Interested in speaking with ACA? Well, you are at the right place! Welcome to your speaker hub. We want our speakers to be successful, so we created this site to give you all the information possible for you to not only submit the best proposals but be able to thrive during our events.
Below you will find a guide that will help you create the best session proposal. You can also find our upcoming events, deadlines, and handouts. If you have any questions or would like to submit an idea, please email [email protected]
Thank you for submitting a session proposal for 2023’s Fall Forum. At this moment, are working with proposal and reaching out to speakers. If you are still waiting to hear about your proposal status, please reach out to Bruno Lozano ([email protected]).
For more information on Fall Forum, please visit the Fall Forum event page.
IGNITE 2024 Proposal logistics coming soon.
IGNITE 2024 session proposal form is now open.
Login is required to submit a proposal. Learn more about Membership or create a free account here.
Congratulations on being selected for Fall Forum 2023! This tab will be your lifeline to everything Fall Forum. We will update this tab with information that will be beneficial for your success at our event. You will also receive emails with information, but this is a more permanent way to house that info. If you have any questions, please email [email protected].
Fall Forum Acceptance Deadline:
September 2023:
- 8th: Sign Speaker Agreement: ACA Speaker Agreement
- 8th: Send an updated Headshot and Bio to [email protected]
- Please review the “Live Session Basics” tab above for a complete understanding of our live event logistics.
- 13th: Fall Forum speaker registration open. please use the speaker discount rate during checkout. NO discount code needed.
If you need assistance with any of the above, please email Bruno Lozano ([email protected]) or Mai Vang ([email protected])
Fall Forum Powerpoint & Content Deadline:
- Regular PowerPoint’s (including legal sessions) must be emailed to [email protected] no later than October 27th. If the PowerPoint cannot be sent via email, Bruno Lozano will provide a DropBox link.
- Legal sessions that have been labeled as ETHICS sessions will need to email the PowerPoint to [email protected] no later than October 2nd.
PowerPoint Template:
Please click the link below to automatically download the Fall Forum PowerPoint Template.
Social Media Banners: You will be able to download your session social media banner soon. Please check back for more information.
Proposal Creation Guide
Writing an engaging and compelling session description is an important step in promoting your webinar or event. A well-written description can help to attract and retain attendees, while a poorly written one can turn them off. Here are some tips for writing a session description that stands out above all others:
Use a compelling headline: The headline is the first thing that attendees will see, so it’s important to make it attention-grabbing and relevant to their needs. Consider using a question, a statistic, or a strong verb to grab their attention.
Describe the benefits of attending: Clearly outline the benefits of attending the session, such as the knowledge and skills that attendees will gain, the problems that the session will help them solve, or the tangible results that they can expect. Use bullet points or numbered lists to make this information easy to read and digest.
Highlight the expertise of the presenter: Mention the credentials and experience of the presenter, and how they can help attendees achieve their goals.
Provide a clear outline of the topics covered: Give attendees an idea of what they can expect to learn during the session, and how the content will be structured. Use subheadings or bullet points to break up the text and make it easier to scan.
Offer incentives: Consider offering incentives for attendees to register or attend live, such as bonus materials or handouts.
Use clear and concise language: Keep the session description easy to understand and avoid using technical jargon or overly complex language. Use active voice and avoid long, convoluted sentences.
Add a call to action: End the session description with a strong call to action that encourages attendees to register for the session, make it clear what you want attendees to do and provide any necessary information to make it easy for them to take action.
o “Don’t miss out on this opportunity to learn from industry experts!”
o “Join us and take your skills to the next level!”
o “Don’t let this chance to transform your business pass you by!”
o “Don’t miss out on the chance to network with like-minded professionals!”
By following these tips, you can write a session description that stands out above all others and attracts a high level of interest and engagement from attendees.
Creating an engaging presentation is essential to keeping your audience interested and retaining their attention. Here are some tips to help you design an engaging presentation:
- Get your audience involved: Engage your audience by asking them questions and encouraging them to participate in the presentation. Use polls, quizzes, and other interactive elements to make the presentation more interactive. This can help to create a more engaging experience for your audience and make the content more memorable.
