Last month, Calgary had the distinct honor of hosting the District 42 Annual Conference. Having this major event right here in our home city was a unique opportunity for many of our club members to experience a Toastmasters conference for the first time. It allowed us to step into the wider world of Toastmasters, and the weekend provided a profound sense of connection and inspiration.
Beyond the educational value, the weekend served as a fantastic bonding experience. Attending together, sharing meals, and experiencing the highs of the conference cemented friendships among our members and brought our club closer together.
Here is a look at the weekend through the eyes of our members who attended, volunteered, and competed.
Masterclasses in Growth: The Workshops
Our members dove into the educational sessions and came away with actionable insights and fresh motivation:
- The MVP Advanced Evaluation Laboratory: This session was a massive hit. It was incredibly well-run and packed with great takeaways. Joanne noted that everyone in the room was furiously taking notes to bring ideas back to their club.
- The Magic of Mentorship: Kathi attended the mentorship workshop, which powerfully reinforced the value of the mentor-mentee relationship. She was so encouraged by the session that she’s inspired to start a dedicated mentorship program right here in our own club!
Conferences don’t happen without a small army of volunteers, and we were well-represented! Several of our club members stepped up to help run the event, including Kathi who served as Sergeant at Arms for the Evaluations workshop. For Kathi, it was a fantastic opportunity to practice speaking and leadership skills in front of a large, unfamiliar crowd rather than the same familiar faces we see every week. It was a highly positive experience all around, and they thoroughly encourage other club members to put their hands up for volunteer roles at future events.
Stage Highlights & Cheering on Scott
The speech contests were a masterclass in communication. One of the biggest takeaways for our attendees was seeing how “normal” people—people just like you and me—can speak so incredibly. It was a wonderful reminder that you don’t have to look or sound like a slick, corporate “professional speaker” to deliver a deeply moving and amazing speech.
The absolute highlight for our club was watching Scott Arnall compete in the District Table Topics Contest. While Scott didn’t place in this round, it is always a privilege and a joy to watch him speak. His wonderfully creative mind was on full display, and the entire club is immensely proud of him for representing us at the district level.
A Flawless Event
From an attendee’s perspective, the conference organization was flawless and seemed to go off without a single hitch.
- The Venue: The space was perfect, easily accommodating the large keynote addresses while allowing everyone to smoothly pop into the smaller breakout rooms for workshops.
- The Food: The catering was incredible. The organizers managed to seamlessly accommodate every food restriction under the sun, keeping everyone well-fed and energized.
Honoring the Past, Looking to the Future
Because this was the final conference before District 42 transitions into two new districts this July, there was a beautiful memory table filled with photos and memorabilia spanning 30 to 40 years. It was fascinating to look back and see just how much Toastmasters has evolved over the decades.
While future district conferences will look a little different and will no longer include our neighbors from Saskatchewan, we are excited about the road ahead. We eagerly look forward to the new opportunities the future brings and look forward to gathering with fellow Toastmasters from all across Alberta in the chapters to come!
