Contests

Step up your speaking and leadership skills by participating in contests.

30,000 Members!

That’s how many members participate in speech contests all around the world in Toastmasters.

Participating in Speech Contests provides you with an opportunity to grow as a communicator by challenging you to step up every aspect of your skills. It gives you an opportunity to hone your speaking skills to a greater degree and receive recognition in front of new audiences beyond your club. It’s also a chance to introduce new people to Toastmasters, hold a special event for your club, and develop organizational skills along the way.

Contest season begins with Club Contests conducted at the club level in February. Club winners advance to the Area Contests in March, Area winners to the Division Contests in April, and Division winners compete at the District 101 District Contests during the Annual Conference in May. The winner of the International Speech contest at the District level will have their recorded speech judged at the Quarterfinals. Those winners will advance to the Toastmasters International Convention in August where they give their speech live at the Semifinals in a battle for the title of World Champion of Public Speaking.

Challenge yourself and others in your club and participate in the speech and evaluation contests. You’ll be glad you did!

2024 Contests

District 101 offers two different speech contests each spring. This year, members will compete in the Evaluation Speech Contest on May 18, 2024 and the International Speech Contest on May 19, 2024.

Evaluation Speech

Contestants observe a 5-7 minute “test speech” and then present a 2-3 minute evaluation of that test speech.

International Speech

Contestants present a 5-7 minute speech on any subject they choose. The International Speech contest has three levels of competition beyond the District Contest: the Quarterfinals (video record of the District speech), the Semifinals, and the World Championship of Public Speaking® which occurs at the Toastmasters International Convention.

To be eligible to compete in the International Speech Contest, a member must have completed six speech projects in the Competent Communication manual or earned certificates of completion in Levels 1 and 2 of any path in the Toastmasters Pathways learning experience. However, a charter member of a club chartered less than one year before the club contest is permitted to compete without having completed this requirement. The club must have officially chartered before the area contest.

To be a chief judge, voting judge, or tie-breaking judge at a Toastmasters area, division, or district speech contest, the member must have completed a minimum of six speech projects in Competent Communication or have earned certificates of completion in Levels 1 and 2 of any path in the Toastmasters Pathways learning experience.

Contest Planning and Resources

Planning your speech contest involves preparation of your contest kit. Find the contest kit (handouts), rule book, FAQ, contest briefing documents, and editable scripts on our Contest Resources page.

All contests up to the District level are being held online

NO Area or Division Contests will be held in-person this year―all will be ONLINE only. District contests will be in the hybrid format. Contact the contest chair or Area/Division Director for specific information. You can find their information by clicking the “More Information” link for each contest.

Online Contest Resources are available on the Contest Resources page.

Area and Division Contest Schedule

Division A
Area/DivisionWhen
Division A Contest
More Information | Register
April 13
8:30-12:00pm
Area A1/A2/A3/A4 Contest
More Information
March 2
8:30-12:00pm
Division B
Area/DivisionWhen
Division B Contest
More Information | Register
April 11
6:30-9:00pm
Area B1/B2 Contest
More Information | Register
March 27
6:45-9:30pm
Area B3 Contest
More Information | Register
March 19
6:45-9:30pm
Area B4 Contest
More Information | Register
March 20
5:45-8:30pm
Area B5 Contest
More Information | Register
March 22
6:45-9:30pm
Area B6 Contest
More Information
March 2
10:30-1:00pm
Division C
Area/DivisionWhen
Division C Contest
More Information | Register
April 4
5:30-9:00pm
Area C1/C5 Contest
More Information
March 2
8:00-12:00pm
Area C2/C3 Contest
More Information
March 3
8:00-12:00pm
Area C4/C6 Contest
More Information
February 23
5:30-9:00pm
Area C1/C5 Contest
More Information
March 2
8:00-12:00pm
Area C4/C6 Contest
More Information
February 23
5:30-9:00pm
Division D
Area/DivisionWhen
Division D Contest
More Information | Register
April 13
8:30-11:30am
Area D1/D3/D4 Contest
More Information | Register
March 23
8:30-11:30am
Area D2/D5 Contest
More Information
March 7
5:30-9:15pm
Area D1/D3/D4 Contest
More Information | Register
March 23
8:30-11:30am
Area D2/D5 Contest
More Information
March 7
5:30-9:15pm
Division E
Area/DivisionWhen
Division E Contest
More Information | Register
April 6
8:40-12:00pm
Area E1/E2 Contest
More Information
March 16
8:45-12:00pm
Area E3/E6 Contest
More Information
March 2
8:45-12:00pm
Area E4 Contest
More Information
March 16
12:45-4:00pm
Area E5 Contest
More Information | Register
March 23
8:45-11:00am
Area E3/E6 Contest
More Information
March 2
8:45-12:00pm
Division G
Area/DivisionWhen
Division G Contest
More Information | Register
April 10
5:30-9:00pm
Area G1 Contest
More Information
March 8
5:30-9:00pm
Area G2/G3 Contest
More Information
March 4
5:30-9:00pm
Area G4/G5 Contest
More Information
March 7
5:30-9:00pm

District 101 Contest Finals

Past Winners

Other Possible Contests

Evaluation

Contestants observe a 5-7 minute “test speech” and then present a 2-3 minute evaluation of that test speech.

Humorous

Contestants present a 5-7 minute humorous speech that must be thematic in nature (opening, body, and closing), not a monologue (series of one-liners).

Tall Tales

Contestants present a 3-5 minute speech on a topic that is highly-exaggerated and improbable in theme or plot.

Table Topics

Contestants give a 1-2 minute impromptu speech based on a topic given to them when the contest chair introduces them. All contestants receive the same topic.

Questions?

Contact our Program Quality Director at quality@d101tm.org.