National Speakers Association

What National Speakers Association does

The National Speakers Association (NSA) is a private, nonprofit professional membership association that has served professional speakers for nearly 50 years. NSA provides professional development, certifications, events, and a curated business ecosystem to help professional speakers — including keynote speakers, trainers, authors, consultants, and coaches — convert their expertise into profitable and scalable businesses. Its core product surface comprises the annual membership (priced at $988/year), the NSA Digital Vault (an on-demand LMS hosting member-exclusive courses, contracts, templates, and training resources), professional designations (Certified Speaking Professional / CSP, held by roughly 17% of members, and the lifetime CPAE Speaker Hall of Fame award), and a portfolio of national events including the Influence Conference, Thrive Winter Workshop, Activate online conference, CSP/CPAE Summit, and the Youth Leadership Conference for ages 10–17.

NSA's business model is membership-subscription-led, diversified across five revenue streams: annual membership dues ($988/year, recurring), event registration fees with tiered member/non-member pricing, CSP certification application and renewal fees (one-time and 3-year recurring), sponsorship and advertising packages priced from $250 to $250,000, and marketplace referral/affiliate fees from vetted partners (including a disclosed 20% revenue share on Intel Engine sales). Distribution is primarily direct via the nsaspeaker.org website, phone (480.968.2552), and email, supplemented by a network of 30+ U.S. local chapters and global outreach through the Global Speakers Federation. The organization operates from Minneapolis, Minnesota with a small professional staff (11–50 employees) and is led by President & CEO Jaime Nolan, CAE, with governance provided by a member-elected Board of Directors.

The association leverages a horizontal segmentation strategy targeting professional speakers as its primary persona, alongside secondary segments in authors, trainers, consultants, coaches, and youth leaders. Its go-to-market is community-led, driven by referrals, member testimonials, local chapters, and the cultural differentiator of "Abundant Generosity" — a positioning where competitors actively help one another succeed. The competitive moat is reinforced by intangible assets (50-year brand, CPAE and Cavett awards, CSP designation), network effects across tens of thousands of members, and ecosystem lock-in through the Digital Vault and NSA Marketplace partner discounts.

Name

National Speakers Association

Legal name

National Speakers Association

Website

https://nsaspeaker.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1977

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The National Speakers Association is a nonprofit professional membership association serving tens of thousands of professional speakers through an annual $988 membership that delivers the Digital Vault LMS, CSP/CPAE certifications, national events, local chapters, and a curated marketplace of vetted business tools and partner discounts.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Association Services

NAICS

Professional Organizations (81392), Business Associations (813910)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Corporate/Professional Public Speaking Training (Presentation Skills) (EDAMAOAJ)

akta.pro secondary industry

Executive Summits & Invitation-Only Forums (MPAGAGAK)

Keywords

• Professional speakers association
• Speaker industry certification
• Membership association services
• Professional development speakers
• Speaking business resources

Headquarters

HQ city

Tempe

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership fee of $988 providing access to Digital Vault, member pricing on events, business growth training, community groups, health and business benefits, and marketplace discounts
2. Event Registration Fees: Reduced rates for members on conferences including Influence, Thrive Winter Workshop, Activate, and CSP/CPAE Summit. National events travel throughout the United States with partnership packages ranging from $250 to $250,000
3. CSP Certification: CSP application fees: $375 for NSA/GSF members, $988 for non-members. Renewal fees: $135 for members, $325 for non-members. Three-year renewal cycle with 15 education credits required
4. Sponsorship and Advertising: Partnership opportunities including sponsorship, exhibiting, and advertising at national events with packages ranging from $250 to $250,000
5. Referral Fees: NSA receives referral fees from marketplace partners (e.g., Intel Engine receives 20% of membership sales) and small referral fees from some business tool partnerships

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

The National Speakers Association (NSA) is a professional membership association for paid professional speakers, established in 1973. It provides members with education, networking, certification (CSP), industry recognition (CPAE Hall of Fame, Cavett Award), and business resources through annual conferences, local chapters, and an online learning platform called the NSA Digital Vault.

Product overview

The National Speakers Association (NSA) is a professional membership association that has operated for nearly 50 years, offering a comprehensive ecosystem of products and services designed to help professional speakers be better speakers and build better businesses. The core offerings include the annual NSA Membership ($988/year) which provides access to the NSA Digital Vault (on-demand learning platform with contracts, templates, and training), exclusive event pricing, networking programs, and business tools. NSA also offers prestigious professional designations including the Certified Speaking Professional (CSP) — held by approximately 17% of members — and the CPAE Speaker Hall of Fame lifetime award. The association runs multiple national events including the Influence Conference, Thrive Winter Workshop, Activate Online Conference, and CSP/CPAE Summit, plus the Youth Leadership Conference for ages 10-17 and the Last Story Standing storytelling competition. Additional offerings include the NSA Marketplace (partner discounts on business tools like Zoom and Constant Contact), the Speakernomics podcast, the Voices of Experience Blog, networking programs (Mic Swap, Speakers Open Mic, Community Groups, New Member Cohorts), healthcare benefits through the NSA Health Trust, and access to local chapters across the United States.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• NSA Digital Vault: Comprehensive collection of online knowledge, wisdom, courses, resources, and tools for members available on demand
• NSA Influence
• NSA Thrive Winter Workshop
• NSA Activate
• Last Story Standing
• Voices of Experience Blog
• Speakernomics
• Professional Speakers Celebration Day

