Purchase the $70 Virtual Ticket
“Stronger Together, Future Ready” isn’t just a conference — it’s an investment in connection, growth
Compelling Reasons to Join Virtually
1. Affordable Access With Exceptional Value
For just $70, you receive:
- Full conference access
- Educational sessions
- Leadership insights
- Inspiration and networking
- Long-term replay value
Compared to the cost of travel, lodging, meals, and time away, the virtual ticket delivers tremendous value.
2. Attend From Anywhere
Virtual access allows members across all four states to participate together — regardless of geography. Virtual events expand reach and accessibility for attendees who otherwise may not attend.
No travel. No hotel costs. No time away from family or work.
3. Extended Access to Conference Content
A virtual ticket is not just for one weekend.
You can revisit keynote sessions, workshops, leadership insights, and inspiring moments long after the conference ends. On-demand viewing is one of the biggest benefits of hybrid events.
4. Experience the Best Hybrid Conference Possible
Significant resources and financial investment have gone into creating a professional, engaging hybrid experience. Your virtual ticket directly supports the technology and innovation needed to connect members seamlessly across distances.
5. Stay Connected Across Four States
Our district is geographically diverse — but technology allows us to unite in real time.
The virtual experience ensures every member can still feel included, informed, and engaged in the future of the district
6. Learn Without Limits
Choose the sessions most meaningful to you. Rewatch powerful presentations. Pause and take notes.
Virtual attendees gain flexibility that even in-person attendees may not have.
7. Strengthen the District
Every ticket purchased helps strengthen our collective mission.
Your participation demonstrates commitment to collaboration, leadership development, and being truly “Future Ready.”
8. Be Part of the Energy
Virtual attendees are not “watching from the sidelines.”
Modern hybrid conferences create opportunities for interaction, Q&A, engagement, and connection that bring remote participants into the experience.
Distance should never determine belonging.
Your virtual ticket keeps you included, informed, inspired — and part of the future we are building together.
BONUS DRAWING for virtual ticket holders for A FREE YEAR OF ZOOM!
ATTENTION Clubs!!
Do you have unused District Bucks???????
Your club may use your unused District Bucks to be reimbursed for these virtual tickets!! Truly an WIN WIN opportunity!
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PARADE OF BANNERS
Bring Your Banner and Stand!
Our “Stronger Together Future Ready” Conference opens with one of our most inspiring traditions — the Parade of Banners!
Proudly display your club banner to let your club shine and be celebrated by all! One representative from each club will carry their banner across the stage as we showcase the strength, unity, and spirit of our district. Bring your banner stand to exhibit all day.
Distinguished Clubs will be specially acknowledged during the parade, highlighting their outstanding achievement and commitment to excellence.
Stand tall. Represent your club. Celebrate our shared success as we move forward — Stronger Together, Future Ready!
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Know Before You Go — We’re Stronger Together
Helpful reminders and resources to prepare you for an inspiring and connected experience.
Remember:
Registration and continental breakfast 8-9AM
PARKING INFORMATION
The hotel exclusively offers valet parking with unlimited in and out privileges
$36 + tax nightly charge,
$49 + tax nightly charge for oversized vehicles
Daytime Event parking offered at $18 + tax per vehicle.
Nearby public parking is available for 5 free hours
WHAT TO BRING
As you prepare for the “Stronger Together, Future Ready” Conference, here are a few essentials to help you make the most of the experience:
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Your Club Banner and stand for the Parade of Banners
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Your Raffle Baskets
- Name Labels for raffle tickets
- Business cards and networking materials
- Notebook with pen or pencil or device for taking notes and capturing ideas
- Photo or video device to upload during conference
- Charger and power bank for your devices
- Water bottle to stay hydrated
- Comfortable attire and conference-ready shoes,
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A light sweater or jacket for meeting room temperatures
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Your curiosity, collaboration, and willingness to connect
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A mindset ready to learn, lead, and grow together
Get Directions
Silver Cloud Hotel Tacoma at Point Ruston Waterfront
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POWERPOINT-FREE!
Trainer Extraordinaire, Lee Amatangelo, DTM, says "If You Want PowerPoint-Free Learning, Engagement, and Fun, Track 1 is for You!
We look forward to your session at the 2026 D2 Conference. What will be the high-level view of your two workshops for the Confident Speaker track?
