Call for Topics and Speakers

Shape the Future of PCMA Capital Chapter Events

The Professional Development Committee (PDC) seeks your input on hot topics and speakers to help shape our upcoming educational programming in 2025. Your contributions will guide us in delivering content that addresses the most pressing issues, enhances skills, and supports career growth within the events and meetings industry.

For Topic Submissions: We’re collecting areas of focus to determine the direction of our education. Topics should be:

Centered on skills and fundamentals, industry challenges, career or leadership development, or strategic alliances and partnerships.
Offer tools or tips to help PCMA members be more efficient in their daily work
Free of company, product, or technology promotions.
Educational in nature
Your ideas can be high-level concepts, tools, or specific areas of interest. No need to submit a full proposal!

For Speaker Submissions: Are you a dynamic speaker, or know someone who is? We’re looking for engaging presenters who can deliver actionable insights and meaningful takeaways for our audience.

Speakers should bring expertise, creativity, and a fresh perspective to any of the following topic areas:

Budget/Revenue Management, Logistics, Marketing, Exhibit/Sponsorship, Contract Negotiations, Site Selection, Content Development, Career Development/Team Management, Food & Beverage, Audio Visual, Attendee Engagement, Activations, Government/Advocacy, State of the Industry/Trends, Technology Services/Trends, Labor/Workforce Issues, Risk Management/Safety/Public Relations, International Events, Managing Volunteers/Committees

How to Contribute:

For Topic Submissions:

Select a High-Level Area: Choose from the topic areas listed above.
Propose Your Topic or Tool: Provide a title or brief description.
Describe the Focus: Share the direction, key questions, or tool you want to present or explore that you want us to address.

For Speaker Submissions:

Provide the speaker’s details and a description of their proposed session.
Include session format preferences (e.g., keynote, hands-on activity, virtual, or in-person).
List expected takeaways and whether the speaker requires a fee or travel reimbursement.

Please Note: Submitting a topic or proposal does not guarantee selection. The PDC will review and approve all submissions. Due to our non-profit status, speakers offering in-kind services or sponsorship opportunities are given priority.

Deadline for Submissions:
Proposals are accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis.

Thank you for helping us create engaging, relevant, and impactful programming for our community.

For questions, contact:

Jodi VanWoerkom, Chair, Virtual Events ([email protected])
Leah Jones, Chair, In-Person Events ([email protected]).

About Capital Chapter Events:

In-person Event attendees include approximately a 50/50 split of event planners and suppliers, with Virtual Lunch and Learns having a 70/30 ratio of event planners and suppliers.

Speaking to the PCMA Capital Chapter audience is a great way to get in front of an audience looking for speakers at their events. We expect 115-200 people in person to attend each event and about 50-100 attendees at each virtual Lunch & Learn.

With 2025 Planning underway, we encourage you to submit content or refer speakers as early as possible.

If you are interested in submitting a hot topic and/or speaking at a Chapter event in 2025, please complete the 2025 PCMA Capital Chapter Call for Topics & Speakers Form.

Want to Sponsor an Event?

Please visit https://capital.pcma.org/advertise-sponsor/overview/ to learn more.