Guide for Speakers

GFOA's annual conference relies on many volunteer speakers to share their experiences, communicate best practices, and work together to advance excellence in government finance. Our members attend the conference because of the quality of our presentations and the ability to take home and implement practical strategies for improving their own organization. Thank you in advance for your contributions and please know that we very much appreciate your time and effort. Please read the speaker guidelines and complete the Speaker Confirmation Form to confirm that your agreement with the outlined policies and procedures.

Each session will have a GFOA staff person as session coordinator. The role of the coordinator is to work with all speakers assigned to the session and help deliver a high quality presentation. Speakers can expect to work with the session coordinator to prepare outlines and session materials. Our expectation is that each panel of speakers will meet virtually two or three times in advance of the session to exchange ideas, refine presentation topics, and prepare for the conference.

* Note: GFOA will utilize session outlines to promote and market sessions ahead of conference. Additionally, outlines and materials will be posted to the GFOA Learning Management System (LMS), conference app, and/or GFOA website ahead of conference.

GFOA will be using the newsletter, email blasts, and social media to promote sessions and speakers leading up to the conference. GFOA will also be posting videos to GFOA’s website to help promote sessions. Your session coordinator will have more information on how you can assist in promoting your session. Conference attendees are able to attend any of the concurrent sessions and are not asked to pre-register.  GFOA staff attempt to arrange sessions in appropriately sized rooms based on forecasted attendance. Speakers can expect an audience of between 200 and 1000 attendees. 

Room Format

Concurrent sessions rooms will be set up with a stage and presentation screens at the front of the room. Audience members will be seated auditorium style in rows of chairs. On the stage will either be a podium and head table or more casual chairs and couches. GFOA encourages panel presentations to involve back and forth discussion, question and answer, and interactivity with the audience. The session coordinator will provide more information on room set up and session logistics.

An electronic copy of the final PowerPoint presentation slides including any handouts will be posted to GFOA’s LMS, conference app, and website for download for all attendees the conference. Presentations will also be available after the conference for approximately six (6) months.

GFOA encourages presenters to use their own slides templates and formats, but strictly prohibits presentations that constitute promotion or advertising. This includes pervasive or inappropriate use of logos.