Convention Award Winners

Our 2019 CAPS Convention in London was an opportunity to recognize some of our members and our chapters with special awards. This year we presented some awards during the convention and some during the President’s Ball.

The convention drew to a close with our annual President’s Ball, Awards and Dance.  It was a great evening hosted by your 2019 CAPS National President, Michael Kerr, CSP HoF. Congratulations to everyone who was recognized during the evening for their outstanding contributions to CAPS and the speaking community.

Michael Kerr, CSP HoF presented service awards to recognize our outgoing National board members.  Our members contribute their valuable time and expertise by serving on chapter boards, the national board and in many other ways. Michael recognized Dianne McCoy who served on the Board as Chapter Liaison for 2018 and part of 2019, at which time she made the difficult decision to step down due to personal issues.   JJ Brun stepped in to fulfill the balance of Dianne’s 2019 term as this was a position he previously held.  Outgoing President, Steve Lowell, CSP was thanked for his contribution to CAPS, CAPS Ottawa and now his service on the Global Speakers Federation.  Steve has served CAPS for over 10 years in leadership positions.  Thank you to our outgoing Board members!

Every year our CAPS National President has the opportunity to recognize one member for their contribution. Our Presidents Award highlights a member that has gone above and beyond with special recognition. This year Michael Kerr, CSP HoF presented the award to Jennifer Spear for her great work to spearhead the efforts on our new CAPS strategic plan and for her work with Meetings Mean Business Canada.

Greg Schinkel, CSP presented Michael Kerr, CSP HoF an outgoing President’s gift for his leadership and focus on ‘Serious Fun’ in 2019.

Following the service awards, we celebrated a member that contributes to the community with the Peter Legge Philanthropist of the Year Award

This award is given to a deserving individual who:

  • Demonstrates the principles of philanthropy and stewardship through their actions and outcomes
  • Serves as a role model for others in giving for the sake of giving and without expecting anything in return
  • AND Demonstrates professional and ethical behaviour that is consistent with the values of CAPS
  • The individual is selected by a CAPS committee, and Peter Legge, CSP, HoF, CPAE.

This year the award was presented to Suzanne F. Stevens, CSP who founded the YouMeWe Foundation. The foundation’s mission is leadership, advocacy and education for women in Africa. Suzanne was recognized for her commitment to developing women leaders in Africa.

To present the Warren Evans Spirit of CAPS Award, last year’s recipient Bob Parker, CSP and Past National President welcomed previous recipients to the stage.

The Warren Evans Spirit of CAPS Award is typically awarded to one CAPS member each year who has:

  • demonstrated a long term, extraordinary level of commitment and dedication to CAPS;
  • demonstrated the spirit of sharing, leading and inspiring other CAPS members;
  • demonstrated professionalism and adherence to the mission, vision and values of CAPS;
  • gained the respect and admiration of CAPS members across the country;
  • been a proactive and positive proponent for CAPS in the speaking community and beyond.

This year our recipient was Glynis Devine. Glynis has been instrumental in the growth of the CAPS Foundation and she has also been very involved in the Montreal Chapter. Her contributions to the CAPS ethics committee are also much appreciated.

Sunjay Nath, CSP HoF and Wayne Lee CSP HoF led the induction ceremony for the Canadian Speaking Hall of Fame. Individuals recognized for their outstanding excellence as a professional speaker and dedication to the professional speaking industry, by educating others to excel, are considered for induction each year. Members are selected by their peers, in recognition of their contributions. Selection criteria is based first and foremost on excellence on the platform. Other considerations include:

  • longevity in the business
  • success in the business
  • a reputation for ethical conduct
  • evidence of excellence in all dimensions of the speaking business
  • impact on, and valuable contribution to, audiences and clients
  • use of speaking skills and success for positive contribution to the community at large
  • participation and contribution within CAPS and the speaking industry
  • member in good standing of CAPS at the time of nomination

This year we were fortunate to have two inductees; Sid Ridgley CSP and Darci Lang. Congratulations to both Sid and Darcy! It was a great way to conclude our 2019 CAPS President’s Ball and Awards.

The music started and the dance floor was filled for the evening. The popular Survivor Picture was taken at the end of the evening. Every year there are more and more people making it to the end of the evening.

During the convention, we honoured our 2019 E1R1 Ambassador of the Year. This Award goes to the member who has introduced the highest number of new members NATIONALLY to our association during the year. Every year it is a very close race. This year the award went to Suzannah Baum (CAPS Montreal). Suzannah will receive a complimentary 2020 convention registration in recognition for her efforts to grow our CAPS community.

During the convention, we also presented our Chapter Awards.   The first award was the Chapter Convention Attendance Award.  This recognizes the chapter with the greatest percentage of members attending.  The award for the chapter with the Most Members Attending the 2019 Convention went to CAPS Manitoba Chapter.

The second Chapter award presented was the E1R1 Chapter Membership Recruitment Award. This year, the chapter who recruited the highest number and percentage of professional members was CAPS Toronto Chapter. One of the signs of a healthy Chapter is its capacity to attract new professional members and with the successful execution of the Each-One Reach-One program, we continue to draw new members to our professional association.

The third chapter award was the Chapter Member Retention Award – Another sign of a healthy chapter is its ability to keep its members engaged. The Chapter Member Retention Award went to CAPS Ottawa Chapter.

Congratulations to all of our award recipients!

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