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Toastmasters International, the world's largest educational organization devoted to teaching public speaking skills, will hold its 70th Annual Convention on Aug. 22-25 at The Hilton Anaheim.

More than 2,000 silver-tongued members from around the world are expected to attend and do what Toastmasters do best: talk, joke, orate, educate and motivate each other. Opening ceremonies are scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 22, with a keynote address titled "Million Dollar Words: Speaking for Results" by professional speaker Patricia Fripp of San Francisco, California. Jim Cathcart, a successful author, trainer and leader in the field of human development, will receive Toastmasters most prestigious award, the Golden Gavel, for his contributions in the fields of communication and leadership. He will address delegates at a luncheon on Thursday, Aug. 23, at noon.

The four-day event, hosted by Toastmasters from clubs in Orange and Los Angeles counties, will culminate with "The World Championship of Public Speaking" on Saturday morning, Aug. 25. In this contest, nine speakers representing regions throughout the world will be judged on content, speech organization, voice quality, gestures and style. There are no topic restrictions on the five- to seven-minute speeches.

Throughout the week, various experts on communication and leadership will share their secrets to personal and professional success. Formerly tongue-tied Toastmasters who, by their very example, demonstrate the potential of the Toastmasters program, will lead most seminars.

Toastmasters International has helped more than four million people develop their public speaking skills since the organization's humble beginning in Santa Ana, Calif., in 1924. This year, Toastmasters International celebrates its 77th anniversary with nearly 180,000 members in 70 countries, including 189 clubs in Orange and Los Angeles counties -- 10 in Anaheim alone.

For information about Toastmasters or local clubs, contact Lynne Velling at (626) 793-6823 or e-mail lvelling@speakingcirclesla.com or visit www.toastmasters.org.

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SOURCE: Toastmasters International

Website: http://www.toastmasters.org/