The program opened with a banner parade and welcoming introduction followed by a speech by Abdullah Kozabah, Division M Governor.
Another inspiring speech was given by Abdulrazaq Ali Alturki, Lieutenant Governor Education and Training. Later Saleh Al-Ghamdi, the conference chairperson, spoke.
Toastmasters contest stimulates the contestants’ verbal communication skills in four challenging categories; Speech Evaluation — where one senior Toastmaster delivers a speech and contestants give assessment respectively; Humorous — where the participants deliver funny speeches; Table Topics — in which a participant is asked a question and told to deliver a speech on the spot on that specific given question; International Prepared Speeches — that determines the candidacy of the participants to compete at international competitions.
Aside from the contest, the conference presents a dynamic agenda that includes the following items: Educational workshops; diverse speeches delivered by international keynote speakers; recognition and door prizes; lucky numbers prizes and surprises; entertaining activities; an inspiring movie and many others.
“Our conference this year was larger than last year in terms of the number of attendees, and the workshops as well” said Husam Dashash, Public Relation Committee chairman.
“Our aim in Toastmasters is to advertise for the public-speaking skills, and by having annual conferences we continually succeed in gathering more and more participants every year. The best advertising way is to show the product that is our confident toastmasters for today who were one day struggling with public speaking fear,” Dashash said.
Nawwaf Al-Mutairi, a senior member of Okaz Toastmasters commented on the strong influence of the Toastmaster on him: “In Souq Okaz last year we met with Prince Khaled Al-Faisal in which I gave him an idea about Toastmasters, and after the event of two months I happened to meet him again and he actually remembered me right away, thanks to Toastmaster which provided me with confidence and lingual levels.”
