Membership in NSA certifies a speaker as a professional.

Additionally, there are two higher certifications offered by the National Speakers Association.

Certified Speaking Professional (CSP)

A Certified Speaking Professional must be a member of NSA or another Global Speakers Federation (GSF) organization for at least three years and complete a rigorous application process to earn the CSP designation.

Current GLAC members who are CSPs include:

• Jim Cathcart, CSP, CPAE
• George Hedley, CSP, LPBC
• Scott Hunter, BEE, JD, CSP
• Eileen McDargh, CSP, CPAE
• W. Mitchell, CSP, CPAE
• Terry Paulson PhD, CSP, CPAE
• Ed Rigsbee, CSP, CAE
• Terri Sjodin, CSP, CPAE
• Jodi Walker, CSP

Council of Peers Award for Excellence (CPAE)

This is NSA's Speaker Hall of Fame, which honors 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.

Current GLAC members who are CPAEs include:

• Jim Cathcart, CSP, CPAE
• Eileen McDargh, CSP, CPAE
• W. Mitchell, CSP, CPAE
• Terry Paulson PhD, CSP, CPAE
• Terri Sjodin, CSP, CPAE

Cavett Award

In addition to the certifications shown above, NSA's highest honor is the Cavett Award, named after Founder Cavett Robert.

The Cavett Award is presented annually to the member whose accomplishments over the years have reflected outstanding credit, respect, honor and admiration in the Association and the speaking profession, and whose actions (in terms of sharing, guiding and inspiring other members) most closely parallel the illustrious career of our Founder Cavett Robert, CSP, CPAE.

Chapter members who have been awarded the Cavett Award include:

• Jim Cathcart, CSP, CPAE
• W. Mitchell, CSP, CPAE
• Terry Paulson, PhD, CSP, CPAE