CONTESTS

2026-2027 Contests

District 30 Speech Contests celebrate excellence in communication and leadership by providing members with the opportunity to showcase their speaking skills, inspire audiences, and advance through the Toastmasters contest process. These events strengthen member engagement, recognize achievement, foster learning through observation and evaluation, and unite clubs, areas, divisions, and the District in a shared commitment to personal growth and excellence.

Features

  • Showcases the District’s top speakers in a structured, professional competition.
  • Provides members with opportunities to compete and advance through contest levels.
  • Demonstrates outstanding communication, storytelling, and presentation techniques.
  • The International Speech Contest leads up to a large audience venue representing contestants from around the world to be awarded the World Champion of Public Speaking 

Benefits

  • Inspires members to pursue excellence in public speaking and leadership.
  • Encourages continuous learning by observing accomplished speakers.
  • Builds confidence, resilience, and poise in contestants.
  • Strengthens relationships and collaboration across clubs and divisions.
  • Promotes member recognition, engagement, and pride in the District and the Toastmasters experience.

Categories

  • Humorous Speech Contest
  • Table Topics Speech Contest (Impromptu Speaking)
  • Evaluation Speech Contest
  • International Speech Contest (Projecting a Global Message)
  • Tall Tales Speech Contest
  • Online Speech Contest

Contest Schedule

DateArea EventLeadLocationDoors OpenStart Time or 1st Place TT WinnerEnd Time or 1st Place ISC Winner
Thursday, February 19, 2026B21AD Cheryl DudaHarper College, building D, room D-193Susan HaslwanterSeung-Hee Kyung-Lee
Tuesday, February 24, 2026B22PQd, DivD, AD Harper College, building D, room D-193
Dave KlugeAlan Steiner
Wednesday, February 25, 2026B24 Kerroy CampbellHarper College, building D, room D-193Rob HerrmannSusan Woods
Thursday, February 26, 2026D34 AD Flora WuDes Plaines Library, 1501 Ellinwood St, Des Plaines, IL 60016Barbara LaaneBrian Huang
Saturday, February 28, 2026B23Muxiang PajerskiSchaumburg Library, Central Library
130 South Roselle Road,Schaumburg, IL 60193
Adult Classroom
Sherry GeiwaldRudy Segovia
Monday, March 2, 2026D31Natalie Mylinskicontact D31@D30Toastmasters.orgCancelledCancelled
Wednesday, March 4, 2026E62Steve SundstromOne Rotary Center, 1560 Sherman Ave., Evanston, IL 60201Mark ParnabyDheeraj Raina
Sunday, March 22 before E61E64Ted SpieserChicago Public Library - Roden Branch, 6083 N Northwest Highway, Norwood ParkConfirm with PQD and E64@D30Toastmasters.org
Saturday, March 7, 2026W74ManiCancelledCancelledCancelled
Monday, March 9, 2026N42Lori Grauer
N42@D30Toastmasters.org
Gurnee Police Department 100 O'Plaine Rd, Gurnee, IL 600316:00PMJeff SteinSue Karmas
Saturday, March 19, 2026N43John Labbe
N43@D30Toastmasters.org
Lake Villa Public Library5:30:00 PM6:00:00 PM
Wednesday, March 11, 2026D32Stan WertelkaCancelledCancelledCancelledCancelled
Saturday, March 14, 2026W71VenkataNaper Blvd Library - 2035 S. Naper Blvd. 605652:00:00 PM
Saturday, March 19, 2026N41Bonnie SweetLake Villa Public Library5:30:00 PM6:00:00 PM
Saturday, March 19, 2026N44Glenn SuttonLake Villa Public Library5:30:00 PM6:00:00 PM
Saturday, March 21, 2026W73Marian StrickerNaperville 95th Street Library3:00PM4:30P
Sunday, March 22, 2026E61Stella LorensChicago Public Library - Roden Branch, 6083 N Northwest Highway, Norwood Park1:00PM
Monday, March 23, 2026E63Sabeel AhmedUnity Islamic Center, 8944 Austin Ave, Morton Grove6:00PM7:00PM
Saturday, March 21, 2026W72Craig LloydNaperville 95th Public Library2:00PM3:00PM
Sunday, March 22, 2026D33Chicago Public Library - Roden Branch, 6083 N Northwest Highway, Norwood Parkcontact PQD@D30Toastmasters.org for location
Sunday, March 29, 2026Division Contests Begin for Tall Tales and International SpeechN/A
Saturday, April 11, 2026Division DStan Wertelka​Harper , Z10211AM
Saturday, April 11, 2026Division BDon WIlliamsHarper College Z building, room Z-102.noon3:00:00 PM
Saturday, April 18, 2026Division NLiz HutsonGurnee Police Department 100 O'Plaine Rd, Gurnee, IL 600318:30:00 AM9:00 AM12:00:00 PM
Saturday, April 18, 2026Division WPQD, DivDNaperville Public Library, 95th Street1:00PM
Sunday, April 19, 2026Division ESyedMuslim Education Center, 8601 Menard Ave, Morton Grove1:00PM5:00PM
Wednesday, May 6, 2026District 30 Online Speech ContestPatti / Johnhttps://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/6pItBZGETii_XUvryRYBuQ
7:00PN9:00:00 PM
Friday, May 8, 2026District Conference – Day 1-Tall TalesHarper College, Wojcik Center-Bldg W
1200 West Algonquin Road Palatine, IL 60067
Saturday, May 9, 2026District Conference – Day 2-ISCHarper College, Wojcik Center-Bldg W
1200 West Algonquin Road Palatine, IL 60067
DateDivision EventLeadLocationDoors OpenStart Time or 1st Place TT WinnerEnd Time or 1st Place ISC Winner
Sunday, March 29, 2026Division Contests Begin for Tall Tales and International SpeechN/A
Saturday, April 11, 2026Division DStan Wertelka​Harper , Z10211AM
Saturday, April 11, 2026Division BDon WIlliamsHarper College Z building, room Z-102.noon3:00:00 PM
Saturday, April 18, 2026Division NLiz HutsonGurnee Police Department 100 O'Plaine Rd, Gurnee, IL 600318:30:00 AM9:00 AM12:00:00 PM
Saturday, April 18, 2026Division WPQD, DivDNaperville Public Library, 95th Street1:00PM
Sunday, April 19, 2026Division ESyedMuslim Education Center, 8601 Menard Ave, Morton Grove1:00PM5:00PM
Wednesday, May 6, 2026District 30 Online Speech ContestPatti / Johnhttps://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/6pItBZGETii_XUvryRYBuQ
7:00PN9:00:00 PM
Friday, May 8, 2026District Conference – Day 1-Tall TalesHarper College, Wojcik Center-Bldg W
1200 West Algonquin Road Palatine, IL 60067
Saturday, May 9, 2026District Conference – Day 2-ISCHarper College, Wojcik Center-Bldg W
1200 West Algonquin Road Palatine, IL 60067

District 2025-2026 Winners

District 30

Online Speech ContestSusan WoodsEH2Arlington Heights Club5/4/2026
Tall TalesRob HermannPM1Mount Prospect Club5/8/2026
International Speech ContestRudy SegoviaDTMNorthwest Surburban Club5/9/2026

District 103

Contest 1WinnerTitleClub NameDate
Contest 2WinnerTitleClub NameDate
Contest 3WinnerTitleClub NameDate

Meet the winners

District 30 has a long history of mentoring, supporting, and producing remarkable speakers.

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