A presenter debriefs an activity with attendees while sitting or kneeling on the floor during the 2025 ACCT conference and exposition.

A Guide for Potential Presenters

Are you considering submitting a workshop proposal for the ACCT International Conference and Exposition? Understanding how workshops are selected, what makes a submission stand out, and how to maximize your chances of acceptance can set you up for success. With the Call for Presenters open until May 31st, 2025, now is the perfect time to craft and submit your proposal.

We checked in with our Workshop Coordinators, who work with the Workshop Review Task Force and ACCT Staff to vet sessions once the call for proposals ends. They’ve offered some tips and tricks to help your submission stand out!

Understanding Workshop Selection

People examine the ACCT International Conference and Exposition schedule between sessions in Cleveland, Ohio.

What Types of Workshops Does ACCT International Look For?

Each year the review team seeks a diverse range of sessions to offer a well-rounded program, carefully balancing session types during the vetting process. We strive to promote underrepresented tracks, though final selections depend on the submissions received. Aligning your session with a track is helpful, but not mandatory. The review team can adjust track placement as needed.

While facilitation sessions are always popular, the Workshop Coordinators encourage more submissions in the Training and Technical tracks, which have historically seen fewer proposals. Attendees have expressed an interest in seeing more workshops focused on staff development.

How Are Proposals Evaluated?

The WRTF and ACCT Staff assess proposals based on:

Presenter knowledge
Uniqueness of the topic
Applicability to the industry
Overall quality of the proposal

What Happens After Acceptance?

Accepted presenters are notified via email, typically in July, and receive an invitation to the ACCT SessionBoard portal. This virtual hub is where presenters can prepare and refine their session while staying up-to-date as the event schedule is developed.

Crafting a Strong Submission

A question debrief ball that currently displays the question, "What do you think was the purpose?" is featured while an exhibitor booth is blurred in the background.

What Makes a Proposal Stand Out?

A compelling submission includes a clear and concise session description, proper grammar, and professionalism. We get particularly excited about sessions that may qualify for Continuing Education Units (CEUs). But most importantly, ACCT International is looking for original ideas that bring something fresh to the conference and exposition! Ensure you include basics like:

Room setup and A/V needs.
Scheduling requests.
All presenters’ names and roles.
Any special requirements to help ensure a smooth session experience.

Common Reasons for Proposal Rejection

Not all proposals make the cut, and common reasons for rejection include:

Lack of clarity in session descriptions.
Overly sales-focused content.
Duplicate topics submitted by multiple presenters.
Limited room availability.
Poor reviews from past conference sessions.
A need for speaker diversity, ensuring a broad range of voices are heard.

Presenters are welcome to request feedback if their workshop isn’t selected by contacting the Workshop Coordinators.

Presenter Qualifications and Expectations

Do You Need Prior Speaking Experience?

No! ACCT International welcomes new voices. As long as you have expertise in your topic, you are encouraged to submit a proposal. If you’re new to presenting, here are some key tips to improve your chances:

Be thorough yet concise in your submission.
Clearly outline learning objectives.
Avoid making your session a sales pitch.
Provide a strong bio that demonstrates your expertise.

Presenters have full autonomy in structuring their sessions, whether they choose a panel discussion, experiential learning format, or traditional presentation. Interactive and hands-on sessions often engage attendees more, but lecture-style presentations also have their place.

A group of session attendees laugh together while debriefing an activity during the 2025 ACCT conference and exposition.

A presenter explains a series of photos seen on a projector screen to a crowd of session attendees, most of whom are sitting but a few folks stand along the sidelines at the 2025 ACCT conference and exposition.

Support Available for Presenters

Pre-conference support: The workshop coordinators are available via email to answer any questions that may arise before presenters are on site.
SessionBoard portal: This online management system provides presenters with a checklist of tasks and deadlines to help them manage their sessions.
On site assistance: Service Crew volunteers are available for logistical and technical support during the event, as is the event team.

Do Presenters Need Their Own Projector?

No, but loaning a projector is encouraged to help keep conference costs down. Just label all attachments provided to ensure they are returned. Let us know if this is something you can help us with!

Final Tips and Encouragement

The 2025 presenters laugh, smile and do other silly things during a group photo taken at the exclusive gathering hosted for volunteers and presenters before the conference and exposition officially kicks off.

On the Fence About Submitting?

The worst that can happen is a rejection — so why not take the chance? Every great presenter started somewhere!

The Value of Sharing Your Expertise

Presenting at the ACCT International Conference and Exposition is an opportunity to stay informed, exchange ideas, and contribute to the growth of our industry. Whether you’re a seasoned speaker or a first-time presenter, your voice matters!