What is a Certified Speaking
Professional?
The Certified Speaking
Professional (CSP) designation, conferred by the National
Speakers Association and the International Federation for
Professional Speakers, is the speaking profession's
international measure of professional platform
skill. It is held by less than 600 people world-wide.
The CSP designation is
earned through demonstrating competence in a combination of
standards:
- Professional
platform skills;
- Professional
business management;
- Professional
education; and
- Professional
association.
Speakers must be
members of NSA or another IFFPS organization for at least
three years and complete a rigorous application process to
earn the CSP designation.
Meeting Professionals:
Certified Speaking Professionals Make Your Job Easier!
Think the caliber of
presenters you select for your event is important?
Professional speakers
who have earned the CSP designation bring a proven track
record of experience and expertise to your meeting.
As speakers go through
the five-year process of becoming certified, they are
required to:
- Receive excellent
ratings from past clients on performance evaluations;
- Demonstrate that
they serve a wide variety of clients;
- Take part in
ongoing education;
- Perform and
document hundreds of presentations;
- Submit
testimonial letters from their clients; and
- Provide samples
of their promotional materials.
What Do People Who Hire Speakers Say About the Certified
Speaking Professional?
"When I see the CSP designation, I recognize it as
the hallmark of a speaking professional who has met the
impressive and high expectations required to earn the
certification. Our audiences have never been disappointed in
the powerful, relevant messages delivered in educational
sessions conducted by CSPs."
Nancy A. Woolever, PHR
Society of Human Resource Management
"CSP is an
insurance policy toward the meeting planner's success. The
CSP designation is a qualifier in the mind of the astute
planner."
Brad Plumb
North American Speakers Bureau, Inc.
"I am a CMP (Certified Meeting Professional). I believe
strongly in designations. It says you are committed to the
profession. When I have equal speakers, I will take the CSP
first over the non-CSP. Yes, CSP does make a difference in
selecting speakers."
Betty E. Garrett, CMP
Garrett Speakers International
"You know CSPs have achieved a certain discipline
that puts them in a category all their own; they have passed
the test of longevity; they have proven themselves. It makes
a difference today and will continue to make a difference in
the meetings industry."
Marolyn Wright
Program Resources
"When I have a choice of a speaker who is a CSP or
not, I will select the speaker who is a CSP."
Michelle Lemmons
International Speakers Bureau, Inc.
"I always consider the CSP designation the hallmark
of professional excellence. The CSPs that we have selected
have never disappointed our audiences."
Barbara S. Sadek
The Society for Human Resources Management
"It's truly an indication that a speaker has
achieved a higher level of professionalism. It's something
we look for first. I reduce my risk by hiring someone with a
CSP."
William Bess
Mfgrs. Representatives of America