- Incorporate learning activities: Make the presentation interactive by incorporating learning activities. This can include small group discussions, quizzes, and hands-on activities that allow the audience to practice and apply the information they have learned.
- Use examples and case studies: Use real-life examples and case studies to illustrate your points and make the content more relatable. This can help to make the material more interesting and easier to understand.
- Focus on the how rather than the what: Instead of just providing information, focus on how the information can be applied in the real world. Provide your audience with actionable takeaways that they can use in their own lives or workplaces.
- Have a flow: Having a flow or an agenda to your presentation allows the audience to follow along easily and keeps them engaged as they know what to expect. Try to stick to 2 or 3 points per hour. Trying to fit in 10 steps to whatever you’re teaching in an hour doesn’t allow enough time to teach it, only enough time to tell it.
- Use storytelling: Tell a story that relates to your topic to help engage your audience and make your presentation more memorable.
- Make it visually appealing: Use a consistent design that is visually pleasing, easy to read, and easy to understand. Use a variety of media types such as images, videos, and infographics to help illustrate the points you are making.
- Use images and videos: Images and videos are a great way to break up the text and keep your audience interested. Use images and videos to illustrate your points, or to add visual interest to your presentation.
- Use humor and anecdotes: A little bit of humor can help to lighten the mood and make the presentation more enjoyable. Incorporate anecdotes and personal experiences to add personality to the presentation.
- Be well prepared: Practice your presentation a few times before you give it. This will help you become more comfortable with the material and identify any areas that need improvement. It’s also a good idea to have backup materials on hand in case of technical difficulties.
- Stand up and stay away from your computer: Being well prepared will help with this. If you are used to sitting during your presentation, practice your presentation standing up. This also applies if you are doing a panel. Sitting and presenting doesn’t create an engaging energy for the audience.
- Limit the use of text: While text is important, too much text can be overwhelming and make it hard for your audience to focus. Use images and videos to supplement the text and break up large blocks of text.
- Keep it simple: Avoid using jargon or technical terms that your audience may not be familiar with. Keep your language simple and easy to understand.
By following these tips, you can create a presentation that is not only informative but also engaging for your audience. Remember to get your audience involved, use examples and case studies, focus on the how, use storytelling, incorporate learning activities, make it visually appealing, and use humor and anecdotes to make your presentation stand out.
While we work to make all of our events unique each year, we have a couple of constants that we like to have to make sure our events run smoothly.
*Please note that this applies to our in-person events (Convention, Fall Forum, and IGNITE)
Event Logistics
- Before your session:
- Your session powerpoint will be pre-ploaded to our event laptops a couple of days before the event starts. Any last-minute changes during the event, will not be updated.
- In case of emergencies, please carry a backup ppt in a USB or flash drive. While we test and make sure all ppts work on our laptops, there is a chance something might happen and we will need a backup.
- We can’t guarantee that the on-site wifi is strong enough, please have this in mind when deciding to use Youtube videos as part of your presentation.
- All speakers will have a lav. mic and a clicker will be assigned to the laptop. Please arrive 10 minutes before your session start time to ensure ppt, mic, and clicker work.
- During your session:
- Each session is 60 minutes long and the format and experience of the session is completely up to the panel of speakers.
- The stage will no longer have a panel table. We will provide tall tables for speakers to use for handouts, laptops, and water glasses. please remember that the table is not big enough.
- We ask that all speakers stand during the entire webinar as it creates a more engaging session. If that is not possible, please contact [email protected]
- Please allow time for people to ask questions during the session. Some attendees will wait until after the session is over. If that is the case, please move toward the back of the room to allow for the next speakers to prepare for their session.
- After your session:
- After your session is done, please leave your mic and clicker on any of the small tables or on the laptop table.
- Please move towards the back of the room to chat with attendees.
If you have made it to this tab, you have scheduled an online webinar with us or are thinking about it. This page will outline what is expected from our online webinars (Hot Topics, Innovation Stage Online, and Huddles). Before you jump into all the logistics, each process of scheduling a webinar is bit different. This portion outlines what speakers need to do/know when it comes to speaking with ACA virtually.
