NSA Carolinas upcoming events

Second Saturday Meetups (please check specific time for your Regional Meetup) (August 08, 2026)

Sat, 08 Aug 2026 13:00:00 GMT

NSA Carolinas is committed to serving and building the Professional Speaker Community throughout North Carolina & South Carolina. In that spirit, we host ‘2nd Saturday’ Regional Meetups to foster connection, community, and collaboration.

These Meetups are regionally located, wherever a volunteer member Champion commits to hosting. A remote option (via Zoom) is also available.

GREATER RALEIGH (in-person): 9:00am - 10:00 am @ Echo, 404 Hunt St. Suite 500, Durham, NC 27701. Area Champion: Eve Keil (evehannahkeil@gmail.com)
GREATER CHARLOTTE (in-person): 10:30am - 11:30am @ Charlotte Mecklenburg Library - SouthPark Regional Branch, 7015 Carnegie Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28211, Area Champion: Craig Collin (craig@laughwithcraig.com)
WINSTON-SALEM (in-person) 10:00am - 11:00am @ Panera Bread, 970 South Main Street, Kernersville, NC 27284 Area Champion: Sherman Transou (srtransou2@gmail.com), Dr. Diana James (diana@secretstairs.com)
REMOTE (virtually): @ 9:00am via Zoom (Zoom link will be included in the registration confirmation and reminder emails). Area Champion: Anagha Agte anaghaagteexecoach@gmail.com)

NSA Carolinas is here to help you knock it out of the ballpark, and hit a home run in your Professional Speaker business. See you at our next 2nd Saturday!

Want an in-person 2nd Saturday location closer to you? Get in touch with us about being a champion so you can help host and pick the location!

Speaker Development Series: INSIDE INFLUENCE! Highlights and Insights From Members in the Room (August 19, 2026)

Wed, 19 Aug 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Join us every third Wednesday for the NSA Carolinas Speaker Development Series, designed to help you build a thriving, ethical speaking business.

Speaker Development Series

Couldn’t make it to INFLUENCE this year? Or maybe after you attend, you'd love help processing the flood of inspiration?

Join us for an exclusive panel featuring NSA Carolinas members who attended the 2026 Influence conference — the biggest annual event in the speaking industry. They’ll break down the boldest takeaways, jaw-dropping insights, and game-changing strategies they brought home.

What surprised them? What challenged them? And most importantly — what should you be applying to your speaking business right now?

Come for the highlights. Stay for the real talk. Walk away with inspiration, insider tips, and a fresh pulse on what’s shaping the future of professional speaking.

Check out our Panelists:

Lenora Billings-Harris is an internationally recognized leadership strategist, keynote speaker, author, and founder of the Critical Voices Initiative, a nonprofit dedicated to helping people use honest words to open minds and build stronger communities through respectful, courageous dialogue.

Lenora is the first African American to serve as President of both the National Speakers Association and the Global Speakers Federation, and the first African American woman inducted into the Speaker Hall of Fame, and a Cavett Award recipient.

Though she has been the first at many things, her greatest joy comes from knowing she is not the last.

Emily Crookston is a former philosophy professor who left academia when she realized the ivory tower is where Big Ideas go to die. As the Owner and Decider of All Things at The Pocket PhD, she has spent over a decade at the intersection of ideas, narrative, and business, ghostwriting and editing more than 30 business books. Emily helps business owners and thought leaders write books, keynotes, and words their frenemies wish they'd written. She's also the award-winning author of Unwritten: The Thought Leader's Guide to Not Overthinking Your Business Book — proof she can walk the walk, not just help others do it.

Her work has appeared in Forbes, Entrepreneur, Psychology Today, Rolling Stone, and ThriveGlobal. As a speaker, Emily talks about the power of story. On the page or on stage, she helps experts finally say the thing they've been trying to say.

Dr. Holly A. Sullenger, CSP, of Dr. Holly Speaks, PhD, LLC, is an award-winning, internationally renowned keynote speaker, corporate trainer, and business systems consultant specializing in leadership, professional development, and technology.

Dr. Holly holds a PhD. in Adult, Workforce and Continuing Professional Education from NC State University, where she also serves as an adjunct professor and chairs the advisory board for the Training and Development Master's degree program. She is President-Elect of National Speakers Association (NSA) Carolinas.

Dr. Holly has earned the Certified Speaking Professional designation, held my only about 1% of speakers worldwide, recognizing master of crafty and sustained client impact.

Jane Jenkins Herlong's journey has taken her from a South Carolina tomato farm to the Miss America stage, Radio City Music Hall, and SiriusXM Comedy, delighting audiences across the U.S., New Zealand, and Germany.

