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, CPAE (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.

Past recipients of the Beverly Babb Award are:

• Beverly Babb, CAE 2012
• Claudia Haider 2013
• Paul ter Wal, CSP, FPSA 2016
• Bob Parker, CSP 2017
• Lindsay Adams, CSP, HoF, Global Speaking Fellow 2018
• Martin Laschkolnig 2019
• Liz Weber, CSP 2020
• Jonathan Low, CSP 2021
• Catherine Palin-Brinkworth, CSP 2022
• Sylvie di Giusto 2023
• Sara Beth Reynolds 2024

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 and 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 and 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 and Liz Weber, CSP and Zoom Communications 2021
• Dr. John Molidor, CSP 2022
• Neerja Singh 2023
• Shari Bricks 2024

The GSF President can recognize a public person who has made outstanding contributions to society in the areas of Thought Leadership, Entertainment or Story Telling.

It is not mandatory that there be a recipient every year. This decision will be made by the GSF President.

• Aligning with Strategic Plan - Raising Professional Standing of the GSF: By issuing an annual award to a global player we are aligning our brand as being at that level. By listing these recipients on our website they are seen as aligned with GSF
• Recognition of Internationals at the Top of their game: GSF will be able to run press releases around the recipients award, growing our audience, brand and that of the recipient
• The GSF President will have sole discretion on who the recipient is: They should run the chosen name by the PLT for feedback. In every case the concept is to hand the award over in person, and gain an interview for the GSF website and our associations to raise brand and recognition. Award winners may be invited to the GSS if appropriate.

• GSF: Raises the brand positioning of GSF as an industry leader
• Member Associations: Aligns them via GSF with the best of the best globally

• · Association: We should steer away from political figures or otherwise divisive figures and the recipient should be someone that thought leaders globally would respect

• GSA Past President Dr Lothar Siewart CSP, Global Speaking Fellow, HoF: In 2010 he created a similar award issued by GSA. Recipients have included the Dalai Lama, President Obama’s sister and in 2025 the past President of Luxomberg. It is a significant award and creates a highly professional and sought after place in the GSA’s offerings. Hence the proposal is to call it ‘The Lothar’ just like the Academy's are called 'The Oscar’

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