Call for Presentations for SHRM Events

SHRM events feature the most preeminent lineup of HR leaders, innovators and experts from a cross-section of industries. Please refer to the below chart for details on which events are currently accepting proposals and important deadlines.

We strongly encourage speakers to submit proposals in advance of the deadline to familiarize yourself with the requirements and avoid any technical issues. Proposals must be finalized before 5:00 pm ET on the deadline date.

Please continue to check back for updates.

Due to the sheer volume of speaker applications, we cannot schedule briefing calls or respond to individual inquiries. 

Important information regarding proposal submissions:

Event curriculum:

When developing educational sessions at SHRM events, our primary goal is to address the most pressing, current and emerging HR management issues. We aim to help HR professionals excel in their careers. In addition to featuring the profession's current and emerging trends, topics are also mapped to The SHRM Body of Competency and Knowledge (SHRM BoCK), which outlines the behavioral competencies and HR knowledge needed for effective job performance.

Session formats:

SHRM is eager to explore new ways for attendees to learn and be inspired. Many of our sessions will follow a traditional, solo presenter format, but we are looking to incorporate a variety of formats to include panel discussions, immersive workshops, rapid fire presentations and other interactive sessions.

• Presentations: These sessions are typically 60 minutes in length and feature thought leadership from analysts and experts in the profession. Presenters should come prepared with original content for the SHRM audience and offer tactical advice to attendees.
• Panel Discussions: These sessions vary from 45 to 60 minutes depending on the event and feature an experienced moderator, leading a discussion with a panel of experts. Preference is given to proposals with moderators and experts (from different industries or different size companies) who come prepared with short presentations to enhance the learning.
• Rapid-Fire Presentations: These fast-paced, 18-minute sessions are on the "Smart Stage," an open platform format covering topics or demonstrations with key, tangible takeaways.
• Deep Dives and Research-Based Case Studies: These sessions are typically 60 to 90 minutes and feature presentations and/or research developed exclusively for SHRM and thoroughly examine a topic and/or business case.
• Interactive Audience Sessions: Highly interactive sessions, typically 60 minutes in length, featuring polling, Q&A and other approaches that help crowdsource audience insights, enable attendees to share their opinions and drive engagement with speakers.
• Workshops: These four-hour workshops are typically held before the conference and allow for in-depth discussion and learning on new approaches and best practices on HR and leadership topics. Workshops should be designed for interactivity and networking among participants, along with practical takeaways .

Speaker benefits provided by SHRM:

• Speakers (including co-presenters) receive a complimentary registration, including admission to General Sessions, the SHRM Exposition, concurrent sessions and networking events. Preconference workshops and other offerings are not included. 
• Travel and expense reimbursements are extended to one primary speaker per session, and include:
• Round-trip economy class airfare
• Ground transportation to and from the airport
• Hotel stay for the night prior to the speaker's presentation and the night of the presentation (at a pre-determined conference hotel)
• Cost of speaker's meals (on travel days and day of presentation only), not to exceed the following dollar amounts (including tax and gratuity): Breakfast = $10.00; Lunch = $15.00; Dinner = $50.00. If a meal is provided at the conference, no reimbursement will be given for any other meal in its place. Itemized receipts are required. 
• Grant speakers valuable professional exposure on the event website and in event marketing materials.
• An evaluation report with session ratings and feedback after the conference.

Speaker expectations and honoraria:

Given SHRM's tradition of using educational sessions as a platform to showcase innovation in the field of human resource management, we look for presenters who are willing to share their expertise without the expectation of payment.

Other speaker requirements:

• To acknowledge availability to speak during any timeframe of the event and as such will not request a change to the session time frame assigned, if selected.
• To work closely with event programming department and meet all deadlines.
• To make no substantial changes to content, format, audio/visual needs, room set-up, identity or number of presenters without prior approval from SHRM.
• To design and provide high-quality PowerPoint presentations, in electronic format, by the deadline given.
• To recognize that a session is an opportunity to share information and is not a showcase for promotion of business, practice, service or product. 
• To give SHRM permission to audio and/or video record their session and to sync their onsite slide presentation with the recording for the purpose of selling, licensing to SHRM affiliates, or otherwise using the recording at a later time in any SHRM products, or those of its affiliates, in any media. Agree that SHRM shall be the exclusive owner of the synchronized recording, but that they will otherwise retain ownership of their onsite slide presentation. On the speaker's request, SHRM will provide a downloadable copy of the recording. SHRM will grant permission to edit the recording and to post the recording on the speaker's professional website (not another individual's or organization's) for the speaker's own promotional and professional purposes. (Speakers selected to speak at the event who do not agree to this will have the option of saying "no" on their Statement of Acceptance.)
  
• To respect SHRM as the sponsoring organization with either positive or neutral comments from the platform.
• To be available for press interviews, if requested. Members of the press may be attending your session.

Proof of performance:

Proof of performance is required for all speakers. SHRM strives to offer a balanced program of educational sessions and qualified speakers at our events. Proof of performance plays a strong role in the selection of proposals and is required to make the proposal complete. Proof of performance files can be uploaded to your proposal under the section called "Supporting Files". 

Accepted forms of proof of performance include:

• Video recordings of the proposed speaker presenting a session to an audience (preferred).
  and/or
• A summary of evaluations from a program the speaker previously presented. 
• Proof of performance files can be uploaded to your proposal under the section called "Supporting Files". It is recommended you begin securing the approved proof of performance now so you are able to submit a complete proposal by the deadline.

Creating speaker profiles:

Some of the Call for Presentation portals require that a speaker profile be created prior to submission. To create a profile, click on the name of the event (during the recruiting period). Login credentials will be emailed upon completion of the profile. If you are submitting on behalf of someone else, submit the proposal(s) using the speaker's profile, not your own. Do not create more than one speaker profile with the same name, as it will cause login problems. 

Answer not found above? Email cfpshrm@shrm.org.
Speaking opportunities are also available at SHRM State and Affiliate Conferences. Please direct questions and inquiries regarding those to the contact listed for the specific SHRM State or Affiliate Conference. These events are not managed by SHRM National.