Purpose of the District Conference:
The district conference is an exciting educational and networking event for district’s clubs.
It is an occasion for:
- Doing district business (the District Executive Committee Meeting and District Council Meeting are held there)
- Communication and leadership training
- Opportunities in support of the district mission
- Opportunities for networking and the exchange of ideas
- Recognition and celebration of district accomplishments
Next District Conference:
Antwerp, Belgium
24/26 May 2024
For more information and to register, visit the conference website at https://conference.district59.org/
Past District Conferences:
Eindhoven, Netherlands – 5/7 May 2023
Montpelier, France – 20/22 May 2022
Online – 5/9 May 2021
Online – 5/9 May 2020
Marseille, France – 10/12 May 2019
Athens, Greece – 25/27 May 2018
Milan, Italy – 24/26 November 2017
Winterthur, Switzerland – 12/14 May 2017
Madrid, Spain – 11/13 November 2016
Luxembourg – 13/15 May 2016
Amsterdam, Netherlands – 13/15 November 2015
Porto, Portugal – 15/17 May 2015
Lyon, France – 21/23 November 2014
Krakow, Poland – 15/17 May 2014
Budapest, Hungary – 15/17 November 2013
Antwerp, Belgium – 10/12 May 2013
Bonn, Germany – 15/17 November 2012
Poznan, Poland – 25/27 May 2012
Basel, Switzerland – 26/27 November 2011
LIsbon, Portugal – 21/22 May 2011
Barcelona, Spain – 20/21 November 2010
The Hague, Netherlands – 6/7 June 2010
Hamburg, Germany – 20/21 November 2009
Duesseldorf, Germany – 23/24 May 2009
Bamberg, Germany – 15/16 November 2008
Prague, Czech Republic – 16/17 May 2008
Vienna, Austria – 24/25 November 2007
Gothenburg, Sweden – 26/27 May 2007
FAQ on District Conferences
What is a Toastmasters District Conference?
A District Conference is a golden opportunity to connect and grow on your path to communication and leadership excellence. It inspires the best in ourselves and others. Our conferences are HAPPENINGS where we come together to compete, learn, network and socialize! We hold conferences twice a year at various locations in our District. In addition to speech contests, conferences offer members inspiring keynote speakers, educational workshops, sight-seeing activities and gala dinners. Contests are part of our tradition and a key component of the Toastmasters International member experience. Contests help members to step outside of their comfort zone, test their skills, and receive recognition for their accomplishments both inside and outside of the club meeting environment. Competition begins with club contests and winners continue competing through the area, division and district levels. Each year more than 30,000 Toastmasters worldwide compete in the Humorous, Evaluation, Table Topics and International Speech contests. Competition is friendly but tough! Only the best of the best in the International Speech Category advance to the Toastmasters World Championship of Public Speaking ® – held at annual conventions in North America and beyond.
Why do you organize District Conferences?
The district conference is an exciting educational and networking event for our members throughout the District. It’s the best occasion to feel the adrenaline that comes from participating in speech contests. It’s a great opportunity to attend workshops in communication and leadership training. And it’s a chance to meet other Toastmasters and share ideas, exchange best practices and get answers to all your questions.
What’s in a District Conference for me?
• The chance to learn from the best speakers
• more than 10 workshops in English and other languages on rhetoric, leadership and club management to enrich your skills
• District Semi-Finals and Finals for the Contest in International Speech or Humorous Speech (in English)
• Finals for the other Contests
• District Council Meeting with elections of the new district leaders at the Spring conference and discussions and votes about other District business
• Gala Dinner, award ceremony and party
• Networking with over 300 Toastmasters from the 9 countries of our District and beyond
• Social events before, during and after the Conference
What is the Awards Presentation Ceremony?
At the Gala Dinner, the winners of the Contesta are announced. As well, members who have received their DTM designation since the last District Conference are celebrated.
Is the Conference open to the general public?
Yes.
What should I wear to the conference?
The conference has several functions – educational activities, contests, district business meetings, networking, and more. Some people wear business casual or a casual suit to all events. Jeans and shorts are occasionally seen, but not often. Others wear different styles of dress for different events: business casual for educational sessions, the business meeting, and contests, dressier clothes for the Gala Dinner. At the Saturday Gala Dinner you may see everything from business casual to tuxedos and cocktail or formal dresses. Distinguished Toastmasters usually wear their DTM ribbons that evening.
What will the educational sessions be like?
While session topics vary from conference to conference, they are not for the passive! You’ll see flip charts, visual aids and animated speakers. You will hear poignant tales and participate actively in workshops. It’s a good idea to bring a pen and notebook to write down ideas as they occur to you. You will also need a pen to fill out the session evaluation form regarding the presenters. Please let us know what you think. Your evaluation contributes towards presenting outstanding and relevant topics. Sessions may include a Question and Answer period, typically at the end of the presentation.
How do I get the most out of the conference?
Attend sessions. Go with a friend. Make it a point to meet new people. Take lots of notes. Ask questions. Volunteer to deliver a session at a future conference. Volunteer to do anything. Have fun!
Who is attending the Toastmasters District Conference?
Individuals from a wide range of professions and sectors, including healthcare, IT, finance, education, government, media/communications, industry; entrepreneurs and small business owners, authors and speakers. A varied group of Toastmasters on a path toward communication and leadership excellence that is transforming our lives, our organizations and our community – our world.