From Page to Podium: A White House Speechwriting Masterclass

In this six-hour, interactive, multimedia workshop, Terry Szuplat shares the lessons he’s learned in his nearly 30 years of speechwriting, including nearly eight years as a White House speechwriter for President Barack Obama – lessons he captured in the national bestseller Say It Well: Find Your Voice, Speak Your Mind, Inspire Any Audience.

Terry brings workshop participants inside the West Wing, goes behind-the-scenes of writing presidential addresses and guides participants through every step of the speechwriting process—from the page to the podium—to help speakers connect with their audiences and inspire their organizations, companies, and communities to action.

During the morning session, Terry:

• Shares his journey as a speechwriter, from an intern for President Bill Clinton’s foreign policy speechwriters to a foreign policy speechwriter for President Obama, when he wrote nearly 500 speeches during presidential visits to more than 40 countries;

• Discusses “What a Presentation Really Is…” – how speeches, unlike many other forms of communication, are meant to be heard and experienced and how speechwriters can prepare unforgettable performances rooted in the unique stories and experiences of the speaker.

• Identifies what every speaker and writer should “Know Before We Write,” including the values of the audience, the unique voice of the speaker, the importance of scene and narrative arc and the power of vivid storytelling.

During the afternoon session, Terry:

• Shares the “Elements of Speechwriting” that allow speeches to soar – from beginning, middle to end – including the importance of speaking from one’s heart, to the hearts of the audience, writing for the ear, simplicity, and truth-telling;

• Guides participants in applying these lessons by drafting an actual speech in real-time, culminating with presentations where speeches are shared so that participants leave the workshop with practical steps they can apply in their professional and personal lives.

Cancellation Policy

If you can’t make any of our conferences, we’ll do our best to transfer your payment to a future conference. It’s not in our interests to disappoint you in any way.

Bookings will not be accepted unless accompanied by payment and cancellations must be received no later than one month (28 days) before the conference if a full refund is to be given.

Cancellations received within 2 to 4 weeks of the first date of conference will be refunded 50%. No refunds will be given for cancellations made within 14 days.

However, we prefer to discuss transferring your ticket to a future conference in the event that you can’t attend due to unforeseen circumstances.

Get to Cambridge

Air

London Stansted Airport

This is the closest major airport, about 25 miles from Cambridge (40 minutes by car). It is well served by airlines flying from European destinations. For flight information try the BAA Stansted website or contact the airlines directly (budget airlines easyJet and Ryanair operate direct flights to Stansted from many European airports).

London Heathrow Airport
Many airlines fly to London Heathrow. The easiest way to get to Cambridge is to take a direct coach service. The coach runs at least once per hour, see the National Express website and takes at least 2.5 hours to reach Cambridge (often much longer, depending on traffic jams).

Train

There are regular train services from London to Cambridge departing from London King’s Cross or London Liverpool Street. For timetable, fares and to plan your train journey from London to Cambridge, see the National Rail website. If you are travelling from Europe, you can catch the Eurostar and King’s Cross station is a short walk from St Pancras.

By Coach

National Express operates coaches from London to Cambridge.

Accommodation

Our accommodation will be in St Catharine’s College.

Students

There are a limited number of places available at a discount to people in full-time education who are considering a career in speechwriting. Details on application.

Join our Network

Membership of the UK Speechwriters’ Guild or European Speechwriter Network entitles you to a £50 discount on the conference fee.

You can follow the European Speechwriter Network on Twitter

You can apply to join our Linkedin group, European Speechwriter Network

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

Get App

Host or Publisher European Speechwriter Network & UK Speechwriters' Guild