If you’re reading this post, you probably already know something about the benefits of speaking at a conference. Exposure, credibility, new professional allies, business insights, and a good ole’ fashion adrenaline rush are just a few of the perks of presenting, and also watching other thought leaders present at a conference.
Whether you are looking for a way to break into the wonderful world of public speaking, or you are a seasoned presenter with years of experience, one of the conferences listed below is bound to be a good fit for your level of experience, and your area of expertise.
Some of these conferences have submission deadlines that are quickly approaching; even if a conference doesn’t currently have a tight deadline, early submission is always advantageous. So get started on a speaker application today.
1. 99U Conference
What: The goal of the 99U Conference is to shift the focus from idea generation to idea execution. Providing road-tested insights on how to make your ideas happen.
When: April 30 – May 1, 2015
Where: New York City, NY
Apply to speak at 99U Conference: Recommend yourself or another qualified speaker for the 99U conference by submitting an application via the Speaker Recommendation Form. There is no deadline for submission, but speakers are selected very far in advance so apply as soon as you are prepared. If selected to speak, you will be allotted 20-30 minutes to deliver a presentation in the spirit of the 99U tagline: Insights on making ideas happen. Past speakers include Twitter founder Jack Dorsey, and marketing thought leader Seth Godin.
Follow: @99U
Engage: #99uconf
Watch: Brené Brown delivers her 99U Conference presentation, Why Your Critics Aren’t The Ones Who Count.
2. GSMA Mobile World Congress
What: Mobile World Congress is the world’s largest annual gathering of mobile and related industry C-Level executives. If anything is happening in mobile, it can be found at MWC.
Past speakers include: Michael Corbat (CEO, Citigroup), Mark Zuckerberg (Founder & CEO, Facebook), and Virginia M. Rometty (Chairman, President & CEO, IBM).
When: March 2-5, 2015
Where: Barcelona, Spain
Apply to speak at Mobile World Congress: Time is running out for speakers who want to apply to present at this prestigious event in 2015. Speaker applications are due September 26, 2014. If you feel prepared to submit an application by that deadline, visit the Call For Papers page to get started; then submit your application via the official MWC form. Unfortunately Research Open Days, the in-person speaker review period is already closed for 2015 candidates.
If you plan to apply to speak at MWC in 2016, increase your odds of acceptance by starting early, and applying for Research Open Days. In addition, before you add your application to the pile of speaker submissions, prove yourself to the GSMA team while also getting great exposure by speaking at Mobile 360 Series – North America, another GSMA event.
Follow: @MWC_Barcelona
Engage: #MWC15
Watch: Get a glimpse of what Mobile World Congress 2015 will be like by watching the MWC 2014 Preview video.
3. The Economist‘s Innovation Forum
What: Innovation Forum is designed for C-level and senior executives responsible for information, technology, strategy, and marketing, who are charged with driving innovation and new product development—across industries and sectors. Attendees will participate in a full day of stimulating, interactive discussion and debate.
When: March 2015 (TBD)
Where: TBD
Apply to speak at The Economist‘s Innovation Forum: For information on speaking opportunities with The Economist, email eventspeakers@economist.com.
Follow: @TheIdeasEconomy
Engage: #InnovationForum
Watch: An Innovation Forum panel discusses the topic, Managing the risk of innovation: How companies take the leap.
4. IBM InterConnect
What: At InterConnect you will find the startup in your enterprise. You will see how to become a composable business while discovering new ways to rapidly innovate and engage with customers. Cloud. Mobile. Data. Together they’re transforming business. Come share your experience and expertise in Cloud, Service Management, Security, Mobile, DevOps, Internet of Things and Application Infrastructure.
InterConnect Website
When: February 22-26, 2015
Where: Las Vegas, Nevada
Apply to speak at InterConnect: Submit your submission materials before October 2, 2014. Follow the best practices listed in the Submissions Guideline PDF; include real life examples, measurable results, and a catchy title for your pitch. Speakers will be confirmed by the end of October 2014. Selected speakers will be required to submit their final presentation by January 20, 2015.
