SPEAKER GUIDELINES
MARRIOTT INDIANAPOLIS
18–20, 2024
JW
SEPTEMBER
CHANGES TO THE FALL FORUM
The event format is undergoing a significant shift. In order to enhance participant engagement and foster more practical skill development within the event, sessions will transition from hour-long breakouts to workshop-style sessions centered on problem-solving and active learning. While this will not be a complete departure from the past format, your submission will be heavily weighted on content development and ability to outline interactive learning options.
SPEAKER & EVENT TIMELINES
April 1st - May 30th: Call for Speakers
1. July 15th: Speaker Acceptances/Regrets
2. July 25th: Deadline to Accept Speaking Slot
3. August 5th: Registration Deadline
4. August 5th: Hotel Booking Deadline for Speakers
5. August 12th: Presentation Material Deadline
7.
6. Event Dates: September 18–20, 2024
SPEAKER PROPOSALS WILL BE EVALUATED BASED ON
NEW CONTENT ONLY: Abstracts that have been presented in the past at any ESOP event will NOT be considered. Submissions must be educational and will be eliminated if they appear to be “pitches” for products or services.
If you submit a proposal as an individual, you may be placed on a panel discussing a similar topic.
We will not consider a panel made up entirely of members from the same firm.
Data received from previous evaluations will be considered for the selection process and preference will be given to those speakers with high performance and participant feedback from past NCEO events.
Panels will max out at 3 panelists for an hour-long session
Workshop panels will max out at 8 panelists
EDUCATIONAL TRACK FOCUS
This fall, we're taking things to the next level with deeper dives into our topics. We're focused on problem-solving and active learning, aiming to boost participant engagement and practical skill development.
Track Goal/Outcome
Acquisitions
Building an Owner’s Manual
Engagement, Recruitment, and Retention
Managing in an ESOP Company
Deliver actionable insights in key areas such as market research analysis, due diligence process, valuation implications, working with partners (legal, tax, trustee, etc.), communicating the value of employee ownership to acquisition targets, negotiation strategies, integration planning and execution, and post-acquisition performance monitoring. Proposals should highlight useful tools, case studies, and real-world examples, enabling attendees to leave with tangible deliverables and applicable insights ready for immediate implementation in their respective companies.
Offer practical understanding and frameworks for crafting a comprehensive owner's manual tailored to the unique needs of each organization. Speakers are encouraged to share strategies, case studies, and best practices that enable attendees to implement effective governance structures, foster a positive organizational culture, and drive continuous improvement for long-term success.
Discuss emerging trends and innovative approaches within the realm of talent management and empower attendees to build resilient and high-performing teams. Presentations should provide strategies and case studies to help attendees cultivate a workplace culture that fosters engagement, attracts top talent, retains valuable employees, invests in continuous learning and development, and promotes diversity and inclusion.
Provide insight into nuanced strategies for leveraging ESOPs to drive employee engagement, foster a culture of ownership, and enhance organizational performance. Offer practical tools for aligning employee incentives with long-term company goals, navigating complex governance structures, and integrating ESOP principles into everyday operations. Empower attendees to maximize the potential of their ESOPs and create sustainable success for both employees and the company as a whole. The target audience for this track is middle or new managers.
Mature ESOPs
Explore unconventional angles and innovative approaches to sustaining a vibrant ESOP culture amidst industry changes while leveraging employee ownership to drive innovation and adaptability. Consider emerging trends in ESOP governance, unique strategies for managing growth without compromising employee ownership principles, and creative exit strategies beyond traditional buyouts.
Thinking and Acting Like Owners
Evaluate alternative methods for fostering ownership mentality, such as gamification or peer recognition programs. Consider discussing the role of mentorship in nurturing ownership behavior or the importance of transparency in fostering a culture of accountability
SESSION FORMAT OPPORTUNITIES
INDIVIDUAL PANELS OF 2 - 3 WORKSHOPS
There will only be (6) one hour-long breakout sessions. You can still submit a topic but it should focus on the subtopics below
You don’t quite have a full workshop outlined, but you know you have a couple of panelists and you want to contribute a session that will fit in a workshop and/or stand alone
Design a dynamic workshop spanning 6-10 hours, offering an immersive platform to share expertise, innovative strategies, and practical insights across a variety of disciplines, fostering interactive learning experiences. Max 8 speakers
DEADLINE TO APPLY: MAY 30
SUBTOPICS BY FOCUS
Acquisitions
Market Analysis and Research
Due Diligence Process
Negotiation Strategies
Integration Planning and Execution
Post-Acquisition Performance
Monitoring
Working with Partners
Communicating Employee
Ownership Value to Acquisition Targets
Building an Owner’s Manual
Defining Company Values and Mission
Creating Organizational Structure
Establishing Operational Policies and Procedures
Developing Leadership and Management Guidelines
Continuous Improvement and Update Process
Engagement, Recruitment, and Retention
Employee Engagement
Strategies
Recruitment Techniques and Best Practices
Retention Programs and Incentives
Training and Development Initiatives
Diversity and Inclusion
Strategies
Thinking and Acting Like Owners
Cultivating Ownership Mindset Among Employees
Empowering Employees to Make Decisions
Fostering Innovation and Initiative
Promoting Accountability and Responsibility
Rewarding Ownership Behavior and Performance
Managing in an ESOP Company
Understanding ESOP Structure and Benefits
Governance and DecisionMaking Processes
Financial Literacy for Employee-Owners
Aligning Employee Goals with Company Objectives
Balancing Employee Ownership with Professional Management
Mature ESOP
Sustaining ESOP Culture and Values
Managing Growth and Stability
Succession Planning in Mature ESOPs
Leveraging Employee Ownership for Competitive Advantage
Exit Strategies for Retiring Employee-Owners
BENEFITS OF SPEAKING HOW TO APPLY
Sharing your knowledge and experience with employee-owners Exposure, brand awareness, and lead generation
Opportunity to create engaging and enriching content
Showcasing yourself or your organization as an expert within the ESOP community
Creating more awareness nationally for employee ownership Inspiring other ESOP companies by showcasing what you are doing within your own company
Free registration for one employeeowner from your company
We have made it easier than ever to apply to speak. Please note that if you submit a panel or workshop of speakers, other panelists must also log in and submit their headshots, bio, and profile information before your session proposal can be submitted.
If you wait until the day before the deadline, you risk not getting your submission finalized.
Apply Here
SELECTION PROCESS & NEXT STEPS
Following the May 30 deadline, your submission will be reviewed both internally and externally by our selection committee consisting of NCEO staff, board members, and peers. Our conference is for employee-owners, and topics outside of employee ownership will be considered but not treated with the same weight. Please note that selection preference will be given to speakers who have demonstrated excellence in meeting speaker deadlines and have been rated higher in previous NCEO speaking engagements. Notification of selection will be sent out by mid-July.
If selected to speak, you will be notified by email no later than July 15, 2024. You will have ten days to accept your speaking slot. Session times will be communicated once all speaking slots have been accepted or declined. You will have ten days to accept your speaking slot