FAQ
Still have Questions?
We have the Answers!
Still have Questions?
We have all the answers below to make sure that your time at the District 109 FOLTirana conference is as enjoyable and memorable as possible
Click on the Questions below to reveal the answers
Conference in General
The Conference is open to everyone, not just members of Toastmasters. The diverse mix of attendees creates a unique atmosphere where non-members and newcomers can learn from and be inspired by experienced communicators and leaders. Don’t be shy about talking to your fellow Toastmasters, because we are all here to support and learn from each other.
The official language of the Conference is English, and all keynotes, workshops, panel discussions and contest speeches will be in English.
The venue for the Conference will be the Tirana International Hotel, located in the center of Tirana.
The main Conference will take place on Saturday and Sunday, 30-31 May, with social activities on Thursday and Friday, 28-29 May and the afternoon of Sunday 31 May. A detailed schedule will be published on this website closer to the event.
Smart casual is recommended for the Conference, but there is no dress code. The Gala Dinner is a festive event, so smart or semi-formal attire is encouraged but not obligatory.
Yes, DTMs will be invited to a special event on Friday, 29 May. Details will be announced on this site closer to the start of the Conference.
Accommodation & Food
No, accommodation is not included. Attendees are responsible for finding their own place to stay. The center of Tirana has many hotels and apartments for rent within easy walking distance of the Conference venue, the Tirana International Hotel, and many of these are reasonably priced.
Yes, we can cater for all your requirements (wheelchair users, special mobility needs, visually impaired, hard of hearing). When you register, while purchasing your Conference Pass, please let us know about any special needs you may have, so we can make sure that the Conference is as inclusive and enjoyable as possible for all attendees.
Refreshments and lunch are included in the price of the Conference Pass, but the Gala Dinner requires an additional ticket.
Yes, the Gala Dinner is not included in the price of the Conference Pass. The Gala Dinner will be a luxury buffet with a great variety of options including meat, poultry, fish, vegetarian and vegan dishes. To attend, you need to purchase an additional ticket for the Gala while purchasing your Conference Pass.
Yes we can. When you register, while purchasing your Conference Pass, there is a dedicated section concerned with food preferences and special dietary requirements, where you can specify all your needs.
Essential Tirana
Tirana is a vibrant, friendly and welcoming city, considered to be one of the safest capitals in Europe. The central area where the hotels and principal attractions are located, including the Conference venue, remains active throughout the day and evening, creating a comfortable, safe environment for all visitors, including solo women.
Yes, Albania is credit card friendly and both cards and cash are commonly used. Euros are widely accepted and USD may also be accepted in some places, but the best option is to change some money into Lek, the local currency. Although many restaurants and shops accept Euros and may take Dollars, it’s better to pay in Lek.
Conference Passes, Registration & Disclaimers
It’s incredibly easy to purchase your Conference Pass. Just go to the section of the home page concerned with purchasing your pass, and click on the appropriate button
While Conference Passes and Tickets are non-refundable, they can easily be transferred. You will find details about how to do this in the confirmation email you will receive after you purchase your Conference Pass.
The deadline for in-person registration is Monday, 25 May, 2026. There is no deadline for online registration.
Yes you can. There will be a live feed from the main Conference Hall that will allow you to experience all of the Keynote speeches and the three Contests, as well as three of the Workshops and a Panel Discussion. Sadly, there will be no live feeds from the two workshop rooms, but there will be extra, specially conceived online Webinars provided for all those with an Online Conference Pass or Conference Pass. The Online Conference Pass will cost just €20 and will be available for purchase from April 2026.
If you have any questions, comments or special requests, please contact our Registration Manager, Petra Salmutter, at registration@district109.org. We are happy to help!
When you register you will be asked to agree to a liability disclaimer that states that Toastmasters District 109 is not responsible for the theft, damage, or loss of your personal property at the venue.
Yes. When you register you will be asked for your consent for photos and videos taken during the Conference that will be used for non-commercial Toastmasters-related purposes.
About the Contests
The contests being held during the 2026 District Conference in Tirana are:
- International Speech Contest
- Evaluation Contest
- Table Topics Contest
The winner of the International Speech Contest will advance as District 109 Champion to the Region 10 finals, as part of the World Championship of Public Speaking.
The winners of the Evaluation and Table Topics Contests will be District 109 Champions, but there will be no higher-level contests.
Over 30,000 contestants from nearly 150 countries take part in the Club contests for International Speech, but there can be only one World Champion, and we have the great pleasure to welcome Sabby Sengupta, the 2025 World Champion of Public Speaking, to address us in Tirana.
All contests are guided by the official rules and regulations of Toastmasters International. These are intended to make sure that all the contests are as fair as possible for all participants, and that all contestants have a positive experience. We have a team of experienced and dedicated judges for all the contests who must ensure that all speeches are judged fairly, with no intentional or unintentional biases. Both the identity of the judges and their scores remain confidential. We also have official Contest Timers who make sure that all speeches fall within the officially designated time limits. We invite you to judge which was the best speech with the best presentation, the best Evaluation and the best Table Topics speech and compare your impressions with other Toastmasters. This will help you to become better listeners and more skilled observers.
We also have detailed official regulations for the practical set up of all the contests, concerned with the stage, the lighting and how the contestants are filmed. The Winning Speech from the International Speech Contest is submitted to the Region 10 final as a video, so it is imperative that we have optimal image and sound quality.
Ready To Join Us in Tirana?
Join hundreds of Toastmasters leaders for FOUR days of growth, connection, inspiration, and fun.
€80
first 95 passes€100
next 85 passes€60
sold separately€120
after silver pass