Activate 2026: Call for Proposals

December 2-3, 2026 | Online

Activate is the only program in NSA's lineup built exclusively around online delivery and engagement. It's a niche program for speakers who regularly lead or produce virtual keynotes, events, programs, training, or coaching. If online work is central to what you do and you're doing it at a high level, this is your stage.

Submit a proposal to Activate if all of the following are true:

• You are a current NSA member in good standing.
• Online delivery is an established, active part of your professional practice.
• You have a specific, tested approach, activity, or system that produces results you can demonstrate.
• You can teach attendees who are past the basics.
• You can model excellent online engagement during your session.

Questions can be sent to learn@nsaspeaker.org.

Submit a Proposal for Activate

Deadline: June 11, 2026

You must be logged in and a current NSA member to view the proposal form.

Technology & Production Support

Activate is held in two Zoom Webinar rooms (one per track) that are open all day.

Program content takes place in both the main webinar room where attendees are not visible and in breakout rooms where everyone can see and interact with each other. Presenters should be comfortable facilitating engagement in both webinar-style and meeting-style formats.

Each track has a dedicated emcee and backstage support to manage production, transitions, and breakout room setup. Presenters are responsible for their own content and any tools or apps they choose to incorporate.

Tracks

Proposals should align to one of the following tracks.

Front Stage: Delivery & Engagement

Focus on online audience engagement and delivery, including:

• On-screen presence and performance
• Real-time audience awareness and response
• Facilitation and activity design
• Energy, pacing, and flow

Backstage: Production & Systems

Focus on the systems and tools that support delivery, including:

• Production workflows and show design
• Tech stacks, platform tools, and setup
• Tech failure management and contingency planning
• Behind-the-scenes team roles and coordination

Session Formats

Activate 2026 features three types of interactive, practice-based experiences.

Lab (50 Minutes)

A structured, hands-on session that moves participants from concept to application. The majority of this session is spent in active application, not delivery.

Labs follow this structure:

• Begin in the assigned webinar with content, framing, and webinar-style engagement
• Shift into breakout rooms for meeting-style engagement and hands-on application based on your session design
• End at least the final 10 minutes in a single breakout room so attendees can unmute and ask questions directly

Note: After your session ends, there is a 10-minute break. Attendees may remain in the breakout room to continue the conversation with you until the next session begins. Breakout portions of this session will not be recorded.

Game or Activity (Up to 30 Minutes)

A short, high-energy session built around a game, competition, or structured activity, followed by a debrief.

Game/activity sessions follow this structure:

• Facilitate the game or activity
• Explain how and why you designed this experience. This is where attendees learn from your design thinking, not just your execution.

In your proposal, tell us how long you need for each part. The total session should not exceed 30 minutes. This session can be held in the main webinar room or in a single breakout room, depending on your preference.

Facilitated Networking (Up to 30 Minutes)

A structured networking experience at the end of each day that goes beyond open conversation, followed by a debrief.

Networking sessions follow this outline:

• Facilitate the networking experience
• Explain how and why you designed this experience. This is where attendees learn from your design thinking, not just your execution.

In your proposal, tell us how long you need for each part. The total session should not exceed 30 minutes. This session can be held in the main webinar room or in a single breakout room, depending on your preference.

Selection Criteria

Proposals will be evaluated based on:

• Content: Does it go beyond concepts to a specific, tested, replicable approach?
• Level: Is it designed for experienced online practitioners and not just a general audience?
• Engagement Design: Does the session require active participation, not passive listening?
• Presenter Fit: Does the presenter's background demonstrate they are actively doing online speaking work?
• Distinctiveness: Does it avoid overlap with other sessions and bring a fresh angle?

Timeline

• June 11: Deadline to submit a proposal
• July: Accepted presenters are notified.
• August: Speaker prep begins. Meetings are scheduled.
• September: Session marketing promos are due.
• October through November: Speaker materials are due. Tech-checks and rehearsals scheduled.

Proposal Questions

Here is what you'll need to have ready to submit a proposal.

All Proposals

• Proposal type (Lab, Game/Activity, or Facilitated Networking)
• Title
• How your session works, from start to finish
• Tools or apps you will use in your session (if applicable)
• Demo video: a link to an unedited recording of you facilitating a similar session or experience
• Bio written for an audience of online professional speakers
• Headshot(s)

Lab Proposals Only

• Track (Front Stage or Backstage)
• Description written in third-person for attendees
• Attendee takeaways
• Ideal attendee that the session is designed for

Game or Networking Proposals Only

• Duration: how long is the experience and how long is the debrief

Submit a Proposal for Activate

Deadline: June 11, 2026

You must be logged in and a current NSA member to view the proposal form.