These two sessions will be highly interactive, hands-on, and by the end of the sessions, the attendee will walk away with a stronger confidence in themself and be equipped with a guide to continue to grow that confidence. We will discuss the communication and leadership tracks within Toastmasters. These sessions will also be very flexible and will be driven by the direction the audience wants to go. Some may want to learn more communication skills, others may want to do a leadership project; we will handle both.
Whether you want to be a great communicator or a successful leader, it all starts with confident speaking. This track will help you get there.
If you love PowerPoint Presentations, these two sessions are NOT for you!
Looking forward to seeing you there. -Lee
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BREAKING NEWS!!
Special Incentive for Basket Donations
Clubs the donate a basket or gift card, for a value of $50 or more, will be eligible for a special prize drawing of $50 cash to be used however they wish!
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Stronger Together – Powered by the Future
District 2, the energy of an in-person conference is something a screen simply cannot capture. On May 16th, we aren't just meeting; we’re reconnecting at the stunning Silver Cloud Hotel in Point Ruston on the Tacoma waterfront.
This is your invitation to step away from the webcam and into the room where it happens. An in-person ticket is your all-access pass to:
- The Atmosphere: Feel the electricity of the District Speech Contests live.
- The Connection: Network over a premium catered lunch and savory snacks with friends old and new.
- The Growth: Dive deep into three future-ready education tracks covering everything from AI and Emotional Intelligence to Bold Communication.
- The Fun: Exclusive entry into our prize-packed raffles!
While we offer Online Access Tickets for those who can’t travel, nothing beats the "high-touch" experience of being there. Between the waterfront views and the breakthrough sessions, this is the milestone event of our new alignment.
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Keep the Baskets Coming Today!
District 2 Toastmasters Conference 2026
The conference is this weekend! There’s still time to show off your club’s creativity by bringing a themed basket or a $50+ gift card to donate for the raffle.
Time is of the essence, but not to worry—gift cards are always a hit. Try a “Cozy Night In” basket—think a gift card for streaming or takeout, popcorn or gourmet snacks, and a comfy blanket or mug.
As a thank-you, all donors will get a verbal shout-out during the conference. Plus, new this week: every basket donation gets you entered into a drawing for a $50 cash prize you can use however you’d like.
Bring your basket or gift card to the conference with you and drop it off near the entry and your name will be entered into the $50 prize drawing!
We’re loving the creativity and generosity across District 2—these raffle items bring extra fun to the conference and help support future member programs.
Shout-out this week to Destiny (Costco Toastmasters) and June (Toast to Data <3) for their donations, and to Nancy (Spokane Uptowners) and Teresa (Faithfully Speaking Toastmasters) for sharing photos!
And a big thank-you to our generous clubs: Redmond Nights,
Public Speaking Northwest, Valley Club Juneau, Barkley, Christy Helvajian,
Green River, Peak Speakers, Seattle Excelorators, Faithfully Speaking,
Greenspeakers, Spokane Uptowners, Eastside, Sparkling Synergists,
Extraordinaires, Area 22, Forever Improving Toastmasters, Edmonds Toastmasters,
Lake Pend Orielle Toastmasters, Story Weavers, Costco Toastmasters, and Toast
to Data <3.
Attending the conference? Raffle tickets will be available on-site—cash or card accepted.
Let’s make this raffle one to remember—see you this weekend!
AI Assistance Disclosure: Portions of this content were
drafted or edited with the help of AI tools and have been reviewed and approved
by the author.
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NEWS FLASH
Virtual Ticket Drawing
Exciting news! Thanks to an anonymous donor, clubs who purchases a virtual ticket will be entered to win a grand prize drawing for a year of paid Zoom for their club! A $170 value! Get your virtual ticket today!
District 2 Toastmasters | 2026 CONFERENCE
Marketing Committee
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Be the spark!
Bring your employer on board as a Conference Sponsor.
Big changes often start with small actions—and this is one you can take today. You already believe in the value Toastmasters: your growth, your connections, the confidence it builds. As a member, you’ve seen firsthand how powerful this community is. Now extend that by inviting your employer to be a sponsor at the May 2026 District 2 Conference.
By introducing this sponsorship opportunity, you’re helping your employer do both—invest in their people and strengthen their presence, all while supporting a cause you’re already passionate about. You could be the reason- your action can turn possibility into a long-term collaboration. Don’t know where to start? We have you covered with ready-to-use materials - email templates, sponsorship levels at the Club Comms and Sponsor Kit - Google Drive site.
