NASCAR, but make it conference proposals submissions
NASCAR race cars hit speeds of 170 mph, and on tracks like Talladega or Daytona, they can top 200. How fast is that, you ask? About the same speed as your brain on a Sunday night, 20 minutes before conference proposal submissions are due.
Been there. Done that. 🤪
Let’s break down a few ways to get a quality conference session proposal crafted before the deadline panic hits.
Step 1: strategy + brainstorm
Group brainstorm:
Start with your company or department’s top goals. Use your long-term strategy as a map for content ideas. Take your top three strategic priorities and brainstorm sessions from there.
Before the meeting:
Send that strategy summary to a diverse team.
Ask everyone to bring 1–2 title ideas.
Let them brainstorm solo first! This gives introverts and extrovert (or even regular conference goers) a level playing field.
During the meeting:
Use a spider map with each strategy as a main hub.
Let the team riff off those ideas in real time, starting with the idea they brought.
Capture everything!
By the end, you’ll have a stack of session ideas (not to mention broader buy-in and a richer POV).
Solo brainstorm:
No team? No problem. Start with your “why.”
Ask yourself:
What am I passionate about?
What project or lesson would be valuable to others?
What knowledge or perspective can I share that others might not have?
This is an important one. We often take our strengths for granted. What is easy for you, may be a challenge for others.
Lastly, think practical. What would you want to take back to work and use immediately? Perhap something that would make that person’s job easier.
Step 2: pick the right format
Choose the session type after you pick your topic(s). Ask yourself:
What’s the best way to share this info?
How interactive should it be (0 = lecture, 10 = workshop)?
Will audience participation add value or distract?
Step 3: consider co-presenters
The right co-presenter can elevate your proposal. Think about:
Do we need complementary or contrasting expertise?
Would a client or partner add depth?
Can I bring in a first-time presenter for fresh energy and inclusion? Is it time to elevate someone on your team?
Step 4: write a title that doesn’t sound like AI
Please, touch grass before proceeding (and a GIF break).
The sea of AI-generated titles is real: words like disrupting, empowering, and navigating are everywhere. Your session title needs a hook that feels human and makes someone pause. Even drop a pun or pop culture nod if that’s your thing. Here are three quick formulas to get you started:
“From X to Y: What We Learned Along the Way”
“The [Thing] No One Talks About, But Everyone Deals With”
“Lessons From [Unexpected Source] That Transformed Our Approach to [Topic]”
Step 5: don’t sleep on the session description
This is where you show the value of the session. Similar to the session title, you certainly can use AI to expedite the process, but read it back to yourself. Here’s an easy framework if you’re writing it yourself:
Opening paragraph: the problem the audience has (make it relatable)
Next paragraph: the solution you applied and a quick intro to your proof (if you have it - a case study, data, etc.)
Closing paragraph: what tangible lessons or insights they’ll walk away with
Submission tips
I know some of you reading this have submitted (and presented at) more conferences than I can count. What are your go-to tips or pet peeves when it comes to session submissions?
By the way, if your team needs help turning great ideas into accepted proposals, ACMC’s here to help. Let’s make your next submission a no-brainer for reviewers.
Amanda
PS: Here are a few upcoming deadlines: