Request for Applications - CAPPO Conference & Workshop Speakers

CAPPO is Looking for Exciting Ideas for Presentations!

If you have a topic or presentation idea we want to hear from you. This is an opportunity to elevate yourself and benefit the profession. CAPPO is the premier source for public procurement training and networking in California and the oldest such association in the United States.

Please submit an abstract to be considered for a presentation at an CAPPO program or event. We are looking for proposals that demonstrate clear topics that are beneficial to our programs. The Education Committee will review all proposals and select those that best meet our guidelines and needs.

A. CAPPO CONFERENCE
The 2026 Annual CAPPO Conference will be a multi-day event, February 1 - 4, 2026 with the theme being Service Shines Bright in Procurement.  The conference will be geared to a diverse audience of procurement professionals, and provides empowering and engaging personal enrichment and professional development topics that inspire attendees to thrive in their personal lives and careers. The conference also provides attendees the opportunity to network with other like-minded peers.
Target attendance: 700-850

KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Opportunity to kick off and end the conference with a 45-120 minute inspirational and empowering keynote speech.

WORKSHOPS
The conference offers approximately 20 breakout sessions, each 1 to 1.5 hour in length, with multiple categories for attendees to choose from at each breakout. We are seeking speakers for breakout workshops that will cover, but not limited to, the following topics:

ProD (Professional Development Sessions)
ProD sessions are presented by peers (CAPPO members).  The annual conference typically offers approximately 15 ProD sessions, each 60 min in length, ranging from basics for the beginner to advanced purchasing solutions, strategies, negotiations, contract administration, and procurement technology.  Multiple ProD sessions occur concurrently and popular sessions may be scheduled more than once.

SPEAKER RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Provide high quality educational presentations.
2. Engage attendees through audience participation and discussion.
3. Coordinate with the conference committee regarding any special equipment needs.
4. Provide a picture, topic summary, top three takeaways and biography for marketing purposes.
5. Ensure the session is not perceived as an infomercial.
6. Provide own printed pieces and/or promotional collateral.

CAPPO ATTENDEES

• Seek certification credit hours for their professional designations.
• Represent the Federal, State and local government; special districts; and education (K12 & College Level) sector.
• Perform many different functions within their organizations including contract management, risk management, employee relations, training and development.
• Serve in all levels of an organization from entry level to executive C-Suite.
  

PROPOSAL GUIDELINES
Speaker applications will be accepted throughout the year.  Please use the button below to submit your proposal via our google form.

PROPOSALS TO INCLUDE

• Event(s) you are interested in that are best suited for speaking at the conference.
• Proposed topic(s) and summary of topic (See NASPO_Top_10_Priorities and CAPPO 2025 agenda for example of topics).
• Corporate Speaker fees: Please also note if you are willing to waive your fee for the exposure and recognition you will receive or be willing to trade a speaking fee for advertising or promotion trade out in the CAPPO Newsletter or CAPPO Conference.
• Please include a short bio, links to LinkedIn page, video speaking clips and a list of upcoming public speaking engagements where we can observe, and speaking engagement references.

 

Click Here to Submit and Speaker Application

 

Once your application is received, it will be evaluated by the CAPPO Program Chair and/or the Education Committee that have subject matter expertise in procurement knowledge and competencies.

Each year, we receive nearly three times the number of applications that we are able to accept. Our speaker selection process is based on a number of factors, including but not limited to:

• Proposed topic, relevance and value to the Contracting and Procurement profession
• Originality, educational value and immediate takeaways
• Speaker’s credentials and subject matter expertise
• Reference checks
• Evaluations from previous CAPPO Conferences (if applicable)
• Public speaking experience at professional conferences, seminars and workshops
  

Speakers are carefully evaluated and selected based on their proposed topic and individual qualifications including a reference check. For this reason, speaker substitutions are not permitted without prior approval of an authorized CAPPO Board or Chapter Chair. Before submitting an application, please be sure that you will be able to keep your commitment to appear as scheduled, if selected. For this same reason, co-speakers must be indicated at proposal submission and will not be added after acceptance.

Thank you so much for your interest in helping CAPPO fulfill its mission of inspiring and empowering our membership! We look forward to hearing from you. Your input is valued and will be carefully considered by our conference committee. The conference committee will respond to your submission within a month of receiving it. We appreciate all submissions and if you are not selected for this upcoming conference year, we welcome you to submit again for the following year. Opportunities will be afforded first to program themes and then speakers that fit those themes for a designated program.