ENGLEWOOD, Col., 23 october 2018 / PRNewswire / – Young Professionals Across Mainland Europe Join Toastmasters International in record numbers to perfect the skills necessary for professional advancement. Perfecting conversational English has always been a key motivation for Europeans to join Toastmasters, but recent growth is mainly attributed to the younger generation joining local clubs to develop the interpersonal skills highly appreciated by employers.

Toastmasters International was founded in 1924 in Santa Ana, California, United States and has grown steadily since then, with a current membership of 357,000 members in 143 countries, including over 25,000 European members. The global non-profit association offers a proven education program where members improve their communication and leadership skills and build confidence in public speaking in a support group. The skills acquired are directly linked to success in a global business environment.

“All around Europe, our members are going through huge transformations as leaders and individuals, ”says Morag Mathieson, Erlangen, Germany, and International Director of Toastmasters for Region 11, which includes Europe, Africa and the Middle East. “While Toastmasters are well known for helping people improve their public speaking skills, Europeans see the benefit of joining Toastmasters for develop their communication and leadership skills, which our members use to boost their professional and personal lives. “

The first Toastmasters club in Europe was chartered in 1935 to Southport, England, but it was not until 2003 that the first European district of Toastmasters was founded. Since then, Toastmasters clubs have grown so rapidly on the continent that at the start of this year two Toastmasters districts became six districts which include 27 countries across mainland Europe.

“Most schools in Europe don’t offer formal public speaking or leadership training, “Mathieson says.” Toastmasters has filled this void among the younger generation of workers looking to advance in their careers. “

Highlights of Toastmasters European growth include:

• Almost 50 percent more members in Europe that five years ago
• Triple membership growth compared to the rest of the world
• Three and a half times the growth of clubs in non-European countries
• Expansion into nine new countries over the past nine years

“The growth of our organization in Europe has been remarkable, ”said Lark Doley, International President of Toastmasters 2018-2019, based in Texas, United States. “In May, we held an unprecedented conference at Athens to celebrate growth and unity through Europe. Our recent global launch of the Pathways learning experience provides members with the most effective communication and leadership resources available. ”

If you would like to share stories about the growth of Toastmasters in your country with CEO Daniel Rex, send an email [email protected]. For more information visit www.toastmasters.org.

About Toastmasters International
Toastmasters International is a global, non-profit educational organization that empowers individuals to become more effective communicators and leaders. Based at Englewood, Colorado., United States, the organization’s membership exceeds 357,000 in more than 16,600 clubs in 143 countries. Since 1924, Toastmasters International has helped people from diverse backgrounds become more confident speakers, communicators and leaders. For more information on local Toastmasters clubs, please visit www.toastmasters.org. To follow @Toastmasters on Twitter.

SOURCE Toastmasters International

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