Have more questions? Contact Rekha Nair, DTM
District 2 | 2026 Conference | Sponsor Committee.
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Unlock Your Potential with Pathways Office Hours!
Get your questions answered!
Curious about Pathways or need guidance on your Toastmasters journey? We’re here to
help! Wondering what the new Vintage Paths and the Path Enhancements mean for
you or your club? Come on by!
Pathways offers an innovative, interactive learning experience designed to boost your
communication and leadership skills while fostering personal and professional growth within a fun, supportive community.
Join us for the next Pathways Office Hour:
•Date: Monday, May 11th
•Time: 5:00 – 6:00 PM Pacific Time, 4:00 – 5:00 PM Alaska
Hosted by: Karen Lezon
This session is the perfect opportunity to ask questions, gain valuable insights, and enhance your Toastmasters experience, whether you’re new to Pathways or seeking targeted advice.
Don’t miss your chance for personalized support—register now!
Visit the District 2 Event Calendar for
Pathways Office hours in June.
For any inquiries, feel free to reach out to Karen Lezon at kmlezon@comcast.net
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VPPR TIPS to Produce Your Powerful Presence™ – No. 44
Presentation Presence Peeves: 10 Toastmaster Presenting Peeves That Sabotage Your Presence
Following are ten tiny habits that quietly sabotage your presence—fix even one and watch your presence soar!
- Peeve: Holding your lapel mic like a handheld.
- Solution: Clip it at chest level, stop touching it, and speak naturally.
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Peeve: Starting while you are still walking to the front of the room.
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Solution: Walk, plant your feet, make eye contact, take one breath, then begin.
- Peeve: Apologizing for being nervous, unprepared, or “not good at this.”
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Solution: Delete the apology and replace it with a confident opener or a clear first line.
- Peeve: Reading your opening from notes.
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Solution: Memorize the first 2–3 sentences and use your notes only after you are connected with the audience.
- Peeve: Standing behind the podium while telling a story.
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Solution: Step out from behind the podium for stories and return only when you need to reference notes.
- Peeve: Turning your back to the audience to point at something.
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Solution: Point with an open hand while facing the audience, or glance back briefly then turn forward to speak.
- Peeve: Toastmasters jargon overload when guests are present.
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Solution: Use plain language first, then explain any Toastmasters term in one simple sentence.
- Peeve: Ignoring the timing lights… then going over fifteen minutes.
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Solution: Rehearse with a timer and cut or adjust sections so you land under time confidently. Or extend your time on the agenda.
- Peeve: Ending and instantly fleeing the stage.
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Solution: Hold a two-second final pause, smile, then exit calmly and shake the Toastmasters hand.
- Peeve: Asking for feedback in your closing (“Tell me how I did!”).
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Solution: Close with a clear takeaway, a strong final line, and let the evaluation do its job.
CTA: Bring this list to your next meeting and use it as a mini workshop to work on eliminating bad presenting habits to keep your presence polished and intact.
Sparkle & Shine, Friends!
Kelly Fallucca
VPPR, Public Speaking Northwest Toastmasters
D2 Area Director, C35
Connect with me on LinkedIn
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Can I use AI when writing my speech?
By Vincent Tang
Recently, I met a speaker who used AI to write their entire speech. It made me pause: does that still count as the Toastmasters experience?
I’ll start with a full disclaimer. I use AI when writing and refining my thoughts. Even this article has benefited from suggestions and edits to improve clarity. So this is not a stance against AI. It’s a question about how we use it.
When I think about AI in Toastmasters, I keep coming back to intent. If I generate a full speech with AI and simply deliver it, am I practicing communication or am I outsourcing part of the learning process?
Before answering that, it helps to consider something familiar. Many professionals, including politicians, use speechwriters. In that sense, using AI is not entirely new. The difference is not the tool, but the purpose behind using it.
There are cases where using AI makes sense. If a speaker is focused on delivery (vocal variety, body language, stage presence) then using AI to draft a speech can free up time and energy to develop those skills. In that context, AI becomes a tool that supports a specific goal.
There is also a way to use AI that reinforces learning. You can draft a speech to the best of your ability, ask AI to refine it, and then ask why those changes were made. This approach keeps you engaged in the writing process while giving you insight into structure, clarity, and word choice. Over time, you begin to internalize those improvements.
