Come and See Nine Speakers PROVE they are Worth their Fee on Friday, October 2, 2026, and Support Two Great Charities!

The Proving Stage is the FIRST EVER "Community-Driven" (NOT hosted by a bureau, association chapter, or coach) in person Speaker Showcase event!

Anonymous judges have watched 16 five-minute auditions and selected nine thought leaders, topic experts, and results-driven practitioners who will perform 20 minutes of their full program to a live in person audience so that they get seen, referred and booked for podcasts, summits, in person conferences, corporate training and other events.

Each presenter will attain a "Certification of Authenticity" that the speech was actually performed by the actual person in front of a real live audience.

9 Speakers | 3 Categories | 20 Minutes per Speech

AI

Two speakers addressing artificial intelligence, its opportunities, challenges, applications, impact and ROI, and how it’s changing business and work.

Leadership

Three speakers helping leaders, organizations and teams perform at a higher level through stronger communication, employee engagement and culture.

Mental Health

Four speakers addressing mental health, resilience, wellbeing, menopause overload, burnout, suicide or related issues affecting people and organizations.

Who Should Attend?

Event Professionals

Perfect if you hire speakers for conferences, company meetings corporate training, and association gatherings,

Speakers and Emcees

Study the speakers and three emcees to see current trends in presentation and audience engagement.

General Public

Get practical ideas you can use immediately in your business, career and everyday life...and leave with processes to implement them!

The "Contest" has Already Happened!

Over the past two weeks, 16 speakers submitted 5-minute sample speech audition recordings to our specification requests. Four anonymous judges with booking experience ranked each speaker using 12 industry-standard components. Only nine were selected to speak on the main stage. That was the contest: Winning the opportunity to speak for "20" minutes on the main stage.

Real speakers. Real stage. Real audience.


But, there is one more competition to come. Only one will earn the title "Most Hirable Speaker."

No Robots Allowed!

This is Where Decision Makers Go to
See Real Speakers PROVE They are Worth the Fee

No Cuts, No Do-Overs

20 minutes. One stage. One live audience. No second take. We want you thinking: "I need to HIRE this speaker for our next event!"

The Proof Happens After 10 Minutes

Anyone can be coached to deliver the perfect 5-minute showcase speech. The real proof of a true professional speaker is how the speaker keeps the audience engaged after 10 minutes! You'll see how live and in person.

YOUR $30 RESERVES YOUR AUDIENCE SEAT TO WITNESS THE TRANSFORMATION AND THE IMPACT

There is a one-time $30 attendance fee.

But here's what makes submitting different from simply paying to watch: Your $30 also includes your admission to The Proving Stage event AND a $10 voucher toward lunch or snacks provided by the venue thereby supporting Pack the Future. An additional $10 of every ticket goes to support Food Bank of the Rockies!

So you're not paying $30 to simply watch a bunch of speeches but support two charities doing good work for the community of Colorado.

SEE YOUR NEXT GREAT SPEAKER BEFORE YOU HIRE THEM

Experience hand-selected speakers live, see how they connect with a real audience...and keep them engaged for 20 minutes...and discover who might belong on your next stage.

  • Discover exceptional new faces you may not find through the usual speaker channels.

  • Experience speakers live instead of relying solely on edited speaker reels.

  • Reduce the risk of hiring someone whose polished marketing doesn't match their live performance.

  • Evaluate how presenters engage and hold the attention of a real audience.

  • Watch 20-minute presentations that reveal far more than a short 5-minute showcase or demo clip.

  • Identify Thought Leaders, Topic Experts and Proven Practitioners for future events.

  • Observe how speakers turn their expertise into actionable ideas your audience can actually use.

  • Meet presenters personally and learn more about their programs after they leave the stage.

  • Connect with other speakers attending who may be a fit for podcasts, summits, conferences and virtual events.

  • Compare different presentation styles and approaches during one day in one room.

  • Expand your speaker network before you actually need your next speaker.

  • Leave with new speaker possibilities for events you're already planning.

Discover new faces, experience their presentations live, and meet the speakers you may want on your next stage.

What Are Our Customers Saying ?

How We Are Trusted, See What

They Say Bout Us

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John Doe

CEO

Working with [Your Agency Name] was an absolute game-changer for our company's annual conference. Their attention to detail, strategic thinking, and creative prowess turned our event into a resounding success.

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John Doe

CEO

I can't express how grateful I am to [Your Agency Name] for making my wedding day a dream come true. From the intimate ceremony to the lively reception, everything was flawlessly executed.

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John Doe

CEO

Our partnership with [Your Agency Name] for our product launch event was nothing short of extraordinary. They brought a fresh perspective to the table, resulting in a unique and engaging event.

FAQS

Who are the speakers I’ll see at The Proving Stage?

Nine Thought Leaders, Topic Experts and Proven Practitioners auditioned to perform their expertise and share their ability to deliver it from the stage. You’ll get to experience them in front of a real audience rather than simply reading a bio or watching a fabricated speaker reel.

How is this different from watching a speaker reel?

You’ll see the real speaker, live and in person, for 20 minutes. You can watch how they engage the audience, communicate their ideas, tell stories, interact with the audience and give people something they can actually use. No 5-minute glimpses. The real test of a professional speaker is what happens after the first 10 minutes. Uncut. Unedited. Unfiltered.

Am I expected to hire a speaker if I attend?

Not at all. You can come simply to discover speakers, experience their presentations and add new people to your speaker resource list. When you eventually need someone for the right event, you’ll already know who to contact and have the confidence they can handle the gig.

Will I have an opportunity to meet and talk with the speakers?

Yes. You’ll have opportunities throughout the day to meet the Showcase Presenters (and Emcees) personally. You’ll also meet other professional speakers and event professionals attending the event, giving you even more potential connections for future programs.

What kinds of events could these speakers be hired for?

You may discover speakers for corporate meetings, association conferences, conventions, leadership programs, retreats, training programs, summits, podcasts, virtual events and more. You can talk directly with the speakers about your audience, your event and the type of presentation you need.

Our Team

Marty Dickinson

Founder and Producer of The Proving Stage, Speakers Speak LIVE, Achieve Speakers LIVE, National Speakers Association National Member, NSA Colorado Board Member

Shelby Jo Long

CEO: Cadence Speaker Collective and President, Strategic Advisors Board (SAB)

Industry Expert Panelist
(You?)

Our Emcees

Sally Wurr

Helene Rose

Glenn West

Our Coaches

Marla Press

Rich Hopkins

Marta Spirk

Event Questions?

3035 S Parker Rd, Aurora, CO 80014, USA