How it all began

As submitted by Arnold "Nick" Carter - one of our original, and even today, one of our most giving members.

The National Speakers Association-Illinois Chapter began as the Professional Speakers of Illinois and retained that original name until July 1, 2000.

The Professional Speakers of Illinois came into being back in the early 70's when a small group of professional speakers got together each month, usually at the Como Inn in Chicago, for lunch.  Around that lunch table you would have found Jim Munton, Sam Lilly, Nick Carter, Bill Hayden, Carl Winters, Howard Bonnell and Carl Huffman.  They informally discussed ways to improve their performance and their promotion.

Looking back on the experience, I can see nothing that could have been better for us, as established and aspiring presenters. 

Socrates was right when he said: 'The only way we learn anything is to dialogue about it." That is precisely what we were doing.  It helped those of us who were going strong and those who were just getting underway with this aspect of their careers - to bring great truth and great ideas to people - to lift them to new heights of success and happiness.  In 1973, a national organization was formed with the title of the National Speakers Association.  In a few years the call went out to local groups like ours, to become part of this beginning of a national·and now, international, speakers organization.

We answered that call and became NSA's chapter for Illinois.  There are now 37 chapters throughout the United States, and many new chapters are forming in locations throughout the world. 

The spirit of those luncheons at the Como Inn still live on.  When we get together we do exactly as Socrates advised.  He was right: "The only way we learn anything is to dialogue about it."  Today, instead of informal monthly luncheons, a full calendar of professional educational and networking events, provides any serious professional speaker the opportunity to grow and develop.  Our events throughout the year give each member the opportunity to tailor a perfect educational experience from our flagship Fabulous Fridays, our Candidate University or our Celebrity Series.  Mentoring programs and special topic Forums even keep the spirit of those early days alive with small group and one on one programs.

We move forward with gratitude to the many who have served and shared their time, talent and ideas throughout these years so that our speakers, and ultimately their audiences, could reap the benefits of excellence.  We especially want to thank our past presidents who have guided us year to year:

On July 1, 2000, the Professional Speakers of Illinois became NSA-Illinois.  Today our vision, as part of NSA, is to be the recognized voice of the speaking profession, setting the benchmark for platform excellence worldwide, impacting how people work and live.  Although the format and content may have grown significantly since our humble beginnings, the focus and purpose have remained the same·to improve our performance and promotion·for one reason: to help our audiences soar, precisely as each human being on earth was meant to do!