ATD Conference Policies

Your Commitment to Speak

It is an honor and a privilege to be invited to speak at an ATD conference. By sharing your expertise, you make a valuable contribution to the profession's field of knowledge and to the individual learning of our participants. If you are selected, please view this opportunity as a commitment like any other and ensure that you are able to deliver the session by securing the support of your organization and managing your workload and clients to keep this time open. We understand that things do happen and appreciate your advance notice in the event of extreme circumstances that prevent your attendance.

Honoraria, Travel Expenses & Complimentary Registration

ATD is a nonprofit educational association with a responsibility to its members to carefully manage its resources.

Delivering an education session is done on a voluntary, unpaid basis. Speaker's individual travel and living expenses are at his/her own expense.

ATD provides one complimentary full conference registration per speaker. We will not be offering session only passes. If you plan on bringing additional guest to help assist you, they will need to purchase a full conference registration to attend.

Noncommercial Policy

ATD conference education programs are learning experiences first and foremost, and as such must be noncommercial in content and delivery.

Speakers must:

  • Avoid using brand names and endorsing specific products.
  • Eliminate any form of direct promotion of the speaker's product, service, or monetary self-interest.
  • Refrain from overt statements, harsh language, or pointed humor that disparages the rightful dignity and social equity of any individual or group.

Proposal Submission, Session Delivery and Speaker Limits

Proposal Submission:
ATD continues to seek and provide a balanced slate of speakers with a diversity of backgrounds, viewpoints, and organizational affiliations. Each individual or organization may submit up to two (2) speaking proposals. Any proposals submitted in excess of this limit will be deleted from the system based on the date of submission. Please submit your very best proposals and coordinate with your colleagues when submitting from large organizations. Proposals are selected based on information submitted. Submitters are expected to follow the instructions carefully and supply all requested information. Missing or incorrect information could make the proposal ineligible for consideration. This refers to but not limited to missing/incorrect speakers listed on the proposal. Exceptions to these limits must be pre-approved by ATD.

Speaker Limits:
The number of speakers is limited based on the session type. Education, Innogizer, New ATD Speaker, On-Demand and Panel sessions are limited to two (2) speakers. Panel sessions are limited to four (4) panelists plus one (1) moderator for a total of five (5) speakers. All panelist must confirm their acceptance individually (if accepted).

Session Delivery Limits:
Most speakers will be limited to one education session, except for repeated sessions. Speakers may also serve on a panel in addition to delivering one education session. Exceptions are at ATD's discretion.

Intellectual Property

All work that you submit should be original to you. To the extent the work includes any third-party materials, ensure you have the appropriate permissions for use of those materials, and that the work does not infringe the rights of any third party, including copyright, trademark and/or right of publicity.