“And now our Canadian Ambassador
from Vancouver, British California…”

"Gulp, why did I agree to do this," I thought as I was being introduced at a recent meeting of the National Speakers Association in Los Angeles, California.  (1999) After all, who was I to be speaking to this august gathering of some of North America's top speakers and trainers?

The thunderous applause spurred me on, helping me get past my initial stage fright and I walked on to see 640 cheering speakers (and a few Canadians interspersed throughout the crowd.) Janet Lapp had asked us as Canadian Speakers to host the Saturday night Gala night for this annual gathering and I had somehow been appointed official Canadian Ambassador to the NSA for this event.

And we had done ourselves proud with Canadian flag pins, Canadian Airlines in-flight magazines and snacks at every place, and Canadian Flags (large and small) throughout the room.  I stopped and too a deep breath before speaking.  "Remember, they are just like you," I told myself.  "But, I have some of their books and tapes."  I pressed on.

I simply shared that we “Canadian Association of Professional Speakers” members were glad to be here and to help celebrate our continued friendship and the co-founding of the International Federation for Professional Speakers.  I told them of the border crossing at Blaine, where it says, "Children of a common mother" and I asked those Canadians in the audience to stand and be recognized.  14 people from across Canada stood to a thunderous applause that lasted for minutes.

I had my eyes opened that day, as did my 14 fellow Canadians.  We often miss the respect and esteem in which we are held outside our country.  People look at us and are impressed by the quality we bring to our work and the commitment to our craft across the world.  It was nice for that brief moment to share that honor and that sense of appreciation with my fellow Canadians.

© Copyright 2002- 2005 Bob ‘Idea Man’ Hooey http://www.ideaman.net All rights in all media reserved.
Articles may be copied or used for non-profit purposes, without the consent of the author, as long as the article, contact information and by-line are reprinted intact… 

Credit Statement to be included in Reprints.  “Reproduced with permission of the author. © Copyright 2005 Bob ‘Idea Man’ Hooey http://www.ideaman.net All rights in all media reserved. Visit http://www.eBusinessSuccess.biz for more helpful articles like this one.”

About the author: 

Bob ‘Idea Man’ Hooey is a sought after productivity strategist, creativity catalyst and idea farmer (http://www.ideafarmer.biz), who regularly writes for North American consumer, association and trade journals, on-line magazines and company intranets. He is the author of nine books, a mini-book series, four success systems and an e-book series. Bob is a motivational, business and association keynote conference speaker and executive leadership trainer and coach (http://www.leadersedge.biz). He is a professional member of the Canadian Association of Professional Speakers and the International Federation for Professional Speakers. 

Visit his website for additional leadership, business and career development articles like this one: http://www.ebusinesssuccess.biz