IFFPS::History & FAQ

The idea of creating a truly global entity for the professional speaking business began evolving around the late 1980's. An initial exploratory meeting held at the NSA Dallas convention in 1989 clearly identified the challenges involved in finding a mechanism that would address the concerns of autonomy, resources, consistency, etc. of all the interested professional speaking associations.

A breakthrough meeting between NSA President-Elect Patricia Ball CSP CPAE and Warren Evans CSP at the 1995 NSAUS convention sketched out the conceptual format of what became the International Federation. Both Ball and Evans had long shared a vision of a truly international organization, and sensed that, while there was no shortage of skeptics, there were others in international leadership positions that shared this vision. The timing was right to identify the way to make it happen.

Patricia Ball committed to being a driving force within NSA during her Presidential term, identifying other supporters (including Jim Rhode CSP) to explain the concept and highlight the advantages to the NSA Board.

Over the next two years, in concert with committed visionaries such as David Price CSP in Australia and David Sweet in Canada, they refined the concept, resolved issues, and moved the process forward. Warren Evans drafted the final proposal and presented it to the NSAUS Board during the NSAUS Convention of 1997. Its passage marked the completion of the journey from vision to reality.

During that 1997 NSAUS conventions, the U.S.-based National Speakers Association (NSAUS) became a partner in the formation of an umbrella organization created to support the growing importance of the speaking profession globally. By making its resources available to existing international associations for professional speakers, NSA is able to enhance the value of those association memberships; encourage the formation of new associations for professional speakers; and set the benchmark for platform excellence worldwide.

Federation members believe that the growth of the speaking profession is best served by continually enhancing the talent, ethics and business acumen of individual speakers. The Federation is a mechanism of affiliation through which independent associations for professional speakers around the world can collectively serve these interests by providing their members with greater access to professional education materials and access to one another's educational programs.

The Boards of Directors of the first four Federation member countries-Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States-approved the formation of the Federation in July 1997. The Federation officially launched in January 1998.

"NSAUS has cemented its position as a preeminent resource in the speaking profession worldwide." Says founding chair of the Federation Executive Council, Warren Evans, CSP. "The Federation has extended the reach of NSA's printed and audio publications, which are now being enjoyed by hundreds of additional speakers in member associations. At the same time, strong, independent national associations in other countries evidence the maturing significance of our business. The Federation creates numerous opportunities to enhance professionalism, grow markets and improve businesses."

International Ambassador Award

Recipients:

Delva and Norm Rebin HoF CPAE (Canada)
Somers White, CMC, CSP, CPAE (U.S.A.)
Max Hitchins APS (Australia)
Warren Evans, CSP HoF (Canada)
Terry Paulson, PhD, CSP, CPAE (U.S.A.)
W. Mitchell, CSP, CPAE (U.S.A. & Australia)
Patricia Ball, CSP, CPAE (U.S.A.)
Kit Grant, BA, BEd, MEd, CSP, HoF (Canada)
Paul Bridle, CSP (UK)
David Price, CSP (Australia)

The Federation bestows the prestigious International Ambassador Award to recognize those who have made an obvious, substantial, and sustained contribution to the professional speaking industry and community over many years.
Each Federation member organization nominates potential recipients each year. The award is presented by the Council of the Federation when one nominee is seen by Council to stand 'head and shoulders' above other nominees that year. There have been only 8 recipients in the past 28 years (the first 3 recipients having been awarded the International Ambassador by NSA, prior to the formation of the International Federation).

David Price, CSP is the recipient of the 2007 International Ambassador Award.

The Criteria
In addition to their obvious, substantial, and sustained contributions to the industry and the profession, recipients will have:

Achieved success in their own business.
Earned a reputation for impeccable ethics.
Acquired significant experience speaking in a variety of countries.
Contributed to the cementing of member relations on an international level.
Represented/embodied the spirit and intent of our professional associations as described in the values, mission statements and code of ethics of each association.
Utilized the platform as a forum for generating international goodwill.
Worked to build a speaking community of respect, tolerance and inclusiveness.
Served as a mentor of future leaders.

Federation Leaders Sign Original Agreement, 1997 Anaheim, California

NSAUS 96-97 President, Patricia Ball and Founding Chairman, Warren Evans at the agreement signing in Aneheim

Question: What benefits do Federation members receive?

Answer: Federation members receive many of the benefits of NSA members:

Speaker magazine ten times a year;
Voices of Experience audio-recording series;
Member prices at Federation association meetings;
The oportunity to join NSAUS chapters;
A picture listing in NSAUS's national online directory avaible for $50US. If listed in the directory, federation members may also join any of NSA's professional expertise groups (PEGs); and
Participation in NSAUS's certification program if their home association does not offer a comparable program.

Question: How does someone join the Federation?

Answer: Individuals become members of the Federation when they join the association for professional speakers in their home country. Federation associations must meet the criteria outlined on the Governing Documents page to participate in the Federation relationship. There is a Candidate program that potential Federation organizations participate in as they work toward full Federation member status. Details to this process can be found on the Governing Documents page of this site.

Founding President, Warren Evans, and 2005 President, Paul Bridle, welcome Benjamin Cheng, President of the Professional Speakers Associaition of Asia, to Full Member status in the Federation during the 2005 Executive Council meeting in Atlanta.

Question: Can Federation members vote in each other's elections?

Answer: Federation members may only vote in their home association's elections. If a Federation member holds dual memberships, they can vote in the elections of both of the organizations to which they belong. Additionally, association board members must be members of the Federation organization for which they serve.