Communication & Engagement Professionals Forum

Submissions will be reviewed based on the extent to which they meet the following criteria: 

• Relevance to the local government profession and a broad spectrum of communities across BC. If you are not with a local government, consider a local government representative as a co-presenter;
• Presents diverse perspectives and encourages dialogue;
• Is innovative/shares new concepts or experiences or is informative with a unique application of known information, knowledge, or skills;
• Is solutions focused. If you discuss challenges and barriers, bring ideas to overcome them, as well;
• Provides tangible takeaways that can be applied to the attendee’s organization or that they can add to their practice (i.e. case studies, personal/professional examples, templates, resources, tools etc.);
• Is engaging and participatory. Preference for submissions that utilize interactive delivery formats or incorporate engaging components (e.g. workshop style, roundtable discussions, incorporate technology such as live polling, quizzes, word clouds etc.);
• Uses new approaches. We encourage sessions that get participants up and moving, challenges them creatively, encourages talking to each other, perhaps moving the session outside. 

Proposals are evaluated on how they meet the criteria above and contribute to a balanced and comprehensive program.

Selected speakers will be notified in early 2027 by email. Due to the number of submissions and limited session slots, even submissions that meet all criteria may not be selected. 

With the submission of a presentation proposal, the speaker accepts the following: 

SUBMISSION

Submitters may be contacted to refine their proposals, and session titles and descriptions may be edited by LGMA. As only a limited number of proposals can be accommodated, submission of a proposal does not guarantee participation. 

PARTICIPATION

As sessions may be scheduled during any of the planned workshop/session time slots, please do not submit proposals unless each speaker is available to present on the day of the forum. If selected, all speakers will be requested to submit a fully-executed speaker agreement which will include timelines and requirements that must be adhered to (these include agreement to allow attendees to access presentations or other resources, and to have the session video recorded). 

Each of the session speakers proposed commits to delivering the presentation in person. Should a speaker be prevented for any reason (e.g. due to illness), LGMA shall be contacted as soon as possible and the speaker will make every effort to support the search for a substitute. 

SPEAKER BENEFITS

LGMA is confident that presenting at the forum serves as a platform for exposure to a wide group of local government practitioners. As such, LGMA seeks contributors who are willing to share their expertise without expectation of payment and in the spirit of networking. In addition to the exposure to an influential group of local government leaders, speakers increase their personal and professional visibility and credibility.  

SPEAKER TRAVEL AND EXPENSES 

LGMA does not pay speakers of concurrent sessions or workshops. Speakers attending the full forum are required to register and pay the appropriate registration fee. Registration is not required to be a speaker at an individual session.

Speakers are responsible for making arrangements and paying for travel and other expenses associated with attending the forum, except if mutually agreed upon otherwise or if LGMA requests a speaker’s attendance. 

Speakers from local governments will be reimbursed for travel and accommodation expenses* incurred, where such participation has not already been funded by the speaker’s employer (*i.e. mileage or reimbursement at economy class airfare if less expensive than driving; out-of-town presenters will have one hotel night provided at the official conference hotel). 

If an individual who is presenting at a session would otherwise already attend the session as a delegate or sponsor, then expenses will not be reimbursed.

NON-COMMERCIAL 

LGMA education events are non-commercial learning experiences. Speakers are to present the respective subject objectively, in a vendor- and product-neutral way (i.e. not used for direct promotion of a product, service, or other self-interest). Our audience appreciates learning about technologies, services, concepts, and new approaches, but is sensitive to the sales promotion approach. Failure to comply will impact future consideration.

POST EVENT EVALUATION

The speaker agrees to be part of an evaluation process that asks attendees to evaluate their overall experience as well as each session they attend. Such session feedback is solely for LGMA information and will not be shared. 

EVENT CANCELLATION

The LGMA is entitled to cancel or postpone an event due to serious reasons (e.g. venue closure, disaster, emergency, etc.). If this is found to be necessary, the organizers shall not be liable for refunds of any expenses.