FOLTirana Online
Online Conference
& Workshops
21st – 26th May
& 30th – 31st May
Learning and excitement from
the comfort of your home
Can’t get to Tirana? No Problem!
You can still enjoy many of the features of the FOLTirana Conference from the comfort of your own home by registering for FOLTirana Online!
FOLTirana Online will be offering you two great strands of learning and inspiration.
Online Workshops!
Firstly, between the 21 May and 26 May at 18:30-19:30 CEST there will be six pre-Conference online workshops for you to enjoy and benefit from. All will last for 45 minutes and be followed by a 15-minute Q&A.
Ipek Altun will be the host of the Online Workshops, introducing the speakers and facilitating Q&As. With a warm and engaging presence, she will help create an interactive and welcoming learning experience.
Here is the programme:
- Thursday 21 May: Andreas Geiger
- Friday 22 May: Yafit Gabai, DTM
- Saturday 23 May : Diane Richardson, DTM
- Sunday 24 May: Hulya Kurt, DTM
- Monday 25 May: Robert Killen
- Tuesday 26 May: Sonja Schumacher
FOLTirana Conference Online!
Secondly, FOLTirana Online will be live-streaming from the Main Conference Hall, from 8:50 to 18:50 CEST on Saturday and from 9:00 to 13:30 CEST on Sunday. During these 14.5 hours you will be able to watch three fascinating District Contest Finals, three inspiring Keynote Speakers, four thought-provoking workshops, and one highly informative panel discussion.
The online District Conference has never been so rich or varied, so if you cannot make it to Tirana don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity for learning. Please click on the agenda tab below to see what will be available online, coming from the Main Hall on Saturday 30 May and Sunday 31 May.
For just 20 Euros you will receive more than 20 hours of incredible, high-quality, learning and inspiration.
Online Workshops
How to Deal with Complaints in a Connecting Way
Yafit Gabai, DTM
Hearing a complaint is difficult. When someone points out something we supposedly did wrong, our instinct is often to defend ourselves, explain our intentions, or push back. The conversation can quickly turn into blame, justification and escalation. In this workshop you will find out how to respond to complaints in a way that creates connection and brings collaboration instead of alienation.
Yafit Gabai is Nonviolent Communication facilitator who leads workshops and in-depth courses on communicating in ways that create connection, even in challenging or emotionally charged moments. She supports individuals in transforming the way that they interact, relate and lead. She believes that leadership begins with communication, and that strong relationships are built on how we interact.
Click for details ▾
Getting Strong(er)
Andreas Geiger
Imagine that your Toastmasters club had a good start, has recovered from a period of weakness and is currently doing very well. In our interactive workshop we will exchange ideas and additional elements that will help turn a regular Toastmasters club into an advanced Toastmasters club.
Andreas Geiger joined Toastmasters in 2009 in Zurich, Switzerland. He has served in various club officer roles, as an Area Director and as a Division Director. With 15+ years of experience in running a Toastmasters corporate program, he is dedicated to building and sustaining Toastmasters in corporations. Andreas is constantly developing new workshop formats to add variety to our Toastmasters sessions.
Click for details ▾Mindshift: How Public Speaking Rewires Understanding, Emotion and Behaviour
Robert Killen
Learn how to change minds using the science of the brain. This hands-on workshop shows you how stories, tone and surprise can rewire how an audience thinks and feels. Discover simple tools to guide attention, connect deeply and inspire people to take action.
Robert Killen is a finalist from the 2007 World Championship of Public Speaking and a certified neuroplastician. As a long-time Toastmaster, Robert understands how words and stories shape our minds. He has spent years studying how music, art, and coaching help people improve their lives. By blending professional speaking skills with simple science, Robert helps communicators create a real impact. He believes that a great story, told the right way, is the most powerful tool available to change the world.
Click for details ▾From Profile to Portfolio: How to Sparkle on LinkedIn
Hulya Kurt, DTM
This workshop helps participants build a strong personal brand on LinkedIn, communicate their unique value, and increase visibility. It combines practical strategies with ethical AI use to enhance professional storytelling, strengthen credibility, and create a consistent presence that attracts meaningful opportunities.
Hulya Kurt is a capacity builder, international speaker, author and founder of InnKick, empowering professionals to gain clarity, confidence and momentum in their careers. With over 30 years of multinational corporate experience, she brings deep expertise in leadership, cross-cultural communication and professional development. Hulya mentors leaders, facilitates workshops and inspires transformation through communication. She is also a lecturer at the Swiss School of Business and Management in Geneva, and is the Immediate International Past President of OWIT (Organization of Women in International Trade), supporting women in international commerce worldwide.
The Road to Better Club Officer Training
Diane Richardson, DTM
In May 2026 Toastmasters International launches the New Club Officer Training program, with the aim of helping club officers to become better leaders. In this workshop Diane will explain “the why and the how” behind this new programme, how it was tested and what TMI hopes to achieve. She will then answer your questions.
Diane Richardson currently lectures in Graphic Design in London, after a career working as a graphic designer specialising in brand design, strategic planning and communications, for international organisations. As Director of D91 she led her district to become Presidents Distinguished. As an expert in creating educational materials to impart knowledge, she is part of the Toastmasters team that created the New Club Officer Training program.
Success Begins with Clarity in Mind
Sonja Schumacher
This workshop helps participants to understand how they can help and coach others to define what truly matters, and turn intention into focused action. They will get questions for guided reflection and practice in collaborative exercises, so they can create a clear path to success for themselves and their members.
Sonja Schumacher has been an active Toastmaster in beautiful Austria since 2019, taking on multiple club leadership roles and now serving as Area F2 Director. She is a passionate communicator and leadership coach who brings creative energy and strategic clarity to every stage she steps onto. Known for transforming complex ideas into engaging, memorable messages, she blends her professional coaching expertise with a vibrant online presence. Sonja empowers others to speak with confidence, authenticity and purpose, inspiring growth and meaningful impact within every audience she meets.
Click for details ▾FOLTirana: Main Conference Hall agenda – streaming online
|
08:45 |
Opening Zoom link |
|
09:00 |
Official Conference Opening Day 1 |
|
09:15 |
Keynote Speech – Sabyasachi Sengupta |
|
10:20 |
Table Topics Contest |
|
11:30 |
Workshop: The T.A.L.K. Framework: Turning Conversations into Connection – Lisa Marie Gelhaus |
|
12:20 |
Lunch Break |
|
13:30 |
Keynote – Francesco Fedele |
|
14:25 |
Evaluation Contest |
|
15:55 |
Workshop: Ten Techniques Used by World-Class Speakers – Douglas Kruger |
|
17:00 |
International Speech Contest |
|
19:00 |
Zoom link closes |
|
08:45 |
Opening Zoom link |
|
09:00 |
Welcome Day 2 |
|
09:10 |
Keynote Speech – Douglas Kruger |
|
10:10 |
Workshop: From Stage to Social Media: Amplifying Your Toastmasters Journey with AI – Dor Eldar |
|
11:05 |
Workshop: Strengths, Shadows and Styles – Endri Ndoni |
|
12:20 |
Panel Discussion: Shared Secrets: Where Communication, Networking and Strategic Leadership Converge |
|
13:10 |
Closing Ceremony |
|
13:30 |
Zoom link closes |
Come Bitter. Leave Better.
Bitter Bistro Bar: The home of Toastmasters Tirana.
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Show your Conference Pass QR code and enjoy exclusive attendee perks, discounts, and complimentary drinks throughout the Conference days (27-31 May).
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