IMPORTANT DATES:

Core4 is the premier conference for building and refining the core skills every learning and development professional needs to succeed in their career. This conference aims to advance attendees’ careers through new and renewed professional connections, new ideas, new perspectives, skill development, and practical advice in the L&D industry. Core4 presentations are intended to share practical advice and opportunities to learn skills that attendees can immediately apply in their work.

Please review the important information below to ensure you meet the proposal requirements.

The call for proposals for Core4 2026 has closed.

What we’re looking for in Core4 proposals

We’re accepting proposals for sessions that strongly connect to one of the four key pillars of the event:

• Evaluating Impact

• Instructional Design

• Training Delivery and Facilitation

• Emerging Trends

This year, there are three session formats you can choose from:

• Industry Insights:

  60-minute traditional presentations

• Power Hour:

  60-minute interactive sessions

• Quick Wins:

  30-minute sessions on a narrow theme, software, case study, or skill.

While this event focuses on the fundamental pillars of L&D, it’s not just for beginners. We’re looking for valuable sessions for seasoned professionals looking for new inspiration and introductory sessions for people new to the field.

We’re also watching for talks that can help people shape their career paths in the L&D field and session delivery ideas that foster a sense of connection and community with attendees.

This year’s event takes place September 29-October 1, 2026, in Indianapolis, Indiana–and we’d love to have you play a part in it.

Presenting at Core4 is not only an opportunity to build your professional reputation, but it’s also a chance to use your valuable insights to help others in the L&D community.

To make it easier for you to be here, we offer one complimentary registration for the conference and one night’s stay at the conference hotel for up to two session speakers.

Proposal Submission Fields

Several required fields must be completed before submitting a proposal.

1. Proposal Title

2. Track & Area of Focus

3. Knowledge Level

4. Target Audience

5. Session Description

6. Session Outcomes

7. Challenges Solved

8. Proposal Overview

9. Session Agenda

10. Your Take on the Topic

11. Why This Topic Now

12. Conference Submission Preference

13. Presented Before

14. Speaker Information

15. Speaker Availability

16. Speaker Submission Agreement

17. Conference Policies

ATD 2026 Core4 Conference Proposal Template (PDF)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)