Presenter Request For Presentations
Deadline: Wednesday, April 15th, 2026
The 2026 Gateway Conference on Philanthropy is taking place August 26 & 27, 2026.
All presenters are expected to attend the conference in person to deliver their session. AFP-STL is committed to building appropriate health and safety guidelines for the conference per the COVID-19 pandemic.
If you have any questions throughout the proposal process, please reach out to [email protected].
Proposal Review Process
Proposals are reviewed and selected by the AFP Greater St. Louis Chapter's Conference Committee. The following criteria are among those taken into consideration:
• Current relevance to the profession and contribution to the conference program in terms of topic, sector, and experience level
• Evidence of innovative thinking and fresh insights
• Research-based content (where appropriate or relevant)
• The incorporation of diverse ideas and perspectives across difference
• Knowledge and expertise of the speaker
• Previous speaking experience and session ratings
• Inclusion of adult learning principles, including interactivity/engagement with session attendees.
• Diversity of speaker background, experiences, perspective, and ideas
• Demonstrated thought leadership in the field
The Conference Chair will notify you on the status of your proposal by June 1st. Note: We receive more proposals than can be accommodated, however, we may be able to have your workshop be featured in one of our monthly programs.
Eligibility to submit proposals:
AFP welcomes proposals from members and non-members.
• AFP encourages both new and experienced speakers to submit a proposal, including those speakers who can provide diverse perspectives.
• Speakers may submit up to two (2) proposals for consideration (as a lead speaker or co-speaker).
• Speakers may propose up to three (3) co-speakers in addition to the lead speaker as part of the session proposal. All speakers must be included in the proposals.
• Consultants are encouraged to include practitioner(s) as speakers in their proposed session(s)
1) Speaker Profiles – All speakers must provide a professional biography (500-word limit) along with a headshot in the proposal. A lead speaker should be identified as the primary contact for proposals with more than one speaker. Note that any changes to proposed speakers or the session must be vetted by the Committee and approved by AFP staff.
2) Session Day and Time – Sessions are scheduled throughout the conference, and speakers cannot be given a preference or choice regarding their day and time slot.
Sessions will be scheduled during the following times:
Wednesday, August 26, 2026 8:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Thursday, August 27, 2026 8:00 AM - 4:10 PM
3) Session Format – AFP encourages different session formats and styles to share information and engage attendees (not the traditional podium and PowerPoint presentations). Interactivity is key!!
4) Session Technology – AFP provides a laptop, LCD projector, screen, and microphone in every session room; availability of Internet connections will vary by conference site.
5) Session Slides & Handouts – Speakers must use the approved AFP template for session presentation slides. Speakers are required to submit power point slides and session handouts in advance of the conference. AFP does not enable onsite copying or other distribution.
6) Complimentary Registration (Limited to 4 speakers per session) -- Conference sessions are generally considered contributions to the profession. Speakers who abide by all obligations and deadlines will receive complimentary registration for the duration of the conference.
• By participating in the conference, speakers agree that their session(s) may be recorded and/or streamed and sold by AFP, with no monetary benefit or revenue share accruing to the speaker.
• Registrants and speakers should be advised that media may be present at AFP events, and that images and video may be taken for publication or broadcast.
• Speakers may not promote their organization, products, or services as part of their presentations. Sessions and session content—including sponsored sessions—must be of an educational nature only.
• Book authors may use and reference their books during sessions but may not sell anything. Any author wishing to make direct sales must rent exhibit space.
• If the content being presented is not original, the speaker's sole responsibility is to get permission from the owner to present at AFP's Annual Conference.
• AFP cannot provide financial compensation to speakers beyond the complimentary conference registration. However, we have set aside a limited pool of dollars to help defray travel expenses for those who express a need.
NON-COMMERCIAL POLICY
AFP St. Louis programs are learning experiences and are noncommercial. Under no circumstances should an educational session be used for direct promotion of a speaker's product, service, or other self-interest.
STATEMENT OF ETHICS
All proposal submitters should be aware of AFP’s Code of Ethics and apply and incorporate the principles as appropriate when developing content for presentations. If you plan to present the work or research of others in writing on your materials, you must attribute the sources in full and in writing on the materials.
