Last Story Standing – Storytelling Competition
HAVE A STORY TO TELL?
Join our Storytelling Competition for a chance to take the stage at our March chapter meeting and compete for the opportunity to perform on the main stage at the National Convention of NSA, Influence, on July 29, 2025, in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Deadline to Apply: January 31, 2025.
Chapter application fee: waived. National application fee: payed by NSA New York.
Want to be Known for Your Story?
We invite you to participate in our Storytelling Competition. This is a fantastic opportunity to showcase your storytelling skills, connect with fellow members, and gain valuable experience on stage. Whether you’re a seasoned speaker or just starting out, this competition allows you to share your unique voice and perspective.
NSA’s Storytelling Competition is created by Professional speakers for Professional speakers. Competitions occur on three levels: Chapter, Regional, and National. Membership in our New York Chapter is required to compete.
Follow these steps to enter:
Deadline to Apply: January 31, 2025
- Record a 5 minute video. Follow the three tracks listed below on this page. Any story longer than 5 minutes (less the few seconds allowed for on/off video recordings), will be disqualified.
- Upload the video to your preferred channel (Vimeo, Youtube, Loom, etc) copy the link to the video and paste it in our form.
- Click here to fill out our Storytelling Competition form and add the link to your video.
- Any questions or doubts email NSA New York by January 20th to admin@nsanyc.org
Timeline:
January 31st, 2025: Deadline to upload your 5-minute video to our form (not a second longer). Any story longer than 5 minutes (less the few seconds allowed for on/off video recordings), will be disqualified.
February 14th, 2025: 3 New York chapter finalists will be selected. Our panel of Certified Speaking Professional (CSP) judges will review all the submitted videos.
February 28th, 2025: The 3 finalists will be announced and they will share their stories on stage at our March 14th, 2025 NSA New York chapter meeting.
March 14th, 2025: The 3 finalists will compete for chapter champion at our chapter meeting. The chapter champion’s video will be sent to the 2025 Last Story Standing ™ Regional Competition.
April 1st, 2025: 2025 Last Story Standing ™ Regional Competition begins.
July 3rd, 2025: Regional champions will be announced by National. A separate set of CSP judges will review the regional competition videos and choose 3 stand-out storytellers who will compete live on the main stage at Influence on July 29th in Scottsdale, Arizona.
July 29th, 2025: 3 stand-out storytellers from the National regional competition will compete live on the main stage at Influence in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Jay Townsend, Courtney Hopper, Quinn Lemley, and Tonya Tko finalists of the 2024 NSA New York Storytelling Competition on stage at our March 2024 chapter meeting. Tonya Tko was selected winner and went on to compete in the regional NSA competition.
Competitors are scored on three tracks:
Purpose: The story’s ability to reveal, and communicate a clear lesson, point or action step than an audience member could leverage.
Impact: How well the story was crafted and structured to entertain, educate and motivate.
Delivery: The teller’s ability to deliver the story and employ professional techniques including eye contact, vocal tone and body language.
Click HERE for the complete rules, FAQs and to watch videos of the 2024 National Last Story Standing Storytelling Competition.