Call for Proposals

Share Your Expertise as an Esteemed VISION Presenter Submit Your Session Proposals by March 10!

ACTE’s CareerTech VISION is the premier annual gathering of career and technical education (CTE) professionals. Happening Nov. 29-Dec. 2 in Phoenix, Arizona, VISION features an exciting, educational and inspirational agenda packed with hundreds of concurrent sessions, an Expo and Career Pavilion, awards and recognition programming and a rich array of networking opportunities. 

This year, we are seeking session proposals that address the full range of issues facing CTE educators, administrators and other key stakeholders as they strive to prepare students with the knowledge and skills to succeed in the 21st-century economy. As an esteemed VISION presenter, you will have the opportunity to:

  • Build your professional network and portfolio 
  • Gain professional recognition of your expertise by other CTE, business and industry leaders
  • Be a part of the vibrant community that makes VISION the must-attend event for CTE professionals
  • Learn from your peers and leaders in the field by taking advantage of the conference's comprehensive agenda covering high-quality secondary and postsecondary CTE 
  • Receive a speaker discount on conference registration  

ACTE is looking for representation from a variety of backgrounds, expertise and experience to craft informative and relevant programming. We encourage individuals from all career levels across the entire CTE field to submit proposals! Our selection committee will focus on innovative ideas and new approaches to key challenges within CTE, and they will choose sessions that feature evidence-based, high-quality CTE program of study elements. Quality sessions will engage the audience and provide attendees with practical “how to” ideas and resources that directly impact CTE programs and student achievement. 

Please read this entire document before submitting a proposal. 

NOTE: All presenters who are invited to deliver a session will be required to sign a health waiver.  

The deadline for all presentation proposal submissions has been extended to March 10 at 11:59 p.m., Central.
 

PRESENTATIONS – 45-minute presentation incorporating ample time for Q&A or other interactive elements 

Outstanding session proposals originate from a variety of inspirations—your experiences, questions you want to discuss, a topic you heard elsewhere, current events, or achievements. Outstanding sessions foster audience interaction by asking questions of them, having them respond to prompts or engaging in discussion to generate more ideas on your topic. Discuss your idea with colleagues and reach out to peers and industry partners to develop a concise and clear plan. The best sessions present varied perspectives and correlated ideas or themes that allow attendees to grow in their professional development, can be easily applied in the classroom or institution, or inspire change. People enjoy nuts-and-bolts instruction, analysis of a problem or issue, and focused controversy and debate. Make sure to incorporate ample time for Q&A either within, or at the end of, the presentation. CareerTech VISION is the perfect opportunity to introduce differing perspectives in these areas.  

Part of effective professional development is providing meaningful presentation materials and online resources that allow the participants to further their learning experience. It is expected that presenters will provide electronic presentation materials, handouts and/ or follow-up materials for participants before, during, or after the event. Presenters are expected to develop effective interactive activities to ensure participants experience the best professional development opportunity. 

CALL FOR PROPOSAL SYSTEM 

You must submit your proposal using our online system. Emailed, faxed and mailed proposals will not be accepted. You must create an account through our website in order to submit your proposal. If you previously submitted a proposal for VISION, you already have an account. Please use the search function to locate your account. If you are submitting a proposal for the first time, you will need to create an account. 

SUBMITTING A PROPOSAL 
The information gathered during this process will be used to promote the programming at VISION and to prepare marketing materials. Please be sure that the information you provide is complete, accurate and grammatically correct. 

Below are the questions that you will be asked during the proposal submission. 

  • Title of Session: 10 word maximum; may be edited for publication. Please be sure to include keywords in your title to ensure searchability. Ex. If your session is about work-based learning, try to include the phrase “work-based learning” in your title. 

  • Short Session Description: 200 words maximum; may be edited for marketing purposes. Briefly describe the content of your presentation. Please be specific about topics to be covered and what attendees will learn.

