CALL FOR SESSION PRESENTATIONS

Proposals DUE December 12, 2022

The Forum, powered by the National Association of Workforce Boards, is the place and the time for the workforce system to reflect on the past and prepare for the future. It’s the nation’s largest annual workforce development conference, a convocation of the leaders, stakeholders, and policymakers with the power to drive positive change.

NAWB is seeking proposals for sessions to be presented March 26 and 27, 2023. Sessions need to address the complexity of the workforce system and demonstrate an understanding of the Boards’ instrumental position in sustaining healthy community economies. Sessions at The Forum help us learn from each other. They allow us to understand the trends occurring in the larger U.S. economy and the workforce development context.

Session proposals should consider one or more of the following issues:

• What is the best evidence to show the effectiveness of this work to the local community and local, state and federal policy makers?
• How can we advance and continually improve our work recognizing that the market we work in is dynamic and focused on continuous improvement?
• What is the role of technology in improving our delivery of services and demonstrating the effectiveness of programs? 
• Where can/should limited resources be invested?
• What have others experienced that is working well?
• How can boards participate, help, shape, and lead broader community discussions impacting workforce development? 
• What are the challenges in federal, state, and local policies?
• How can we advocate for a more efficient and effective workforce system in our regions and nationally?

WHO will you share your experiences with? Proposals need to be targeted to the key groups that attend The Forum. The attendees at The Forum represent a variety of roles in the workforce system, including policy makers and leaders from the local workforce system, education, business, industry, and community led organizations. 

WHEN will sessions be held? Sessions will be held on March 26 and 27, 2023. All speakers must be in person. Sessions are 70 minutes long.

WHAT are the priority focuses for the sessions? Session proposals must identify one (or more) of the key focus areas:   

• Innovative strategies
• Data Driven decisions, including the use of labor market information
• Policy
• Partnerships
• Business or Employer Engagement
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)
• Operations
• Program Delivery
• Leadership
• Technology
• Funding

WHAT is the process and criteria for selecting proposals? 

Application Submission: All proposals are to be submitted electronically. The application is below.

Review Process: The review committee will review all proposals. If your proposal is not selected for a full session, you may be invited to co-present with submitters of a similar proposal. Reviewers will score each proposal based on the following:

1. Identifies ideas that are relevant to the success of workforce development efforts
2. Provides useful and practical information focusing on solutions not problems
3. Presents new and innovative practices and ideas
4. Includes the participation of more than one workforce board partner
5. Shares multiple perspectives of multiple presenters
6. Includes information on how the information/program/strategy can be replicated through lessons learned, obstacles overcome, key drivers, and tools
7. Allows for questions and comments during the allotted session time

Application deadline: The deadline for all proposals is 11:59 pm ET, Monday, December 12, 2022. You will be notified of the decision on your proposal no later than December 28, 2022.

Logistics:

Sessions are limited to no more than 4 presenters.

Additional Information:

• Speakers must participate in person and provide their own computer.
• NAWB will work with presenters to adapt the session theme or design as needed to fit the time slot, tailor to the NAWB audience, include expert speakers, and plan with other presenters if combined sessions, if applicable.
• Session presenters are required to adhere to all session planning key dates and deadlines. All slides and supporting materials must be submitted by 11:59 pm ET, March 1, 2023 to ensure materials can be posted in a timely manner. Materials provided after this date are not assured of being included.
• Speakers are responsible for all expenses related to the development and implementation of their sessions. NAWB does not pay honoraria, travel, per diem, or other costs for session speakers or designers. Speakers will receive a discount registration fee.
• All NAWB programs are non-solicitation environments and shall not be used for commercial sales pitches, self-promotion or unwarranted criticism of a competitor.

Information on The Forum 2023, including agenda, and registration, can be found at www.nawb.org/Forum.

Questions should be directed to Jan Bray at brayj@nawb.org

APPLICATION