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• Week of Speaker Love - February 11: Expert Evolution: A High-Visibility Leadership Lab for Speakers

  • When
    February 11, 2026
  •  
    12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
  • Location
    Virtual

  Register

  
  

  Week of Speaker Love - February 11: 

  Expert Evolution: A High-Visibility Leadership Lab for Speakers

  The 2026 Visibility Report: What Speakers Need to Know About AI, Authority, and Getting Booked
  

  Speaker: Barbara Rozgonyi
  Date & Time: Wednesday, February 11, 2026 | 12:00–1:00 PM ET
  Live via Zoom (Zoom link to be sent after registration)

  In 2025, Expert Evolution helped speakers sharpen their message and elevate their authority. In 2026, the landscape has shifted dramatically. AI now generates more than half of all content. Event planners are flooded with sameness. Visibility is easier than ever to achieve, yet trust has never been harder to earn.

  So what does it take to rise above the algorithmic blur and get booked?

  In this reimagined, peer powered leadership lab, Barbara Rozgonyi shares what is actually working now and how speakers can reset their visibility with intention and authority. You will be introduced to her new AURAS Framework, a photography inspired system designed to filter distractions, sharpen your message, and amplify your unique point of view. Through real world examples, including a $9.1M earned media keynote PR case study, Barbara reveals why being seen does not automatically lead to being booked and how to close that gap.

  Expect fast thinking, focused feedback, and practical strategy as you begin building your own 30 day visibility plan in real time. Whether you are repositioning your expertise or ready to lead at a higher level, this session delivers clarity, traction, and a strategic edge for the year ahead.

  Key Takeaways

  • Gain a clear understanding of how speakers actually get booked in 2026

  • Learn the AURAS Framework to sharpen your message and increase bookability

  • Begin a 30 day visibility plan aligned with your voice, authority, and goals

  About the Speaker
  Barbara Rozgonyi is a Trust Restoration Architect and Leadership Clarity Strategist who teaches speakers how to go from blurred to booked. She has been named a Top 100 Speaker to Watch and serves as a PRNEWS Platinum Awards Judge. Barbara is the founder of CoryWest Media and publisher of WiredPRWorks, a top ranked visibility blog now celebrating its 20th year.

  A former NSA Illinois Speakers Academy Dean and past NSA Carolinas board member, Barbara brings deep insight into how speaker visibility evolves. Her $9.1M keynote PR case study demonstrates that clarity and positioning, not just content, drive results. In 2026, she launches the AURAS Framework, a photography based decision system that helps leaders cut through noise, restore trust, and communicate with unmistakable authority. Based in Charlotte and Chicago, Barbara speaks globally and captures leadership lessons through art, photography, writing, and speaking.

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• Week of Speaker Love - February 12: Breathe. Pause. Speak!

  • When
    February 12, 2026
  •  
    12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
  • Location
    Virtual

  Register

  
  

  Week of Speaker Love - February 12:

  Breathe. Pause. Speak!

  Speaker: Alisha Rao
  Date & Time: Thursday, February 12, 2026 | 12:00–1:00 PM ET
  Live via Zoom (Zoom link to be sent after registration)

  Many speakers experience nervousness or imposter syndrome that shows up physically, creating a cycle of anxiety that undermines their confidence and clarity. Breaking this pattern is essential for delivering authentic, impactful presentations.

  In this session, Alisha Rao teaches practical techniques to interrupt that cycle and speak with confidence. You will practice mindset shifts, posture strategies, and breathing exercises designed to calm the body, center the mind, and prepare you to communicate with clarity and authenticity. This session is hands-on, empowering participants to step on stage—or into any high-stakes conversation—feeling grounded and self-assured.

  If you are ready to turn anxiety into presence, this session will provide the tools to pause, breathe, and speak with power and confidence.