An international award-winning author, Certified Speaking Professional, and Southern humorist, Jane is a Speaker Hall of Fame inductee and member of the Legends of Speaking, combining storytelling, faith, and humor with practical lessons audiences remember.

She has written five books, including bestsellers Sweet Tea Secrets from the Deep-Fried South and Beach Trip. Once labeled dyslexic as a child, Jane now inspires audiences to turn every NO into a confident NEXT.

You Won't Want To Miss This!

Speaker Academy 2026 (August 29, 2026)

Sat, 29 Aug 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Step Into the Spotlight: NSA Carolinas Speakers Academy 2026

You’re not just building a talk, you’re building a business, a brand, and a platform that gets you paid.

If you’re ready to turn your message into momentum, the NSA Carolinas Speakers Academy is your fast track from potential to professional. Designed for aspiring and emerging speakers, this high-impact cohort experience gives you the structure, strategy, and support to grow with confidence and get real results.

Why This Academy Works

This isn’t theory. It’s transformation.

You’ll walk away with:

A clearer message that resonates
A roadmap for building a profitable speaking business
The confidence to show up and stand out
A community that continues long after the program ends

What Our Past Participants Say

“Before Speaker Academy, I felt lost as a new speaker. Within weeks, I had clarity, momentum, and a supportive network of fellow speakers cheering me on. NSA Carolinas gave me the confidence and community I needed to grow my speaking business.” — Julie Messina

“The Academy gave me the structure and confidence I needed to elevate my message and my business.”
— Mary Elizabeth Murphy, CPCC, ORSCC

“I sharpened my message, strengthened my strategy, and found a community that truly understands the journey.”
— Ali Ingersoll

Program Highlights

You’ll build your speaking foundation step by step with each experience intentionally designed to connect and compound so you leave with a clear path forward.

Session 1: Foundations of Professional Speaking

- Date: August 29, 2026 | Time: 10:00 AM - Noon (Remote)
- Gain a solid foundation in the essentials of a successful speaking business and sharpen your storytelling skills to use in your high-impact presentation video and beyond.

Session 2: Coaching and Roundtable

- Date: September 12, 2026 | Time: 10:00 AM - Noon (Remote)
- Participate in a cohort roundtable with opportunities to explore your personalized progress and next steps discussion.

Session 3: Brand Positioning and Marketing

- Date: September 26, 2026 | Time: 10:00 AM - Noon (Remote)
- Learn how to identify your niche, craft your message, and build a powerful marketing plan—while creating marketing funnels that consistently generate and convert leads.

Session 4: Coaching and Roundtable

- Date: October 10, 2026 | Time: 10:00 AM - Noon (Remote)
- Participate in a cohort roundtable with opportunities to explore your personalized progress and next steps discussion.

Session 5: Building Your Speaking Business - Presentation Video

- Date: October 25, 2026 | Time: 10:00 AM - Noon (venue TBA, special venue in the North Myrtle Beach)
- Present a segment of your signature speech in front of colleagues. This will be professionally video-taped and given to you for your future use. Delivering in front of other NSA Carolina members and provides a chance for feedback and support. Options are available for you to purchase video editing services.

Session 6: Protect Your Voice: IP Strategies & Contract Tips For Speakers

- Date: November 7, 2026 | Time: 10:00 AM - Noon (Remote)
- Your expertise is your business—learn how to protect it. This session covers the essentials of speaker proposals, contracts, and intellectual property, along with practical tips for safeguarding your content, negotiating favorable agreements, and building a sustainable, profitable speaking business.

Session 7: Mentorship and Roundtable

- Date: November 21, 2026 | Time: 10:00 AM - Noon (Remote)
- Participate in a final cohort roundtable with opportunities to explore your personalized progress and next steps discussion.

Session 8: Plan & Activate for the Future of Your Business

- Date: December 5, 2026 | Time: 10:00 AM - Noon (Remote)
- Powered by neuroscience strategies that elevate your presence and impact on stage, we'll close out the academy by customizing your actionable business plan to move your speaking business forward

Why Choose the NSA Carolinas Speakers Academy?

Many programs can teach you the fundamentals of speaking. What sets the NSA Carolinas Speakers Academy apart is the level of personal attention and ongoing support you'll receive throughout the program.

We intentionally keep each cohort small so every participant has meaningful access to Academy leaders, guest speakers, and fellow learners. Whether you're working in small groups or participating in Q&A sessions with experienced professionals, you'll have plenty of opportunities to ask questions, receive personalized feedback, and get guidance that's relevant to your own speaking goals and business.

Another hallmark of the Academy is our Capstone Roadmap. Rather than simply teaching concepts, we help you build a personalized plan for growing your speaking business. From your first class through graduation in December, you'll develop practical strategies, identify your next steps, and leave with a clear roadmap to continue building momentum long after the Academy ends.

