To ensure long-term sustainability of the conference program, the board has agreed on a revised approach to speaker funding.

The conference will fund only the opening and closing keynote speakers, covering up to two nights’ accommodation and reasonable travel. All other speakers are expected to self-fund, as presenting at a national conference is recognized as a valuable professional development opportunity. In exceptional cases where a speaker is essential to meeting the educational needs of the program, local committees may submit a funding request to the Board for consideration.

Complimentary rooms from the hotel block may be allocated as needed, and vendor sponsorship will be actively pursued to support plenary sessions. This approach ensures financial sustainability while maintaining flexibility and program quality.

Speaker Funding Options

The following principles will guide support for speaker participation:

  1. Speaker Participation:

    1. Funded Speakers:

      • Opening and Closing Keynote Speakers will be funded, including:
        • Up to two nights’ accommodation.
        • Travel (as per the expense reimbursement guidelines).
      • Keynote invitations will be positioned as both a professional opportunity and a strategic investment in the conference program.
    2. All Other Speakers:

      • Funding will not be automatically provided for other speakers.
      • Speaking at the conference is considered a valuable career opportunity, particularly for those seeking national exposure or to build their CV.
      • Where a speaker is critical to the delivery of content that meets an identified need, local organizing committees may submit a funding request to the Board for review. These requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

  2. Budget-Conscious Support:

    • A capped honorarium or single-night accommodation may be considered in select cases, subject to approval. (The cap may vary based on location and revenue projections).
    • Complimentary hotel rooms earned through room blocks (e.g., 1 per 50 booked) may be allocated to offset speaker accommodations as needed.

  3. Vendor Sponsorship:

    • Vendor partners will be encouraged to sponsor speaker sessions, particularly for plenary or high-impact presentations.
    • Sponsored sessions will be clearly identified and promoted accordingly.