Envision Yourself: 2025 International Convention

 

Toastmasters International is entering a new era! In 2024, the organization celebrated 100 years of public speaking excellence, and this year, it’s time to focus on the future. Join your fellow leaders and communicators where history meets innovation—Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Begin visualizing what the next century of Toastmasters will hold during this four-day event, August 20-23, 2025.

From the grandeur of the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall to the vibrant food, art, and culture scenes, Philadelphia is the perfect backdrop for personal transformation and connection. With the theme “Envision Your Next Move,” convention serves as a launchpad for your next chapter.

Keep reading to learn more about how you can put your stamp on the future of Toastmasters International.

Opening Ceremonies

The convention kickoff is always a favorite for members, showcasing the international spirit of the organization. The 2025 Opening Ceremonies will take place Wednesday, August 20, and will feature the keynote presentation, the introduction of the 2024–2025 Board of Directors, and the ever-popular Parade of Flags. The latter highlights the diversity of Toastmasters, with members from around the world—often dressed in native attire—carrying the flags of their countries.

Keynote Speaker

Anne Bonney is a National Speakers Association’s Certified Speaking Professional, TEDx speaker, author, expert in change management, and former Toastmaster. After numerous careers and many moves around the world, Bonney has fully embraced dancing in the discomfort of change.

In her keynote address, “Ignite Your Next Move: Courageously Dancing Into the Future,” she will share strategies for individuals to master the challenge of change. It all starts with a little “sassy backtalk,” bravery, and an open mind.

Learn more about Bonney in this April 2025 magazine profile.

Hall of Fame

 

The annual Hall of Fame ceremony will celebrate the achievements of Distinguished Districts and individual members in the 2024–2025 program year. Districts around the world are recognized as Smedley Distinguished, President’s Distinguished, Select Distinguished, and Distinguished. In addition, Presidential Citations are presented to members who exhibit exemplary service and dedication at the club, District, or International level.

Golden Gavel Award Presentation

Matt Abrahams is the recipient of the 2025 Golden Gavel Award. Abrahams is a lecturer in organizational behavior at the Stanford University Graduate School of Business, the author of two books on public speaking and communication, and the host of the podcast Think Fast, Talk Smart, which has close to 3 million listeners around the world.

A former Toastmaster, Abrahams has been focusing on public speaking ever since he competed in speech contests as a teenager. He is acclaimed for his teaching and his myriad strategies regarding communication, which he has also shared in articles for the Toastmaster magazine over the years.

Abrahams, whose Golden Gavel speech is titled “From Silence to Brilliance: How to Craft Compelling, Clear Communication,” is also a keynote speaker, communications consultant, and speaking coach. At Stanford, he teaches classes such as strategic communications and presenting online, as well as a workshop that emphasizes spontaneous speaking. That topic is also the focus of his most recent book: Think Faster, Talk Smarter: How to Speak Successfully When You’re Put on the Spot.

Read more about Abrahams in this May 2025 magazine profile.

Education Sessions and Workshops

This year’s convention will feature an expanded speaker lineup with a broadened variety of education topics and workshops. With nine sessions and nearly 20 speakers, attendees will be able to choose two of the four concurrent traditional education sessions on Thursday, two of four concurrent Toastmasters Journey Workshops on Friday, and a larger session on Saturday morning.

Presented by experts, the education sessions include mastering video for brand building, storytelling and speechwriting, visual goal-setting, your role in a new era of public speaking, and tips for setting yourself up for a successful year.

New this year, Toastmasters Journey Workshops are presented by Toastmasters for Toastmasters and feature three experienced leaders per topic who will offer practical insights and strategies for yourself and your clubs. Topics include corporate clubs, adding value to your membership, growing your club on a budget, and tips for becoming a Distinguished club. 

For more information, visit the education session page on the convention website.

New Leadership

Your vote counts! At the Annual Business Meeting on Friday, August 22, all members will have the opportunity to vote in person or by proxy on the 2025–2026 International Officers and Directors candidates, and the proposed amendments to the Bylaws of Toastmasters International and the Club Constitution. Onsite attendees can also meet and talk to the candidates for international office in the Candidate Showcase event on Thursday, August 21.

World Championship of Public Speaking

 

Who will be crowned this year’s top champion? Find out as the eight finalists in the Toastmasters International Speech Contest, representing different parts of the world, compete for the title in the 2025 World Championship of Public Speaking^®. The semifinals take place on August 21 in four concurrent contests with seven speakers each. The top two from each contest will advance to the championship held two days later.

Accredited Speaker Program

Hear from professional speakers during the 2025 Accredited Speaker Program. Candidates for the designation speak on a specialized topic in their field; those who earn the coveted title combine expert knowledge with mastery of the spoken word. The candidates will give their final presentation before a panel of judges in Philadelphia on Friday, August 22.

To learn more, visit the Accredited Speaker Program webpage.

Experience Convention Online

The convention will be a hybrid event. Events such as Opening Ceremonies, the Golden Gavel presentation, Annual Business Meeting, and the World Championship of Public Speaking will be livestreamed. Other events, such as the education sessions, will be recorded and available after the event has concluded.

The online convention experience can be accessed from any internet-connected device, including your phone, tablet, computer, or TV. Livestreamed events will be in real time; check the agenda, where they are listed in Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)/Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). On Demand replay will be available soon after the event.

Mix and Mingle

The annual convention offers members the perfect opportunity to network, socialize, and meet with fellow Toastmasters. Check out some of the social activities, where you’ll have the chance to form connections and have fun. Most require a ticket, so make your selections when registering.

Social activities include

• President’s Celebration, featuring dinner and dancing in celebration of the new International President
• Smedley Fund History on Wheels Tour, exploring Philadelphia’s iconic landmarks
• Smedley Fund Sunrise Serenity Stretch
• First-Timers’ Gathering
• Toastmasters lunches
• The Marketplace, which includes opportunities to meet the international candidates, visit the event sponsors, shop at the convention store, and more
• Sing-Along, a favorite convention tradition started in 1992 by Past International President Ted Corcoran, DTM, of Ireland.

Events and information are continually being updated; visit the convention website to view the agenda.

Ready to register? You’ll meet a global network of Toastmasters during this exciting convention where you can learn, connect, and help get the next 100 years started.

The Toastmaster magazine staff is composed of four editorial team members.

Convention Information

The 2025 International Convention will be held August 20-23 at the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown and the Pennsylvania Convention Center in historic Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Go to the convention website to register and to learn more about the four-day event.

Need to justify the value and cost of the Toastmasters 2025 International Convention to your supervisor? Download, modify, and use this letter to convince your boss to let you attend.

There is also a Letter of Invitation Request form to potentially support your visa application.

Convention Time

The convention will take place in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and all events and activities will be in Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)/Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) -4, which is the local time in Philadelphia.

Accessibility

For information on accessibility details and scooter rentals, please refer to the websites at the two venues: Pennsylvania Convention Center and Philadelphia Marriott Downtown.