  Key Takeaways

  • Recognize how nervousness and imposter syndrome show up physically

  • Apply posture and breathing techniques to reduce anxiety and enhance presence

  • Practice mindset shifts that build confidence and clarity in any speaking situation

  About the Speaker
  Alisha Rao is a Public Speaking and Confidence Coach, MBA graduate, and immigrant with over 10 years of corporate leadership experience at IBM, Infosys, and LexisNexis Risk Solutions. She is a certified yoga and breathwork instructor, the creator of a Udemy course on public speaking, and an active community leader.

  Alisha empowers professionals worldwide to overcome speaking anxiety, build confidence, and communicate with clarity and authenticity. Her coaching integrates practical leadership experience with holistic strategies to help speakers step into their full presence.

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• Week of Speaker Love - February 13: From Inbox to Income: A Practical Email Marketing System That Turns Subscribers Into Clients (Without Being Salesy)

  • When
    February 13, 2026
  •  
    12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
  • Location
    Virtual

  Register

  
  

  Week of Speaker Love - February 13:

  rom Inbox to Income: A Practical Email Marketing System That Turns Subscribers Into Clients (Without Being Salesy)

  Speaker: Sebastian Dziuk
  Date & Time: Friday, February 13, 2026 | 12:00–1:00 PM ET
  Live via Zoom (Zoom link to be sent after registration)

  Most speakers have an email list, but few know how to turn it into a consistent source of clients and paid opportunities. Without a clear system, emails can feel like just another task rather than a revenue-generating tool.

  In this session, Sebastian Dziuk introduces a relationship-first email marketing system designed to move subscribers from “just reading content” to becoming clients, all without aggressive selling or awkward pitches. You will learn what to send, how often, and how to craft messages that feel authentic while driving real results. Sebastian’s approach helps speakers build trust, stay top of mind, and convert visibility into booked work—without compromising their voice or integrity.

  If you want to leverage your email list as a reliable engine for income, this session will give you practical strategies to turn your inbox into a powerful business tool.

  Key Takeaways

  • Understand how to structure emails that build relationships and drive results

  • Learn how often to send and what content to include for maximum impact

  • Move from “just sharing content” to booking calls and paid opportunities while staying authentic

  About the Speaker
  Sebastian Dziuk is a professional speaker, email marketing strategist, and founder of Dziuk Studios, a boutique agency helping speakers, coaches, and consultants turn their email lists into reliable client pipelines.

  A U.S. Army veteran, Sebastian has been speaking professionally since 2021 and has worked with clients and audiences including SCORE, Best Buy, RBC Wealth Management, and Xcel Energy. He helps professional speakers navigate challenges like staying top of mind, building real relationships at scale, and converting visibility into booked work. Sebastian combines strategic expertise with practical insights to empower speakers to grow their business authentically.

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• Second Saturday Meetups (*please check specific time for your Regional Meetup*)

  • When
    February 14, 2026
  •  
    9:00 AM - 11:30 AM
  • Location
    In-Person and Virtual

  Register

  
  

  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 @ The Frontier, Blue Ridge Room, 800 Park Office Drive, Durham, NC 27709. (See "Address Note" below.) Area Champion: Alex Dumas (alex@speakeralexdumas.com) and Dr. Holly Sullenger (drhollyspeaks@gmail.com)
  • GREATER CHARLOTTE (in-person): 10:30am - 11:30am @ Amelies French Bakery, 4321 Park Road, Charlotte, NC 28209, Area Champion: Allie Pleiter (alliepleiter@gmail.com)
  • PIEDMONT/TRIAD (in-person) 10:00am - 11:00am @ New Market Plaza, 970 South Main Street, Kernersville, NC 27284 Area Champion: Sherman Transou (srtransou2@gmail.com), Carolyn Bennett-Sullivan (carolyn@carolynbsullivan.com)
  • REMOTE (virtually): @ 9:00am via Zoom (Zoom link will be included in the registration confirmation and reminder emails). Area Champion: John Edwards john@edwardsgroup.org)

  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!

