ATD Blog
Thu Mar 07 2013
No, I’m not talking about ones for your radio—but how many of us really use speakers and radios nowadays anyway (its earbuds and iPod for this gal). It struck me as I was sitting at my desk editing a speaker track listing for the ICE Program Guide (don’t you envy me) that many ASTD members out there might not understand how the speakers they love hearing at TechKnowledge® and the ASTD International Conference & Exposition make it into the program. Who puts in the long hours poring over proposals, slotting folks, and making sure that all of the good stuff you see in the program guide (and on the mobile app and website) gets submitted in a timely fashion? Yes, I am “that girl from the emails” as the TechKnowledge® speakers affectionately called me in San Jose.
Well, I do. Along with the extremely talented manager of conference programming, program advisory committees, and Communities of Practice—these sessions come to light. Proposals come in via an online management site, they get reviewed during a grueling two-week period, and then acceptances are given based on the number of slots each track has to offer. I send out the acceptance notices and schedules so speakers know if they got accepted. And then I begin to hound—I mean politely follow-up—for materials that we need (photos, bios, and the like).
If you feel you would like to throw your hat—or in this case, proposal—in the ring, check out our ASTD TechKnowledge® and the ASTD International Conference & Exposition Speaking Opportunities page. Both programs will be accepting proposals for 2014 beginning in April and July (respectively).
And if you aren’t sure if speaking is your thing and want more details or just want to say “hi”—stop by and see me in the speaker ready room in Dallas, Texas at the ASTD 2013 International Conference & Exposition. I might even let you listen to my iPod—but you need to bring your own earbuds.
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