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Convention Keynote Speakers

We are thrilled to introduce our keynote speakers for the 2024 International Convention.

First, Orlando Bowen, a former professional football player, whose resilience off the field is sure to inspire you. His commitment to community service and his powerful story of forgiveness and leadership have earned him widespread respect.

Joining him is Sunjay Nath, an entrepreneur and motivational speaker known for his engaging and dynamic presentations. Sunjay brings a wealth of experience, and his insights are sure to empower and motivate.

Orlando Bowen

In 2004, Orlando Bowen was a professional football player who had just signed a contract for a fifth season with the Toronto Argonauts when he was severely beaten by two men in a dark parking lot.

Those men turned out to be plainclothes police officers, who planted drugs on Bowen and took him to jail, according to a lawsuit he later filed. Bowen was acquitted of all charges and settled the suit out of court, but the injuries he sustained ended his football career.

Instead of giving up, Bowen went on to start a charity working with kids in schools across Canada and delivering inspirational speeches, workshops and team-building activities that engage, inspire and empower adults with the tools to identify their passions, develop resilience, and use their talents to make a difference.

Sunjay Nath

Sunjay Nath started his international speaking business at age 19, and in 2005, became the youngest Canadian (third youngest in the world) to earn a Certified Speaking Professional certification.

Sunjay has addressed over a million people around the world since 1995 and was inducted into the Canadian Professional Speakers Hall of Fame in 2018.

Sunjay often speaks about his insights on leadership and performance and is known for his trademark “10-80-10 Principle.” He’s on a mission to empower organizations to inspire their people so they can achieve their desired results.

Together, these speakers embody the spirit of optimism that is at the heart of our organization. You can read more about each of them in the upcoming issue of Optimist magazine, but don’t miss the opportunity to hear from these two remarkable individuals in person this summer in Niagara Falls!

For more information about the 2024 Convention, and to register, please click here to visit our Convention webpage.

Upcoming Webinars

Staying Optimistic in Difficult Times

April 8 at 7 p.m. CDT

Click here to register

Adding Officers via the COER Form in Optimist Leaders

April 29 at 7 p.m. CDT

Click here to register

Celebrate Community: Developing Community Partnerships

Presented by EDs/CEOs of Optimist, Lions, Kiwanis, and Rotary

May 13 at 7 p.m. CDT

Click here to register

Updating Bylaws in Optimist Leaders

May 29 at 7 p.m. CDT

Click here to register

Everything You Need Know before Attending Convention 2024

Presented by the International Convention Committee

June 10 at 7 p.m. CDT

Click here to register

Visual Arts Contest

Optimist International is accepting entries for the Visual Arts Competition until May 1. Read the rules below (click the image to download the PDF).

This exciting competition is designed to encourage and celebrate visual art skills and give youth an outlet for their creativity. Please share it with anyone in the appropriate age range and encourage them to submit their artwork.

Click here for a news release that you may send to your local schools and media organizations, in addition to the guidelines below.

Can You Hear Us?

You don’t want to miss Shane Neuman and Theresa Jarratt’s thought-provoking series on the Optimist Creed – tune in to the Choose Optimism Podcast, where we explore the power of positive thinking and its impact on every aspect of life.

Find the Choose Optimism Podcast here:

Download it and listen anywhere!

www.optimist.org