Toastmasters Contests - Contestant Resources
The District 55 2025 Contest Types Are:
International Speech and Evaluation
Some people have a natural competitive spirit and love competing in Toastmasters speech contests. The rest of us become tense at the thought! John Maxwell says, "Growth stops when you lose the tension between where you are and where you can be." If you joined Toastmasters to improve your public speaking skills, then competing in a speech contest is exactly what you need to grow those skills!
Area, Division, and District Contests will be held IN-PERSON only. Club contest formats are determined by the club.
Why Should you Compete?
Champions Speak: Ignite Your Contest Spirit!
This is an unforgettable panel with 2024 World Champion of Public Speaking Luisa Montalvo, 2021 Semifinalist Lisa Traugott, & 2025 District Champion Amy Samet, moderated by Bart Loeser, DTM. Each Champion delivers a powerful message designed to ignite your confidence, refuel your purpose, and reconnect you with the thrill of competition.
Contest Rule Book
The Rulebook is updated every year. Please make sure that you have read all the relevant sections, including eligibility and the speech parameters. We want to make sure that your speech qualifies! You will also need to complete a certification of Eligibility and Originality, and your Contestant Profile for every round of the contest. Use the buttons below to download everything you need.
If you have any questions, check the Toastmasters International FAQs or ask your contest officials.
Contest Descriptions
The International Speech contest will consist of a series of timed 5-7-minute speeches that will be judged by a panel of judges. Contestants must create their own speeches, and each must be substantially original. Twenty-five percent or less of the speech may be devoted to quoting, paraphrasing, or referencing another person’s content. Any quoted, paraphrased, or referenced content must be so identified during the speech presentation.
The Evaluation Contest will consist of contestants delivering a 2-3-minute evaluation of the same test speech. After hearing the test speech, contestants will have five minutes to prepare their notes before delivering their evaluations one at a time. Each evaluation will be judged on analytical quality, recommendations, technique, and delivery. This contest highlights a competitor’s ability to provide constructive, supportive, and insightful feedback — a key skill for all Toastmasters.
Download the judge's guide for your contest so that you know what criteria will be used to judge your speech.
Contest Sequence
Contests are held in the following sequence:
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Each contest begins with the Club Contest
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Club winners compete at the Area Contest (approximately five competitors)
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Area winners go on to the Division Contest (approximately five competitors)
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Division winners compete at the District Contest held in conjunction with the District Conference May 29-31 in Kerrville
The Evaluation Speech Contest will conclude at District Level.
The International Speech Contest winner for District 55 will compete in Regional Contest. Winners from the Region will move forward to a semi-final contest at the International Convention in August. Winners of the semi-final contests will advance to THE International Speech Contest with a NEW speech two days later at the same Convention.
Area, Division, and District Contests will be held IN-PERSON only. Club contest formats are determined by the club (can be virtual, hybrid, or in-person).
Winning Speeches
Contestant Eligibility
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To be eligible to compete in any official Toastmasters speech contest, a member must:
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Be a paid member of a club in the Area, Division, and District in which they are competing.
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The club must also be in good standing.
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A new, dual, or reinstated member must have dues and membership application current with World Headquarters.
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Maintain eligibility at all levels of any contest.
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If at any level it is determined that a contestant was ineligible to compete at any previous level, the contestant must be disqualified. This disqualification must occur even if the ineligibility is discovered at a later level and has been corrected.
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In addition, to be eligible to compete in the International Speech Contest, a member must:
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Have earned certificates of completion in Levels 1 and 2 of any path in the Toastmasters Pathways learning experience or earned a Distinguished Toastmaster award.
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However, a charter member of a club chartered less than one (1) year before the club contest is permitted to compete without having completed this requirement. The club must have officially chartered before the Area contest.
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The following are ineligible to compete in any Toastmasters speech contest:
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Incumbent International Officers and Directors
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Region Advisors or Region Advisor applicants
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District officers whose terms expire June 30:
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District Director
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Program Quality Director
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Club Growth Director
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Administration Manager
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Finance Manager
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Public Relations Manager
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Division Director
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Area Director
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International Officer and Director candidates
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Immediate Past District Directors
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Candidates for District positions elected by the District Council for the term beginning the upcoming July 1.
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Members who are serving in contest official or presenter roles that meet the following criteria:
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Voting judge, tiebreaking judge or chief judge at the same contest type in which they would be competing beyond the club level, in any District.
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Timer, ballot counter, Sergeant at Arms, or other contest official role for the same contest in which they would be competing.
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Presenter of an education session, a contest chair, a contest Toastmaster, or an event committee chair for the event at which the contest will be held, including Area, Division, and District events, as well as the International Convention.
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The winner of the World Championship of Public Speaking® held in August during the International Convention is not eligible to compete in the International Speech Contest again at any level.
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The winner of the Video Speech Contest announced at the International Convention is not eligible to compete in the Video Speech Contest again. Winners of the Video Speech Contest may compete in the International Speech Contest in subsequent years if all other eligibility requirements are met.
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Toastmasters who are members in more than one (1) club and who meet all eligibility requirements are permitted to compete in the club contest(s) in each club in which they hold paid membership.
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No contestant can compete in more than one (1) Area speech contest of a given type, even if the two (2) Areas are in different Divisions or Districts.
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Each contestant must be physically present to compete beyond the club level. Participation by audio, video, or other remote technology is not permitted beyond the club level. (Exceptions: participants in the International Speech Contest Region Quarterfinals and Video Speech Contest.)
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