exceptional speakers to deliver powerful and inspiring messages that offer time-tested tips for enhancing professional and life skills."

Toastmasters' 79th annual International Convention, expected to draw nearly 2,000 leaders and speakers from around the world, takes place Aug. 11-14 in Palm Desert, Calif.

Todd Newton will present the keynote address during Opening Ceremonies on Wednesday, Aug. 11.

In his speech, "Put Your Best into Action," Newton will offer tips on becoming a better communicator. Newton is a television veteran who began his career in radio and spent more than a decade on E! Entertainment Television before becoming a popular host on the Gameshow Network. Starting in August, Newton will host "World's Wildest Game Shows" on the Travel Channel. He says his Toastmasters training has strengthened his TV work: "In television you don't receive the same kind of feedback you do in a Toastmasters meeting. And there's great, great benefit in critiques and constructive criticism."

Education sessions being held throughout the four-day event will be lead by recognized experts in leadership and communication.

Former NBA All Star Mark Eaton, who played 12 seasons for the Utah Jazz, will talk about winning in the workplace through teamwork. "What I learned from my basketball success is how to help my team win," he says. "Doing more for others than we do for ourselves brings out the best in us."

Rory Vaden is a self-discipline strategist and co-founder of Southwestern Consulting, a multimillion-dollar training company. He'll share persuasive-speaking techniques and their application in the workplace.

  Other session presenters include:
  --  Sasha Strauss - Brand-strategy expert and managing director of the
      firm Innovation Protocol
  --  Terri Langhans - Marketing consultant and author of "The 7 Marketing
      Mistakes Every Business Makes (And How to Fix Them)"
  --  Sheryl Roush - Internationally recognized motivational speaker and a
      Toastmasters accredited speaker
  --  Connie Merritt - Life Balance Expert and author of "Too Busy for Your
      Own Good"
  --  Tammy Miller - Speech Coach and author of "My Life is Just Speech
      Material ... And, So is Yours"
  --  Lance Miller and Jim Key - Past Toastmasters' World Champions of
      Public Speaking

The International Convention takes place Aug. 11-14 at the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa in Palm Desert, Calif. To learn more about the Convention and all the session presenters, please visit www.toastmasters.org/2010Convention.

About Toastmasters

Toastmasters International is a nonprofit educational organization that teaches public speaking and leadership skills through a worldwide network of clubs. The organization currently has more than 250,000 members in over 12,500 clubs in 106 countries. Since its founding 85 years ago in October 1924, the organization has helped more than four million men and women give presentations with poise and confidence. For information about local Toastmasters clubs, please visit www.toastmasters.org.

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  Gary Schmidt
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SOURCE: Toastmasters International

CONTACT: Suzanne Frey, +1-949-858-8255, sfrey@toastmasters.org

Web Site: http://www.toastmasters.org/