District 123
District 123 Conference May 3-5, 2024
May 3, 2024 @ 7:00 pm - May 5, 2024 @ 3:00 pm
Register now for an exciting educational and networking event for members and clubs.
- Courtyard by Marriott Oshawa
- Keynote speaker 2019 World Champion Aaron Beverly
- Special Guest Maryam Ganni 3rd Place 2023 World Champion of Public Speaking
- Annual Meeting of the District 123 Council
- Communication and leadership training opportunities in support of the District mission
- Opportunities for networking and the exchange of ideas
- Recognition and celebration of District 123 accomplishments
- International Speech and Table Topics District-level speech contests
- Educational sessions that focus on achieving the club and District missions
Registration for District 123 Conference
Friday, May 3 to Sunday, May 5, 2024
Contact [email protected] with any questions or concerns.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will any portion of the Conference be hybrid this year for those of us out of town?
The conference will be in person only (except the annual business meeting portion will be hybrid).
Will the contest speeches at the District conference in 2024 be live?
The District Contests will be in person only.
Conference Venue
Courtyard by Marriott Oshawa
1011 Bloor Street East
Oshawa, Canada L1H7K6 Canada
The venue is accessible/mobile-friendly. Click Book Room for reservation and rate.
Keynote Aaron Beverly, 2019 World Champion of Public Speaking
In August 2019, Aaron Beverly emerged as the winner of the Toastmasters International Speech Contest, an annual public speaking competition that (at the time) included over 30,000 competitors worldwide. Performing the speech entitled “An Unbelievable Story,” Aaron provided a humorous take on the heavy subject of race and the importance of “acceptance despite difference.” That speech won him the prestigious title of World Champion of Public Speaking.
However, even as a world champion of public speaking, Aaron is one of the most introverted people you can meet. Like many others, Aaron believed that public speaking and storytelling were “extroverted” activities meant for the boldest and loudest people in the room. But, with hard work, dedication and a team of invaluable supporters, Aaron has become proficient in both skills and has since learned that introversion is an asset when it comes to communication.
Aaron is a senior consultant at Deloitte, the largest Financial services Firm in the world. He has been invited to speak at Fortune 100 companies and notable Universities And has engaged audiences in various countries around the world.
Aaron doesn’t credit his achievements to an advanced degree, or a privileged life; he credits it learning effective communication and public speaking. He is living proof, that the art communication can have a profoundly positive effect on the advancement of your professional career and the fulfilment of your life.
Special Guest Maryam Ganni 3rd Place 2023 World Champion of Public Speaking
I have been with TM since 2021, and it has now been two years. I joined in November 2021.
I started competing the year after when i got my two levels.
My mentor Scott Mclaughclin is the one who helped me get into toastmasters and prompted me to compete within the first week of joining. I competed for fun at the club level that same month, using this first speech as my actual icebreaker project, since I was not eligible to compete yet, I knew I could not go past the club. I won, so, Scott said “we should make it happen next ear. I think you can really get to the world stage. One contest at a time. ” I started to consume every single speaking material Scott sent my way and that I could find, including past champions.
At the time, i was already speaking and sharing my story with sight loss with other organizations, having started with another mentor from McGill University. I was a spokesperson and advocate for a center for rehabilitation for people living with physical disabilities within my community. I had also been coaching and facilitating disability sensitivity training and awareness keynotes and workshops, where I called my program “Be Unstoppable”
I was previously a professional certified makeup artist, but changed paths after doing vision rehabilitation and losing most of my sight. I went back to university and earned to diplomas, one in public relations and communications management, and the other in entrepreneurship.
I have recently gotten into real estate and working in the field since I got back from the Bahamas officially. I decided to become a public speaker to share a message of hope with the world, to share my story with hopes of inspiring and to share my ultimate message with the world: be unstoppable.
I am passionate by people and connecting with people from all over the world on a deeper level, a passion I always had from travelling substantially.
I consider myself a lifelong learner and student and on a lifetime journey of growth and development with the goal of sharing that with others.
Conference Logo and Design Elements
- Logos and design elements can be used for the conference and promotion
- Please do not alter the logo in any way
- Keep space around the logo
To download right click on the image and choose save image as…
Zoom Background Blue
Zoom Background Maroon
Zoom Background White
Logo for Light Background
Logo for Dark Background
Conference Team
Conference Chair
Gilles Robert
Under the guidance of the District Director and Program Quality Director, I am responsible for coordinating all aspects of the conference, suggesting venue options, scheduling presenters, and providing onsite assistance. I collaborate with the finance, education, venue, and public relations chairs to help the conference meet the District’s goals.
DTM Ceremony Chair
Amina Bhanj
Contest Coordinator Chair
Fleurette Knaggs
Promotion Co-Chair
Grace Archibald
Registration Chair
Jennifer Magee
Incentives Chair
Karen Lam
Promotion Co-Chair
Madonna Z. Villena
Silent Auction Chair
Paul Lewkowicz
Sergeant-at-Arms Chair
Richard Daniel Abel