  ###

  Address Note: Our GREATER RALEIGH event will be held at 800 Park Office Drive, Durham, NC 27703 — inside the Research Triangle Park campus. Some GPS systems mistakenly route to other “Park Office Drive” addresses in the area, so please double-check that your directions lead you to RTP near the Frontier campus.

  For best results, try entering: ➡️ “800 Park Office Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27703” or use this direct Google Maps link.

  ###

  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!

  Show details
• Speaker Development Series: Drive Powerful Action WITHOUT Burning Out

  • When
    February 18, 2026
  •  
    12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
  • Location
    Virtual

  Register

  
  

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

  February Speaker Development Series: Drive Powerful Action WITHOUT Burning Out

  Date & Time: February 18, 2026 | 12:00–1:00 PM ET

  Success in building your speaking business does not have to come at the expense of your energy and well-being. The key lies in understanding what drives your actions: cortisol, the stress hormone, or dopamine, the motivation and reward chemical. Operating from cortisol can lead to burnout, while working from dopamine fuels sustainable, high-impact action.

  In this hands-on session, Dr. Susie Hansley will teach you how to recognize which mode you are in and how to switch to dopamine-driven energy in seconds. You will learn practical tools to reduce stress, increase focus, and take consistent action that supports your goals without draining your energy.

  Key Takeaways

  • Recognize when your business-building actions are fueled by cortisol instead of dopamine

  • Learn a simple four-step process to shift to dopamine-driven action anytime

  • Build a supportive network that encourages dopamine-fueled productivity instead of stress-driven effort

  About the Speaker

  Dr. Susie Hansley is a Master Certified Coach specializing in stress management, emotional intelligence, and resilience. She combines trauma-informed and science-based techniques, developed through her own experiences and professional training, including a four-month hypnotherapy program with leading hypnotherapist Melissa Tiers. Susie has spoken on the science of stress for organizations such as Google, Blue Shield of California, Equitable Solutions, and Duke Health and Technology Solutions. A trauma survivor and person with anxiety and ADHD, she applies the techniques she teaches in her own life. Susie holds a Ph.D. in English, where she studied the effects of cortisol-driven action on burnout, and she is the winner of NSA Carolinas Last Story Standing 2025.

  
  

  Show details
• NSA 101: Maximizing your Membership with NSA Carolinas

  • When
    March 04, 2026
  •  
    12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
  • Location
    Virtual via Zoom

  Register

  
  

  Are you ready to unlock the full value of your NSA Carolinas membership?

  Whether you’ve just joined or you’ve been with us for years, this interactive session will help you get the most from your chapter experience.

  NSA 101: Maximizing Your Membership with NSA Carolinas
  Wednesday, March 4, 2026
  12:00–1:00 PM ET
  Virtual | Free for Members

  In this FREE virtual orientation, you’ll discover:

  • The exclusive perks and resources available to every NSA Carolinas member.

  • Practical tips to maximize your membership and accelerate your speaking career.

  • An inside look at our thriving community of speakers across the Carolinas.

  This session is designed for all members, new, seasoned, or somewhere in between. It’s the perfect chance to connect, learn, and make sure you’re taking advantage of everything NSA Carolinas has to offer.

  After registering, you’ll receive the Zoom link in your confirmation and reminder emails.

  Don’t miss this chance to maximize your membership, connect with fellow speakers, and step fully into the benefits of NSA Carolinas!

  Show details
• NSA Carolinas Last Story Standing Storytelling Contest 2026

  • When
    March 07, 2026
  •  
    10:00 AM
  • Location
    Attended Events Studio, 434 Fayetteville Street, Suite 650, Raleigh, NC
  • Spaces left
    0

  Join waitlist

  
  

  The National Speakers Association (NSA) is hosting its third Last Story Standing Storytelling Contest this year, and NSA Carolinas is excited to participate once again! 

  Our Chapter contest will take place on Saturday, March 7, 2025 at 10am ET at Attended Events, located at 434 Fayetteville Street, Suite 650, Raleigh, NC. Competitors will arrive at 9am.

