4 Reasons Why You Should Go to the 2011 Midyear Conference

Reason number 1: The venue. This year’s conference is going to be held in Boracay – the ultimate party place of the Philippines. The sun, the beach and the night clubs. What a perfect combination. Think about it, after the conference you can party all night long in any of Boracay’s night clubs. Or you can go relax at the hotel spa at La Carmella de Boracay. Boracay has the most beautiful beaches in the country. Imagine walking along the seashore, barefoot, hearing the soothing lull of the water crashing at shore. It may be a good place to party but it’s a great place to relax in too.

Reason number 2: The people. You get to meet new people. And believe me when I say that Toastmasters are among the friendliest people on the planet. It’s like being a Toastmaster is enough to strip barriers away. One minute you are standing alone and the next, you’re talking to a Toastmaster you’ve just met like you’ve known each other forever. Yep. This is a pretty common scenario during conferences. I have friends whom I’ve met at a Toastmasters conference that I’m still friends with until now.

Reason number 3: The food. Toastmaster conferences are always filled with good food. We just love to eat. And with the conference being held in Boracay you can sample the mouth watering dishes at the various restaurants and cafes there.

Reason number 4: The fun!!! Midyear conferences focus on one thing – FUN! Unlike Discon’s where every competition is a tough and nerve racking experience – even for non-contestants – Midyear contests tend to be more relaxed and laid back. It’s basically competition without pressure. Last year we had a duet singing contest, table topics and Talentadong Toastmasters. I can’t wait to find out what the contests are going to be this year.

So what are you waiting for? Sign up now and experience the time of your life this October.

Here are the registration rates, exclusive of accommodation:

Early Bird: 1,700  (May 2 – June 30, 2011)

Regular: 2,000 (July 1 – September 15, 2011)

Late Registration: 2, 500 (September 16 – October 15, 2011)

Onsite: 3,000 (October 15 – 22, 2011)

Payment may be deposited to China Bank Bacolod North Drive.

Acct name: Toastmasters International Division D

Acct number: 1610353010

For inquiries and concerns contact Midyear Chair Mhel Sillador atmhel_sillador@yahoo.com.ph or call/text him at 09052811776

Midyear 2011: Run Away With us to…Boracay!

The Midyear Conference is held annually on the month of October to bring together Toastmasters from all over the Philippines to enjoy food, fellowship and healthy competition (without the pressure of winning).   Oh, and it’s also supposed to bring together the district officers for their yearly midyear meeting. But I suspect most people focus more on the partying. I should know. I’m one of those people.

That’s why when I found out that this year’s conference was going to be held in Boracay I did not hesitate to register immediately. The venue is going to be at La Carmella de Boracay Resort Hotel. It’s to be hosted by Division D and organized by Midyear Chair ACS Mhel Sillador.

La Carmella Hotel is found in Station 2 right in front of the beach. It has beautiful rooms and excellent amenities. 

For those who have yet to register do it NOW! Don’t miss out on all the fun.

Here are the registration rates, exclusive of accommodation:

Early Bird: 1,700  (May 2 – June 30, 2011)

Regular: 2,000 (July 1 – September 15, 2011)

Late Registration: 2, 500 (September 16 – October 15, 2011)

Onsite: 3,000 (October 15 – 22, 2011)

Payment may be deposited to China Bank Bacolod North Drive.

Acct name: Toastmasters International Division D

Acct number: 1610353010

For inquiries and concerns contact Midyear Chair Mhel Sillador at mhel_sillador@yahoo.com.ph or call/text him at 09052811776

The Midyear Conference: When did it all begin?

In the Toastmasters world, there are two national conferences to look forward to: The District Conference and the Midyear Conference. The former happens around April or May while the latter happens on October. Another interesting thing to note is that the Midyear Conference only happens here in the Philippines. Yes. The main reason for this conference is so that the district officers could meet in the middle of the year to discuss their progress in their respective areas of responsibility. But eventually it morphed into a national event that was hosted in turns by Toastmasters from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. After all there’s no reason why we Toastmasters can’t work and party at the same time, right?

Now aside from the district meeting, a variety of contests are included in the program. These are designed to find the best speakers, dancers and singers from each Division. Yes. We Toastmasters are very talented. (Is there nothing we can’t do?)

The first Midyear Conference was held on October 10-11, 2003 at the Orient Pearl Hotel in Manila.  It originally began as the Luzon Conference attended only by Division’s A, B, G and H. It was brought about by PDG Jimmy Pamintuan’s proposal to hold a conference that would feature games, fun, food and fellowship. What couldn’t be done in a District Conference could be done here. Thus, the Quartethlon was born. It was a contest wherein one contestant had to compete in all 4 categories: evaluation, singing, entertaining and impromptu speech. If you think competing in the District Conference is tough – think again. The first Quartethlon Champion was Grea Tulio – a Toastmaster from Harbor TMC-Division H.

It was in 2006 when the Luzon conference officially became the Midyear Convention.  In 2008, the Midyear Conference was held outside Luzon for the first time - at Bacolod City. Since the first Midyear Conference, this midyear tradition has only become more and more popular. The success of last year’s conference which was held in Cagayan de Oro City, hosted by Division F and facilitated by Midyear Chair ACS Albert Mabaquiao only whetted the people’s appetite for more. And I have no doubt that this year’s conference is going to be spectacular. Why? The venue says it all.

Midyear 2011 is going to be held at the beautiful island of Boracay. It is to be hosted by Division D and organized by this year’s midyear chair ACS Mhel Sillador.

Source: http://www.scribd.com/doc/20306823/Maharlika-Noble-Press-Issue-42

Have you ever been to a Midyear Conference? If not then this would be a great time to try. Read all about it in my post Midyear 2011: Run Away with us to...Boracay!