Speaker Submission Guidelines
Session selection will take place in February 2025. Selected and rejected sessions will be notified via email to the submitter's email address on file.
Approved session PowerPoints are due no later than May 2, 2025 and are subject to be reviewed by the Heartland Education Committee to ensure compliance with speaker agreement guidelines and CEU requirements. All materials must be submitted to us via email at HeartlandEducation@vgm.com.
Please review these guidelines carefully prior to submitting the required information. We reserve the right to deny any submission that is not in compliance with Heartland Conference’s Speaker Submission Guidelines.
The following information is required when submitting a learning program for consideration for Heartland Conference.
Speaker Bio
A brief biography is required for all those involved in instruction of the course. Bios should clearly state the presenter’s qualifications for teaching the course. Please keep it around 100 words.
Chosen Presenters
If you are chosen to present at Heartland, you will be required to give more information so that CEUs can be obtained for your session. If that requested information is not received by the deadline, you will forfeit your speaking opportunity for the conference. Thank you for your cooperation and attention to deadlines so that we can offer the best education in the industry!
Presentation Title
80-character count maximum. Capture your intended audience by ensuring the title is catchy and inviting.
Course Description
Briefly explain what information will be covered during the presentation. Suggested word count of 100-150.
Learning Objectives (Three are required)
Learning objectives must be CLEAR, CONCISE, SPECIFIC, and MEASUREABLE. All of your program content should be driven by your objectives. VGM Education will review your proposed objectives to ensure they align with the need, ANSI/IACET standards, and sound educational principles.
Use the accepted action verbs when writing your learning objectives.
Please note, you will be required to review your learning objectives at the end of your presentation.
What is the policy on commercialism/marketing/diversity?
Sessions must be non-commercial forums per IACET standards. Speakers should refrain from the use of brand names and specific product endorsement whenever possible. Under no circumstance should the session podium be used as a platform for direct promotion of a speaker's product, service, or for monetary self-interest.
We value the diversity of our membership and the contributions each makes to the education of all. Presenters from any podium must refrain from overt statements or pointed humor that disparages the rightful dignity and social equity of any individual or group. We will not tolerate comments of a sexual nature nor negative remarks about ethnicity, gender, race, age, lifestyle, sexual orientation, form of worship, or people who have physical or mental challenges. Profanity is prohibited.
Heartland Conference retains the right to remove a speaker from the podium or refuse future applications should we be made aware of any speaker not conforming with these policies.
Required Materials
Speakers must use the Heartland Branding PowerPoint Template. A PDF copy of these slides will be made available on the attendee portal unless you tell us otherwise. All materials must be emailed to HeartlandEducation@vgm.com no later than May 2, 2025.