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Leadership Conference Information
2027 Call for Presenters
The Leadership Conference Planning Committee is soliciting proposals for one upcoming event:
- June In-Person Event – June 6, 2026, New Orleans, LA – sessions focused on leadership development training, team-building and problem-solving, networking, and connection.
Leadership Conference Program Objectives
ASSP’s annual Leadership Conference program builds the skills of volunteer leaders so they can deliver value to ASSP members. The conference also supports a diverse, strengths-based leadership culture throughout ASSP. Through our in-person and virtual events, Leadership Conference offers attendees a wide variety of education and support.
In-Person Conference Objectives:
- Build and practice core leadership skills - clear communication, influencing without authority, facilitation, coaching/delegation, and navigating conflict, through interactive workshops, real scenarios, and feedback that translate to any workplace or community setting.
- Apply leadership development strategies that strengthen team performance and engagement (strengths-based leadership, motivation, recognition, and succession planning) so participants can develop others and drive results within ASSP and across their broader careers.
- Strengthen decision-making and execution by using practical tools for prioritization, alignment, and accountability (e.g., clarifying outcomes, roles, and next steps) that improve follow-through in committees, projects, and professional teams.
- Expand and activate peer networks by building relationships that enable ongoing collaboration, knowledge sharing, mentorship, and accountability beyond your ASSP leadership role and across the EHS profession.
- Strengthen inclusive leadership practices by equipping leaders to create psychologically safe, welcoming, and equitable environments in meetings, decision-making, and talent/volunteer engagement—skills that transfer directly from volunteer to workplace leadership.
Proposal and Policy Guidelines
ASSP invites those interested in presenting at the 2027 Leadership Conference event to submit a proposal for review by our Leadership Development Committee. Speaker proposals are evaluated objectively with consideration of the following criteria:
- Degree to which the proposed session meets the conference/program objectives
- Desirability of the topic
- Speaker's presentation skills and experience
Proposals to present must contain and convey sufficient detail to allow ASSP's Leadership Development Committee to understand how the proposed session will contribute to the conference objectives. Selection is competitive, so you must submit a compelling and complete proposal.
NEW in 2027! Leadership Sparks: Small Sessions. Big Ideas.
Have one great idea, a leadership lesson, or a practical solution worth sharing? Apply to present a Leadership Spark at the ASSP Leadership Conference.
Leadership Sparks are short, engaging presentations that deliver one useful takeaway in just 15 minutes of focused content. These talks give volunteer leaders the chance to learn directly from peers and discover ideas they can put to work right away.
We welcome stories about what worked, what you would do differently, a simple tool or process that helped your community, or a lesson from your volunteer journey. You do not need to be a professional speaker or have enough material for a traditional hour-long session. We are looking for authentic experiences, clear ideas, and practical value.
Details to Submit a Proposal
Submission Deadline
Proposals for the June event are due by December 4, 2026. Incomplete submissions will not be considered.
No more than two proposals from one speaker will be considered. Please complete a separate application for each proposal.