Thank you for your interest in participating in the Midwest Foodservice Expo’s line-up of educational programs.

• Anyone interested in speaking must complete an application.
• The Expo tries to avoid featuring the same presenters two consecutive years in a row.
• If a session is accepted, the Expo will work with the presenter to assign their time slot.
• All applications must be fully completed online before they will be accepted for review to ensure that all of the information is available for the Expo to make a fully informed decision.

The Expo will be accepting and reviewing applications through October 1, 2015 for the 2016 Expo. If your topic meets the needs of the 2016 Expo, you will be contacted by a staff member. If not, your information will be kept on file for one year and will be re-considered for the Expo’s program the following year.

What We’re Seeking
The Expo is seeking talented speakers who are objective, dynamic and have enthusiasm for sharing their expertise and knowledge.

Educational programs are designed around the following topics that will appeal to the foodservice industry:

• Uncovering hot new trends
• Increasing revenue and customer loyalty
• Building winning teams
• Sustainability and green solutions for foodservice
• Operations, economics and business skills
• Use of technology and social media
• Leadership and communication skills

Speakers should be able to hold the attention of the audience for 60-90 minutes. Some longer sessions may be considered if the topic is relevant to the current needs of the industry.

Hand-outs are required and the use of visual aids in your presentation is strongly encouraged.

Evaluation Criteria
Submissions are subjected to the following review:

• Originality
  Topics should provide a unique perspective, viewpoint or way of doing something.
  
  
• Timeliness and Interest
  Topics should contain new material and be relevant to the needs of the foodservice industry right now.
  
  
• Educational Value
  An objective presentation that meets the educational needs of the audience is optimal to enhancing the credibility of the speaker.
  
  
• Description of the Subject Matters!
  The ability for your description to clearly explain what the attendees will learn from you is the key to having your submission make it through the various rounds of evaluation.

Use of Education Stage
The Expo strives to maintain the highest level of credibility for its educational programs.

• Product pitches are not education. Attendees do not like being sold on a specific company when they have invested their valuable time in attending an “educational session.” NO SELLING of any kind may occur. However, speakers may offer business cards to interested parties and contact them at a later date.
  
  
• Education sessions are NOT to be used as a sales platform for any speaker’s company, products or services.

(Sponsored sessions are provided with a different set of rules outlining in which way their company may be promoted in conjunction with their sponsored session.)

Speaker Compensation
The Expo does not typically pay speakers or reimburse for travel expenses.

Collection of Speaker Information and Presentation Policies

Speaker applications MUST contain the following:

1. Names of all expected speakers
2. Career biographies for all expected speakers
3. “Headshot” photos for all expected speakers
4. Contact information (including email addresses) for all expected speakers
5. Summary description of the educational program

Please be advised of the following:

1. Complimentary registration to the Expo is provided to the speaker
2. Room & travel arrangements – speaker is expected to handle and pay for on their own, unless otherwise mutually agreed upon in writing.
3. Speakers are expected to provide their own laptop for their presentation.
4. Standard a/v set: LCD projector with screen, 1 wireless lavaliere microphone, headtable
   or podium
5. Handouts: Speakers will provide a copy of the presentation in advance to the Expo for
   duplication and on-site distribution. Presentations will also be posted online following
   the Expo.

All items labeled with an "*" asterisk are required.