  • Education Level Focus:  
    Which sector of CTE is your session primarily targeted toward? 
    • Secondary CTE (middle school and high school programs) 
    • Postsecondary CTE (also including programs for adults/dislocated workers, apprenticeships, etc) 
    • Both (applicable across both secondary and postsecondary sectors or specifically about cross-system alignment, such as dual enrollment programs) 
       
  • Target Audience Role 
    Who would benefit most from attending your session? 
    •  Administrators: Individuals responsible for oversight of multiple CTE programs or program areas (including individuals at the institution, district/region or state level) 
    • Instructors, counselors or student support staff: Teachers, faculty, counselors, advisers, work-based learning/career development coordinators, paraprofessionals and others who directly provide services for CTE learners 
       
  • CTE Program Area:
    Is your session applicable across CTE subject areas, or primarily related to one specific CTE discipline? Please read the descriptions of each content area carefully. 
    • All CTE disciplines (i.e. classroom management, integration of academics into CTE, work-based learning, etc.) 
    • Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources
    • Arts, A/V Technology and Communications 
    • Business and Marketing 
    • Engineering and Technology Education (includes engineering, STEM, computer science and IT program areas) 
    • Family and Consumer Sciences 
    • Health Science
    • Law and Public Safety 
    • Trade and Industrial (includes architecture & construction; manufacturing; transportation, distribution & logistics; and energy program areas) 
    • Other Specific Discipline (You will be asked to specify) 
       
  • High-Quality Elements 
    Please choose the quality elements that are most aligned to your session. You may choose up to two, and must rank them in the order that they are applicable to the content you plan to present. You will choose the element in the first set of options that is most closely aligned to your content, and use the second set to choose an additional element if desired. Descriptions of the elements are available at www.acteonline.org/high-quality-CTE-tools and below.
  1. Standards-aligned and Integrated Curriculum 
  2. Sequencing and Articulation
  3. Student Assessment
  4. Engaging Instruction
  5. Prepared and Effective Program Staff 
  6. Access and Equity
  7. Business and Community Partnerships
  8. Student Career Development
  9. Facilities, Equipment, Technology and Materials
  10. Work-based Learning 
  11. Career and Technical Student Organizations
  12. Data and Program Improvement
  13. NEW: System Supports (Policy, Funding, Research, Systems and Labor Market Alignment, Career Clusters, Marketing, etc.) 
  • Session Learning Objectives: 3-5 specific objectives that describe what participants will learn or gain from the session. 

  • Evidence Base: 100 words maximum. Describe how the session addresses an evidence-based program/practice (with research findings or positive evaluation linked to student outcomes) or is based on or incorporates other relevant research and data to demonstrate the quality of the content. 

  • Innovation: 100 words maximum. Describe how the session addresses an innovative program/practice or provides new ideas or approaches within CTE. 

  • Audience Engagement: 100 words maximum. Describe how the session will engage a diverse audience and allow for audience participation or interaction. 

  • Practical Application: 100 words maximum. Describe practices or resources that attendees will be able to take home and use in their schools, institutions or classrooms. These could include handouts, website links for further information and/or specific, actionable strategies. 

  • Presenter(s) Full Contact Information 

  • Presenter Bio: 150 words maximum

  • Presenter Headshot for Use on the Website/App: Photo must not be larger than 1024 pixels and must be in RGB color format. 

HIGH QUALITY CTE ELEMENTS 
You will be asked to determine if your session addresses the elements of ACTE’s Quality CTE Program of Study Framework. You can read more about what is included under each element at http://www.acteonline.org/high-quality-CTE-tools, and will be allowed to choose up to two of the following 13 elements. 

  1. Standards-aligned and Integrated Curriculum: This element addresses the development, implementation and revision of the program of study curriculum, including the relevant knowledge and skills taught in the program and the standards on which they are based. 

  1. Sequencing and Articulation: This element addresses the key components of the definition of a program of study and the articulation, coordination and collaboration that support programs of study, career pathways and accelerated learning. 

  1. Student Assessment: This element addresses the types and quality of assessments used in the program of study, including the types of knowledge and skills that should be assessed, and assessments that lead to recognized postsecondary credentials. 

  1. Prepared and Effective Program Staff: This element addresses the qualifications and professional development of program of study staff, including secondary CTE teachers, postsecondary CTE faculty, administrators and other personnel. 

  1. Engaging Instruction: This element addresses instructional strategies within a student-centered learning environment that support student attainment of relevant knowledge and skills. 

  1. Access and Equity: This element addresses program of study promotion, student recruitment and strategies that support access and equity for various student populations, including by gender, race and ethnicity, and special population status (such as individuals with disabilities, individuals from economically disadvantaged families and English learners). 

  1. Facilities, Equipment, Technology and Materials: This element addresses the alignment, appropriateness and safety of the physical/material components of the program of study, including laboratories, classrooms, computers, industry-specific equipment, and tools and supplies that support learning. 

  1. Business and Community Partnerships: This element addresses business and community partner recruitment, partnership structure and the wide variety of activities partners should be engaged in to support the program of study and ensure programs are aligned with workforce needs. 

