On Oct. 24, 11 Parkites will take the stage to share their ideas with their community at ToastX, a new event by Park City Toastmasters. The event, titled ToastX: Inspiring Leadership Through Communication, will bring local voices together for an afternoon of short, carefully crafted talks at th e Double Deer Ballroom at Promontory Club. The speakers are all members of Park City Toastmasters, the local chapter of the international public speaking club, and each member comes from a different background, profession and life experience, according to the club’s vice president of public relations, Steve Whitesell. Their speaking subjects will be just as varied, including topics such as longevity, loss, human connection, health, identity and the experiences that changed how they see the world, Whitesell said. For the past three months, the 11 have been working with executive speaking coach John Bates to discover the story that was uniquely theirs, then develop it into something capable of connecting with an audience. On Oct. 24, ToastX attendees can hear the results. The speaker lineup is Ashley Davis, Gregg Davison, SueAnn Kern, Kandi Kutkus, Patrick Negado, Marielle Pariseau, Emily Shirley, Karen Stone, Kaitlyn Taylor, Steve Whitesell and Valeriane Wilson. Their talks range from personal stories to provocative ideas, Whitesell said. Ashley Davis will explore the extraordinary influence of communication in “How You Say It.” Gregg Davison asks an intriguing question in “Has Nature Already Made a Longevity Drug?” SueAnn Kern explores connection and loss in “Signs from Beyond.” Whitesell will talk about future of water in the West in “Global Water.” Marielle Pariseau will aim to offer a surprising perspective in “The Wisdom of Teeth,” while Emily Shirley takes the audience into a deeply personal story with “Half of Me.” More information on the ToastX speakers is available at pctoastmasters.com/toastx. The event is designed to feel less like a conference and more like a Park City gathering built around ideas and conversation, Whitesell said, with beer, wine and appetizers included and time to connect with speakers and other members of the community. The afternoon is also part of a broader effort by Park City Toastmasters to expand what a community speaking organization can offer, according to Whitesell. Traditional Toastmasters meetings give members a supportive environment to practice speaking, listening, leadership and thinking on their feet. ToastX adds intensive professional coaching and a public-facing community event, and the larger ambition is to create more opportunities for Parkites to become confident communicators, as well as opportunities for the community to hear them, according to Whitesell. ToastX is set for 3-6 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 24, at Double Deer Ballroom at Promontory Club. Tickets are available at tinyurl.com/4udkyan3. The post Park City voices will take the stage at ToastX appeared first on Park Record. ...read more read less