  The winner of our Chapter contest will advance to the Regional contest, with the ultimate goal of reaching the National Contest, which will take place live on the main stage at NSA’s INFLUENCE conference (July 25-27 in Austin, TX). The audience at the conference will determine the Storytelling National Champion!

  Registration for the Chapter competition is capped at 12 participants.

  
  

  How to Register:

  To participate in the NSA Carolinas contest, please register by February 12, 2026. After this date, we will no longer accept registrations.

  Registration Fee: $185.00 (payable at the time of registration)

  
  

  Key Contest Requirements:

  • NSA Carolinas Chapter membership is required.

  • In-person attendance at the Raleigh event is mandatory.

  • A one-time fee of $500 is required to compete at the Regional and National levels (*Chapter will cover this fee*).

  • Story Time Limit: 5 minutes (from the first to the last word). Stories exceeding 5 minutes, even by one second, will be disqualified.

  
  

  Please review the official contest rules on the NSA Last Story Standing website:

  NSA Last Story Standing Rules & FAQs

  For additional details, visit the Last Story Standing page:

  NSA Last Story Standing

  
  

  We look forward to an exciting competition and hope to see you there!

  Show details
• Second Saturday Meetups (*please check specific time for your Regional Meetup*)

  • When
    March 14, 2026
  •  
    9:00 AM - 11:30 AM
  • Location
    In-Person and Virtual

  Register

  
  

  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 @ The Frontier, Blue Ridge Room, 800 Park Office Drive, Durham, NC 27709. (See "Address Note" below.) Area Champion: Alex Dumas (alex@speakeralexdumas.com) and Dr. Holly Sullenger (drhollyspeaks@gmail.com)
  • GREATER CHARLOTTE (in-person): 10:30am - 11:30am @ Amelies French Bakery, 4321 Park Road, Charlotte, NC 28209, Area Champion: Allie Pleiter (alliepleiter@gmail.com)
  • PIEDMONT/TRIAD (in-person) 10:00am - 11:00am @ New Market Plaza, 970 South Main Street, Kernersville, NC 27284 Area Champion: Sherman Transou (srtransou2@gmail.com), Carolyn Bennett-Sullivan (carolyn@carolynbsullivan.com)
  • REMOTE (virtually): @ 9:00am via Zoom (Zoom link will be included in the registration confirmation and reminder emails). Area Champion: John Edwards john@edwardsgroup.org)

  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!

  ###

  Address Note: Our GREATER RALEIGH event will be held at 800 Park Office Drive, Durham, NC 27703 — inside the Research Triangle Park campus. Some GPS systems mistakenly route to other “Park Office Drive” addresses in the area, so please double-check that your directions lead you to RTP near the Frontier campus.

  For best results, try entering: ➡️ “800 Park Office Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27703” or use this direct Google Maps link.

  ###

  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!

  Show details
• Second Saturday Meetups (*please check specific time for your Regional Meetup*)

  • When
    April 11, 2026
  •  
    9:00 AM - 11:30 AM
  • Location
    In-Person and Virtual

  Register

  
  

  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 @ The Frontier, Blue Ridge Room, 800 Park Office Drive, Durham, NC 27709. (See "Address Note" below.) Area Champion: Alex Dumas (alex@speakeralexdumas.com) and Dr. Holly Sullenger (drhollyspeaks@gmail.com)
  • GREATER CHARLOTTE (in-person): 10:30am - 11:30am @ Amelies French Bakery, 4321 Park Road, Charlotte, NC 28209, Area Champion: Allie Pleiter (alliepleiter@gmail.com)
  • PIEDMONT/TRIAD (in-person) 10:00am - 11:00am @ New Market Plaza, 970 South Main Street, Kernersville, NC 27284 Area Champion: Sherman Transou (srtransou2@gmail.com), Carolyn Bennett-Sullivan (carolyn@carolynbsullivan.com)
  • REMOTE (virtually): @ 9:00am via Zoom (Zoom link will be included in the registration confirmation and reminder emails). Area Champion: John Edwards john@edwardsgroup.org)

  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!

