Call for Presenters

Take the stage! Apply to be a Chamber speaker.

Can you command a crowd? Have a success story, great idea or proven strategy you’d like to share? Tell us by submitting an application to speak at a Chamber event for our upcoming fiscal year! We’re looking for presenters at our Diversity Equity and Inclusion and Women Connect events to fill our 2022-23 fiscal year. These events are where Chamber and community members make valuable connections, help each other through personal and professional challenges, build meaningful networks and succeed together.

We welcome experienced speakers and brand-new voices alike!

Applications are now open, and are due by June 10 to be considered for the 2022-23 calendar of events.

What we’re looking for:

• Passionate professionals and diverse thought leaders interested in sharing their expertise with others
• Interactive and energetic presentations with practical takeaways
• Innovative ideas and strategies around leadership, skill development, workplace topics or women’s empowerment

What do speakers get?

• Exposure: A room full of engaged business professionals will hear your message, and your own complimentary table for 8 at the event!
• Promotion: We’ll share your session and bio online, on social media and in print to thousands.
• Credibility: Position yourself as a thought-leader in your area of expertise.
• Training: Dale Carnegie is offering 1.5 hours of coaching for any speaker. Learn to elevate your confidence, engage the audience and review best practices.

Nominate a speaker you want to hear from!

Proposal Review and Notification Process

The Chamber will review submissions received for topic relevance. All interested presenters must complete an application, regardless of whether you have been a previous Chamber speaker. Submissions will be forwarded to the DEI, HYPE or Women Connect committee for review. A Chamber staff member may contact you if additional information is needed. The Chamber, along with the committee, will complete an in-depth review of submissions and make selections based on topic relevance, clear learning objectives, and other elements detailed in the selection criteria. If you are a previous speaker, prior program evaluations will also be considered.

Selection criteria

• Presenters will be evaluated on topic relevance and strength of the submission.
• References will be checked to ensure selection of first-rate presenters. Final selection will be based on:
  • Session objectives are clearly articulated and achievable in the time allotted.
  • Session is fully described and is designed for the adult learner.
  • Expertise is related to the session content.

Presenter guidelines

• Presenters will refrain from promoting products and services during the presentation.
• Presenters will not arrange a substitute speaker without permission from The Chamber.
• The Chamber strives to provide business education on a variety of topics at an economical price. As such, speakers will not receive monetary compensation for their services.
• Presentations are typically 60 minutes in length followed by Q&A.
  • We’re always open to new and innovative ideas for presentations. If you want to do something unique or longer in your training, please let us know.

Application items needed

You will be able to save your application and submit it later. To help you prepare in advance, these are the items we'll need:

• Presenter’s name, title and company
• Social media accounts preferred in promotion
• Event title, description and takeaways
• Presenter’s bio and photo
• References

Instructions for submission

Completed forms and supporting materials must be submitted online by June 10, 2022 to be considered for the 2022-23 calendar of events.

Questions? Contact Bobbi Jo at 218.359.0525 or brehder@fmwfchamber.com. 

While the purpose of this call for presenters is to select quality speakers for the DEI, HYPE and Women Connect series, applicants may be asked to speak at other Chamber events or be listed in The Chamber’s speaker files for future events.