Get on the stages that matter. Deliver talks that are remembered.

Most people focus on the talk. But the hardest part of public speaking is often getting on the stage in the first place.

Your Stage Awaits is a high-impact speaker development program designed for founders, leaders, and experts who want to step onto bigger stages - and own them when they do.

Most speaker programs are built by coaches and speakers. This one is built by curators, the people who create the stages you want to access.

 
 
Speakers HERD
 

What is Your Stage Awaits?

Your Stage Awaits is a powerful online group training session designed to give you the tools to step onto - and own - bigger and more valuable stages.

Over the course of the day, we will explore every aspect of the speaker journey:

Own the Stage

This opening session explores the evolution of a speaker – from invisible to unforgettable. Through a powerful framework of growth stages, attendees will identify where they are now, understand what’s holding them back, and gain a clearer path forward.

Get Booked

Led by Nick Rogers, a TEDx curator with over a decade’s worth of experience building stages, this session will explore why most speaker applications fail, what organizers are really looking for, and how to stand out from the rest.

Stand Out

Led by Afreen Huq, a keynote speaker and producer of over 1,200 events, this session will equip you with proven techniques to communicate with confidence. Whether your goal is sales, audience growth, or influence, you’ll learn how to structure and deliver talks that connect.

Build Momentum

Led by Liam Rogers, a TEDx organizer with experience across two continents, this session goes beyond the talk itself: positioning yourself as a speaker, growing your profile, building an audience, and creating momentum before and after you step onto the stage.


Throughout the day, the training combines:

  • Deep-dive coaching and feedback
  • Real-world speaker positioning and strategy
  • Direct insight from active event curators

You won’t just learn how to give a talk.

You’ll learn how to earn the stage, shape the message, and own the moment.

Whether you’re just starting to explore speaking, or ready to position yourself for top-tier opportunities, there is a clear pathway to grow - with each level building on the last.

Beyond The Gatekeepers
Your Stage Awaits

Event Overview

Friday
July
24
5:00 - 8:00pm ET

Your Stage Awaits: Kickoff & Orientation

An intimate welcome session for this small group of speakers, led by your moderators. Get the full roadmap for the weekend ahead, and walk through what each session covers so you show up ready. Given the size of this group, we may wrap up ahead of schedule.

Saturday
July
25
10:00 – 11:15am ET

Own the stage

What and who are you speaking to? Defining the purpose of your talk. Finding the right stage for your talk.

11:15 – 11:30am

Break

11:30am – 2:30pm ET

Booking the stage

What does a successful pitch look like? How to make your application stand out. Understanding what event organizers are looking for.

2:30 – 2:45pm

Break

2:45 – 5:00pm ET

After the stage

Building momentum and creating a community. Incorporating your talk into your personal brand.

5:00 – 5:30pm

Break

5:30 – 7:00pm ET

Curtain call: What's next

How can you make this all work? Reflecting on the day's learnings. Identifying areas for growth. Considering your plan for what comes next.

Thursday
July
30
5pm - 6:30pm ET

The encore

Miss us already? Join us for a reconnection session with the hosts.

Stand Out Speaker Mindset

Through the training, you'll learn:

What You'll Walk Away With

This is the difference between hoping to be selected… and being the obvious choice.

Who It's For

Founders and Entrepreneurs

Senior Leaders and Executives

Subject-Matter Experts and Academics

Aspiring and Experienced Speakers Ready to Level Up




Meet the Hosts

Your Stage Awaits is a joint venture between Story Circle and HERD Ventures, bringing together experience from both sides of the stage: as speakers, coaches, and the people who decide who gets the microphone.

Afreen Huq

Founder of HERD

Afreen is a celebrated keynote speaker, business coach and producer of over 1,200 events, with a deep understanding of what captures attention and resonates with audiences.

Liam Rogers

Founder of Story Circle

Liam is the producer of major events - including TEDx - for over a decade across two continents, with extensive experience curating, marketing, and scaling live experiences.

Nick Rogers

Founder of Story Circle

Nick is a TEDx speaker and coach, media-trained former elected official and experienced public communicator with deep expertise in presenting complex and niche ideas clearly and persuasively.


TicketsPrice

All Access Ticket

This covers the Friday evening session, Saturday event, and post event networking on the following Thursday, July 30.

$100.00
Total: $0.00

$0.00


Purchase ProtectionRECOMMENDED

Add Purchase Protection for a small fee and get a 100% refund of your registration purchase should you be prevented from attending due to a qualifying unforeseen circumstance. (Full Terms)

Why protect your registration purchase? Purchase Protection covers:

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Purchase Protection covers many common unforeseen circumstances, but exclusions apply. View full List of qualifying circumstances and exclusions.

* Terms, conditions and exclusions apply. Not available for or applicable to events, attendees, or travel outside of the USA. Purchase Protection is a service offered by Purchase Protection LLC. Purchase Protection is not an insurance policy. It is a service that will refund you 100% of your event fees, taxes and dues should you be prevented by unforeseen circumstances from attending the event. Purchase Protection does not apply to, and will not reimburse, charitable donations. Purchase Protection fees will be charged as a separate transaction. Any changes made to your purchase will not change the amount covered in this agreement.

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