District 45 Conference 2024

Ignite Momentum ... Awaken Opportunity

TICKETS available UNTIL MAY 6th

so get yours today!!


Welcome to YOUR, in person, 2024 Conference in Freeport, Maine!

  • Friday evening, May 17th

  • Saturday, May 18th, full day and evening, three meals

  • Sunday, May 19th until noon

General Admission Tickets: $155 USD

NEW this year….

Family & Friends Tickets: $125 USD gains access to:

  • Friday: Table Topics Contest & Opening Ceremonies

  • Saturday: International Speech Contest, Banquet, Keynote, Party & Dance

  • Sunday: Humorous Speech Contest & Closing Ceremonies

REFUND Policy: All ticket sales are final. NO refunds will be processed.

Our host hotel is the Hilton Garden Inn in Freeport, Maine.

If you have any questions, please email our District 45 Conference Committee.

District 45 Partner Sponsor

Erin McMenemy, DTM

Erin has personally donated to our conference and requested that her club's logo be used as part of her District 45 Partner Sponsorship!

Thank you very much, Erin!!

Heart of a Toastmaster:

IGNITE Momentum. AWAKEN Opportunity.

Are you gaining everything you can from your Toastmasters experience?

Benefiting from all your membership has to offer?

Is it time to re-ignite your momentum?

By looking back at our beginnings 100 years ago… we look ahead with excitement of the possibilities! This engaging dinner keynote message will acknowledge your accomplishments, inspire you to continue your journey… and awaken even more opportunities!

Life will grant us many opportunities for greatness. The only question is will we grant ourselves permission to be great by igniting a momentum that will awaken those opportunities? Giving Yourself Permission is a journey to discover or rediscover our greatness. Joe believes that to live the life that only we can imagine (Henry David Thoreau) is four permissions away. It’s our choice. The only prerequisite to this keynote is to give ourselves a fifth permission and that is to have some FUN!

Speaker Bio: Sheryl Roush, DTM, PDG, AS


Sheryl Roush, DTM, PDG, Accredited Speaker is CEO of Sparkle Presentations, Inc., based in New York. First shy and stumbling through her Ice Breaker in 1987, Toastmasters IGNITED momentum within her as today Sheryl is an international speaker, and has presented over 3,500 programs globally, plus virtually since 2010.

In 2009, selected from over 260,000 members, Sheryl received the Toastmasters Presidential Citation for her outstanding contributions to enhancing global communication and leadership.

Sheryl is the proud author of the TI-sanctioned Heart of a Toastmaster book, which received the “Best Anthology” from the International Book Awards, publishing true stories by 135 members.

This is going to be a heart-centered keynote session.

Give Yourself Permission

Joe Grondin - Keynote

Life will grant us many opportunities for greatness. The only question is will we grant ourselves permission to be great by igniting a momentum that will awaken those opportunities? Giving Yourself Permission is a journey to discover or rediscover our greatness. Joe believes that to live the life that only we can imagine (Henry David Thoreau) is four permissions away. It’s our choice. The only prerequisite to this keynote is to give ourselves a fifth permission and that is to have some FUN!

Speaker Bio

Joe Grondin, DTM, AS is a retired educator and is now, with the guidance of his toastmaster family, fulfilling his dream of being an international inspirational speaker. He is the author of the books “Living in Harmony With Our Children” and “Speak to Reach” and has been asked to speak throughout North America on these topics.

Joe has been busy traveling the globe to pursue his passions. Recent destinations include Malaysia, Washington D.C., and Las Vegas to participate in the Toastmasters World Championship of Public Speaking. Having qualified seven times for the world championships, he has successfully placed in the top 10 on two occasions. Joe is a three-time TEDx speaker and earned the prestigious Accredited Speaker designation from Toastmasters International in 2017 becoming one of 90 people in the world who hold this distinction. Joe does admit that his biggest accomplishment is getting hugs from his grandchildren.

Joe is a “FEEL GOOD” type guy and takes any opportunity to sing and dance in public, much to the dismay of my family. The last time Joe did his song and dance in public his children ran for cover.

Joe is a proud Toastmaster and he truly believes that Toastmaster audiences are the best audiences in the world. It is truly an honour for Joe to present in front of his toastmaster family because it matters not where you are in your journey, you are dedicated to self-improvement so that you can make a difference in this world. Joe is hoping that in some small way he can help you on that journey.

Starting With WHY

Jeff Sobel - Keynote

What we do and how we do it are very important, but understanding why we do something can lead to enormous growth and success. Drawn from Simon Sinek's work, this session helps us understand why starting with why is crucial, the need to develop our personal why, and how to lead with why in all situations.

This session includes introduction of new concepts, facilitated discussion, and practice developing/sharing personal why's.

Speaker Bio: Jeff Sobel, DTM, PID

Jeff Sobel, DTM, PID, a Toastmaster since 2005. Jeff is the current president of Bethlehem Toastmasters in Delmar, NY, President’s Distinguished since 2003.

Jeff is a Distinguished Toastmaster, the highest level of education achievement in the organization.

Jeff’s service as Region Advisor provided opportunity to support, train, coach and mentor District Leaders from around the world. As International Director, Jeff gained deeper organizational knowledge working with other Board of Directors. Jeff was awarded the Presidential Citation in 2020.

Jeff is a retired senior cybersecurity specialist, an avid runner, a musician, and a third-degree black belt.

As president of his homeowners’ association he uses skills developed in Toastmasters everyday for the betterment of his community.

Dedicated to personal growth and the growth of others, Sobel says, “I love helping others experience the same benefits from Toastmasters that I have, seeing them become better communicators, better leaders, better versions of themselves.”

The information on this website is for the sole use of Toastmasters’ members, for Toastmasters business only. It is not to be used for solicitation and distribution of non-Toastmasters material or information. All Toastmasters International logos, brands, and trademarks, etc., are the property of Toastmasters International

District 45 Toastmasters International

The information on this website is for the sole use of Toastmasters’ members, for Toastmasters business only. It is not to be used for solicitation and distribution of non-Toastmasters material or information. All Toastmasters International logos, brands, and trademarks, etc., are the property of Toastmasters International

District 45 Toastmasters International