Activate 2026: Call for Proposals

December 2-3, 2026 | Online

You've invested time into creating interactive online experiences, and your audiences have noticed. You regularly lead online keynotes or webinars, emcee online programs, train or coach your clients online, or produce online events. You've been meeting your clients where they are, and now it's time to meet your peers where they are.

Activate is the only program in NSA's lineup built exclusively around online delivery and the systems that make it possible. It's where online speakers come together to share what they figured out, what's still working, and where they're going next.

How you show up, how you set up, or how you've built online engagement into your practice is what this program is made of. If you have something your online speaking peers could put to use right away, we want to hear from you.

Get on the screen at Activate.

Submit a Proposal for Activate

The proposal form is available to current NSA members after login.

Questions? Email learn@nsaspeaker.org.

Session Ideas

What you're doing online right now is worth submitting. This may include:

• An approach to energy or engagement with live online audiences
• A facilitation, coaching, or training technique you've refined in live online sessions
• A virtual game, activity, breakout, or networking format you've developed
• A technology tool or setup that improves screen presence or production quality
• A production workflow that helps virtual events run smoothly
• A business model built around delivering virtual programs

A new tool you added this year is as valid as a technique or system you've been refining for years.

Tracks

Choose the track that best fits what you have to share.

Front Stage: Delivery & Engagement

What your online audience experiences and responds to. This includes:

• On-screen presence, energy, and performance
• Real-time audience awareness and decision-making
• Experience design, activity flow, and on-screen tools
• Delivery techniques for virtual keynotes, emceeing, training, coaching, or facilitation

Backstage: Production & Systems

What makes a polished and professionally produced online experience possible. This includes:

• Platform tools and tech stacks (e.g., Stream Deck, Ecamm, StreamYard)
• Studio design and production decisions
• Technical show planning and behind-the-scenes coordination
• Building and monetizing virtual delivery in your business

Session Formats

Activate 2026 features three types of experiences.

Lab (50 Minutes)

Labs are the primary session format, with two distinct parts: content delivery in the webinar room, followed by hands-on application in one or more breakout rooms. Attendees experience both webinar-style and meeting-style engagement within the same session.

Q&A happens in one breakout room with everyone together near the end of your session. That room stays open through the break so the conversation can continue until the next session begins.

The breakout portions of Labs are not recorded, so the conversation can be candid.

Live Game (Up to 30 Minutes)

If running live online games is something you already do for clients or events, this format is for you. You facilitate a live game with Activate attendees, then debrief the experience: how you designed it, the choices you made, and how attendees could create something similar in their own work.

Facilitated Networking (Up to 30 Minutes)

If designing and leading structured online networking experiences is part of what you do, this format is for you. You lead Activate attendees through a structured networking experience, then debrief the design: what you did, why you made those choices, and how attendees could adapt it for their own events and clients.

Technology & Production Support

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

Each track has a dedicated emcee and backstage support managing production, transitions, and breakout room setup throughout the event. Accepted presenters go through an onboarding and prep process, including a tech rehearsal before the event.

Selection Criteria

Proposals are evaluated on the following criteria:

• Topic: Directly related to the delivery, production, or business of live online speaking
• Content: Goes beyond theory to something peers can put into practice
• Level: Designed for online speakers with active experience in virtual delivery
• Engagement: Invites active participation from attendees
• Program fit: The review team actively curates for topic and format diversity across both tracks.

Timeline

• September: Accepted speakers notified. Your prep process begins.
• October: Session promo due. Your opportunity to tell your peers what you're bringing to the room.
• November: Speaker materials due. Tech rehearsals scheduled. We make sure you're set up for a great session.
• December 2–3: Activate 2026

Proposal Questions

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

• Proposal type (Lab, Game/Activity, or Facilitated Networking)
• Title
• Description
• How your session works
• 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)

Your peers are waiting. Get on the screen at Activate.

Submit a Proposal for Activate

The proposal form is available to current NSA members after login.

Questions? Email learn@nsaspeaker.org.