List of collegiate conferences seeking speakers with deadlines
Ever considered speaking to colleges or students in high school, middle school or any age K-12?
Yes, even elementary schools have school assemblies with speakers and need professional development speakers for teachers and administration.
Faculty and staff have their own events, trainings and conferences!
I believe most speakers could speak to BOTH types of audiences - students and professionals!!
Professionals noticing me speaking at student events is hat launched my corporate speaking. I don't feel I was special.
Do what I did and you can too! In fact, I'm extending my hand to help you.
Below is a list of major collegiate conferences coming up actually seeking speakers for keynotes AND breakout sessions!
And if you know someone who wants to speak to students, feel free to forward this onto them.
I know this can be confusing and overwhelming, so I wanted to compile which conferences and associations have "worked" for me in the past. This should help you weed through the confusion to find clarity for which groups to apply.
Three myths I want to crush up front about school and collegiate speaking first though:
Myth #1: Schools and colleges do not pay speakers.
Fact #1: Says who? Yes they do, and many of my school/college speaking engagements pay much better than my corporate engagements! Be careful what assumptions you believe and who you take advice from!
Myth #2: You have to be young to speak to youth.
Fact #2: Wrong! Your life experience is what they crave and need to hear!
Myth #3: There are not a lot of speaking opportunities at schools and colleges.
Fact #3: Say hugh? There are over 4,000 colleges and universities in the United States alone, each of which have numerous opportunities to HIRE SPEAKERS every single semester. Add in high schools, middle schools and K-12 overall and you have over 10,000 institutions who bring in speakers. Then, add in teachers, faculty, staff and administration for additional speaking opportunities!
Folks, speaking opportunities to youth (college and school) are abound!!
My background is Student Affairs and my Doctorate is in Educational Leadership. I started speaking part-time while working full-time at different universities across the country.
Most recently I was Dean of Students at High Point University. I left that amazing position to launch my full-time speaking business. So I kinda know the school, college and university scene for speakers. I used to bring speakers in as well. I've also served on numerous conference selection committees.
If it weren't for my collegiate and high school speaking, I would not be a speaker today!
So don't believe the myths or make incorrect assumptions holding you back.
Even if you've never spoken to a college or youth audience, it's not too difficult to angle your corporate speech for students. I can help show you how.
GOOD NEWS is that there are several collegiate events and conferences coming up for you to take advantage of and apply to speak. These conferences are where faculty, staff and students find speakers that they bring to their campus.
I wanted to compile which ones have "worked" for me in the past to help you weed through the confusion to find clarity for your own speaking.
Below is a list of major collegiate conferences coming up actually seeking speakers! And feel free to forward this onto someone who wants to speak to college students --- they will thank you!
Some of these conference opportunities are for keynotes and some are for breakout sessions --- some for both.
Association of Fraternal Leadership and Values (AFLV)
(submission due July 1)
(submission due July 1)
NCSL will be held in Orlando from November 19-21
(submissions were due June 7th but they are still accepting proposals -- plan ahead NOW for 2022!)
APCA hosts several Fall conference dates at their Regional Conferences
(accepting ongoing submissions)
AFA is the mack-daddy conference for all fraternity and sorority advisors -- this is how I got started speaking folks!
(submissions due Tuesday, July 6th)
NODA's Annual Conference will be held October 22 – 25 in Orlando.
(deadline passed but this is one HUGE conference I'd plan for in 2022!)
(they host several conferences throughout the year!)
Not sure how to submit? Not sure what to submit? Not even sure which conference is best for you?
All of these conferences have a speaker selection team that reviews all of the submissions. Your program submission is going to need to be solid and I can help.
I've been involved with each of these associations when I worked in Student Affairs. I know what they are looking for and how you can submit the best proposal possible for consideration.
I also used to bring in speakers when I worked at campuses. I can help you there too.
Schedule a discounted 1:1 coaching call here to discuss anything you want. I can also overview which association is best for you and how I would tailor a program submission.
I'm happy to review your submission draft and provide additional feedback as well.
Have questions about what I’ve posted? Write in the comments below and/or reach out to me … Kevin@KevinCSnyder.com
Progress, not perfection ... onward to your speaking success!
Desire to become a professional speaker?
Not getting PAID speaking engagements yet?
In addition to my own speaking business, I have a passion for helping and coaching speakers develop their own. Whether it's in crafting a speech, identifying target groups who can pay, and/or how to get the speaking gig itself, I can help. I've keynoted over 1,150 presentations in practically every industry you can imagine. My #1 book, PAID to SPEAK, outlines a proven model for speakers seeking to build a business in speaking. If you are serious about becoming a professional speaker, contact me for a free consultation to explore how I can help. I don't want you to flounder like I did and be frustrated.
Email: Kevin@KevinCSnyder.com
Website: www.KevinCSnyder.com
Social: @ KevinCSnyder
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