Cherno Jobatey is honored for his art of public speaking. The National Speakers Association (NSA), the international association of the speaker industry, awards him the title of Certified Speaking Professional (CSP) in 2025 – the highest globally recognized quality award for professional speakers.
CSP award with standing ovation in Scottsdale
At the ceremony in Scottsdale, Arizona, there is a standing ovation for Jobatey’s performance as he dances to the front, rips open his shirt and reveals a Superman T-shirt with the CSP logo.
CSP: Ten years of quality, impact, and professionalism
The Certified Speaking Professional title is not a rhetoric diploma, but the result of a lengthy examination process. Over a period of ten years, at least 250 appearances are documented, clients are surveyed, and impact and professionalism are evaluated. It must also be proven that one has been able to make a very good living from it for 10 years.
Only then will the second door open in the CSP process: a jury will scrutinize everything, evaluating content and performance. Keynote speaker Cherno Jobatey is amazed at how important interaction, body language, voice pitch and voice changes, as well as stage presence and interaction with the audience, are in addition to the actual content.
Only a tiny fraction within the international speaker community holds the CSP title, not even one percent. In 2025, only 33 speakers worldwide will be awarded the Certified Speaking Professional title. One of them is Cherno Jobatey.
The moment that sets everything in motion for CSP
At a large conference in Orlando, Florida, Cherno Jobatey has just come off stage, the audience is still applauding, and the energy in the room is buzzing. An agent from Texas approaches him with a broad smile and a firm handshake.
“Great job!” she says enthusiastically. “Loved your style, loved your energy!” And she asks when he earned his “CSP.” “CSP, what?” Jobatey has never heard of it.
This encounter leads him into a different system: the American speaker business, a billion-dollar industry with clear standards, measurable quality, and tough audits.
Appreciation from the highest authority in the public speaking industry
“Cherno Jobatey’s substance, his perspectives, and his ability to captivate audiences make him a prime example of the CSP title,” says Jaime Nolan, president of the National Speakers Association.
From ZDF-TV to international stages
The long-time ZDF presenter has been on stages large and small for many years, as an emcee and sought-after speaker in business, politics, society, and culture.
Speaker Cherno Jobatey combines ideas with groove, numbers with stories, sound with attitude. His keynotes are not lectures, but encounters: between culture and business, between energy and seriousness.
“Whether on big stages in the US or at conferences in Europe, Jobatey manages to explain complex topics in an understandable, exciting way and with a wink,” says BILD Europe’s biggest newspaper.
What really makes the CSP special
The CSP title stands for authenticity, impact, and lasting excellence, qualities that keynote speaker Cherno Jobatey embodies with ease and style. He is recognized for his ability to reach people not with his volume, but with stories, empathy, and sound.
“This CSP award means a lot to me because it doesn’t happen overnight. Being tested for ten years is almost like long-term observation. And it shows that attitude, combined with content, numbers, storytelling, the right energy, and the heart of a Berliner, ultimately count for more than showmanship,” says Cherno Jobatey.
Internationally in demand: CSP with a Berlin heart
Whether in New York, Las Vegas, or Beverly Hills, at European conferences or on stages in Germany, keynote speaker Cherno Jobatey stands for entertaining, content-rich, and energetic presentations.
His trademark: creating understanding where complexity reigns – with attitude, humor, and a touch of music.
The CSP title signifies that speaker Cherno Jobatey ranks among the best in his field worldwide.
About the National Speakers Association (NSA)
Founded in 1973, the National Speakers Association is the largest international association of professional speakers. It awards the title Certified Speaking Professional (CSP), which is considered the highest internationally recognized quality standard in the industry.
The title is trademarked and can also be indicated with the trademark symbol as Certified Speaking Professional™ or abbreviated as CSP®.