Thank you for your interest in being a Concurrent Session Speaker for the 2017 Workforce Development Conference in Costa Mesa, CA June 18-21, 2017. International Association of Workforce Professionals (IAWP) hosts this annual Workforce Development Conference, now in its 104th year!
Why would I want to be a Concurrent Speaker?
- You will have the opportunity to connect and network with workforce professionals from across the country.
- We will feature you and your company in our conference program and website.
- Some presenters will have the opportunity to write pre-conference articles, which will become part of our promotional material for the conference.
- You can continue to add and build on your resume and portfolio.
Who Attends the Conference?
Well over 200 workforce professionals from throughout the United States.
What are We Looking for in a Concurrent Session?
We are looking for sessions that provide a great learning experience (not a commercial for a product or service) and that are lively, entertaining, innovative, informative and interactive. We want participants to engage with the learning through activities and take-a-ways. We are also looking for workshops that help connect the learning back to the workplace.
What are the Topic Tracks for the Conference?
- Workforce Best Practices – Demonstrating and sharing best practices within the workforce system.
- Workforce Skills Development – Skill development specific to serving customers within the workforce system. This might include skills in social media, resume building, customer service, interviewing skills, and coaching conversations.
- Leadership Development – Skill development in leadership. This might include emotional intelligence, facilitation, diversity, self-assessments, strengths development, and collaboration.
What is the Selection Criteria?
- Lively, entertaining, innovative, informative and interactive sessions. We specifically request that presentations include interactive activities or exercises for participants.
- Well written learning objectives that show how the learner will be able to use your content back on the job (practical application).
- Session descriptions that clearly show what the session is about and avoid editorials on the topic.
- Content that relates to one of the topic tracks.
- An outline and objectives that can be realistically accomplished in the time allotted.
- Content that is current, cutting edge, and practical.
We Will Also Consider…
- A balance of speakers representing diverse cultures, backgrounds, viewpoints, organizations and geography.
- Demonstration of presentation style and quality; we ask you provide, if available, a link to a video of you presenting the proposed topic or similar topic.
- Completeness, accuracy and clarity of the proposal. Proposals that do not follow the instructions will be ineligible.
- Experience of the speaker. Substantial topic knowledge and experience facilitating learning experiences and/or speaking to large groups is required.
- Feedback from references. Two positive reference checks with at least one being from a prior speaking engagement are required.
Submission Instructions
CLICK HERE to access our online RFP form. You can update and edit your submission using this link until the submission deadline.
The deadline for submissions is FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2017 at 5:00 PM. Please note that the selection committee will not consider RFPs received after the deadline or those that are incomplete. The committee reserves the right to begin reviewing and selecting proposals prior to the submission deadline.
RFP Guidelines
- Limit of four proposal submissions per individual or organization.
- Maximum of two selections per individual or organization.
- Limit of two speakers per session.
- As a non-profit, educational association, IAWP does not provide monetary or other compensation for presentations. All travel, lodging, meals, special equipment purchases, and rentals are the speaker’s responsibility.
- Speakers must review, agree and sign the 2017 Workforce Development Conference Concurrent Speakers Agreement.
- IAWP will provide a screen, LCD projector, flipchart and markers. All other equipment is the responsibility of the presenter. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the meetings rooms. Equipment rentals can be arranged through the hotel, with all costs being the responsibility of the principal presenter.
- Speakers must provide their own laptops.
- IAWP will print materials for the conference if received by the deadline in the speaker agreement. Speakers must provide their own handouts if the deadline is not met.
- Speakers will need to submit a photo, bio, title and workshop description for the conference program, website, and mobile app.
I Have Questions, Who Do I Contact?
If you have further questions, please email Grant Axtell at speakers@workforceconference.org
Thank you!
Grant Axtell
Workforce Development Conference Program Coordinator