Become an ATDChi Event Speaker
Thank you for your interest in speaking with ATD Chicagoland. We welcome practical, thoughtful, and engaging proposals that can support learning, connection, and growth across our talent development community.
Start Here
If you are interested in speaking at an ATD Chicagoland event, you are in the right place. This page is designed to help you understand the kinds of sessions we offer, what we look for in a strong proposal, and how to make your submission stand out.
After reviewing the guidance below, please submit your proposal through our speaker submission form.
Ready to Submit?
Once you have reviewed the information on this page, please use our submission form to share your session proposal.
Submit a Speaking ProposalATDChi Event Types
ATD Chicagoland offers a range of programming formats for speaker engagement. In the submission form, we encourage you to select all event types that may be a fit for your proposal.
Full-Day Workshop
A deeper learning experience with extended time for development, discussion, and application.
Half-Day Workshop
A focused workshop format with time for practical learning and audience engagement.
Professional Development Network Meeting
Sessions designed for targeted professional communities and topic-specific dialogue.
Clinic Event
An 80-minute speaking session designed for practical insight and actionable learning.
Dinner Event
A 50-minute speaking session paired with an in-person networking and dinner experience.
Webinar
A 60-minute virtual session designed for accessible, engaging online learning.
We begin reviewing submissions and notifying speakers during the months leading up to an event. If you are interested in speaking, we encourage you to submit well in advance.
What We’re Looking For
ATD Chicagoland is committed to offering relevant, high-quality learning experiences. We review many submissions, and the strongest proposals tend to share a few common qualities.
Aligned to the ATD Talent Development Capability Model™
We encourage proposals that align with the ATD Talent Development Capability Model and reflect the knowledge and skills needed for success now and in the future.
Tactics & Takeaways
Our attendees value practical ideas they can apply when they return to work. Strong proposals make the takeaways clear.
Focus on the How
We are especially interested in sessions that explain how to do something, not just why it matters.
Strategic Insight
High-level strategic thinking from experienced practitioners and thought leaders can make for strong, relevant content.
Fresh Perspectives
We are always interested in innovative ideas, emerging topics, and new takes on familiar challenges.
Case Studies & Real Examples
Our members appreciate hearing how real people and organizations approached a challenge, what worked, and what they learned.
Pitfalls to Avoid
Attendees also value lessons learned, common missteps, and examples of what not to do.
Speaking Samples
If you have videos of previous speaking engagements, including a link in your submission is very helpful for the Programming team.
Important: Don’t Pitch Products or Services
ATD Chicagoland members come to our events to hear unbiased, educational presentations. We do not accept sales pitches for products or services. Please keep your abstract and presentation focused on education, practical value, and thought leadership.
Bio and Abstract Formats
Please write your bio and abstract in the third person, as they may appear on our website or in event materials.
Even if you are proposing an existing session, you must provide an abstract that reflects the content you would bring. Our preferred format is a short paragraph followed by bullet points outlining key takeaways and what attendees will learn.
Multiple Submissions
You may submit multiple proposals. However, please keep in mind that ATD Chicagoland does limit the number of speakers selected from any one company.
About Proposal Status and Follow-Up
ATD Chicagoland is a volunteer-led organization, and speaker proposals are reviewed thoughtfully as events are planned throughout the year.
We sincerely appreciate every submission. Because of the volume of proposals we receive and the volunteer-powered nature of our review process, we are only able to follow up directly with individuals selected to move forward.
To help us manage the process consistently, we kindly ask that all speaker proposals be submitted through the official submission form and not through direct outreach to ATD Chicagoland board members.
Submit a Speaking Proposal
When you are ready, use our proposal page to share your session idea with the ATD Chicagoland Programming team.
Submit a Speaking ProposalQuestions About Speaking at ATDChi?
If you have additional questions about speaking with ATD Chicagoland, you may contact our Vice President of Programming. Please note that speaker proposals should still be submitted through the official proposal form.
Thoughtful. Practical. Community-Centered.
We are always looking for speakers who can bring relevant insight, practical value, and meaningful learning to the ATD Chicagoland community.
