Have questions? Check out the recording from last year's Conference Proposal Q & A:

Conference Proposal Q&A

We will hold a Q&A session for this year's proposal process, details to follow.

Please note that proposals for paid speakers will not be accepted on this form. Looking for Keynote information? Click here. 

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Session Formats & Suggested Topics | Proposal Requirements | Presenter Information | Tips for Submitting Your Proposal | FAQs

SUBMIT YOUR PROPOSAL

Employers

• Candidate engagement, communication, and recruitment transparency
• People analytics and predictive insights - turning data into decisions
• Retention strategies
• Workforce planning, skills forecasting
• Inclusive hiring practices
• Burnout prevention for early career professionals
• Responsible AI in recruiting and talent acquisition
• Imposter syndrome and confidence building
• Recruiting 101 from job post to offer letter
• Partnering with hiring managers

College Partners

• Reaching and engaging students
• Mentorship, sponsorship, and career networks
• Using data to improve career readiness and student outcomes
• Career curriculum (creating career courses, integrating career content into existing courses)
• Career coaching in an AI-enabled environment
• Career readiness and employer partnerships at Community Colleges
• Career development across diverse institutional contexts
• Career Services assessment

Both (Employers & College Partners)

• Inclusive workplace culture
• Conflict mediation
• Intergenerational engagement
• Data-driven actions in decision-making
• Affirmative action in recruitment
• Leadership (methods for career advancement, hiring and/or training best practices, creating office culture)
• Digital engagement and measuring impact
• Work-integrated learning - internships, experiential learning, and employer partnerships
• Building and measuring effective employer-college partnerships
• Innovation and strategy (resource management in resource-constrained environments)
• Leadership, workplace culture, and professional growth

• Title and Abstract: Provide a session title (max 75 characters) and a brief abstract (max 150 words) outlining the session's content and value.
  
  
• Learning Objectives: List 3-5 specific learning objectives attendees will take away.
  
  
• Session Outline: Provide a detailed session outline, including the presentation style and approach, and timing for the components of your session. 
  
  
• Target Audiences: Identify the intended audiences (e.g., career service professionals, employer relations, HR professionals). 
  
  
• Career Level: Entry/Emerging, Mid-Career, Experienced/Seasoned, Senior Leader/Executive, or all levels.
  
  
• Presenter Information: Include a brief bio (up to 100 words) for each presenter, showcasing relevant experience. 
  
  
• If your session focuses on topics of diversity and inclusion, please note it in your description.

View a sample conference proposal here

• Incomplete forms will not be accepted. ALL co-presenter information must be included at the time the proposal is submitted.
  
  

• Presenters will not receive compensation or complimentary conference registration. One designated lead presenter per accepted session, including Breakout Sessions, Innovation Demos, and W.O.R.K. Talks, will be eligible for the discounted conference registration rate of $500. 

• For accessibility purposes, presenters are expected to use the EACE Universal Design PowerPoint template. If approved, presenters are required to have five copies of their presentation that comply with the Universal Design standard for distribution, if necessary. 

• Break-out session rooms will be equipped with a basic LCD projector package and one microphone. Laptops are NOT provided. Internet may not be available in break-out rooms.
  

• EACE does not print handouts. Presenters will be encouraged to upload any session handouts to the EACE Mobile App.

View a sample conference proposal here. This sample illustrates the level of specificity and organization that can make a proposal clear to reviewers. Need help putting together your proposal? Contact the 2027 EACE Annual Conference Programming Co-Chairs.

Tips for submitting a successful conference proposal:

1. BE RELEVANT - Address a current challenge, emerging trend, or opportunity in career services, employer relations, or talent development.
   
   
2. BE CLEAR - Provide a focused session description and specific learning objectives that communicate what attendees will gain.
   
   
3. BE ENGAGING - Incorporate discussion, demonstrations, case studies, or other opportunities for active participation.
   
   
4. BE PRACTICAL - Highlight actionable strategies, tools, resources, and lessons learned that attendees could apply in their own professional settings.
   
   
5. BE TRANSFERABLE - Where appropriate, explain how your approach can be adapted across different institutions, organizations, staffing structures, or resource levels. 

Submission Best Practices

We encourage proposals that:

• Ignite Engagement: Design sessions that foster active engagement and interaction among participants. 
• Highlight Practical Successes: Share real-world case studies or achievements with proven outcomes that attendees can apply to their work. 
• Champion Inclusion: Demonstrate how your session promotes inclusion and belonging, ensuring diverse perspectives are represented. 
• Show Expertise and Emerging Trends: Present deep knowledge in the field and offer insights into new trends in career services and talent acquisition. 
• Inspire Any Stage Career Success: Discuss strategies that empower students, early and seasoned career professionals to achieve their goals. 

Who can submit a proposal?

Anyone who has a relevant topic to share! We’ve had submissions from graduate assistants, faculty, career counselors, VPs, directors, recruiters and more. You do not need to be a member of EACE to submit a proposal.

Where and when is the Annual Conference?

The EACE 2027 Annual Conference will be held May 26-28, 2027 at the Hyatt Regency Reston in Reston, Virginia. More details coming soon.

What is the timeline for the proposal process?

• October 12, 2026: Call for Proposals opens
• November 30, 2026: Deadline for Submissions 
• Early February 2027: Presenters will be notified of their selection. (Only the designated lead presenter receives this communication.)

How are proposals selected?

Proposals are evaluated by the Annual Conference Programming Sub-Committee. Several key factors that influence selection include, but are not limited to:

• Relevance and timeliness of the content.
• Clarity of learning objectives and intended outcomes.
• Level of audience engagement and interaction.
• Promotion of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Practicality of the content for attendees’ professional development.
• The proposal is non-commercial nor self-promoting.

How long should my presentation be?

Break-out sessions are 60 minutes which should include leaving time for questions at the end. 

Innovation presentations should be 20-30 minutes with time for questions at the end.

W.O.R.K. Talks should be approximately 15 minutes. 2-3 W.O.R.K. Talks will take place during a conference general session. Speakers will run consecutively with no time for questions between talks, in a TED X style. 

Do presenters get discounted conference registration?

One designated lead presenter per accepted session, including Breakout Sessions, Innovation Demos, and W.O.R.K. Talks, will be eligible for the discounted conference registration rate of $500. 

If a presenter cannot attend the full conference, a presenter pass that allows entry only for their session may be granted. Presenters needing financial assistance to attend are encouraged to apply for a 2027 Professional Development Grant and/or Diversity & Inclusion Scholarship.

Who should I contact with additional questions?

2027 EACE Annual Conference Programming Co-Chairs.

I'm interested in submitting information for a Keynote presentation at EACE27, how should I proceed?

Please submit information regarding keynote services to [email protected], submissions sent to other email addresses or contacts will not be considered. Please include your topic, area of expertise, and pricing information or your submission may not be considered. As we are receiving a high volume of keynote submissions, our team will reach out only if the topic and presentation are in alignment with the EACE27 conference goals and our budget.