If you are interested in doing a Hot Topic, Huddle, or Innovation Stage Online – please email [email protected] for further information.
Innovation Stage Online & Hot Topics
Things to note before the webinar:
- A calendar invite has been sent with your zoom panelist login information. Please confirm that you have received that information.
- Attached to the invite you will find the PowerPoint template that you may use as well as a social media banner for advertisements.
- If you decide to use a ppt or provide any handouts, please send the ppt to the host before the webinar date so it can be prepared and ready for attendees.
- Innovation Stage Online speakers will automatically receive a registration list for the webinar. We do get last minute registrations so a new list will be sent out after the webinar. Hot Topic speakers can request that information after the webinar.
Things to note during the webinar:
- The calendar invite has 15 minutes built before and after the webinar, so we can test audio/video on zoom. Please make sure you arrive early to make sure we check technology as well as answer any questions that you may have before we go live.
- We will be in a “green” room before so we can freely chat while attendees that log in early wont be able to listen in until the webinar starts.
- We will start the webinar and go live 2 minutes before 2pm CST (or 2 minutes before the original start time) to allow time for attendees to join the zoom webinar.
- As soon as the top of the hour hits, the host will kick off the webinar and do a quick intro of speaker (name, and title). At that time, the host will also remind attendees to utilize the zoom chat for questions. Please note that all interactions with attendees (questions, comments) will come from the zoom chat – this zoom is set up as a webinar and attendees wont be able to unmute themselves.
- After a quick introduction, the host will turn off their mic and camera and will hand it over to the speakers. The rest of the hour is for you to chat with attendees and share your knowledge.
- The host will appear close to the end of the webinar to do quick wrap up and answer any logistical questions (example: will the ppt be available and where will this recording be posted).
- It is okay to end early or go over by a couple of minutes. Our webinars are recorded and attendees are able to listen to any part that they have missed.
Things to note after the webinar:
- As soon as the webinar is done, Innovation Stage Online speakers will receive the updated registration list pulled from ACA’s registration process. You will also receive a report from Zoom that includes everyone that attended the webinar (and the emails they used). Hot Topic speakers can request this information after the webinar.
- You will be able to direct people to the ACA Shop to purchase the recording at a later time. Recordings will take 1-2 business days to be uploaded to our ACA shop.
ACA Huddle
Things to note before the webinar:
- A calendar invite has been sent with your zoom panelist login information. Please confirm that you have received that information.
- Attached to the invite you will find the PowerPoint template. It is optional and completely up to the speakers if they decide to use a PowerPoint.
- If you decide to use a ppt or provide any handouts, please send the ppt to the host before the Huddle so it can be prepared and ready for attendees.
Things to note during the webinar:
- The calendar invite has 15 minutes built before and after the webinar, so we can test audio/video on zoom. Please make sure you arrive early to make sure we check technology as well as answer any questions that you may have before we go live.
- We will be in a “green” room before so we can freely chat while attendees that log in early wont be able to listen in until the webinar starts.
- We will start the webinar and go live 2 minutes before 11 am CST to allow time for attendees to join the zoom webinar.
- As soon as the top of the hour hits, the host will kick off the webinar. At that time, you may turn off your camera and mic until the host introduces you. Please note that this Huddle is a webinar and attendees will only be able to communicate via the Zoom Chat. Please have it open for any questions that may appear during your portion of the Huddle.
- The order of the huddle currently is:
- Host starts Huddle – 10:58 am CST
- Host thanks sponsor
- ACA Staff will do their federal, advocacy, and compliance update (15-20 minutes)
- Host will introduce guest speakers
- Guest speakers will have 35-40 minutes to chat with our members
- Host will join speakers towards the end of the webinar to close Huddle
- It is okay to end early or go over by a couple of minutes. Our webinars are recorded and attendees are able to listen to any part that they have missed.
If you have any questions about webinar logistics, please contact [email protected]