2/13/2026
Editors: Rebecca Morgan & Ken Braly
See “About SpeakerNet News” at the end for information on how to submit tips and use this newsletter. Remember, your “dues” for this free ezine are submitting two tips a quarter. Send your best tips to editor@SpeakerNetNews.com.
SpeakerNet News Sponsors
From the Editors
It’s Our 30th Anniversary, and You Get the Gift!
We can hardly believe it — SpeakerNet News has been around for 30 years! Time has flown, and we’re so grateful to everyone who’s been part of the journey.
To celebrate, we want to give YOU a gift: Enjoy 30% off any and all recordings on our website.
This special offer is good for the first 30 orders we receive in the next 30 days (see what we did there?)!
Looking for fresh insights and tools to grow your business? Explore our program recordings and our intensives. You’ll find:
- In-depth interviews on how speakers are using AI to land more engagements
- Tips for writing a quality book fast
- Proven ways to sell more products and services
- Strategies to position yourself as a thought leader
- And much more
Don’t miss out — wisdom from legends past and present awaits.
Use coupon code SNN30 at checkout to claim your 30% discount.
Thank you for being part of our community for 30 incredible years!
SNN Webcast Info
Thursday, February 19
A Veteran Meeting Pro Spills the Beans
on What Makes a Spectacular, Memorable,
and Referable Speaker (webcast)
with Megan Denhardt, CAE
If you wanted to hire an outstanding speaker, who would you turn to for advice? Most likely someone who had spent many years hiring speakers.
Similarly, if you wanted to BE an outstanding speaker, you’d probably want to talk with that same person, because their years of experience would have taught them what makes a speaker outstanding.
In our next webcast, you will hear from someone who has worked with the entire range of speakers, from the truly memorable to the truly forgettable. To ensure you stay in that first group, don’t miss this program.
Read more about this session at the bottom of this newsletter, then register for the live program or pre-order the recording.
Note: Everyone who registers for the live webcast session or orders the recording will get a link to the recorded video of the online webcast, as well as the audio MP3 for convenient re-listening.
Review of SNN webcasts:
- “Rebecca is a superb moderator and brings out the full value of the guest.” —Roy Terry
Miscellaneous Tips
Quick laryngitis recovery plan — Brenda Bence
Twenty-four hours before a big presentation, I lost my voice. I couldn’t even whisper. I needed a clear, blow-by-blow recovery plan — fast. I asked ChatGPT for an hour-by-hour action plan to get my voice back on time. By following the plan carefully, less than 24 hours later my voice was back ~95%. Phew!
Here’s the foundation of the recovery to-do list:
- Absolute vocal rest (no talking — and no whispering)
- Shower steam breathing (hotel-friendly “steam room” hack)
- Warm saltwater gargles
- Constant warm water sipping (small sips, all day)
- Honey in warm water (soothing + coating)
- Head elevated while sleeping
- No throat clearing (sip/swallow instead)
- No chocolate/alcohol/spicy food
- Mic strategy at the venue: turned the volume up so I didn’t push my voice
Sometimes the win is simply having a plan and sticking to it like your reputation depends on it.
 |
Get inspired and learn expert tips to greatly improve your slides in the “Scintillating Slides: Create Visuals as Fabulous as You Are” webshop with Rebecca Morgan, CSP, CMC, CVP, VMP. Register for half price before 3/31, and special 2-for-1 deal! |
Technology Tips
ChatGPT as your one-stop digital sidekick — Julie Holmes
ChatGPT just entered its “app store era.” You can now enable tools like Coursera, Canva, and Expedia inside ChatGPT — meaning your AI can teach, design, or even book your next trip without ever leaving the chat. Once you’ve got it turned on (Settings — Apps — Enable), try this: type “Coursera, teach me about innovation,” and watch as it pulls real Coursera lessons and video summaries right into your conversation. Or say, “Expedia, find me a weekend trip to Lisbon,” and it’ll start building your getaway.
Heads-up: access is still limited in the UK and EU (VPN, anyone?). But once it fully rolls out, expect an explosion of new apps that connect to your favorite tools. ChatGPT’s not just answering questions anymore, it’s angling to be your one-stop digital sidekick.
Travel Tips
Foldable hot/cold water bottle — Rebecca Morgan
Do you want a lightweight water bottle for your travels that can accommodate both cold and hot liquids? Something less bulky than a metal coffee thermos, and sturdier than a Starbucks cup, so you don’t spill it when boarding the plane? I found this foldable one that comes with a carabiner and a sleeve to protect your hand from hot liquid. You could also use it for a hot or cold pack if needed on your trip.
Topic of the Month (TOTM) — Your Input Wanted
Our TOTM is: What redundant items (back-ups) do you bring when traveling — especially for long trips?
Send your brief, pithy responses *that are different from those previously mentioned* to editor@SpeakerNetNews.com. Please put “Topic of the Month” or “TOTM” in the subject line.
- Portable battery charger
- Extra USB storage device
- Extra charging cables (sharing is being a good neighbor)
- Hard copy book in my carry-on. No power needed.
SpeakerNet News Webcast Info
Thursday, February 19
A Veteran Meeting Pro Spills the Beans
on What Makes a Spectacular, Memorable,
and Referable Speaker (webcast)
with Megan Denhardt, CAE
Would you like to know what meeting professionals say makes an outstanding speaker? One that is memorable long after the check has cleared? One that creates raving fans and many referrals?
What about speakers’ behaviors (before, during, and after the talk) that drive meeting pros crazy? What will ensure you’ll never be invited back or referred?
We’ve asked a veteran meeting professional to spill the beans. Megan will share what she’s experienced from some of the best — and worst — speakers.
You will learn:
- Uncommon behaviors that make a speaker truly special and memorable
- Mistakes you may not even know are annoying and will cost you business
- Ways to ensure you and your message are remembered not just days, weeks, or months after the talk, but years — and perhaps decades.
Note: Everyone who registers for the live webcast session or orders the recording will get a link to the recorded video of the online webcast, as well as the audio MP3 for convenient re-listening.
Date: Thursday, February 19
Time: 7:00 pm Eastern, 6 pm Central, 5 pm Mountain, 4 pm Pacific
(Enter your location here to get your local time)
Length: 60 minutes
Cost: $49 (webcast)
Special Limited-Time Offer:
If you would like more ideas for building your speaking business, we’re suggesting the recordings of several earlier programs to complement this program:
- “Selling to the Corporate Market: The Who, What and How of It” with Mitchell Goozé, CSP
- “Strategies for Attracting High-Payoff, Long-Term, Repeat Clients” with Paul Goldner, CSP
With your order of this live or recorded session, at checkout you will be offered these recordings.
About SpeakerNet News and the Editors/Publishers
- Publishers — Rebecca L. Morgan, CSP, CMC, CVP, VMP, and Ken Braly
- Please respond directly to the person posting an item.
- How to submit tips or questions for publication.
- How to advertise to our readers.
- To unsubscribe or change your address, click the link at the end of this newsletter.
- To subscribe, go here.
- The latest three issues are posted on the SNN website.
- Although we are proud to be long-term members, SpeakerNet News is not affiliated with the National Speakers Association.
Copyright note: Submission of an email message or artwork affirms that you are able to and have given us non-exclusive permission to reprint the content of your message in all forms, electronic or otherwise, in all languages throughout the world.
Copyright ©2026 SpeakerNet News. Permission must be granted to reprint any item (other than your own posting).