Conference speakers are the stars of any event. They share their knowledge, insights, and stories with the audience, and often inspire them to take action. ILA’s Conference Planning Committee is committed to creating opportunities for speakers to grow as subject experts and leaders in our profession. To that end, the committee provides:
Proposal Guidance
ILA Office Hours
Financial Assistance
Frequently Asked Questions
Resources
NEW! Speakers are eligible for a conference registration discount of 20% off their appropriate fee.
Proposal Guidance
Have an idea for a program that's not fully formed? Looking for a co-presenter to bring in additional perspectives? Are you a first-time presenter and need/want some assistance putting together your first proposal? You can submit a request for speaker support and the committee will help you develop your proposal. Requests need to be submitted before the proposal deadline so the completed proposal can be submitted to the committee by the deadline. Questions about the proposals can be directed to Kristin Pekoll at kpekoll@ila.org.
Register to meet with Kristin (the ILA Conference and Continuing Education Manager) to ask questions, brainstorm, and generally get conference proposal support.
Financial Assistance Available
Financial assistance is available to offset registration fees for a limited number of speakers who would not otherwise be able to attend the conference. Librarians and library staff who have faced structural barriers to participation, including small and rural libraries, are encouraged to apply. Assistance is awarded based on the following criteria:
Financial need
Geographic diversity
Speakers from underrepresented groups in the library profession
First-time speakers
Topic adds diversity to conference programming
Before applying for assistance, you must submit your program proposal. Previous recipients are not eligible to apply. The deadline to apply is April 5, 2024. Requests are considered by ILA staff and the Conference Planning Committee during the window of proposal acceptance and the close of early bird registration. Questions about financial assistance can be directed to Kristin Pekoll at kpekoll@ila.org.
Are speakers required to register for the conference? Yes. Annual conference speakers and poster session presenters are eligible for a conference registration discount of 20% off their appropriate fee. Discounts are available exclusively during the speaker registration window before general registration opens. Discounts are not eligible for the “Exhibits Only” registration type. Non-profit registration rates are available on request.
Will AV be available? Each program room will include a projector, screen, and WiFi access. If you plan on using WiFi for your presentation, please consider a back up plan in case there are connectivity issues.
Do I have to bring my own computer and adaptor? Yes. The conference does not supply computers. Speakers whose programs require computers/videos/slides must bring their own device. If your device does not have a HDMI port, please bring an appropriate adaptor. A limited number of adaptors will be available onsite.
Should I provide handouts? All speakers are asked to make their handouts and/or slides available for attendees to download. Handouts can be submitted via the Speaker Portal on Pheedloop by Monday, October 7. Speakers may provide paper copies of their handouts at their own expense. Please use your best judgment in deciding if printed handouts are necessary for your program.
Is there a space for speakers to prepare for their presentations? A Speaker Prep area will be available throughout the conference. Speakers may use the space to meet and prepare for their presentations.
How is the room setup? Program rooms will be set up in either a theater configuration or round tables, based on the request in your program submission. Each room will have a podium with a microphone and a speakers' table with two microphones.
Can anyone submit a proposal? The Conference Program Committee encourages presenters representing a variety of personal and professional backgrounds, perspectives, and voices. We aim for conference presenters to be as diverse as the communities we serve. Submissions are welcome from anyone who is interested in presenting, including students, new professionals, first-time presenters, and representatives of allied professions.
Informational program sessions from guest speakers outside the Illinois library community are admissible when accepted by the conference planning committee as long as there is a library worker or trustee listed as a co-speaker.
Vendors and others who offer services for a fee are welcome to consider a booth in the exhibit hall which includes up to 6 complimentary registrations for the full conference.
Do I have to use the microphone? Yes. Please use the microphones, even if you think you’re speaking loud enough. It is an accessibility issue for attendees who may not want to identify their hearing challenges.
When will I find out if my proposal has been accepted? Wednesday, January 17, 2024 — Call for ILA Annual Conference Program Proposals announced. Friday, April 5, 2024 — Final day to submit proposals. This deadline is firm and will not be extended. Monday, May 13, 2024 — Selection notifications distributed via Pheedloop from ILA. Friday, May 31, 2024 — Conference Program Schedule published. July 1-15, 2024 — Designated conference speaker registration with 20% discount. Monday, July 22, 2024 — Registration opens to the general public. September 16, 2024 — Early bird registration deadline September 26, 2024— Last day to register October 8-10, 2024 — ILA Annual Conference Libraries are Lit: Sparking Innovation and Imagination in Peoria, IL.
How are the proposals chosen? The committee will evaluate all of the submissions as individual entries, and how they fit within the balance of conference content as a whole. The Program Committee will evaluate all proposals submitted by the deadline using the following criteria:
Clarity of the proposal, particularly having well-developed description and title;
Originality and relevance of the proposed topic;
Uniqueness of content in relation to other conference presentations;
Practical suggestions that can be replicated at other libraries;
Timely and creative solutions that can be replicated;
Collaboration with other library types or organizations;
A range of speaker experiences and representations
Registerto meet with Kristin (the ILA Conference and Continuing Education Manager) to ask questions, brainstorm, and generally get conference proposal support.
The ILA 2024 Conference Committee created a video to help speakers write the best proposal for their program. They’ll talk about what makes a conference proposal stand out, the behind-the-scenes process of selection, and the dos and don’ts of writing titles, descriptions and more.
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