Is public speaking that important?

Whether is in small family gathering, a wedding, work or in professional background, public speaking is important.
If You've been to a friend's wedding, a family gathering or a vocational event, you may have noticed how most people will avoid speaking in public; even before their own family.
Many are not afraid because they don't have something to say; in actual fact, many could offer you important talk that they felt could have been voiced in that particular meeting(event).
The question is, why do many of us talk important things at the back?
Isn't it because despite many people's efforts to help us learn how to overcome fear of public speech, many of us choose to ignore and think we could talk anywhere.
To my understanding, talking anywhere is not the key in learning public speaking, but learning how to speak without fear, having confidence and being able to connect with the ones in whom we want to talk to.
I challenge you, next time you have a family gathering, try your public speaking test. Talk to all, inform them how important they are to you or anything and see how well you are at your public speaking.
You can involve them too, let all speak, I'm sure one of them would be able to realize how much they would need to learn the art of public speaking.
You will be able to help them. Just ask them to tell a story they told you before, just a honesty story.
Public speaking is important and many in our families may use our help if we let them.