GSF recognizes those who have made an obvious, substantial, and sustained contribution to the speaking profession and community through the International Ambassador Award.

It is not mandatory that there be a recipient every year. This decision will be made by the GSF President in consultation with the Presidential Leadership Team.

This award honors those who stand out from the many who have contributed to the development of the speaking business globally.

Each GSF Association Representative can submit up to two (2) nominations and each GSF Past President can submit one (1) nomination using the International Ambassador Award online form.

Each nomination must include the reason for nominating each individual, their background, and justification.

In a year with a Global Speakers Summit (GSS), the nominations must be submitted and voted on at minimum, two (2) months in advance of the GSS.

In a year when there is no GSS, the nominations and vote must be completed at minimum, two (2) months before the Annual Board Meeting.

Nominees do not have to come from a speakers’ association’s respective country.

Members of the GSF Presidential Leadership Team are not eligible for selection during their term of service.

In addition to their contributions to the industry and profession, nominees must be a member in good standing of one of the GSF member Associations and will have:

• Achieved success in their own business
• Earned a reputation for impeccable ethics
• Acquired significant experience speaking in a variety of countries
• Contributed to the cementing of member relations on an international level
• Represented/embodied the spirit and intent of our professional associations
• Worked to generate international goodwill and build a speaking community of respect, tolerance, and inclusiveness
• Served as a mentor of future leaders

• It is recommended that each GSF association representative invite their Boards of Directors to submit nominees to them.
• The representative then nominates up to two (2) individuals on behalf of their association.
• The GSF Secretary or appointed staff member tabulates the nominations.
• Nominations and voting results will be collected and held in confidence.
• If any vetted nominee secures the majority of the nominations, that person is automatically the award recipient, and no vote is required.
• If no nominee receives the majority of the nominations, the three (3) nominees receiving the most nominations go onto the ballot for selection. In case of a tie for the top 3, the President consults with the GSF PLT to determine who goes on the ballot.
• If a vote is necessary, nominees are placed on the ballot alphabetically, including the information that was submitted with the nomination.
• Each Board Member* can submit one (1) vote for their top selection to receive the International Ambassador Award.
  • The Board is defined as the members of the PLT and a Representative from each member association.
• The GSF Secretary or appointed staff member tabulates the votes.
• The winner is announced at the Global Speakers Summit or the Annual GSF Board meeting in years without a Global Speakers Summit.

Past recipients of the GSF International Ambassador Award are:

• Delva and Norm Rebin HoF CPAE, (Canada) 19—
• Somers White, CMC, CSP, CPAE, (U.S.A.) 19—
• Max Hitchins, APS, (Australia) 2000
• Warren Evans, CSP HoF, (Canada) 2001
• Terry Paulson, PhD, CSP, CPAE, (U.S.A.) 2002
• W. Mitchell, CSP, CPAE, (U.S.A. & Australia) 2003
• Patricia Ball, CSP, CPAE, (U.S.A.) 2004
• Kit Grant, BA, BEd, MEd, CSP, HoF,(Canada) 2005
• Paul Bridle, CSP, (UK) 2006
• David Price, CSP, (Australia) 2007
• Dan Poynter, CSP, (U.S.A) 2008
• Naomi Rhode, CSP, CPAE and Jim Rhode, CSP, (U.S.A) 2010
• Alan Stevens, PSAE, FPSA, Global Speaking Fellow, (UK) 2013
• Fredrik Härén, CSP, Global Speaking Fellow, (Singapore) 2018
• Lindsay Adams, CSP, HoF, Global Speaking Fellow, (Australia) 2020
• Paul ter Wal, LLM, CSP, Stentor, (Netherlands) 2021
• John B. Molidor, CSP, PhD, (U.S.A.) 2022
• Lenora Billings-Harris, CSP, Global Speaking Fellow (U.S.A.) 2024

This award is created to recognize the service of individuals who have contributed strongly to the foundational growth of the GSF and/or the member associations. This award recognizes individuals who typically serve “behind the scenes” without expectation of recognition or reward. They may not be well known across borders or even in their home association but have contributed extraordinarily to the growth, strength and substance of the organization.

There is no requirement that the award be bestowed each year. It is not necessarily an annual award but should be presented sparingly. The award may be presented during any of the GSF member association’s annual conventions or the Global Speakers Summit.

The award is bestowed to a member or staff person of a GSF association.

That person will have actively contributed a high-level of service for a minimum of three consecutive years.

Recipients must have maintained active membership or employment in their GSF association for more than four years cumulatively.

The recipient(s) of the award may be selected by the sitting GSF President and should be individuals that receive the strong endorsement of the GSF Presidential Leadership team. The GSF President may solicit suggestions from the Presidents of member associations but is not required to seek candidates.

The award can be presented for past service as deemed appropriate even if the recipient is no longer actively serving. The award may be bestowed posthumously.

Each year, the GSF President has the opportunity to present a special President’s Award. This award is presented to one person for outstanding and visible contributions to the Global Speakers Federation. There is no membership or time criteria associated with this award. The recipient may have been serving for less than a year and may or may not have been an association member. Their contribution was simply outstanding and very much appreciated during that presidential year.

Past recipients of the President's Award are:

• Sid Ridgley, CSP 2013
• Terry Brock, CSP, CPAE 2013
• Kristin Arnold, CSP 2015
• Scott Friedman, CSP, Global Speaking Fellow 2016
• Dr. John B. Molidor, Ph.D., CSP 2017
• Nabil Doss 2018
• Shari Bricks, GSF Executive Director 2018
• Liz Weber, CSP 2019
• Landi Jac, Mike Handcock CSP, Global Speaking Fellow, and the Plan B Summit Team 2020
• Joni Peddie 2021
• Liz Weber, CSP 2021
• Zoom Communications 2021
• Dr. John Molidor, CSP 2022
• Neerja Singh 2023

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