Think You're Worth Getting Paid to Speak?
PROVE IT!!
The Proving Stage is the FIRST EVER "Community-Driven" (NOT hosted by a bureau, association chapter, or coach) in person Speaker Showcase event! We are NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS for thought leaders, topic experts, and results-driven practitioners who want to perform 20 minutes of their full program to a live in person audience so that they get seen, referred and booked by decision makers seeking speakers for podcasts, summits, corporate training and in person events....and get something new to the speaking world: "Certification of Authenticity" that the speech was actually performed by a real person in front of a real live audience.
Friday, October 2, 2026, in Aurora, Colorado
9 Speakers | 3 Categories | 20 Minutes per Speech
AI
Three 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
Three speakers addressing mental health, resilience, wellbeing, overload, burnout, suicide or related issues affecting people and organizations.
NOO! NOT ANOTHER SPEECH CONTEST!
A 5-7 minute speech contest does not always translate to the professional speaking stage. Keeping an audience engaged for 20 minutes (or longer)...and being worth Getting PAID to present it...requires more than just a good story, a few opening jokes and a send off. This is where casual public speaking enthusiasts differ from true professional speakers. To get hired for professional stages, you need to demonstrate your capability beyond the single-digit time constraint.
Real speakers. Real stage. Real audience.
Twenty uninterrupted minutes to demonstrate your ability to inform, inspire, engage and transform an audience.
No Robots Allowed!
This is Where Speakers Go to
Prove they are Worth Hiring
Could YOU Be One of the Nine?
20 minutes. One stage. One live audience. No second take. Your presentation should be the kind of Showcase that leaves someone who hires speakers thinking:
"I need to HIRE this speaker for our next event!"
And Then Come the Judges Industry Panelists
People who actually hire speakers will be among those evaluating the presentations.
Think of the feedback component as a professional-speaking version of American Idol or America's Got Talent.
After watching speakers perform, our industry panelists can share with the audience what they saw:
What made the presentation compelling?
What made the speaker hirable?
Where could the speaker become stronger?
Would this person be someone they would consider putting in front of their own audience?
And the audience gets to learn right along with them.
YOUR $50 SPEAKER FORM SUBMISSION FEE GETS YOU INTO THE EVENT — WHETHER YOU'RE SELECTED TO SPEAK OR NOT.
There is a one-time $50 Speaker Application Fee.
But here's what makes submitting different from simply paying to apply: Your $50 also includes your admission to The Proving Stage event AND lunch on October 2 even if you are not selected as one of the nine main-stage speakers.
So you're not paying $50 simply for someone to review an application but securing your place at the event.
And if you're not selected for the main stage, you are STILL in the competition! Additional prizes and opportunities will be available to submitting speakers who attend, even if they don't advance to one of the nine featured main-stage positions.
WHY SUBMIT IF YOU'RE NOT SURE YOU'LL BE SELECTED?
Because just being in the room could get you hired. You'll have an opportunity to:
Introduce yourself to everyone in the room.
Watch nine professional Showcase presentations
Hear what people who hire speakers think about those presentations
Discover what makes you more (or less) hirable.
Meet professional speakers and people connected to the speaking industry.
Experience the first Proving Stage event before the concept expands into additional cities!
Be present to receive additional opportunities and prizes available to speaker applicants!
Walk away with ideas for improving your own Showcase presentation.
You don't have to make the main stage to get value from entering.
What Are Our Customers Saying ?
How We Are Trusted, See What
They Say Bout Us
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.
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.
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
What are the awards categories?
Remember, this is not a typical contest. There are no losers at The Proving Stage. If you're presenting on the main stage, you're already a big winner! Every finalist will get an award that they'll be able claim in their promotions for more speaking opportunity.
Best Stage Presence 2026
Best Audience Engagement 2026
Best Audience Participation 2026
Best Audience Connection 2026
Best Takeaway Value 2026
Best Storyteller 2026
These are all potential titles you could claim as a final stage presenter.
Who are the "Industry Panelists?"
We have two levels of advisors. First, we have the review committee. They watch the 5-minute sample presentations and narrow qualifiers to 10 speakers per category. Then, the review committee deliberates among themselves to determine which of the 10 should be part of the final 3 to speak on the live in person stage. Three "Industry Panelists" are selected by the event Producer to serve as live in person advisors at the show. All reviewers are kept confidential and all advisors are only made known to the public when the live show begins.
Will the audience participate in the voting?
YES!! The aggregate audience will be responsible for half of the voting results.
Our Team
Marty Dickinson (Producer)
Shelby Jo Long
(Confirmed Industry Panelist)
Industry Expert Panelist
(You?)
Our Emcees
Sally Wurr
Helene Rose
You?
Our Coaches
Marla Press
Rich Hopkins
You?
Event Questions?