However, there is a real danger if we are not intentional.
If your goal is to build confidence in organizing ideas, AI can quietly remove the very struggle that creates growth. It will always be able to suggest improvements. It will always be able to restructure your speech. If you keep asking for changes, it will keep giving them, even if those changes only align with conventional standards rather than your own thinking.
Toastmasters is designed to develop skills through practice. In Table Topics, you do not have the option to pause and ask for refinement. You are asked to think, organize, and speak in the moment. That process can feel uncomfortable, but it is where growth happens. The more you practice forming ideas on your own, the more confident and capable you become.
The same applies to prepared speeches. Writing a speech from scratch forces you to wrestle with your ideas. What is my message? How do I structure it? What story best supports it? These are not just steps to produce a speech. They are the skills we are here to build.
The danger is not that AI gives you a better speech. It’s that it can replace the effort required to become a better speaker.
In the end, it comes back to what each Toastmaster wants to develop. Some may prioritize delivery. Others may want to strengthen their writing. Some may use AI as a coach, while others may rely on it as a shortcut. The tool itself is not the issue.
AI will likely be part of our lives for years to come. As Toastmasters, the question is not whether we use it, but how. Are we using it to support our growth or to bypass it?
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Cracking the Interview Code
Save the date, Tuesday, May 12 from 7:00-8:30 p.m. PT, for a panel discussion on job interviewing.
Maria Ilac is a GIS professional working in the utility industry, where she supports mapping systems and data that help enable safe and reliable energy operations. She has experience leading teams, improving processes, and translating complex technical and regulatory needs into practical solutions. Maria values continuous learning, collaboration, and clear communication, and enjoys helping people grow and succeed through shared knowledge and experience.
Get to know Panelists Jackie, Danial and Maria TOMORROW!
Hosted by Eastside Leaders Toastmasters. Register here.
For more information, email :
secretary-2444484@toastmastersclubs.org
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Cracking the Interview Code
Save the date, Tuesday, May 12 from 7:00-8:30 p.m. PT, for a panel discussion on job interviewing.
Danial Matchett has built experience over almost a decade of navigating upward mobility professionally.
Drawing from work with Amazon, Danial has climbed the leadership ladder and learned a few things on the way up. Exposed to different types of managers, having interviewed others, and been in lots of interviews his self, Danial has acquired some best practices along the way. He has personally helped 100 or more team members promote up and find success. on their goals. He's invested in his leadership journey with trainings like MITT / landmark, and continues to surround him self with amazing coaches and friends. Get to know Jackie and Danial at Eastside Leaders!
Hosted by Eastside Leaders Toastmasters. Register here.
For more information, email : secretary-2444484@toastmastersclubs.org
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Is your club holding a special event? Celebrating a milestone? Or want people to know of a significant upcoming meeting they should join? Want to include your post here for next week's newsletter?
Fill out this form to submit your post request
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2025/2026 Starburst Submission Guidelines
We're excited to share our guidelines for submitting articles to Starburst, our official District 2 newsletter. Your club's special activities deserve the spotlight, and we're here to help you shine!
Guidelines for Article Submissions:
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Topic: Focus on club special events.
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Word Limit: Try to limit posts to 200 words or less.
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Images: You may include one image with your article. Ensure it follows the Toastmasters Brand Manual (You may have to login to the Toastmasters main Site to access) and contains minimal text. We're happy to help create one if needed. If the image doesn't meet TM guidelines, we'll work with you or recreate it if we don't hear back.
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Contact Information: All articles must include your club website and/or a contact email for more information.
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Event Posts: Submit up to three consecutive posts for a single event.
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Deadline to Submit: 5:00 PM on the Friday before the upcoming Monday Starburst release.
Submission Process:
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Use the submission form to send us your article requests.
- We look forward to showcasing your amazing events in Starburst!
If you have any questions or need more clarity, feel free to reach out to Marty Varela
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Register to receive the Starburst Newsletter
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Have a Starburst suggestion? Please check out our Starburst Suggestion Box (only 5 questions), to help us improve the Starburst Newsletter!
| | How did you like this week's Starburst? | | | | This newsletter was edited by - Marty Varela, Disclaimer: The information in this newsletter 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 materials or information. | | | | |
