Speakers Academy
Sign up for the new session scheduled to start on February 24th, 2026
**Payment plan is available.
Welcome to NSA St. Louis, NSA Michigan, BlackNSA & Toastmaster Speakers
We’re excited to have you exploring the NSA St. Louis Speakers Academy. You’re in the right place to learn more, register, and take the next step in your speaking journey. Our Academy is designed to help you grow your skills, build confidence, and connect with a supportive community of speakers.
Feel free to look around, and when you’re ready, you can sign up right here on this page. We’re glad you’re here!
Do you have a message to share with the world, but you aren’t sure how to start? Or do you just feel like your current message isn’t resonating with event planners in today’s competitive field?
Whether you are a beginning speaker in need of the fundamentals, an intermediate speaker who wants to take your speaking business to the next level, or a professional speaker in need of a results rescue, Speakers Academy is for you!
Speakers Academy provides all the information you need to launch, grow, or reboot a successful career in the speaking business, and will Fast Track Your Path to Pro – in just 6 sessions!
Designed by professional trainers, this proven 24-hour program offers the “inside track” on the multiple areas of mastery required to build and run a successful speaking business that fulfills your goals and dreams.
Our professional Co-Deans will work alongside top speaking industry experts who will serve as guest facilitators – sharing their best practices, lessons learned and decades of professional speaking expertise.
In other words, you will be learning from the best of the best speakers in the business at every session!
Meet and Learn from Past Participants of Speakers Academy!
Sign up and reserve your spot today!
**Payment plan is available.
Each session covers essential information, ranging from improving platform skills to marketing and running your business. By the end of the six sessions, you will be equipped with the tools you need to succeed
as a professional speaker in today’s ever-changing market.
Session topics include…
Professional Awareness and Topic Development
Sales and Marketing
Professional Development, Presenting and Performing, and Platform Mechanics
Managing the Business Side of Your Speaking Business
Authorship and Product Development
Putting it All Together as a Professional Speaker
NSA St. Louis Speakers Academy Pricing and Logistics:
Who:
Anyone – 18 or older – who wants to launch or grow a speaking business is welcome to attend. You don’t have to be a current member of NSA St. Louis.
Location:
Virtual via Zoom, or get the recordings and set the schedule that works for you!
2026 Virtual Speakers Academy Dates:
- February 24
- March 10 and 24
- April 14 and 28
- May 12
Format:
- Live sessions held on Zoom
- All sessions are recorded
Time: 6:30 pm – 9:00 pm All times are Central Time.
Tuition Options:
*NSA STL Alumni – $395
NSA STL Members – $595
Non NSA STL Members – $795
- NSA STL “Spring into Speaking” Bundle Package – $965 – This is for NON-NSA STL Members who want to register for the speakers academy and become a NSA STL Local member for 12 months combined.
Payment Plans – Break the full tuition into easy payments when you register.
- PAY IN FULL and save an additional 10% off the tuition fee.
*Speakers Academy Alumni Rate – This option is for past graduates of NSA STL Speakers Academy and current Local member who would like to go through the program again.
Don’t wait for the price to increase, Register Now!
Meet and Learn from Professional Industry Experts!
Lois Creamer, Author of Book More Business make More Money Speaking
Session Takeaways:
Create one-sheets and positioning statements, follow up effectively, network strategically to get booked, and apply key insights from her book.
Shep Hyken, CPAE, CSP
Session Takeaways:
Prepare with pre-event calls and key questions, conduct your own research, repurpose content, understand lead types, and identify income opportunities beyond speaking engagements.
Sam Silverstein, CPAE, CSP
Session Takeaways:
Know and leverage your strengths, build credibility through authorship, diversify income streams, and clarify steps to succeed as a professional speaker.
Kevin Desrosiers
Session Takeaway:
Leveraging AI in your speaking business
Joe Fingerhut, CSP
Session Takeaways:
Adopt a growth mindset and apply the six “How Can I?” keys to overcome challenges and drive progress.
