NAWBO :: Presenter Criteria & Guidelines

Presenter Criteria & Guidelines









The Women’s Business Conference is the only event of its kind focused on providing women entrepreneurs with personal and professional business development opportunities to take their businesses to the next level of success.

NAWBO’s Women’s Business Conference (WBC) 2010 will take place June 9-11th in Washington D.C.—where 35 years ago, a dozen like-minded businesswomen gathered to share information, create an atmosphere of professional community and further strengthen their entrepreneurial interests. This year’s conference theme “The Power of One” celebrates NAWBO’s heritage and the many firsts women business owners have achieved to lay the groundwork for opportunities that exist today. It also celebrates the fact that we live in a world where one woman, one business and one collective NAWBO voice have the power to make a difference for women entrepreneurs in the U.S. and beyond. This year’s WBC gives participants opportunities for high-level education, tangible takeaways and connections to help them power themselves and their business. 

The Women’s Business Conference program will combine keynote sessions, panel sessions, workshops and presentations featuring high-caliber thought leaders and experts in a variety of fields.  All sessions are designed to educate members and provide practical information on topics related to owning and running a successful business.  We are currently soliciting proposals for a limited number of speakers to participate in panels, workshops and presentations.  

Panels consist of short presentations by 2-3 leaders in a field, followed by moderated dialogue among the panelists and audience members. Workshops consist of in-depth presentations by 1-2 workshop leaders with either structured training on the topic or in-depth discussion and problem-solving among the workshop participants. Presentations are more broadly defined and typically have only one speaker (plus a moderator). All sessions should incorporate the conference theme into the key messages.  In addition, solicitation for any specific products or services is strongly discouraged and will likely have a negative impact on the audience.

 

General Guidelines to Submit a Speaker Application

  • Breakout sessions are scheduled for 1 to 1.25 hours on June 10 and 11.
  • No more than two proposals may be submitted by one presenter and no presenter may participate in more than two sessions.
  • Only submissions containing all required documents will be considered.

 

Criteria for Selecting Presenters

The following criteria will be used to select presenters:

  • Reflect the same age range and ethnic diversity as women entrepreneurs in the U.S.
  • Include a balance of national and local experts
  • Include a balance of strategic thought leaders and how-to practitioners
  • Project a professional, business image and tone
  • Educate and train attendees as well as inspire them
  • Provide depth as well as breadth so attendees receive detailed and substantive information about various topics
  • Reinforce the conference theme and mission of NAWBO
  • Represent a cross-industry perspective
  • Represent companies/organizations of various sizes
  • Address the needs of women at different stages/ages in their lives and business

 

Suggested Presentation Topics

Presentation topics should address the following subject areas:

  • “Power of One” Conference Theme:  Power of One Woman, One Business and/or One Voice
  • Organizational development to take your business to the next level of success:  transitioning from entrepreneur to CEO
  • Business growth through government/corporate procurement opportunities, international expansion and environmental sustainability practices
  • Leadership development through social entrepreneurship, community engagement  and building a legacy for the next generation
  • Leveraging technology and innovation—social media marketing, Web presence, virtual meetings, integrated communication systems, etc. 
  • Strategies for transforming public policy and influencing decision makers

 

To Submit Speaker Proposal 

1. Complete and submit Speaker Application Form

NOTE:  You will need a NAWBO profile username and password. If you don't already have one, you will need to create a NAWBO profile here. Once your profile is created, you can login, insert your bio, photo and upload files and documents that are requested below.

2. Upload a 1-2 page Presentation Summary including:

a. A list of three to five learning objectives
b. The specific benefits participants will take away
c. How you plan to engage the audience in interacting with one another
d. Why this topic is essential knowledge for women business owners
e. What makes your treatment of this topic unique
f. How you gained your expertise on this subject

3.  Upload a Sample Presentation or a link to a website featuring video footage of a past presentation or PowerPoint slides from a previous presentation on a similar topic. You can also send us a DVD to:
WBC2010 c/o Planning Dynamics, Inc. Attn: Laura Deck, P.O. Box 1206, San Carlos, CA 94070

4.  Upload a 100-word biography

5.  Upload a high-resolution headshot in JPG format

6.  Upload references from two or three organizations where you have previously presented

7.  Upload presentation materials/handouts to be distributed at the conference

8.  Complete and submit a Presenter Application Form with all required documents by 6 p.m. PST, Friday, January 29, 2010.  For full consideration, all applications must be submitted electronically and before the deadline.    

Contact WBC2010@nawbo.org for questions or additional information.  Thank you for your interest and submission.


WBC2010 Conference Team