From Rejection to Resonance: Lessons in Crafting Compelling Conference Proposals

The digital photo-frame in the living room popped a cherished memory: me presenting at the Grace Hopper Conference (GHC) 2023. Some aspirations are like stubborn ducks, taking their time to align. I began my career as a COBOL programmer writing credit card software —a humble start that eventually led to a moment of immense pride: speaking at a conference honoring the visionary Grace Hopper.

The desire to grace the GHC stage had quietly nestled in my heart, though I couldn't pinpoint when it transformed into a fervent aspiration. It took two years for that dream to materialize—a testament to the winding path to success that I traversed.

My initial attempt to speak at GHC in April 2022, alongside a co-speaker, was met with constructive criticism from three discerning reviewers. The feedback not only assessed the proposal but our credibility to speak on the topic. Their feedback, though initially stinging, served as a catalyst for growth. It dawned on me that the reviewers were safeguarding GHC's standards and interests of more than 30K conference participants.? They were committed to selecting presentations that truly resonated with the conference's ethos and offered valuable insights to participants.

Determined to rise to the challenge, my co-speaker and I embarked on a journey of refinement, meticulously incorporating each piece of feedback into our proposal. The following year, in 2023, our perseverance bore fruit—we received approval for our reworked proposal. The session we delivered became a highlight of the conference, resonating strongly with attendees.?

To enhance our chances of acceptance, I submitted another proposal in 2023, which succeeded, leading to speaking engagements in two separate sessions across different tracks. From initial rejection to multiple acceptances, my journey to the GHC stage has been filled with valuable lessons in resilience and growth.

Fast forward to 2024, where I've recently received acceptance for two proposals. Today, I'm excited to share my insights on crafting compelling conference proposals. By following these steps, you can create a session proposal that not only meets conference requirements but also captivates reviewers with its clarity, relevance, and potential impact.

1. Understand Conference Guidelines:

• Carefully review instructions provided by the conference organizers.
• Attend walk-throughs or Q&A sessions to clarify any doubts. GHC does a great job of being extremely inclusive and provides multiple avenues to ask questions including a dedicated email support.

2. Research your conference:

• Know your audience, their experience level and background so your proposal is catered to them.
• Determine the conference theme, if any, and align your proposal accordingly.
• Review previous sessions to understand the audience's interests and preferences.
• Assess the credibility of past speakers to gauge the standard expected.

3. Define Your Proposal:

• Identify the significance of your topic for conference attendees.
• Establish your authority on the subject matter.
• Highlight key takeaways participants can expect from your session.

4. Craft a Clear Proposal:

• Be specific and articulate in your writing.
• Detail any techniques or activities you plan to incorporate.
• Ensure your proposal title accurately reflects its content.

5. Support with Evidence:

• Include relevant facts, statistics, and references to bolster your proposal.
• Provide citations and links for studies or data mentioned.

6. Utilize your network:

• Seek feedback from coworkers, friends, and mentors on your proposal.
• Collaborate with other speakers to share insights and perspectives.
• Partnering with fellow speakers can not only ease the workload but also enhance the proposal's appeal.

7. Plan Post-Session Engagement:

• Outline strategies for continued engagement after the session.
• Offer opportunities for discussion, additional resources, or networking.
• Demonstrate commitment to adding value beyond the conference.

Speaking at conferences fosters diversity of thought and meaningful impact. Each rejection is an opportunity for refinement and improvement. Embrace the journey and good luck!