Karen Fox
Session Takeaway:
Leveraging AI in your speaking business
Amy Lemire, CSP
Session Takeaways:
Use a 5-step strategy to close deals, craft meaningful messages, build sales confidence, and handle objections effectively.
With all of our amazing experts, you will learn how to …
- Navigate the speaking industry
- Get clear on your niche and develop your topic offerings
- Create a unique positioning statement that sets you apart from the rest
- Identify and grow your target audience
- UP your game with solid presentation skills that engage and captivate
- Create and utilize professional relationships
- Build a strong, sustainable speaking “business”
- Maximize product development and authorship
- Put it all together as a professional speaker
Meet the Speakers Academy Co-Deans
Cathy Davis
As an INDEPENDENT PUBLISHING CONSULTANT and the creator of the Roadmap to Publishing Success program, Cathy assists thought leaders in publishing books that engage their audience, enhance their credibility, and inspire positive change worldwide.
As a recognized industry leader, Cathy founded Davis Creative Publishing in 2004. She and her team have helped authors across all 50 states and several foreign countries become independent publishers of their own books. Over the past 20 years, they have provided more than 600 solo authors with ghostwriting, editing, proofreading, book design, and more. They have also published over 40 anthologies, with more than 2,000 authors achieving Amazon International Bestseller status. Cathy believes that when we share our wisdom through our stories, we make a difference in the lives of others.
A former board member of the St. Louis chapter of the National Speakers Association (NSA), she continues to serve as an instructor and co-Dean of the STL Speaker’s Academy. Cathy is also a Forest Park Forever Trustee, helping the park restore over 3,000 trees after the May 2025 tornado. Cathy lives in St. Louis, MO, with her husband, Jack, and their resTo learn more about Karen visit:cue SchnickerDoodle, Chewy (better known as Chief Barketing Director and Guardian of the Universe / his block).
To learn more about Cathy visit: linktr.ee/cathyldavis
Karen Fox
Karen Fox is not your average business coach—she’s a powerhouse who transforms leaders, teams, and organizations into forces to be reckoned with. Recognized as one of the Top 100 St. Louisans to Know and a Top 15 Coach by Influence Digest, Karen blends her expertise in AI, marketing, and leadership to help businesses unlock their full potential.
As the founder of the AI Discovery Lab, Karen is at the cutting edge of technology and education, equipping professionals with the tools to innovate and lead in a rapidly evolving digital landscape. She brings a unique mix of neuroscience-backed strategies and real-world insights to her work, turning challenges into opportunities and aspirations into achievements.
Karen’s superpower lies in connecting people, ideas, and opportunities. As a dynamic and engaging speaker, she inspires audiences with her humor, practical takeaways, and passion for innovation. Whether she’s helping leaders reduce burnout, empowering teams to communicate effectively, or showing organizations how to harness AI for a competitive edge, Karen’s impact is undeniable.
If you’re ready to elevate your success, transform your leadership, and embrace innovation, Karen Fox is the dynamic partner who will get you there. Let’s unlock what’s next—together.
To learn more about Karen visit: https://karentheconnector.com/
Amy Lemire, CSP DTM
Have you ever wanted to be more, make more, and sell more…with confidence? If you answered YES, you are in the right place. Amy Lemire works with success driven leaders and teams and inspires them to be the best versions of themselves. Amy became inspired to study human potential after a near death experience at age 9. She is the author of: “From Zero to Sales Hero,” “From Zero to Speaker Hero” and the CEO of AIM Training and Consulting. Amy has trained thousands to achieve sales excellence from decades of fortune 500 medical sales and training experience. She has a passion for mastering the inner ‘mindset’ and outer ‘tactics,’ game she calls the ‘Sales Confidence Code.’ Amy is a Certified Speaking Professional from the National Speakers Association, for delivering over 300 hours of training and speaking. Amy is a Distinguished Toastmaster, a VISTAGE CEO Speaker, and a “Habitfinder” coach. When Amy isn’t speaking, you can find her out on the dance floor, at a rock concert, or exploring the world with her husband Nigel and her cat Brianna.
To learn more about Amy visit: http://AimTandC.com