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Call for Presenters

 

Meeting Professionals International, Potomac Chapter’s (MPI Potomac) mission is to build a rich global meeting industry community in the Maryland, Washington, DC, and Northern Virginia areas. To further this mission, MPI Potomac will be hosting an Education Day in Fall 2026, to facilitate experiential learning and meaningful connections.

MPI Potomac is an inclusive community of meeting professionals who embrace learning, collaboration and development. The MPI Potomac Chapter strives to consistently reflect the diversity of our members. Thus, all backgrounds, such as, but not limited to, race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender, socioeconomic status, and individuals with disabilities must be considered in all education content presented.

Established in 1978, MPI Potomac empowers its members to increase their strategic value with education, networking, and business growth opportunities. It is the largest chapter in MPI representing over 600 members in the Washington DC Metropolitan area. Our membership consists of 63% Meeting Professionals (including association/non-profit, corporate, government, and meeting management), 35% are supplier meeting professionals, and the remaining 2% are student members.

Currently we are accepting proposals for our Education Day taking place October 26, 2026 in Washington, DC.

Education Day 
After a long hiatus we are excited to announce we are bringing back an in-depth education program. Our Education Day will include an opening and closing keynote and six breakout sessions.

The theme for Education Day is 
Forward Together: High-Touch, Inclusive Hospitality in a High-Tech World.

In an era driven by artificial intelligence and rapid technological advancement, the core of the events industry remains beautifully unchanged: human connection. How do we harness the power of digital tools while fiercely protecting the warmth, empathy, and humanity of hospitality?

MPI Potomac’s Education Day will explore this vital balance. Set against the inspiring backdrop of the Kellogg Conference Center at Gallaudet University—a global leader in barrier-free environments and inclusive design—this year's conference goes beyond the screen to champion authentic, accessible experiences.

"Forward Together" is a call to action. It is an opportunity for our community to merge optimism and innovation, ensuring that as our industry evolves, we leave no one behind.

Please note that submitting a session idea or speaker does not mean that session will be selected. If two session proposals are similar, presenters may be contacted to determine if they will be willing to collaborate on the session.

An important note regarding funds: acceptance of your proposal does not obligate MPI Potomac beyond assuring you of a meeting space, audio/visual support, and inclusion in the program.
No honorarium is available at this time. Registration may be waived depending on the participation level. MPI Potomac will not reimburse session organizers for other expenses. Organizers are responsible for making these facts clear to persons they invite to participate. 

All presenters at the Education Day will be featured in our marketing of the event via the event website and MPI Potomac's social media network, electronic newsletter and direct emails to our community of meeting professionals. 

We invite you to submit a presentation for any of our program. We are very interested in innovative presentation formats including case studies by meeting professionals, panel discussions, and other cutting edge adult learning formats. We welcome all new ideas and encourage forward thinking presentations.

Scoring:

The submissions will be peer-reviewed based on:

  • Content
  • Session Format, Design, Creativity, Innovation and Delivery
  • Expertise and Experience with topic and presenting to a hybrid/virtual audience
  • Integration of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (Including consideration of diverse learning styles)
  • Clarity of Message

Social Media:

It is requested by MPI Potomac that contracted speakers provide their social media information to the Chapter for promotional purposes, and that they promote the contracted event on their own channels, in advance. If available, MPI Potomac will also request that contracted speakers provide essays, articles, blogs, etc., for promotion on MPI Potomac's social media channels and potentially be interviewed on our podcast.

Disclosure:

All submissions must reflect original work and must adequately document any overlap with previously published or simultaneously submitted presentations from any of the authors. If authors have any doubts regarding whether such overlap exists, they should contact the MPI Potomac VP of Education prior to submission. If submitting multiple proposals for review, you must fill out this form for each proposed program. Please use the appropriate Proposal Form below and follow the instructions provided.

 

Please note this form is per presentation. If you wish to submit multiple sessions you must fill out one form for each.

 

 

Speakers Database:

MPI Potomac maintains a Speakers Database that lists the names, contact information, and proposed topics of all individuals who submit a proposal for our educational programs. Individual names are maintained in the Speakers database for two (2) years after the most recent submission. This information is made available to the Education and ReConEx Committees, to Chapter leaders, and other MPI Chapters looking for qualified speakers.

 

* Indicates Required field

Select a choice

Learning Initiative:
MPI Potomac prides itself on education opportunities we provide our members. As a CMP Preferred Provider, all programming is approved by the Event Industry Council (EIC) for clock hours for the Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) designation. 

MPI Potomac will be in charge of receiving approval for all sessions with EIC for our Education Day.

If your session has previously been approved please let us know where indicated on this form, as that will help when we submit.

Has your session been approved by EIC previously?


Primary Contact Information:


Additional Speakers

 

 




Program Area:

Please select the area in which your proposed program fits best: (select all that apply)

Is this session intended as a digital or in-person presentation? Please note if presenting digitally, pre-recording may be required.

Is your preference for in-person or virtual instruction? *


Target audience for this session (select all that apply):


Please describe your presentation. Please use measurable terms which can be evaluated, and are relevant to the suggested topic. Less than 200 words.


Please provide at least three key learner objectives for your session:


Please describe the session format, for example: case study, panel discussions, extended workshops, lecture, etc. and if handouts will be/can be provided to the attendees:



May your presentation be videotaped and photographed for future use?

May this presentation be added to the MPI Potomac Website and distributed to our members after the presentation?


Have you given a presentation to a virtual or hybrid audience?

Please describe your expertise in the session topic and why you would be suited to present this information. Limit to 250 words.


Please provide a 200-400 word biography to be referenced for promotional materials.

Please provide a 200-400 word biography to be referenced for promotional materials.

Please provide a 200-400 word biography to be referenced for promotional materials.

Please provide a 200-400 word biography to be referenced for promotional materials.


Note: MPI Potomac is a non-profit organization and strong consideration will be given to the speakers waiving honorariums. Please state if there is a fee for your presentation.


Please provide two references that may be contacted regarding your proposed presentation and their contact information. Limit to 100 words.


All submitters will be notified in writing of the status of acceptance once reviewed.
THANK YOU!

 

 

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