Toastmasters and SBCC Host Powertalk Conference

Everyone is familiar with the nervous butterflies in one’s stomach before delivering an influential presentation or presenting a speech to a large audience. To help conquer this fear, Santa Barbara Area Toastmasters and SBCC Continuing Education are cosponsoring the eleventh annual Powertalk Conference.

The November 13 conference will feature accredited speaker Don Ensch, presenting “Fifty Three Years of Toastmasters.” Also featured will be 86-year-old Larry Crandell, known as Mr. Santa Barbara and contributor of over $200 million for numerous organizations, presenting a workshop on the “Art of Toasting.”

Located on SBCC West Campus in the Fe Bland Auditorium, the conference will offer a variety of public speaking and effective listening workshops from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for all interested community members.

The Powertalk Conference will be free to the public, offering workshops ranging from “Conquer Your Fear of Public Speaking” to “Earn More Respect and Attention.” Attendees will gain knowledge and develop skills to assist in their individual public and professional speaking endeavors, facilitating academic needs, entrepreneurship, and business transactions. Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m. and participants may attend any or all of the six workshops offered. For more information, contact Lynn Cederquist at or Grace Rachow.

Toastmasters International is a non-profit organization designed to help people feel more competent and comfortable delivering a message before an audience. Founded in 1924, the organization has grown to accommodate over 260,000 members in 113 countries, improving people’s communication abilities worldwide.