Call for Presenters - 2023 NASWA Veterans Conference | National Association of State Workforce Agencies

Planners for the 2023 National Association of State Workforce Agencies (NASWA) Veterans Conference are seeking workshop presenters and panelists from external stakeholders who can provide learning opportunities for conference attendees on a variety of topics relevant to serving our nation’s Veterans, Transitioning Service Members, caregivers, and military spouses, and the employers who hire them.

The proposal submission deadline is COB Friday, April 21, 2023. Please email your proposal with all requested materials to Lori Adams, NASWA Director, Veterans Policy, at ladams@naswa.org.

Workshop Presentations and Panels

Both employer panels and breakout sessions will be 60 minutes in length. Presenters should either allow time for audience questions throughout the session, or leave time for questions and answers at the end to encourage interactive workshops.

Presenters are expected to exhibit a high level of professionalism and to begin and end their presentations on time.
Session moderators will be members of NASWA, NASWA staff, the Vets Committee, or one of our agency partners.
There is a maximum of three presenters per panel or workshop.
All presentations should have the primary objective of providing information, education or opportunity for the attendees.
Presentations should not include any overt solicitation on behalf of any individual, vendor, product, organization or commercial activity; the conference offers paid exhibit space to promote products and/or services.
Presenters who have presented at previous NASWA events should reference that information in their proposal. Presenters must submit a copy of their presentation to the program committee by the designated deadline.

These presentations will be made available to conference attendees on the NASWA website after the event.

Instructions for Submitting a Proposal

Response Format

Interested presenters need to provide the following information. for either a panel, workshop, or both. Multiple proposals are welcome. All proposals must be in this format:

Presenter Name(s)
Presenter Job Title(s)
Company/Organization Name
Address(es)
Telephone Number(s)
Email address(es)
Proposed Presentation Title
Proposed Presentation Description (three-paragraph maximum). Please indicate your preference for Panel Discussion or Workshop.
A 75-word Abstract Describing the Presentation for the Conference Program including at least two learning objectives
Brief biography of each presenter
Photograph of each presenter, preferably in jpeg format (minimum 300 dpi) for inclusion in the Conference Program
Audio Visual Support Needed
Has this presentation been offered at a previous NASWA conference? If yes, when and where?
Contact information for two (2) professional references (name, title, organization, email and phone number)
Contact name and number the day of the presentation

How to Submit

Please email your proposal with all requested materials to Lori Adams, NASWA Director, Veterans Policy, at ladams@naswa.org, by COB Friday, April 21, 2023.

NASWA Vet Committee leadership will review all proposals and help select final presenters. All presenters and panelists will be notified no later than May 19, 2023, if their proposal was selected. Thank you for your interest in the 2023 NASWA Veterans Conference.
Presentation proposals should include any specific A/V requirements, such as a projector, screen, laptop and wireless internet.
If you are interested in also being part of a panel discussion, please indicate that on your proposal.

For additional information, questions, or concerns with regard to the speaker protocol, or to request information about conference sponsorship opportunities, please contact:

Lori Adams
NASWA Director, Veterans Policy
ladams@naswa.org | (202) 434-8045 | (515) 418-2430 (cell)

About the Conference

The COVID-19 pandemic forced both the 2020 and 2021 conferences to be virtual, but we returned to an in-person format for 2022 which was attended by approximately 500 people. Most attendees were state employees who work directly with Veterans, eligible spouses and Transitioning Service Members, along with the Federal partners, employers and Veteran Service Organizations. We will soon be announcing keynote and plenary speakers, and the format for 2023. The conference will be August 2-4, 2023, at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Washington DC. More information about the conference will be available at www.naswa.org We would like to provide several Veteran-focused tracks: military spouses, disabled Veterans, significant barriers to employment, employers, state promising practices, and transitioning from the military to a civilian career. Presenters are encouraged to focus on these topics, but we have also provided a list of suggested subject areas below, as well as more information about the conference itself.

Conference Benefits

Selected presenters and panelists can attend the conference and if in person, participate in meals and events at no charge if staying for that day only, and do not consume any meals. A discounted pro-rated fee will apply for anyone coming for the day who joins us for any meals, or the reception. Registration costs at the appropriate member/non-member/sponsor/exhibitor rate will apply if presenters and panelists plan to stay for the entire conference. All other in-person expenses – hotel, parking, airfare, and ground transportation – will be the responsibility of the presenter or panelist. Please note that participation in conference planning, or sponsorship, does not guarantee selection as a presenter or panelist.

Visit the 2023 NASWA Veterans Conference event site