Call for Speakers
The process of soliciting and evaluating proposals from potential presenters for conference sessions.
Definition
A call for speakers invites proposals for conference presentations. It specifies topics of interest, format options, submission requirements, selection criteria, and deadlines. The process evaluates submissions based on relevance, speaker qualifications, and audience value.
Effective calls for speakers attract quality proposals while setting clear expectations. The selection process determines much of the conference's content quality.
Why It Matters
Speaker quality largely determines attendee satisfaction. A strong call for speakers and rigorous selection process ensure programming that justifies attendance investment.
The call process also builds community relationships. Speakers who submit, even if not selected, engage with the event and may become attendees or future contributors.
Examples in Practice
A targeted call for speakers emphasizing practitioner experience attracts proposals from people doing the work rather than just talking about it.
A blind review process for speaker selection reduces bias and surfaces diverse voices that invite-only curation might miss.
An early call for speakers allows time for speaker development, helping promising but inexperienced presenters prepare effectively.