Speaker Slam®, North America's largest inspirational speaking competition, returns on May 26th, 2026 with a powerful theme: The Road Less Traveled.
Join us at Lula Lounge in Toronto for an unforgettable evening where bold voices share the moments they chose a different path, stepping into the unknown, challenging expectations, and redefining what success looks like on their own terms.
This event celebrates those who broke away from the norm, trusted their inner voice, and carved out a path uniquely their own. Each speaker brings a story that reminds us: the most meaningful journeys aren't the easiest, they're the ones we choose for ourselves.
Meet Your Judges for "The Road Less Traveled"
We're proud to introduce our esteemed panel of judges, leaders in storytelling, media, entrepreneurship, and influence, who will listen for authenticity, impact, and the voices that truly embody what it means to take the road less traveled.
Samir Mourani
Entrepreneur, Speaker & Podcaster - Richmond Hill, Ontario
Samir Mourani is an entrepreneur, speaker, and award winning podcaster recognized for his work in mental health and self-development. He hosts & produces "Gent's Talk," a top 5% globally ranked podcast featured on Air Canada, and serves as Editor of "Gent's Post," a leading men's lifestyle publication. Featured on Cityline, Breakfast Television, and CBC, Samir sparks conversations on mental health, wellness, and growth.
Niki Papaioannou
Entrepreneur, Media Guru, World Traveller, Mom - Toronto, Ontario
Niki Papaioannou started Niki Inc., the media relations firm, in 2017. Prior to this she worked on high level endorsements with top NBA and MLB athletes as a Director of Marketing in a national hospitality brand. Niki studied at the University of Toronto and serves as a member of the Hellenic Heritage Committee. Niki is a mom of two and a proud resident of Toronto.
SK Uddin
Serial Entrepreneur, Publisher & Editor - Mississauga, Ontario
SK Uddin is the Founder and Publisher of CanadianSME Small Business Magazine, a serial entrepreneur, and a B2B Ecosystem Luminary. He is also Co-Founder of She & Success Business Magazine and leads initiatives including Black Business Magazine, AI Business Review, and Indigenous SME. He is the Founder of the CanadianSME Small Business Foundation and a Board Member of the She & Success Foundation, driving impact across Canada's small business ecosystem.
Janice Golding
CTV News Reporter, Videojournalist and Back-up Anchor - Toronto, Ontario
Janice Golding delivers breaking and daily news coverage for CTV News Toronto. She also serves as a fill-in anchor for the station's daily newscasts. With more than 25 years of experience reporting from the field, Golding has covered countless major stories making headlines in Southern Ontario. Since joining CTV News, she has also served as a fill-in anchor on CTV News Channel, hosted summer editions of Discovery Channel's Daily Planet, and hosted several seasons of Discovery International's science program Connect. Golding holds a Master's in Journalism from Carleton University. She is also a proud mother of three.
The Prize Package
Our judges have generously contributed to a game-changing prize package designed to propel our winners to the next level of their speaking careers:
First Place
- Speaker Slam®: $2,000 cash prize & Invitation to the Grand Slam
- Samir Mourani: Command the Stage — 2 x 45-minute strategic sessions exploring how to maintain stage presence and command emotional attention. (Value: $3,500)
- Niki Papaioannou: Media press kit creation, including a written biography. (Value: $2,000)
- SK Uddin: CanadianSME Small Business Magazine Signature Cover Feature, a premium editorial spotlight recognizing the winner on the cover. (Value: Priceless)
- Janice Golding: 3 mentorship sessions covering speech writing, focus, delivery, and presentation. (Value: Priceless)
Second Place
- Speaker Slam®: Invitation to the Grand Slam
- Samir Mourani: Pace Your Way — 1 x 45-minute strategic session on how to pace your talks to build emotional depth in your storytelling. (Value: $2,500)
- Niki Papaioannou: 3 media training sessions. (Value: $1,000)
- SK Uddin: She & Success Business Magazine Cover Feature, a high-impact cover spotlight celebrating the winner's story and journey. (Value: Priceless)
- Janice Golding: 2 mentorship sessions covering speech writing, focus, delivery, and presentation. (Value: Priceless)
Third Place
- Speaker Slam®: Entry to Wildcard Race
- Samir Mourani: Who Are You? — 1 x 30-minute session on how to build your authority through your speech. (Value: $1,500)
- Niki Papaioannou: Protein prize by Schinoussa plus a 30-minute media training session. (Value: $500)
- SK Uddin: SMB Growth & Visibility Package — 9-month SMB Elite membership on smehub.ca plus a free business listing on smbconnect.ca. (Approx. $900+ value)
- Janice Golding: 1 mentorship session covering speech writing, focus, delivery, and presentation. (Value: Priceless)