THE BENEFITS

Experienced speakers understand that giving a presentation or running a workshop requires extensive preparation and unpaid time, but they do it because the benefits are well worth the effort.

Free Admission

Receive a complimentary all-access pass to the entire event, including admission to sessions and social events for all three conferences.

Complimentary Lodging

One of the most popular perks for speakers has been the opportunity to stay on campus. It's no five-star hotel, but the speakers and crew have a blast winding down from a busy day with a drink in the dormitory courtyard.

VIP Dinner

What do you get when you combine savory food, strong drinks, and brilliant minds? That would be the annual VIP Dinner, where you’ll have an opportunity to hang out with other speakers and select industry leaders. This would also be an excellent time to abuse the open bar tab…unless your presentation is the first thing the next morning.

VIP Treatment

We take pretty good care of our attendees by feeding and watering them, but that’s nothing compared to the legendary hospitality we shower on our speakers. After all, you have more important things to worry about than finding a snack or drink.

The Music City Experience

Need an excuse to visit Nashville, TN? Our staff of trained monkeys would be happy to write a note to your employer explaining the benefits of sending you to speak on their behalf. Those same monkeys have excellent suggestions for entertainment and cuisine while you’re in town. They are amazingly intelligent monkeys. Regardless of whether you’re visiting or a local, the Music City Experience is about more than tourist attractions. Bring your favorite instrument or borrow one of ours to rock out with Geek Jam Band karaoke.

Personal and Professional

Last, but certainly not least, is the professional recognition and personal development that comes with being a conference speaker. While these benefits can be more difficult to measure, they are usually the most valuable in the long run.

THE PROCESS

Save the Date (5/31-6/2) Sessions will take place on Friday, June 1st and Saturday, June 2nd, so clear your calendar for those days at a minimum. If you’re interested in presenting or attending workshops, those will be held prior to the main event on Thursday, May 31st.

Craft Your Submission

You’ll need a catchy title, compelling abstract and a short bio to let us know who you are. For guidelines and tips for getting your submission accepted, check out the guidelines below.

Submit Your Idea

Don’t let procrastination ruin your chance to get picked. We’ll be accepting submissions through March 1st, but the review process has already begun. It takes time to consider each entry and sometimes our selection committee has questions, so getting your idea in early is a great way to ensure it has the best chance possible.

Talk About It

Share your submission idea. Let others know what you’re proposing and encourage them to submit as well. The more buzz our selection committee sees about a topic, the more convinced they will be that attendees will be interested. Of course, we also just really appreciate y’all helping to get the word out. We’ll even write the tweet for you so all you have to do is click here.

Watch Your Email

You never know when the selection committee might need to contact you for clarification or to get more information about your proposal. We promise not to keep you waiting long and will begin notifying selected speakers in mid-March. Selections will be finalized and the schedule announced by April.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

Here’s some advice on crafting your submission:

1. Spend time coming up with a good title

First impressions are everything for your work. The best way to make an impression is to craft an excellent title. For this, there needs to be a balance between hooking your reader in and giving a snippet of your talk. It needs to have pop that will give your reader a reason to read your abstract, but it shouldn’t just be catchy. The heading should also be informative, giving substance to your hook. In essence, your title should be visually stimulating to your reader.

2. Pitch the benefits of your session in the abstract

Use your abstract as the sales pitch to why the community should vote for your session. They are asking themselves, “Is this talk beneficial to me? How can it help me move forward in my own endeavors?” In this preview to your work, give them the reason why your talk will be beneficial to them and how it can help them in achieving their goals. Answer your colleagues’ questions in the abstract but do not give them all of your secrets. Leave them with the feeling of wanting more by only hitting the high notes of your talk. By conference time, they will be ready for your entire pitch.

3. Specify who the session is for exactly

Who is your projected audience? That is what you need to ask yourself when crafting your abstract. Is it for new coders or more experienced? Designers, Developers, or Managers? From there, tailor your abstract to fit one or two of these groups.

4. Tell your audience exactly what they will receive during your hour

Again, attendees are always asking themselves what they can benefit from your talk. They also like to hear certain things that can help their business. Be upfront with them and tell them what they can gain. Is it just an hour of your knowledge or will you be providing them with additional resources, libraries, or slide decks?

Speakers are provided complimentary on-campus housing. Additional travel assistance may be requested in submission notes, but are not guaranteed.