Products and services

• NSA Membership

Quantifiable outcome

• Members report achieving $1,000,000+ revenue milestones and maintaining them after implementing ideas learned at NSA events
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

AI capability1 record

Feature2 records

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• ZoomcoreTechnology or IntegrationNSA offers two powerful Zoom subscription options at special pricing for members, saving hundreds of dollars a year on meetings, events, scheduling, and phone. This benefit alone more than recoups membership investment.
• Constant ContactcoreTechnology or IntegrationNSA members eligible for up to 25% off Constant Contact marketing software plans. Partnership helps speakers take marketing to next level.
• eSpeakerscoreTechnology or IntegrationOnly platform that allows event organizers to complete entire booking process online. Helps members optimize online exposure and automate speaking business.
• TalkadotcoreTechnology or IntegrationSpeaking tool to collect testimonials, capture leads and referrals, and generate booking opportunities. Partnership between NSA and Talkadot provides valuable speaking lead capture tools.
• PEEP InsuranceminorOthers$1,000,000 general liability insurance available for as low as $225 annually through PEEP Insurance.
• Actors Federal Credit UnionminorOthersCredit union that understands speakers' non-traditional business models. NSA members can open accounts.
• Brand Builders GroupminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerHelps speakers enhance personal brands and maximize impact through tailored coaching. Focus on strategic positioning and monetization.
• Superstar Activator (Michelle Villalobos)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerWorks with professional speakers to add recurring revenue through masterminds and group programs. Offers Big Back End Breakthrough Program and Performance Academy.
• Lois CreamerminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerBook More Business - Helps speakers monetize message with proven sales tactics and smart marketing strategies to book more gigs, raise fees, and boost bottom line.
• Rock the Room (Victoria Labalme)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerHall of Fame Speaker helps speakers unlock hidden genius and deliver original, high-impact, unforgettable presentations.
• Overnight Success StudiosminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerTurns expertise into polished podcasts, digital courses, webinars, social media content, and virtual events that build authority and grow audience.
• Beck Audio Visual ServicesminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerHigh-impact audio-visual services for live and virtual events. Helps speakers deliver seamless events that elevate their brand.
• Cathy FyockminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerThe Business Book Strategist helps professionals write nonfiction books about their expertise. Has helped 275+ professionals become published authors since 2014.
• Live on Purpose (Dr. Paul Jenkins)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPositivity Practitioner Certification - 90-day mindset mastery program equipping speakers with science-backed tools. NSA members save $500.
• Speech on a Beach (The Edwards Group)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerApplied neuroscience retreat creating unforgettable audience experiences that drive repeat bookings and referrals. NSA members receive significant discount.
• High Point UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPremier Life Skills University partner helping speakers build thriving speaking businesses that inspire students and adults.
• Global Speakers FederationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNSA is a member of GSF, the global association of professional speaking associations. GSF organizes Professional Speakers Celebration Day (March 14) and connects 17 international speaking associations.
• Youth Speaker UminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner supporting youth speaking and leadership development programs.
• GoStudioC.com (Molly Wendell, CSP)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner since 2015. Helps speakers, coaches, and consultants increase business with new revenue streams.
• BoldHaus.com (Angelique Rewers)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner since 2019. World-class team, community, and events partner.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Toastmasters International: Global nonprofit with hundreds of thousands of members focused on public speaking and leadership skill development. Comparable as a membership-driven speaking/leadership organization, though its core focus is amateur skill-building rather than professional speaking business development.
• Meeting Professionals International (MPI): Largest association for meeting and event professionals globally. Comparable as an adjacent event-industry association whose members (meeting planners) are key customers of professional speakers, creating a demand-side mirror to NSA's supply-side community.
• International Association of Speakers Bureaus (IASB): Trade association for speakers bureaus that broker bookings between professional speakers and event buyers. Comparable as an adjacent industry association serving the same professional speaking ecosystem from the intermediary/bureau side.

Direct peers

• Global Speakers Federation: Umbrella federation of 17 international professional speaking associations of which NSA is a member. Directly comparable as a peer organization serving the same professional speaking constituency, though operating as an aggregator rather than a single-country membership body.
• Canadian Association of Professional Speakers (CAPS): Canadian counterpart to NSA serving professional speakers north of the border. Directly comparable as a national professional speakers association with similar membership, certification (CSP), and event offerings in a different geography.
• Professional Speaking Association (UK/Ireland): UK-based membership association for professional speakers, keynote speakers, and trainers. Directly comparable as a national professional speakers association offering membership, accreditation, and events in a different geography.

Emerging players

• eSpeakers: Technology platform for professional speakers covering directory listings, booking, and business automation. Comparable as a serving vendor to the same professional speaker market, with partial overlap through NSA's marketplace partnership and member directory competition.

Regional players

• National Speakers Association of India: Indian counterpart to NSA serving professional speakers in the Indian market. Comparable as a national professional speakers association with similar mission and structure in a different geography.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/nsaspeaker
• Facebookfacebook.com/6052426057
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/national-speakers-association

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments1 record

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about National Speakers Association