  1. Student Career Development: This element addresses strategies that help students gain career knowledge and engage in education and career planning and decision-making, including career counseling, career assessments, curricula, that helps students learn about careers, information about educational opportunities and workforce trends, and job search information and placement services. 

  1. CTSOs: This element addresses CTSOs, which are organizations for individuals enrolled in CTE programs that engage in activities as an integral part of the instructional program, including the delivery and availability of CTSO opportunities for student skill and leadership development. 

  1. Work-based Learning: This element addresses the delivery of a continuum of work-based learning involving sustained, meaningful interactions with industry or community professionals that foster in-depth, firsthand engagement with the tasks required in a given career field. Experiences may be delivered in workplaces, in the community, at educational institutions and/or virtually, as appropriate, and include a range of activities such as workplace tours, job shadowing, school-based enterprises, internships and apprenticeships. 

  1. Data and Program Improvement: This element addresses collection, reporting and use of data for continuous evaluation and program improvement, as well as appropriate access to relevant data. 

  1. System Supports: This newer category within ACTE’s High-quality Initiative covers the structures and supports that must be in place to advance high-quality CTE programs of study at the local level. Examples of these structures and supports include federal, state and/or local funding, policy and advocacy; CTE’s role within a larger system, such as regional or state career pathways or sector strategies; research or marketing that advances CTE broadly; or delivery structures that can support program development and implementation, like career academies or Career Clusters. 

Exhibitor Workshops While ACTE greatly appreciates companies supporting CTE and education through products and services, promoting and selling products and services during program sessions is strictly prohibited. ACTE’s CareerTech VISION offers Exhibitor Workshops for purchase designed for this purpose. Proposals promoting products, materials, or services will not be considered for program sessions. Individuals who wish to purchase an Exhibitor Workshop should contact exhibitsales@acteonline.org. Please note, Exhibitor Workshops are ONLY available to current exhibitors.

Presenter Responsibilities 
We are delighted to offer discounted speaker registration fees, which all accepted presenters are required to remit.

VISION 2023 AND CAREERTECH EXPO 

Super Early
Thru 7/31 

  Early 
Thru 8/31  

Advanced 
Thru 10/13

Regular 
After 10/13

VISION & CareerTech Expo ACTE Member 

$295 

$445

$495

$545 

VISION & CareerTech Expo Non-member 

$485 

$635

$685 

$735 


Accepted speakers and co-speakers are responsible for ALL VISION 2023 related expenses, including speaker registration, travel, lodging and meals. 

By submitting a proposal, you agree to present at your assigned time during the conference. Program sessions will be scheduled on Thursday, Nov. 30, Friday, Dec. 1, or Saturday, Dec. 2. The final schedule will be released this summer. Please note that your session date/time may change after the summer. Please be sure to check your service center account before making any travel arrangements.

Additional information 

  • Proposals that include open flame cooking demonstrations will not be accepted due to fire regulations.
  • If you are submitting a proposal on someone’s behalf, please do not submit your contact information. The information entered will appear on our website and other marketing materials. Please submit the information for the actual speaker(s).
  • Please make sure you do not use all caps when entering speaker information. 
  • Each person may submit a maximum of two proposals. If you submit more than one proposal, please be sure to submit them both under one username and password. Please do not create a second username and password when submitting subsequent proposals.
  • Once your presentation has been successfully submitted or saved for editing at a later time, you will receive a confirmation email (usually within 24 hours). If you do not receive a confirmation email that means your presentation was not successfully submitted or saved. Please note that presentations that have not been successfully completed and submitted will not be reviewed and will automatically be removed from our database.
  • Please avoid submitting sessions that are identical to those presented at ACTE’s CareerTech VISION in previous years, as these sessions will not be accepted. We are looking for fresh and timely topics!
  • Meeting rooms will be equipped with a lectern, microphone, screen, and LCD projector. You will be required to provide your own laptop.

Speaker Agreement 
By submitting a proposal for ACTE's CareerTech VISION 2023, you agree to: 

  • Pay the reduced speaker registration fee 
  • Present your session on Thursday, Nov. 30, Friday, Dec. 1, or Saturday, Dec. 2 
  • Permit ACTE to edit presentation titles and descriptions for length and content 
  • Allow ACTE to use your session and contact information for promotion 
  • Permit ACTE to record and redistribute your session for marketing and instructional purposes 

Presentation Notifications 
Submitters will be notified about the status of their proposal via email by May 2023. If you have questions, please contact us at jalston@acteonline.org

START SUBMISSION

The deadline for all presentation proposal submissions is March 10 at 11:59 p.m., Central.  

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