Who This Is For

Aspiring speakers ready to get started the right way
Emerging speakers who want more consistency and income
Experts, coaches, and leaders ready to translate their expertise into a speaking platform

Whether you're starting from scratch or refining your approach, this program meets you where you are and helps you move forward faster.

Investment in Your Growth

Early-Bird Pricing (Register by July 20, 2026):

Members: $600 (includes a renewal for a one-year membership to NSA Carolinas, normally $165/year!)
Non-Members: $750 (includes a one-year membership to NSA Carolinas, normally $165/year!)

Regular Pricing (after July 20, 2026):

Members: $725 (includes a renewal for a one-year membership to NSA Carolinas, normally $165/year!)
Non-Members: $875 (includes a one-year membership to NSA Carolinas, normally $165/year!)

Ready to Transform Your Speaking Career? Register now!

Your enrollment includes:

All live zoom sessions
Keynote speaking opportunity with professional raw video footage
Templates, tools, and curated resources
A built-in network of peers for collaboration
Plus: NSA Carolinas membership (new or renewed)

Ready to Build a Speaking Career That Gets Results?

Stop figuring it out alone.
Start building with a proven path, expert guidance, and a community behind you.

Apply / Register Now and take your next step toward the stage.

Speaker Development Series: Raise Your Floor! Setting the Standards for Sustained Excellence (September 16, 2026)

Wed, 16 Sep 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Join us every third Wednesday for the NSA Carolinas Speaker Development Series, designed to help you build a thriving, ethical speaking business.

Speaker Development Series: Raise Your Floor! Setting the Standards for Sustained Excellence

Date & Time: Sept 16, 2026 | 12:00–1:00 PM ET

Many high-performers focus on reaching peak moments, pushing hard, and chasing big wins, but this approach can leave individuals and teams burned out and unprepared for what comes next. True, sustainable excellence is not about rising to the occasion; it is about maintaining a consistent, intentional standard. When it is time to perform, people do not rise to their ceiling, they fall to their floor.

In this session, Steve Mellor, a professional speaker specializing in leadership and high-performance development, will show you how to define, elevate, and maintain your personal and team “floor” to create a foundation for consistent, long-term success.

Key Takeaways

Identify your current minimum standard and elevate it strategically
Understand what it truly means to prepare for high performance
Equip yourself and your team with tools to sustain excellence over time

About the Speaker

Steve Mellor is a professional speaker with three years of experience helping leaders and high-performers thrive. Holding a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Media, he specializes in guiding individuals and teams at conferences and corporate events. Steve has worked with organizations including SHRM, Louisiana State University, Detronics, and Imagine Software.

Speak or Treat NSA Carolinas 2026 Fall Retreat (October 25, 2026)

Sun, 25 Oct 2026 21:00:00 GMT

Real talk: this industry has some genuinely scary stuff going on right now. Getting lost in a sea of "content creators." Wondering if AI is coming for your keynote. Staring down a bank account and wondering where next month's revenue is even coming from.

Good news: we're not tiptoeing around any of it. We're facing those monsters head-on.

Speak or Treat, NSA Carolinas' first retreat of the year, walks straight into the haunted house and turns on the lights — October 25–27 at Embassy Suites by Hilton Myrtle Beach Oceanfront Resort, Kingston Plantation. Three days, real working sessions, laptops out, sleeves up and LOTS of fun. You leave with something built, not a tote bag full of notes you'll never read.

Oh, and your emcee? NSAC's own Craig Collin. Stand-up comedian. Professional speaker. Six-time cancer survivor. Father of two teenagers. Frankly, keeping a room full of speakers on schedule might be the easiest thing he's ever done.

Pricing:

Member: $220 (or just $190 if you register by August 31 — early bird, baby!)
Monday only: $130
Brand new to NSAC? $380 gets you in the door AND makes you a member.

And because every great retreat deserves an equally great setting...

This year's home base is the Embassy Suites by Hilton Myrtle Beach Oceanfront Resort at Kingston Plantation. Think ocean views, beach walks between sessions, multiple pools, on-site dining, and plenty of space to continue the conversations long after the day's workshops wrap up.

Details are still being ironed out but be sure to check out the Speak or Treat event page for details as they become available.

We've also secured a special room block just for Speak or Treat attendees:
$199/night(available through Sept 24th, 2026) Booking link

NOTE: Due to a system limitation with Embassy, upon booking you will see an additional charge of $30 ($25 resort fee and $5 parking) these charges will be refunded to you by Embassy. NSA Carolinas is coving those charges if you book your stay at the resort. If accommodations are booked at another location parking is the responsibility of the attendee at the full parking rate of $20/day.

Ready to make it official?