We were excited to gather online on Saturday, 26 October 2024 for our PSASA Mid-Term Convention, a day filled with inspiration, learning, and laughs. The Convention, themed “Laughs to Riches,” focused on humour in public speaking. With a lineup of renowned comedians and humourists, this online event was designed for everyone looking to enhance their speaking skills.
The tone for the day was set by the Mid-Term Convention Convenor and Immediate Past President Claudio Chisté, supported by the committee Terry Winship and Eksteen de Waal. In the role of Master of Ceremonies for the day, Claudio, Terry, Marlene McConnell and Brian Koga ensured that the event stayed on track.
Barry Hilton dazzled as the opening speaker during his talk “My life in 3D”. As a household name, Barry delivered top-tier humor, reminding us that even in our darkest moments, laughter can bring joy and hope.
Following this, the amazing Jeremy Nicholas shared his expertise on infusing serious talks with genuine laughs. Eksteen de Waal then kept everyone on the edge of their seats with his bold presentation, “I Don’t Give a #$* About Your Feedback.”
Next, the legendary Wolfgang Riebe taught us how to go from boring to roaring. He highlighted common mistakes in talk preparation and offered practical tips that attendees could immediately implement. Our impromptu duo from the UK, Chantal Cornelius and William Buist, captivated us, ensuring we stayed glued to our screens!
Dynamic laughter coach Diana Rodriques introduced us to laughter yoga, demonstrating how laughter can serve as a powerful tool to help audiences break through mental and emotional barriers. Though unable to join us live, YouTuber Sami Hall provided valuable insights into her fresh, relatable comedic style that resonated with audiences everywhere.
Next up was Eugene Seah, known as “The Reformed Corporate Zombie,” who showcased how humor and exaggerated expressions can foster relatability in presentations. Lastly, we were honored to have expat comedian and lawyer Clinton Starghill share his unique perspective on using analysis to poke fun at social issues, family dynamics, and child-rearing.
Wrapping up our day, veteran speaker Tim Gard shared invaluable tips to incorporate humor into keynote sessions. Our event concluded with a word from PSASA President Arthur Goldstuck, Cape Chapter President Marriet Visser, and Convention Convenor Claudio Chisté.
A special thank you to everyone involved in making this event a success! A special word of thanks was extended to MeetBee, YaziMedia, Wolfgang Riebe for hosting the team, and Terry Winship and Eksteen de Waal for their dedication to bringing this convention to life. Here’s to more laughter and learning together!
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