Behind the Speech - Crafting for the Competition
🎤 Behind the Speech: Crafting for the Competition
From the World Championship Stage to Your Stage!
An Exclusive Toastmasters Workshop
Featuring Martin Presse and Sharookh Daroowala, DTM
Hosted and Organized by Shivain Maini | Quay Speakers Toastmasters Club
📅 Date: Wednesday, December 1, 2026
🕔 Time: 5:15 PM – 7:15 PM
📍 Venue: The Versatile Room, 113 E 3rd Street, Unit #111, North Vancouver, BC
What Does It Takes to Craft a Championship-Level Speech?
What makes a speech stand out? Is it the story, the structure, the message, the delivery—or the countless hours of preparation behind the scenes?
What if you could not only experience a speech created for the World Championship stage but also discover exactly how it was developed, why it worked, and how an experienced finalist would evaluate it?
Join us for Behind the Speech: Crafting for the Competition, a unique, interactive Toastmasters workshop featuring two accomplished championship-level speakers: Martin Presse and Sharookh Daroowala, DTM.
This workshop takes you beyond the performance and into the thinking, creativity, techniques, and preparation behind compelling public speaking.
🎙️ Part 1: The Speech and the Story Behind It
Featuring Martin Presse
5–7 Minute Competition Speech + 10–15 Minute Behind-the-Scenes Breakdown
Martin will begin by delivering his World Championship semifinal speech, allowing members to experience the storytelling, delivery, and techniques that helped him reach the semifinal stage.
Then comes the real learning!
Martin will take us behind the scenes of his creative process, revealing how he transformed an idea into a compelling competition speech.
He'll explore:
The Strategy: How to approach crafting a speech with a clear goal and purpose.
• The Message: How to identify the central point you want your audience to remember.
The Opening: How to create a memorable beginning that immediately grabs attention.
The Story: How to find the right story and make it meaningful and engaging.
- The Creative Process: How he developed, structured, and refined his semifinal speech.
- The Practice: How he rehearsed, adjusted, and prepared for the competition stage.
Lessons Learned: What worked for him and the insights other speakers can use.
You'll discover that a compelling speech doesn't happen by accident. It is carefully crafted through strategy, storytelling, preparation, and purposeful practice.
🎙️ Part 2: Through the Eyes of a World Championship Finalist
Featuring Sharookh Daroowala, DTM
5–7 Minute Speech Evaluation + 10-Minute Championship Insights and Practical Tips
Following Martin's presentation, Sharookh will deliver a detailed 5–7 minute evaluation of the speech.
He will examine what made it effective, highlight areas where it could be strengthened, and demonstrate how thoughtful evaluation can take an already strong speech to another level.
But there's more!
Sharookh wil then draw on his own experience of reaching the 2014 World Championship of Public Speaking finals in Malaysia.
He'll share:
• What he learned from competing at the world championship level.
• Key techniques for crafting and delivering memorable speeches.
• What judges and audiences may notice in a competition speech.
• How to strengthen your message, storytelling, and audience connection.
• Practical tools & tips for speakers to prepare for their next speech or contest.
This is an opportunity to gain insights from someone who has experienced the journey to the World Championship finals firsthand.
💬 Part 3: Interactive Q&A — Ask the Champions!
Have you ever wanted to ask a championship-level speaker how they find their stories, overcome creative challenges, prepare for competitions, or improve their delivery?
Now is your chance!
We'll wrap up with an interactive question-and-answer session with Martin and Sharookh, giving members an opportunity to ask questions, explore techniques, and gain advice relevant to their own speaking journeys.
🌟 Why Should You Join? What's in It for You?
Because great speeches aren't just delivered. They're crafted.
Whether you're delivering your first Toastmasters speech, working through a Pathways project, preparing for a contest, or simply wanting to become a more engaging communicator, this workshop offers something valuable.
• See the complete process: Experience a competition speech and then discover the thinking and preparation that went into it.
• Learn how to craft your own speech: Gain practical strategies for finding stories, developing messages, and building a compelling structure.
• Create memorable moments: Discover techniques for powerful openings, meaningful storytelling, and stronger audience connections.
• Improve your evaluation skills: Learn how an experienced evaluator identifies strengths and offers constructive feedback.
• Get insider championship insights: Hear firsthand lessons, strategies, and practical advice from a World Championship finalist.
• Ask questions and get answers: Bring your speaking challenges and learn directly from experienced speakers.
• Grow beyond Toastmasters: Apply these skills to workplace presentations, interviews, leadership opportunities, and everyday communication.
The Biggest Takeaway?
You won't just watch a great speech. You'll learn how to build one, how to improve one, and how to make your own speeches more memorable.
Meet Our Featured Speakers
Martin Presse
Award-Winning Keynote Speaker | Leadership Trainer | President of Booya Seminars
Martin Presse is an award-winning keynote speaker and leadership trainer with more than 30 years of experience developing people and strengthening organizations.
After more than 20 years working in healthcare IT, Martin transitioned into professional speaking, helping managers and emerging leaders develop stronger communication, emotional intelligence, resilience, and leadership skills.
Known for his engaging storytelling, humor, and commanding stage presence, Martin also brings experience as a stand-up comedian who has performed across Western Canada.
His signature keynote, Commit to Your Swing, combines humor, practical wisdom, and memorable leadership lessons.
At this workshop, Martin will share his World Championship semifinal speech and reveal the process behind crafting and preparing it.
Sharookh Daroowala, DTM
2014 World Championship Finalist | TEDx Speaker Coach | Distinguished Toastmaster
Sharookh Daroowala is one of British Columbia's most decorated Toastmasters.
He reached the finals of the 2014 World Championship of Public Speaking in Malaysia and is a two-time District 21 International Speech Contest Champion, as well as a District 21 Table Topics and Evaluation Champion.
His achievements include the prestigious Toastmaster of the Year Award and the Dr. Ralph Yorsh Legacy Award for Outstanding Leadership.
As a TEDx speaker coach and experienced evaluator, Sharookh brings valuable expertise in speech development, storytelling, delivery, and helping speakers connect with their audiences.
He will share an educational speech evaluation along with practical tools, tips, and lessons from his own World Championship journey.
Two Championship-Level Speakers. One Unforgettable Learning Experience.
Watch the speech. Discover the strategy. Understand the evaluation. Learn from the experience. Ask your questions.
Whether your goal is to compete, inspire, lead, or simply become a better speaker, this event is designed to give you tools you can take straight to the stage.
Mark Your Calendar!
Wednesday, December 1, 2026
5:15 PM – 7:15 PM
The Versatile Room
113 E 3rd Street, Unit #111, North Vancouver, BC
Organized and Hosted by Shivain Maini
Quay Speakers Toastmasters Club
Come curious. Leave inspired. Craft your next speech with confidence!