Speaking at InterConnect will help raise your profile and expand your network with more than 20,000 peers, experts and influencers. Additionally, client and Business Partner speakers may qualify for a complimentary pass to the conference.
Follow: @IBMInterConnect
Engage: #IBMInterConnect
Watch: Prepare for IBM InterConnect 2015 by viewing event highlights from IBM InterConnect 2013.
Watch: The promo video for IBM InterConnect 2013 is a great way to get excited about InterConnect 2015.
5. HOW Design Live
What: HOW Design Live is the biggest annual gathering of creative professionals, anywhere. The 2015 event, May 4 – 8 in Chicago, is your chance to explore the biggest ideas, meet your design heroes, and learn from the smartest minds—all in one five-day design extravaganza.
HOW Design Live’s programming is divided into five conferences:
– HOW Leadership Conference: Whether you’re a CMO, a Creative Director, or you’re just managing your own to-do list, the ideas you’ll encounter here—from the creative talent shaping the future of design, the authors that are shaping culture, business and branding, your design heroes—will challenge, enlighten and motivate you to be an agent for positive change in your world.
– HOW Design Conference: From technology to your career to creativity, every single session at HOW Design Conference will inspire you to become a better, more successful designer. Bridgid Agricola and the rest of the HOW team are putting together a program that covers everything from interactive design to typography, brainstorming, trend spotting, branding and more.
– In-House Management Conference: Lead your in-house creative team to their most inspired work. In this program curated by Merck’s veteran in-house manager Andy Epstein, you’ll learn how to build your team, inspire them, get the best work out of them and even sell that work up the corporate ladder.
– Creative Freelancer Business Conference: You’ll learn how to create a business action plan, find out what buyers are really looking for, pick up winning sales strategies, price and negotiate with confidence, and get new business from clients who recognize your value—all so that you can concentrate on the creative work you love.
– The Dieline Conference: Successful brand managers and designers understand the value of starting with the package first. At The Dieline Conference 2015, you’ll discover how to gain recognition and respect by articulating what your design means to a brand.
When: May 4 – 8, 2015
Where: Chicago, IL
Apply to speak at HOW Design Live: Download and complete the one-page Speaker Proposal. Be prepared to list your speaking experience and provide references. HOW is looking for speakers who are interested in interacting with attendees throughout the event, and who also have experience presenting to large groups of 200 or more people.
Follow: @HOWbrand
Engage: #HOWLIVE
Watch: Stefan Mumaw delivers his presentation Generate Ideas In Greater Quantity And Quality.
Also check out:
Social Media Week: Social Media Week is a leading media platform and worldwide event with local presence and global reach across five continents, including Europe, North America, South America, Africa and Asia. Apply on the SMW website.
ClickZ Live Conferences: A global conference series, ClickZ Live is a next-generation event that addresses the increasing change of pace in the digital marketing industry, to meet the diverse educational needs of today’s online marketing community. Apply on the CLickZ Website.
The Global Forum by Fortune: Each year, Fortune hosts a select number of by-invitation-only meetings for the leaders who are setting the global business agenda. Building upon Fortune’s cutting-edge content and unrivaled power to convene top CEOs, policymakers, and experts, Fortune Conferences are executed at the highest level of the quality spectrum. To suggest a speaker, send a short biography and a few paragraphs about their expertise to: lindsey_green@fortuneconf.com. There are no exact deadlines for speaker submissions. More information is available on the Fortune Conferences Website
GPU Technology Conference: “This is the place where scientists, programmers, researchers, and a myriad of creative professionals convene to tap into the power of a GPU for more than gaming.” – Forbes GPU Technology Conference Website.
Suggested Reading:
10 Tips for Becoming a TED Speaker
10 Reasons to Start a Speaking Career
Learn about Ethos3 Presentation Design and Training
Question: Are you planning to present at an upcoming conference? If so, which one?
