Welcome to Speaker Games!
Speaker Games is an exciting new speaking contest designed to showcase the talents of aspiring speakers from all walks of life. It consists of TWO ROUNDS:
First, the Auditions or Qualifying Round
Second, the Finals or "The Speaker Games"
Whether you're a seasoned orator or just starting your journey in public speaking, Speaker Games offers you the opportunity to shine on stage and elevate your skills to new heights!
The Grand Prize includes a free cruise in January and a keynote address at the Business Game Changer in September.
There is a fee of $25 to audition June 22, and an additional $500 entry fee if you become a finalist. These fees are non-refundable.
All 10 finalists receive:
A professionally recorded/edited video of your 15 minute speech
Raw footage of your speech, too!
10 photos of you on stage
3 recorded testimonials about your speaking skills/speech
And a fun speaker reel for your social media
ALL FOR $500!
Auditions/Qualifying Round Date and Venue
Date: June 22, 2024
Venue: The Mill, 9690 S 330 W, Room 314
Auditions/Qualifying Round Judging Panel
Your audition speech will be evaluated
by our panel of SpeakUp judges:
Bobby Glen James
Brett Benar Rich
Kelly Kaye Walker
Lynn David Walker
How to Audition
To participate in the auditions/qualifying round, simply register and pay a $25 entry fee. Once registered, prepare a captivating 10-minute speech on a topic of your choice. If your speech goes over 10 minutes, you lose valuable feedback time as every slot is capped at 20 minutes.
If you can't attend in person on June 22, there is an option to record your 10-minute audition, upload it to YouTube, then submit the link!
Click the button below to register for an audition!
Speaker Games Audition Rules and Procedures
Prepare a 10 minute speech on the topic of your choice
Speak between 10-11 minutes and if you hit 15 minutes you will be disqualified
We will have a timer visible for you when you audition to keep track of your time
Arrive at The Mill for your audition a few minutes early and sign in
Please wait outside the audition room for us to call you in
Nobody is allowed inside the audition except you and the judges
If you can't be there in person, you may submit a 10 minute video
Video auditions must be uploaded to YouTube and the link sent to us
Email your audition link to [email protected]
NO EDITS TO VIDEO ALLOWED! Send us the raw, unedited video only
Video submissions are due by noon on June 22, no exceptions or extensions
When preparing your speech make sure it has a story
Please keep your topic and language appropriate for audiences of all ages
We are looking for great storytelling, vocal variety, powerful pauses, and a lesson
Please remember to end with a call to action but no selling or free offers please
You can have slides if you like but be ready with your file open on your laptop
You can bring props on stage if you like
We will be giving you feedback for the time left after your speech (20 min slot)
Do not make excuses, explain your choices, or argue with the judges' feedback
Judges will be grading numerically on a list of qualities we are looking for
Those with the top 10 highest scores when added up will go on to the Finals
Winners will be announced on June 26 at The Studio and notified by email
You will receive one free ticket to the event if you audition for Speaker Games
Please ask your friends and family to purchase their admission tickets here
WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU PASS THE QUALIFYING ROUND?
You will advance with the other 9 finalists to The Speaker Games!
Advancement to Speaker Games
The top 10 auditions from the qualifying round will advance to the Speaker Games Finals, scheduled for July 13, 2024 and will pay the $500 entry fee before the 13th.
Speaker Games Date and Venue
Date: July 13, 2024
Venue: INDUSTRY SLC
650 S 500 W, Salt Lake City, UT 84101
Speaker Games Final Round Rules and Procedures
Prepare a 10-15 minute speech on the topic of your choice
Speak at least 10 minutes and no longer than 15 minutes or be disqualified for time
A timer will be visible to you from stage to help you stay within time
Please keep your topic and language appropriate for audiences of all ages
No sales pitches or free offers on stage
You will have a small booth to sell your product/service and get email addresses
No banners or signage on stage (but you can have them at your booth)
All prizes are non-transferable
You can have slides if you like
You can bring props on stage
Please provide us with a headshot and short bio (under 50 words)
You will be introduced by our emcees
Your speech will be professionally recorded and photographed
Don't block our photographer/videographer with friends & family taking video/pix
Do not make excuses, explain your choices, or argue with the judges' feedback
You will receive one free ticket to the event if you audition for Speaker Games
Please ask your friends and family to purchase their admission tickets here
Our judges will make their decision after the final speaker during a break
The winner will be announced at the end of the event so plan on staying all day
Meet Your Speaker Games Judges!
We are bringing in some of the best speakers around to judge your speech!
Ann Washburn
Ann Washburn is a dynamic and inspiring keynote speaker, body language specialist, TEDx presenter, member of the National Speakers Association, trainer, and mentor with 3 Key Elements.
Tony Acosta
Tony Acosta is head organizer for TEDx Timpview Drive in Utah County. He has coached dozens of speakers to TEDx success. His event has a 100% TEDx publish ratio which is extraordinary!
Kris Barney
Kris Barney is a leadership and communication keynote speaker, coach, author and trainer as well as a long-time member and past president the Mountain West Chapter of the National Speakers Association.
Speaker Games Entry Fee
Contestants who qualify for the Speaker Games will be asked to pay an entry fee of $500. Your fee includes the following:
Speaking Spot:
A 10-15 minute speaking slot in the competition to showcase your skills.Judges' Evaluation:
Each contestant will receive a detailed evaluation from our panel of judges, Ann Washburn, Tony Acosta, and Kris Barney!Professional Video Footage:
Professional video footage of your competition speech will be provided to you, an edited one AND your RAW footage too!Speaker Reel:
A professionally edited promotional video of your time on stage, perfect for showcasing your speaking prowess.Testimonial Videos:
Get 3 recorded testimonial videos talking about how great a speaker you are and how awesome your speech was!Photo Package:
Receive 10 professional photographs of you on stage speaking!
Vendor Hall Space:
Shared booth space in the vendor hall will be provided to contestants, allowing you to showcase your products and services to the audience.
WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU WIN SPEAKER GAMES?
The winner of Speaker Games will receive:
1. A free spot on the SpeakUp Hot Seat Cruise from 1/21 - 1/26/2025
2. A free keynote spot at the Business Game Changer Event, 9/21/2024
Register Now for the Qualifying Round!
Don't miss your chance to participate in Speaker Games and take your speaking career to the next level. Register for the qualifying round today and embark on a journey towards becoming a champion speaker! Click the button below to enter!
Our Venue: Industry, SLC
650 S 500 W, Salt Lake City, UT 84101
Just Want to Attend Speaker Games?
This venue is so amazing you're going to want to be there LIVE!
It's called Industry SLC and is the coolest place we have seen in a long time. Tickets are only $10 early bird online, and $20 at the door. Come see Ted Talk-quality speakers in an American Idol kind of setting! The excitement is going to be off the charts!
Click the button below to get your ticket today!
Want to VEND at Speaker Games?
This event is going to be filled with entrepreneurs, speakers, and awesome spectators here for all the fun. We want to expand the awesomeness by having the coolest vendor tables in the state! Early bird vendor booth fee is $150. It goes up to $250 after June 20.
We are running Facebook ads to help fill the venue which holds 150 people.
To apply for a vendor spot, click the button below!