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It’s Nathalie, your CAPS National President for 2026, with your November message!
We’re getting closer to the end of the year, and I have to admit, I don’t want it to end! It’s been an absolute blast!
But you know what often happens when we get close to the finish line? We start slowing down. We’re tired. We lose a little momentum. We might even drop a few balls along the way.
Well, let’s picture something.
Have you ever watched a relay race?
Imagine the runner approaching the next teammate, baton in hand. The next runner is ready, full of energy, waiting to take off. But suddenly, the first runner starts slowing down. Then jogging. Then walking. Maybe even taking a little stroll toward the handoff!
Can you imagine?
Of course not!
The closer you get to passing the baton, the faster you need to run!
And that’s exactly where we are at CAPS.
In about six weeks, we’ll be gathering at our national convention, where I’ll have the honour of passing the baton to Denis Boudreau and our incoming Board of Directors.
And I have absolutely no intention of walking to that handoff!
It’s time to accelerate, give everything we’ve got, and finish strong so the next team can take off with incredible momentum.
Now, think about your own business.
We’re approaching the end of the year. Have you achieved the goals you set for yourself? Has this year turned out the way you hoped?
If not, there’s still time!
And here’s the interesting thing about being a solopreneur: sometimes, there’s nobody waiting to take our baton. We’re simply passing it to ourselves in the next year!
So don’t slow down now. Keep moving. Keep showing up. Keep pushing forward.
Let’s finish 2026 strong!
PAST CAPS PRESIDENT’S WISDOM
This month, I want to share some valuable advice from Past CAPS President Bob Parker.
When I began my presidency, Bob told me something that really stuck with me:
« Nathalie, CAPS is supposed to grow your business, not BE your business. »
What a great reminder!
He also shared another piece of wisdom. Every time we add something new to the organization’s to-do list, the next president will have to decide whether to continue it.
And isn’t that true in so many areas of life and business?
We keep adding things. New projects. New initiatives. New ideas. More, more, more!
But sometimes, instead of trying to accomplish 25 things, wouldn’t it be better to focus on one or two meaningful initiatives, do them exceptionally well, and actually finish them?
Because the next leader will have ideas of their own. And that’s exactly how an organization continues to grow and evolve.
Leadership isn’t about doing everything. It’s about making a meaningful difference with the time you have.
Thank you, Bob, for that wonderful perspective.
CAPS NEWS & UPDATES
A few important reminders as we head into November!
CAPS Annual General Meeting – December 1
Mark your calendar! Our AGM is coming up on December 1. We look forward to your participation as we reflect on the year and prepare for what’s ahead.
WELCOME TO OUR NEW MEMBERS
Please join me in welcoming our newest CAPS members!
- Brian Coones, our new Professional Member from Toronto.
- Lynn Martel, our new Associate Member from Québec.
Welcome Brian and Bienvenue, Lynn, dans la grande famille de CAPS! Nous sommes ravis de vous accueillir!
UPCOMING CAPS EVENTS
There’s so much happening across the country!
Keep an eye out for the next Behind the Mic event, along with all the exciting activities being organized by our CAPS chapters.
Visit the CAPS events website to discover what’s happening in your region and at the national level.
CAPS CONVENTION 2026 – SHOW BUSINESS!
And of course, our BIG event is just around the corner!
CAPS SHOW BUSINESS – Earn Your Encore!
If you haven’t registered yet, what are you waiting for?
And if you’re already registered, start getting excited because this convention is going to be EPIC!
Our incredible convention chair and showrunner, Emily, and her team are working tirelessly behind the scenes to create an unforgettable experience.
I can’t wait for you to experience what’s in store!
CAPS ON THE INTERNATIONAL STAGE – PSA UKI in Oxford
Last month, several Canadian speakers proudly represented CAPS at the PSA UKI Business Summit in Oxford, England.
And let me tell you, Canada was shining!
Keka Dasgupta absolutely rocked the stage. I had the pleasure of presenting a session on sales, and I also shared the exciting opportunities available through the CAPS Academy.
In fact, we already have two participants from the UK registered for our next Business Starter Track!
How exciting is that?
And then there was Michael Kerr.
WOW!
Michael delivered the closing keynote, and he absolutely blew everyone away. The audience gave him an incredible standing ovation!
And here’s the best part…
Michael Kerr will also be delivering the closing keynote at our CAPS convention this December!
Trust me, you’re in for something special!
Throughout the summit, I heard so many wonderful comments about CAPS and the reputation we’ve built internationally.
People kept telling me how impressed they were with our association and everything we’re doing.
And I want to take a moment to thank all the leaders, volunteers, and members who came before me and helped build that reputation.
It’s because of you that CAPS is so highly regarded around the world.
Beyond Representation – It’s All About Connection
As proud as I was to represent Canada, what stood out to me most in Oxford wasn’t just what happened onstage.
It was the connections.
I had the opportunity to spend time with so many incredible colleagues and leaders from speaking associations around the world.
Alistair from PSA UKI, Rainer from Germany, Yvonne, the PSA UKI convention chair, and Denise, their incoming president.
I also connected with Julie from New Zealand, Pravin from India, Mia from Sweden, and our Global President, Neerja, along with so many other wonderful members of our international speaking community.
Some of the most meaningful conversations happened away from the conference rooms, sharing a drink, exchanging stories, laughing, and learning from one another.
And it reminded me of something important.
We’re not just representing our individual countries. We’re part of a global community.
We face similar challenges. We celebrate similar successes. We understand each other’s businesses in ways that few others can.
And when we stop working in silos and start connecting, collaborating, and supporting one another across borders, we all become stronger.
Because at the end of the day, it’s not just about the presentations, the strategies, or the business opportunities.
It’s about the people. It’s about the relationships. It’s about belonging to something bigger than ourselves.
And that, to me, is what makes our speaking community so special.
LET’S FINISH STRONG!
So, CAPS family, as we head into these final weeks of 2026, remember our relay race.
Let’s not slow down before the handoff.
Let’s not start walking when the finish line is in sight.
Pick up the pace. Give it everything we’ve got. And carry that momentum into the next chapter.
Whether you’re preparing to pass the baton to someone else or simply passing it to your future self, make sure you finish with pride.
Thank you for being part of this incredible CAPS journey.
I look forward to seeing you next month and, even better, seeing you IN PERSON at our SHOW BUSINESS convention!
Until then, keep connecting, keep growing, and keep running strong!
Nathalie Plamondon-Thomas, CSP®
CAPS National President 2026
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