• Provider members and business firms can submit a maximum of one proposal; an individual can be included as an additional speaker/panelist in proposals submitted by other organizations.
• To promote broad participation in the program, LeadingAge may limit the number of sessions an organization can participate in.
• If duplicate proposals are submitted, only the most recent submission will be considered for review.

Please Note: Speaker substitutions cannot be made once a proposal has been submitted.

LeadingAge urges submitters to consider the following as they develop content and identify speakers for proposed sessions.

• Sessions are expected to incorporate the LeadingAge provider member viewpoint vs. solely feature business firms or consultants.
• Racial diversity and balanced gender representation on panels is strongly encouraged.
• Sessions should include the voice of elders and caregivers, especially when the content touches on the lived experience of residents/clients or staff.
• Use language that is familiar, respectful, and demonstrates your understanding of the aging services field; to avoid ageist traps and use preferred terms, refer to LeadingAge’s Language and Anti-Ageism guides.
• Tailor the information to the intended audience; be specific about the topic’s relevance and applicability to a specific setting or professional discipline.
• Consider education delivery methods that create opportunities for meaningful audience interaction and engagement.
• Avoid focusing your session content on a specific product or service; describe what you do and how it can benefit providers.
• Limit panels to no more than four (4) panelists to ensure each can contribute meaningfully to the discussion.

Start early. Do not miss the deadline. Be creative.

We recommend drafting/saving your responses in advance; changes to submissions or speaker substitutions cannot be made once a proposal has been submitted.

• My.LeadingAge Account. You must have a My.LeadingAge login to submit a proposal.
• Session Title. List a succinct headline that clearly conveys what your session is about.
• Content Summary. Provide a clear, detailed description of the content to be covered in your 60-minute session.
• Learning Objectives. Outline the key takeaways (specific skills and/or practical knowledge) the audience will gain by attending your session.
• Program Diversity. Describe how your session will contribute to an inclusive and diverse program with respect to voices, perspectives, populations, topics, education delivery methods, and/or audience engagement.
• Originality of Content. Indicate whether your session content will be presented exclusively at the Annual Meeting or how it will remain unique for our national audience.
• Education Track. To help us organize proposals for the review process, please select the topic area that best describes your planned session content (track descriptions can be found under the “Education Tracks” section).
• Speaker Information. List job title, organization, contact information for each speaker and provide a brief overview of the speaker’s knowledge, professional experience, and educational background related to the proposed session topic and the aging services field. (Please limit panels to no more than four (4) panelists to ensure each can contribute meaningfully to the discussion). 

• Aging Services Technologies
  This track aims to inform aging services providers about technology-enabled business tools and solutions that improve the aging experience and address workforce challenges. Sessions also feature case studies of technology adoption and implementation in LeadingAge member organizations.
• Design Strategies & Solutions
  This track emphasizes design approaches that foster engagement, enhance the built environment, and support the health and well-being of older adults living in long-term care and residential settings. Sessions also highlight examples of new products, building design features, and elevated amenities to meet future market expectations.
• Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
  This track focuses on actionable ways to integrate diversity efforts into an organization’s culture and structure to develop more equitable and inclusive communities and work environments. Sessions also raise awareness about the housing and service needs of underrepresented populations in community-based and LTSS settings.
• Governance & Leadership Development
  This track emphasizes essential practices for building a strong future-focused board of directors that engages more deeply in a broad range of issues facing our sector. Sessions also feature examples of how leaders can strengthen their own leadership capacities while building a pipeline of diverse, skilled, and prepared aging services leaders for the future.
  
• Growth & Mission Advancement
  This track offers insight into how a broad range of organizations are responding to market changes and capitalizing on opportunities to bolster their financial health and strengthen their competitive position. Sessions also touch on the important role of philanthropy and sustainable nonprofit fundraising to fulfill mission.
• Marketing & Communications
  This track provides marketing and sales teams with strategies to create a compelling consumer experience, generate qualified leads, and refine their brand to boost occupancy efforts. Sessions also cover how organizations can communicate with confidence, clarity, and credibility when dealing with a variety of stories.
• Operations & Performance Improvement
  This track emphasizes strategies to reduce costs, improve outcomes, and leverage opportunities to excel in an increasingly complex operating environment. Sessions also highlight initiatives to optimize business processes and ensure the long-term sustainability of mission-critical care and services.
• Policy, Compliance & Legal Issues
  This track provides clinical and operational decision-makers with critical information related risk and liability exposure to ensure an enterprise wide culture of quality, safety, and compliance. Sessions also offer LeadingAge policy insights on the current regulatory landscape and the advocacy activities influencing legislative and executive branch action.
• Person-Directed Well-Being
  This track focuses on a multidimensional approach to wellness that recognizes a person’s physical, social, emotional, and spiritual interests regardless of their level of ability or cognitive function. Sessions also highlight practices that prioritize personal choice, support autonomy, and honor individual life experiences.
• Recruitment, Retention & Culture
  This track provides human resources professionals and leaders in aging services with creative solutions to eliminate staff vacancies, reduce employee turnover, and attract new talent into the field. Sessions also cover how organizations can build stronger, intentional workplace cultures that empower team members, foster engagement, and promote well-being.

Call for Sessions Opens: August
Submission Deadline: December
Proposal Review/Selection: February-March
Proposal Status Notifications: April

If selected to participate in the Annual Meeting LeadingAge asks all speakers to:

• Keep the conference dates available to present during any of the session dates & times; LeadingAge cannot accommodate scheduling requests.
• Participate in-person and incur all expenses related to the development and implementation of their sessions.
• Maintain the originality of their content by not presenting the same session at other conferences; LeadingAge seeks exclusive presentations for its national audience.

Please Note: Proposals that are not included in the program may also be considered for other education opportunities, including online learning and state events.

Are deadline extensions granted?
No. Proposals cannot be accepted once the submission site closes; no deadline extensions or exceptions will be granted.

Do I need a My.LeadingAge account to submit a proposal?
Yes. If you don’t have a My.LeadingAge account, you’ll need to create one before you can submit a proposal.

Can I submit a proposal on behalf of someone else?
Yes. However, speaker substitutions cannot be made once a proposal has been submitted.

Can I update my proposal?
No. We cannot make any changes to a submission or make speaker substitutions once a proposal has been submitted. If selected, you will have an opportunity to update your session content and confirm new or additional speakers.

What topics are included in the program?
Sessions featured in the program cover a wide range of topics within each of the education tracks (refer to the PROPOSAL COMPONENTS section).

Does LeadingAge pay speakers?
LeadingAge does not provide travel, lodging or other financial compensation to speakers. Confirmed speakers are entitled to a complimentary daily registration on the day of their presentation or a $250 discount toward a full registration.

Who can submit a proposal?
Anyone working in aging services or a related field can submit a proposal. Proposals can come from members or non-members, residents/clients, business firms, consultants, vendors, academics, researchers, etc.

Who attends the conference?
The Annual Meeting is designed primarily for aging services providers, including life plan communities, assisted living, dementia care, nursing homes, adult day centers, home care and hospice agencies, and other providers of housing and supportive services for older adults.