Speaker Opportunities: Open calls for speakers
Last updated: August 14, 2026
Finding speaking opportunities has never been easier. Evaluating whether they’re actually worth your time is a different problem entirely. If part of your strategy is working with bureaus, here are some tips to help you evaluate a bureau before you sign.
Search tools, AI platforms, and dedicated services have made discovery faster than ever. But knowing — before you spend hours on an application — whether a given opportunity is the right fit for where your business is going? That requires a different kind of work.
The list below is manually curated: open calls for speakers, active conference applications, and platforms worth your attention, updated weekly. Everything here has passed a basic quality check. Deadlines shift, so always verify before applying.
Before you submit to any call for speakers, make sure your own site isn’t working against you — these are the speaker website mistakes that turn off event planners.
But before you start browsing, it’s worth having your criteria in place. Not vague criteria — specific ones. Not “good networking opportunities,” but the actual titles, industries, and decision-makers who need to be in the room for a speaking engagement to matter to your business. And equally important: your negative criteria. The things that make an opportunity an automatic pass, no matter what else it has going for it.
If you want the full framework — including how to research an event before applying, how to use AI tools for systematic opportunity discovery, and why topic fit matters more than most speakers realize — read the full guide here. Curious on how this might fit within overall business development? Learn more about my offerings here.
Otherwise, the current opportunities are below.
Know an opportunity? Help your fellow speakers
Finding stages shouldn’t be a full-time job. This page collects open calls for speakers, conference applications, and platforms worth your attention: curated weekly so you can spend your time preparing, not searching. If you know of an opportunity that belongs here, submit it below.
Open Opportunities
Informa – AI Summits
Flagship Events:
The AI Summit New York | 9-10 December 2026 at Javits Center, NYC
Satellite Events:
The AI Summit at Black Hat USA | 4 August 2026 at Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas
In-person · Unpaid · No Expenses Covered
Speaker Intake: Rolling
Rural Nonprofit Leader Summit
This event is being created to help rural nonprofit leaders fund the work, stop carrying it alone, and keep their teams (and themselves) from burning out.
We’re looking for speakers who know rural nonprofit realities specifically. We value:
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Sustainable systems over hustle
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Honest and actionable content over inspiration alone, and
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Sessions that serve leaders across different backgrounds and communities.
If you’re interested in speaking, please fill out the application and we’ll get back to you by the end of August!
Speakers receive a $100 honorarium as well as 40% affiliate referral percentages.
Virtual Conference: October 20-October 23, 2026
Atlantic Tech Summit
The Atlantic Technology Summit is now accepting abstract submissions for 2026.
This year’s theme, Secure Velocity, explores how organizations can move faster, innovate smarter, and grow with confidence in an era defined by cybersecurity, AI, digital transformation, and constant change. We are looking for engaging, practical, and thought-provoking sessions that bring real value to business and technology leaders across Atlantic Canada.
In-person
Submission Deadline September 15 2026.
Event November 18, 2026
Mile High SHRM
Mile High SHRM is excited to host the 24th Annual HR Conference in February 2027! We anticipate 400+ HR professionals for the in-person event. A virtual platform will be made available as well allowing the speakers ample opportunities to connect with our members. Come with your most engaging ideas and topics! Don’t hold back!
Speakers chosen by November 2026
Event February 2027
Planview Connect 2027
Planview Connect highlights the real experiences, challenges, and successes of our customers. The agenda brings together a diverse mix of roles, industries, products, and maturity levels, featuring speakers who showcase the value their organizations have achieved with Planview.
You’re invited to share your story with the Planview Customer Community at Connect 2026.
Planview Connect Tracks Include:
WORK DELIVERY: Managing Work and Resources from Intake to Value
Share how you manage work from intake through delivery. Topics include project and resource management, workflows, governance, work intake, and visibility.
PLANNING: Strategic Portfolio Planning, Funding, and Prioritization
Show how planning aligns strategy to execution. Topics include road mapping, scenario planning, OKRs, demand and capacity, product funding, and investment planning.
DIGITAL PRODUCT DELIVERY: Build the Right Software, Faster
Align product, engineering, and business teams to improve planning, prioritization, and delivery of digital products. Topics include Agile planning, business-technology alignment, toolchain integration, and metrics.
SOLUTION INSIGHTS: Impactful Applications of Planview
Highlight how you’re solving challenges and driving value with Planview. Topics include R&D, PSA, enterprise architecture, innovation, integration strategies, and portfolio analysis.
PEER DEEP DIVE: Proven Practices from Customers and Planview
Lessons learned and best practices from customers and Planview experts. Topics include change management, integrations, reporting, adoption, and getting more from your solutions.
Presenting customers receive:
- Complimentary registration for your approved session
- Recognition on the Planview Connect website, promotional materials, and the Customer Success Center
Submit your topic for review to be considered for a 30-minute session sharing your organization’s story, journey, and insights. Submissions are open to customers and partners, with external experts considered when aligned to event themes.
Submission Deadline March 24, 2027
Event May 24-26, 2027
The Institute of Internal Auditors
The IIA is seeking experienced thought leaders and industry professionals to share their knowledge and expertise as we work together to explore emerging issues, promulgate leading practices, and advocate for the profession. We will update this page with opportunities for you to get involved as they arise. Many of these exciting opportunities include CPE credits, complimentary conference registration, and global recognition for your work.
Note: This is an open call for speakers for IIA Conferences. Submissions are reviewed on a rolling basis, however preferences can be indicated in the form.
MDRT Center for Field Leadership
The MDRT Center for Field Leadership is always on the search for speakers who can present to other MDRT Center members at the MDRT Annual Meeting, MDRT Global Conference and webcasts.
Proposals should be geared toward agency leaders, not advisors. Increasing personal sales and client management are not covered by the Center.
Topics
- General agency leadership
- Advisor recruitment, selection, training, development and performance management
- Growing sales/increasing production and persistency
- Increasing retention
- Team management and culture
- The future of the industry/industry trends
Platforms and Resources
Global Bid Opportunity Finder – Canadian Commercial Corporation
A free service provided for Canadians seeking global opportunities.