Speaker Slam® Unveils Judges for the Second Competition of the 2024 Year "Human Connection"
Mar 07, 2024Speaker Slam®, North America's largest inspirational speaking competition prepares for its 2nd competition of the year for its highly anticipated "Human Connection" event, excitement and expectations soar. Set for March 26th, 2024, at the iconic Lula Lounge in Toronto, this event marks a significant chapter in Speaker Slam's mission to highlight the power of authentic human connections.
This year's "Human Connection" theme is a timely response to the growing craving for real-life interactions in an increasingly digital world. Participants from various walks of life will grace the stage to share their compelling narratives on the essence and impact of genuine connections, making this event a crucial platform for voices that uplift, inspire, and unite.
Meet Your Judges for "Human Connection"
As we draw closer to the event date, we're honored to introduce an exceptional panel of judges who bring a wealth of expertise, insight, and passion to the Speaker Slam stage. Their diverse backgrounds and achievements in media, corporate training, public speaking, and personal branding will provide a rich tapestry of perspectives to evaluate each story's depth, authenticity, and ability to forge connections.
Niki Papaioannou
Entrepreneur, Media Guru, World Traveller, Mom, Lover of a Great Story
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Niki Papaioannou started Niki Inc. the Media Relations firm in 2017. Before this, she worked on high-level endorsements with top NBA and MLB athletes as a Director of Marketing in a national hospitality brand. Niki studied at the University of Toronto and serves as a member of the Hellenic Heritage Committee. Niki is a mom of two and a proud resident of Toronto.
Brian Miller
Speech Design Consultant
Simsbury, Connecticut, USA
Brian Miller is a former magician turned international speaker and consultant who has spoken on 5 continents. As a speaker, Brian has worked with hundreds of organizations to build cultures of connection where everyone feels heard, understood, and valued. His TEDx talk "How to Magically Connect with Anyone" has 3.6 million views. Brian is also the founder of Conquer the Red Dot® where they have consulted for dozens of experts and leaders to deliver the talk of their dreams on the world's most prestigious stages.
Cher Jones
Personal Branding Strategist & Trainer
Markham, Ontario, Canada
Cher Jones is a highly respected personal branding expert, trainer, and speaker with over 25 years in corporate communications, marketing, and broadcasting. Through her company Socially Active, she offers Brand(ed) At Work, a training program and speaking series renowned for its functional and practical approach to personal branding. Her approach empowers professionals to excel in their roles, build their careers, and amplify their influence and advocacy, in-person and online. Trusted by industry giants like Lockheed Martin, BNY Mellon, Rogers, Fannie Mae, and HP. Cher's strategies have proven invaluable, and her infectious energy and undeniable expertise make her a sought-after authority.
Roger Petersen
CTV News Channel Anchor
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Roger Petersen has been a part of the Canadian media scene for more than 30 years. He is currently the weekend morning anchor/fill-in host on CTV News Channel. Before that, he spent years hosting Citytv Toronto’s Breakfast Television, CityNews Tonight, and CityNews Weekends. His job has taken him across the country and in Vancouver he was the host of CityNews at 6 and 11. A decade in radio took him from intimate markets like Orillia and Brockville to one of the greatest radio markets in the world, Windsor-Detroit.
Roger has called Cabbagetown home for ten years. He has a 16-year-old son, Mckenna, who occasionally acknowledges his existence (ask any parent of a teen), and Belka the poodle who does the same when he has food. An avid sailor, Roger has been lucky enough to have had some incredible experiences on the water and loves spending time on the Iliad his sailboat that calls the Toronto Islands home.
The judges have offered the following prizes:
First Place
Speaker Slam - $2000 Cash Prize
Speaker Slam - Invitation to the Grand Slam
Niki Papaioannou - Media Press Kit including a written biography (Valued at $2,000)
Brian Miller - Build Your Big Idea Session: A 3-hour 1-1 workshop with a Conquer the Red Dot® Certified Coach to develop a TED-style idea to submit to conferences. Includes lifetime access to on-demand resources. (Valued at $1,500)
Cher Jones - Corporate Connect 90 min 1:1 Repositioning Review & Mentorship Session
(Valued at $997)
- Corporate Connect Repositioning Workshop & Action Plan Workbook:
Sharpening Your Talk & Marketing for Business Audiences (Valued at $1497)
Roger Petersen - Media Training - 3 media training sessions: These sessions will delve into effective strategies for getting your name out there, engaging with media outlets, and securing impactful coverage. (Valued at $1500)
Second Place
Niki Papaioannou - Media Training (3 sessions) (Valued at $1,000)
Brian Miller - Idea to Opportunity Course
Description: Lifetime access to an on-demand course that teaches you how to fill out tricky conference applications, network with organizers, and book the talk of your dreams. (Valued at $250)
Cher Jones - Corporate Connect Repositioning Workshop & Action Plan Workbook:
Sharpening Your Talk & Marketing for Business Audiences (Value $1497)
Roger Petersen - Media Training - 2 media training sessions: These sessions will delve into effective strategies for getting your name out there, engaging with media outlets, and securing impactful coverage. (Valued at $1000)
Third Place
Niki Papaioannou - Raptors Tickets (Valued at $350)
Brian Miller - Idea to Opportunity Course
Description: Lifetime access to an on-demand course that teaches you how to fill out tricky conference applications, network with organizers, and book the talk of your dreams. (Valued at $250)
Cher Jones - Corporate Connect Repositioning Workshop & Action Plan Workbook:
Sharpening Your Talk & Marketing for Business Audiences (Value $1497)
Roger Petersen - Media Training - 1 media training session: This session will delve into effective strategies for getting your name out there, engaging with media outlets, and securing impactful coverage. (Valued at $500)
Beyond a Single Night: The Speaker Slam Experience
Speaker Slam is more than a one-time event; it's a comprehensive competition that celebrates the art of inspirational speaking. The "Human Connection" event is part of a broader series of competitions leading up to the Grand Slam: Inspirational Speaking Finals.
Throughout 2024, Speaker Slam will host five qualifier competitions, each centered on themes like Reinvention (January), Human Connection (March), Freedom (May), Perseverance (July), and the Power of Yes (September), culminating in a Wild Card Race for a chance at redemption and entry into the Grand Slam - The Inspirational Speaking Finals.
Winners of these qualifiers and the Wild Card Race advance to the Grand Slam, vying for the title of Inspirational Speaker of the Year. This pinnacle event not only showcases the year's most compelling speakers but also offers a significant prize package valued at up to $50,000, underscoring Speaker Slam's commitment to empowering individuals to share their stories and spark positive change.