  ###

  Address Note: Our GREATER RALEIGH event will be held at 800 Park Office Drive, Durham, NC 27703 — inside the Research Triangle Park campus. Some GPS systems mistakenly route to other “Park Office Drive” addresses in the area, so please double-check that your directions lead you to RTP near the Frontier campus.

  For best results, try entering: ➡️ “800 Park Office Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27703” or use this direct Google Maps link.

  ###

  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!

  Show details
• Save the Date for Our April Retreat

  • Start
    April 17, 2026
  • End
    April 18, 2026

  More details TBA soon, but please save these dates!

  Show details
• Second Saturday Meetups (*please check specific time for your Regional Meetup*)

  • When
    May 09, 2026
  •  
    9:00 AM - 11:30 AM
  • Location
    In-Person and Virtual

  Register

  
  

  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 @ The Frontier, Blue Ridge Room, 800 Park Office Drive, Durham, NC 27709. (See "Address Note" below.) Area Champion: Alex Dumas (alex@speakeralexdumas.com) and Dr. Holly Sullenger (drhollyspeaks@gmail.com)
  • GREATER CHARLOTTE (in-person): 10:30am - 11:30am @ Amelies French Bakery, 4321 Park Road, Charlotte, NC 28209, Area Champion: Allie Pleiter (alliepleiter@gmail.com)
  • PIEDMONT/TRIAD (in-person) 10:00am - 11:00am @ New Market Plaza, 970 South Main Street, Kernersville, NC 27284 Area Champion: Sherman Transou (srtransou2@gmail.com), Carolyn Bennett-Sullivan (carolyn@carolynbsullivan.com)
  • REMOTE (virtually): @ 9:00am via Zoom (Zoom link will be included in the registration confirmation and reminder emails). Area Champion: John Edwards john@edwardsgroup.org)

  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!

  ###

  Address Note: Our GREATER RALEIGH event will be held at 800 Park Office Drive, Durham, NC 27703 — inside the Research Triangle Park campus. Some GPS systems mistakenly route to other “Park Office Drive” addresses in the area, so please double-check that your directions lead you to RTP near the Frontier campus.

  For best results, try entering: ➡️ “800 Park Office Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27703” or use this direct Google Maps link.

  ###

  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!

  Show details
• Second Saturday Meetups (*please check specific time for your Regional Meetup*)

  • When
    June 13, 2026
  •  
    9:00 AM - 11:30 AM
  • Location
    In-Person and Virtual

  Register

  
  

  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 @ The Frontier, Blue Ridge Room, 800 Park Office Drive, Durham, NC 27709. (See "Address Note" below.) Area Champion: Alex Dumas (alex@speakeralexdumas.com) and Dr. Holly Sullenger (drhollyspeaks@gmail.com)
  • GREATER CHARLOTTE (in-person): 10:30am - 11:30am @ Amelies French Bakery, 4321 Park Road, Charlotte, NC 28209, Area Champion: Allie Pleiter (alliepleiter@gmail.com)
  • PIEDMONT/TRIAD (in-person) 10:00am - 11:00am @ New Market Plaza, 970 South Main Street, Kernersville, NC 27284 Area Champion: Sherman Transou (srtransou2@gmail.com), Carolyn Bennett-Sullivan (carolyn@carolynbsullivan.com)
  • REMOTE (virtually): @ 9:00am via Zoom (Zoom link will be included in the registration confirmation and reminder emails). Area Champion: John Edwards john@edwardsgroup.org)

  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!

  ###

  Address Note: Our GREATER RALEIGH event will be held at 800 Park Office Drive, Durham, NC 27703 — inside the Research Triangle Park campus. Some GPS systems mistakenly route to other “Park Office Drive” addresses in the area, so please double-check that your directions lead you to RTP near the Frontier campus.

  For best results, try entering: ➡️ “800 Park Office Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27703” or use this direct Google Maps link.

  ###

  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!

  Show details