NSA-Arizona Projects Lab

Project Lab 

What is it? A casual, virtual co-working support space

Why do it?

• Bursts of focused work with breaks promote productivity and reduce stress.
• Focus intently on a project, content development, marketing, pitching, operational or administrative processes etc.
• It’s an opportunity to ask for feedback, share resources and support each other’s work
• During the highly productive segments, you’re muted with your video on or off

How long is it? 2 hours, once weekly

When is it? Monday from 12:00 p.m. -2:00 p.m. (excluding holidays)

• Project lab may be expanded to an additional day and time if Monday participation merits expansion

Project Lab Flow:

Start at 12:00 p.m.

• Welcome new participants to introduce themselves
• Each person shares their project, challenge or goal for the lab time

Facilitator schedules a 50-minute work session

• Take a break and share progress, ask any questions, share any related resources
• A 40–50-minute work session is scheduled
• Topics or conversations that require more time can continue via the chat or participants can stay on zoom after the scheduled end time and continue supporting each other

The regular host is Michele Redmond, with co-host Shevon Quijano.

By registering for this event, you are giving permission for NSA-Arizona to add your contact information to our email list and to use any photographs (screenshots) that are taken at the event containing your likeness for as long as NSA-Arizona deems appropriate and desirable.

Speaker Studio

We ask presenters what their purpose is and what kind of feedback they want or need. We provide feedback in a structured environment that includes guidelines both for evaluators and for speakers. This helps to provide supportive, constructive, and useful advice.

Is there an area of your speaking that would benefit from some feedback? Come join us at Speaker Studio and experience the valuable feedback and encouragement to help you improve in any area of your content development or presentation skills.

This meeting will be held in building 1438 on the first floor in the Privacy + Board Room. You may also attend virtually.

Guest Enricher: TBD

Dr. Michael Haley will be facilitating this session. 

You may attend these sessions as a Guest. However, if you wish to present, you must be a Chapter member in good standing.

In a regular meeting, we fit in as many speaking slots as possible. The maximum time allocated is 20 minutes but many are less based on what the speaker is trying to accomplishwe usually have time for four 20-minute slots – 10 minutes for presentation and 10 minutes for feedback. Speakers can use the time to receive feedback and tips for a specific purpose, like trying out new material or a new form of speaking.

“Jim and I attended the last session and it was amazing!! Don is GREAT at leading this...and the privilege of having some platform time with constructive feedback is priceless!! Don't miss this. We will both be at as many as possible!”— Naomi Rhode

SPEAKER PRACTICE SESSIONS

To request a practice session slot, please contact Michael Haley at  at via email or 480-968-7443, by no later than the Friday preceding an upcoming Speaker Studio meeting. 

There may be more participants wanting to present at a specific practice session than time can accommodate. Requests will be approved on the following priority basis:

A.     New Studio participant (following at least two observation sessions)

B.     New Studio participant follow-up practice session

C.     Participants not presenting in the most recent four Studio sessions

D.    NSA-Az members requesting feedback on specific presentation elements

E.      All other requests.

Special circumstances will be taken into account when scheduling practice sessions.

SPEAKER STUDIO COMPILED READINGS

Don Thoren has contributed many documents – articles, emails, etc. – over the past several years as teaching aides. These documents are contained in  this file (click to access).

The documents have been organized into four sections:  A) Annotated Table of Contents; B) Speaker Studio Feedback Forms; C) Speech/Presentation Preparation; and D) Business Development.  Please access and apply any of the content that is relevant to your learning and work.  Also, please feel free to submit your own documents and articles that may be helpful to other Speaker Studio participants.

BECOME OR REMAIN AN IN-DEMAND AND HIGHLY PAID

SPEAKER, TRAINER, COMMUNICATOR

PRACTICE PRESENTING TO A LIVE & SAFE AUDIENCE – Receive valuable personal coaching from Guest Enrichers as well as other mentors and speakers.

JUST OBSERVE THE PRESENTERS - Your speaking and writing skills improvement will accelerate 10-fold.

Questions or suggestions? Feel free to contact Michael Haley via email or phone at 480-968-7443

By attending this event, you are giving permission for NSA-Arizona to add your contact information to our email list and to use any photographs (or screenshots) that are taken at the event containing your likeness for as long as NSA-Arizona deems appropriate and desirable.

NSA-Arizona Program Saturday, September 13, 2025

This meeting will be held upstairs in the training room, Suite 201.

8:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.	Networking
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.	Program Meeting

Please note: Coffee and water will be provided. You are welcome to bring your own beverage and snacks.

3 Ways to Participate:

1. Register to join us in person.
2. Register to join us via live-streaming on the day of the event.
3. Register to receive a link to the recording afterward.

Unlock the Future:  25 Branding & Marketing Trends for an Extraordinary 2025 and Beyond

What new strategies are you excited to implement in 2025-26? Many speakers may get stuck spinning their wheels, doing the same old year after year. As experts in our field, we are thirsty for cutting-edge ideas so we can stand out and attract better and bigger opportunities.

In this thought-provoking and dynamic session, you will discover how to accelerate your speaking business by learning from those who are rocking it on the world stage. You will get the opportunity to uncover 25 branding and marketing trends and tips from some of the best in the industry.

Gain insights into innovative techniques and actionable strategies that can transform your approach and boost your success. If you’re ready to discover new, fun, and proven methods to propel your speaking business forward in 2025-26 and beyond, this session is for you!

Audience takeaways:

• Learn from the best of the best: Hot tips from 25 Global Speaking Fellows, Hall of Fames, and Certified Speaking Professionals
• Explore innovative strategies to reach broader audiences, attract more bookings, and command higher speaking fees
• Amplify your reach and create unforgettable audience experiences
• Discover how to open doors to new markets, increase your visibility, and position yourself as a sought-after thought leader
• Enhance your professional reputation by re-igniting your personal brand

EARLY REGISTRATION ENDS ON SEPTEMBER 9TH. REGISTER EARLY TO SAVE!

Azadeh Yaraghi is an insightful brand strategist, marketing expert, thought-provoking speaker, #1 bestselling author, and founder of Gogo Telugo Creatives. With 15+ years of international experience, she has built successful brands and earned lofty marketing awards along the way.

Azadeh is passionate about supporting purpose-driven clients who want to grow their business and ultimately leave behind a positive and lasting legacy. She works with entrepreneurs and organizations who want to get to the heart of their brand so they can attract their ideal clients, build trust, and accelerate growth.

She is the past President of the Canadian Association of Professional Speakers (BC Chapter), a proud mentor at Futurpreneur, an Advisory Board Member for the Healthy Heroes Foundation, and the past Communications Director at the Vancouver Board of Trade Sustainability Committee.

Connect with Azadeh

Website: www.gogotelugo.com

Email: azadeh@gogotelugo.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/azadehyaraghi/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100009274520391

By registering for this event, you are giving permission for NSA-Arizona to add your contact information to our email list and to use any photographs (or screenshots) that are taken at the event containing your likeness for as long as NSA-Arizona deems appropriate and desirable.

Cancellation Policy: No refunds.

Please notify us if you have any special needs for the meeting.