Who, Me?- Submitting Your Presentation Proposal

Shared by WEA Board Member and TCU Senior Consultant for Learning & Development, Cameron Potter

Why submit a presentation proposal?

Submitting a presentation proposal can be intimidating at first, but there are a number of reasons to push through the fear (or sloth) and submit. 2020 ICOL submissions close November 1!

1. Preparing a presentation proposal requires you to refine your thoughts.

Even the most tried and true ideas or practices merit a closer look. Walking through the mental process of presenting to others allows the opportunity to revisit, revamp, and retool your own ideas.

2. Presenting your ideas to others provides feedback, conversation, and networking opportunities.

Those that attend your presentation do so for a reason, often because the topic is interesting or appealing in some way. As a result, you get a room filled with like-minded individuals that are interested in discussing your topic with you!

3. Engagement

While you may not feel like an expert on everything, you have something to share or teach someone. Especially for those of us that don’t feel like we have it all figured out, presenting is an important step in moving forward. Engage others with your ideas, get involved in discussion and conversation, ask questions and engage others!

4. Build your network

Similar to engaging others, presenting connects you with others and provides easy conversation starters. Conversations lead to friendships, and friendships lead to a professional network that you can call to ask questions, get recommendations, or provide guidance.

5. Get the most out of the 2020 ICOL

Presenting allows you to participate on both sides of the conference – as a teacher and a learner. It provides opportunities to invest in others, natural avenues to build relationships, and may unlock funding opportunities through your institution.

Don’t hesitate, submit your presentation proposal today! 

Call for Presenters - International Conference on Outdoor Leadership

The Wilderness Education Association seeks Dynamic Presentation Proposals

31st International Conference on Outdoor Leadership (ICOL)Judgment the WEA Way: Making Decisions that Work

February 19 - 22, 2020 at HoneyRock, Wheaton College's Outdoor Center for Leadership Development in Three Lakes, WI

"One aspect of outdoor leadership is absolute and unquestionable: A leader must be able to make quality decisions...based on good judgment." - Paul Petzoldt, a WEA founder.

In the WEA, we believe the most effective professionals are authentic leaders with the judgment to make decisions that work: that manage risk, protect the environment, and achieve the outcomes of the experience. Today, the WEA sets standards for outdoor leadership education; provides curriculum and assessment for outdoor leadership training and development; and offers credentialing for leaders and educators.

The 2020 International Conference on Outdoor Leadership is built on the work of people like you: professional educators and practitioners dedicated to developing outdoor leaders who make quality decisions based on good judgment. HoneyRock is "a place apart" from our regular pace and routine and provides the exciting and novel environment to share your experience, best practices, concerns; to envision the future; and to move the Association forward with clarity and purpose! Please consider presenting your expertise and passion for outdoor leadership!

This 31st International Conference on Outdoor Leadership is intentionally designed to deliver an inspired, practical, and motivating learning experience for attendees. Our educational sessions for 2020 will emphasize applied learning, judgment and decision-making, and leadership training & development. Presenters can choose from several presentation categories to best match their educational outcomes and maximize the opportunities of the Northwoods location. Students are especially encouraged to submit proposals in any category.

Please note that preference will be given to speaker presentations that:

1. Align with the conference theme: Judgment and Decision-making, and support the conference experience of being together in a place apart.
2. Emphasize leadership, educational skills, and developing judgment (as opposed to simply teaching an outdoor skill).
3. Incorporate stories, examples, case studies and best practices... (demonstrating that your key takeaways are applicable in multiple environments).

Read more about the presentation proposals, 2020 schedule, registration, and what to expect on the ICOL webpage.

Presentation submissions will be accepted through October 15, 2019, and reviewed promptly. Presenters whose proposals are accepted will be notified as quickly as possible and offered Early Bird Registration prices.

Contact the Conference Committee with further questions: conference@weainfo.org.