What is a CSP or CPAE?

CPAE: Council of Peers Award for Excellence Speaker Hall of Fame

In February 1977, the National Speakers Association (NSA) established the
CPAE Speaker Hall of Fame to honor professional speakers who have reached
the top echelon of platform excellence.

Admission into the CPAE Speaker Hall of Fame is a lifetime award for
speaking excellence and professionalism. Inductees are evaluated by their
peers on the basis of speaking excellence and professionalism through a rigorous and demanding process. Each candidate must excel in seven categories: material, style, experience, delivery, image, professionalism and communication. The award is not based on celebrity status, number of speeches, amount of income or volunteer involvement in NSA.

To date, 156 men and women have been inducted into the CPAE Speaker Hall of Fame. Up to five new inductees are named each year at a gala celebration
held in conjunction with the NSA National Convention.

CSP: Certified Speaking Professional

What is CSP? The Certified Speaking Professional designation, established
in 1980 by the National Speakers Association (NSA), is the speaking profession's international measure of professional platform skill. CSP is conferred upon those meeting strict criteria, by the US- based National Speakers Association and by the National Speakers Association of Australia. The letters CSP following a speaker's name indicate a speaking professional with proven experience who understands what is required and knows how to deliver client satisfaction.

Why Should You Hire a CSP? It will make your job easier! The success of your meeting will be judged largely on the caliber, professionalism and
appropriateness of the topic and presenter(s) you select. Choosing a CSP
maximizes your opportunity of providing a speaker with a message that will
focus, elevate and enhance the mission of your meeting and stick firmly in
the memories, attitudes and action plans of your attendees.

How Many CSPs Are There? Less than 7% of the speakers who belong to the International Federation for Professional Speakers hold this professional
designation. The membership of the International Federation for Professional
Speakers is comprised of professional speaking associations worldwide. CSP
is the international standard that these associations agree represent
competence in the speaking profession.

What Benefit Does a CSP Bring to Your Meeting? A CSP brings a proven track record of continuing speaking experience and expertise. CSPs are committed to ongoing education, outstanding service and ethical behavior. CSPs offer wide varieties of approaches, topics and styles. Only you can determine which speaker will best fit your needs. A Certified Speaking Professional provides a solid place with which to begin your search.

What Are the Criteria? Every CSP must:

• Maintain membership and subscribe to the Code of Professional Ethics.
• Serve a minimum of 100 different clients within 5 years.
• Present a minimum of 250 professional speaking engagements within this same 5-year period.
• Submit testimonial letters from clients served.
• Submit professionally prepared promotional materials.
• Receive excellent ratings from past clients on professional performance evaluations.
• Continue education in the professional speaking field.

The Association: NSA, a member association of the International Federation
for Professional Speakers, is dedicated to advancing the art and value of
experts who speak professionally. The International Federation for Professional Speakers provides more than 5000 members with the resources and education designed to enhance the talent, ethics and business acumen of professional speakers. The CSP Certification is an indication that you are booking a committed professional who has a history of success with many audiences.