RFP Session Proposal & Speaker Nomination
Applications to speak or submit a session proposal are now closed.
Still interested in participating in the summit?
Consider sponsoring a program session! Please visit our sponsorship page or contact Justine Zawatski at jzawatski@jff.org. Program sponsors must commit by January 31, 2024 and sessions must be complete by no later than April 26, 2024.
Still have questions? Reach out to a member of our team.
Timeline
October 25: Session and speaker proposals open on the Horizons website.
October 25 - December 1: Application Period.
December - January: Review period and decisions.
February: Speakers register for Horizons and submit headshots and final session materials. Session organizers make changes suggested by the Horizons Planning Team.
March - June: Planning, final communications, and room assignments.
July 22 - 23: Horizons 2024!
Oct 25 | Oct 25 - Dec 1 | Dec - Jan | Feb | Mar - Jun |
---|---|---|---|---|
Session and speaker proposals open on the Horizons website |
Application period |
Review period and decisions |
Session organizers work with JFF on any changes suggested by the Horizons planning team |
Planning, final communications, and room assignments |
Our Audience:
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People looking to drive real change in our education and workforce systems. That includes senior and C-Suite executives looking to learn, advance, and build new strategies to better serve emerging learners and workers, mid-career professionals interested in deepening their knowledge, and entry-level professionals looking to advance their knowledge.
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You can expect attendees from philanthropy, small businesses, Fortune 500 companies, venture capitalists, workforce agencies, government and policymakers, educators, nonprofit organizations, and beyond.
What we’re looking for:
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Cross-sector conversations. While some conversations are specific to an audience or population, Horizons is about bringing together representatives from across sectors to drive collective action.
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Expertise. Speakers and session organizers that have an intermediate level of expertise at a minimum.
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Innovation. Ideas that show new ways of thinking, big ideas, and action.
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Creativity and what’s new. New ideas that aren’t commonly talked about or a new spin on an existing topic.
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Diversity in perspectives.
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Interaction. We encourage you to think beyond a panel (we know, it’s hard). How can you engage the audience? What opportunities are there to go deeper?
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Lessons learned. Sessions should not resemble a sales pitch or an opportunity to showcase a single organization, project, or program. All sessions should have a call to action for various stakeholders in the audience.
Proposal Types
Submit an application for a full session or to participate as an individual speaker.
![01 Individual Speaker](https://horizons.jff.org/hubfs/Horizons/2024/Microsite%20%3E%20RFP/01%20Individual%20Speaker.jpg)
Individual speaker
If you’re not interested in submitting a full session application, you can apply to speak at Horizons. Speakers may be considered for breakout sessions, mainstage, our Candid Conversations Vodcast Stage, and other opportunities.
![Networking](https://horizons.jff.org/hubfs/Horizons/2024/Microsite%20%3E%20RFP/05%20Networking.jpg)
Networking
Lead a networking session on a singular topic or multiple topics. Bring people from across sectors, geographical regions, and professional backgrounds together to meet and build connections. Minimal programming suggested.
![Workshop](https://horizons.jff.org/hubfs/Horizons/2024/Microsite%20%3E%20RFP/07%20Workshop.jpg)
Workshop
Workshops are an opportunity to go deeper on a topic with attendees. Workshops can have up to 3 “speakers” or session moderators. Speakers are required to have mid-to-advanced-level expertise on a topic. Workshops are NOT meant to get feedback on a program, product, or service.
![04 Lightning Round](https://horizons.jff.org/hubfs/Horizons/2024/Microsite%20%3E%20RFP/04%20Lightning%20Round.jpg)
Lightning Round
Lightning round sessions include 3 speakers delivering short, individual presentations that present big ideas and new, innovative thinking on a topic.
![02 Debate](https://horizons.jff.org/hubfs/Horizons/2024/Microsite%20%3E%20RFP/02%20Debate.jpg)
Debate
Debates can be 2-4 speakers and speakers should present opposing views on a topic or multiple topics.
![03 Fireside Chats](https://horizons.jff.org/hubfs/Horizons/2024/Microsite%20%3E%20RFP/03%20Fireside%20Chats.jpg)
Fireside chat
Fireside chats bring together 2 thought leaders having an unmoderated conversation on a particular topic.
![Panel](https://horizons.jff.org/hubfs/Horizons/2024/Microsite%20%3E%20RFP/06%20Panel.jpg)
Panel
Panel sessions may include up to 4 speakers—including the moderator!
![Other](https://horizons.jff.org/hubfs/Horizons/2024/Microsite%20%3E%20RFP/08%20Other.jpg)
Other
Submit your own idea!
Horizons 2023 Photos by Drew Bird
Guidelines:
- We have limited spots and will not accept multiple sessions per organization, so please only submit two ideas per company/organization.
- It’s your responsibility to confirm speakers' availability before submitting an application.
- All speakers must be available on both July 22 and July 23 to be considered.
- JFF reserves the right to accept session ideas as-is and publish information submitted in the session.
- Your session will either be accepted as-is (meaning no speaker changes can be made) or JFF will suggest changes in session topic or speakers.
- Once you submit your proposal, the portal will not allow edits. Please review your application carefully before submitting.
- Session changes may be requested but are not guaranteed. If your session or speaker lineup changes significantly, JFF reserves the right to revoke accepted sessions.
- We will not be accepting late submissions. Please reach out with any questions you have well in advance of the deadline!
- Accepted speakers will not pay a Horizons registration fee. If the status of the speaker changes, their registration will be cancelled.