To create a well-rounded program that reflects the full spectrum of expertise and viewpoints in the aging services field, proposal submissions are limited as follows:

• A single-site provider community or business firm/company may submit only one proposal. Multisite provider organizations may submit additional proposals, provided each proposal is submitted by a different community or site.
• An individual may submit only one proposal and be included as an additional speaker/panelist in proposals submitted by others.

Additionally, LeadingAge may limit the number of sessions selected from the same provider or company to promote broad participation in the program.

Please Note: Proposals exceeding the submission limits will not be considered for review.

All proposals are peer-reviewed. A committee of LeadingAge provider members and staff considers the following criteria when evaluating the merits of each proposal:

• Relevance and Applicability. Proposals should address topics that are critically relevant to aging services, offering practical concepts and strategies that can be applied in provider settings.
• Provider Perspectives. Proposals should prioritize the experiences of aging services providers, ensuring the content reflects real-world challenges and solutions from within the field.
• Speaker Expertise. Proposals should include speakers who are highly knowledgeable about the topic and have a clear understanding of the needs and priorities of aging services providers.

Please Note: Each year, we receive an exceptional number of strong proposals—only about 25% are included in the final program.

• Incorporate the provider experience rather than focusing solely on the business firm or consultant perspective.
• Highlight diverse voices, and life experiences, with representation across age, race, gender, and professional backgrounds.
• Use preferred language and terminology to demonstrate familiarity with the aging services field.
• Tailor your content to the intended audience; focus on relevance and applicability.
• Use educational methods that foster meaningful interaction and participation from the audience.
• Focus on explaining what you do and its benefits to providers, without promoting specific products or services.
• Limit panels to no more than four speakers to allow meaningful contributions from each.

• Aging Services Technologies
  This track aims to inform aging services providers about technology-enabled business tools and solutions that improve the aging experience and address workforce challenges. Sessions also feature case studies of technology adoption and implementation in provider organizations.
• Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
  This track focuses on actionable ways to integrate diversity efforts into an organization’s culture and structure to develop more equitable and inclusive communities and work environments. Sessions also raise awareness about the housing and service needs of underrepresented populations in community-based and LTSS settings.
• Governance & Leadership Development
  This track emphasizes essential practices for building a strong future-focused board of directors that engages more deeply in a broad range of issues facing our sector. Sessions also feature examples of how leaders can strengthen their own leadership capacities while building a pipeline of diverse, skilled, and prepared aging services leaders for the future.
  
• Growth & Mission Advancement
  This track offers insight into how a broad range of organizations are responding to market changes and capitalizing on opportunities to bolster their financial health and strengthen their competitive position. Sessions also touch on the important role of philanthropy and sustainable nonprofit fundraising to fulfill mission.
• Marketing & Communications
  This track provides marketing and sales teams with strategies to create a compelling consumer experience, generate qualified leads, and refine their brand to boost occupancy efforts. Sessions also cover how organizations can communicate with confidence, clarity, and credibility when dealing with a variety of stories.
• Operations & Performance Improvement
  This track emphasizes strategies to reduce costs, improve outcomes, and leverage opportunities to excel in an increasingly complex operating environment. Sessions also highlight initiatives to optimize business processes and ensure the long-term sustainability of mission-critical care and services.
• Policy, Compliance & Legal Issues
  This track provides clinical and operational decision-makers with critical information related risk and liability exposure to ensure an enterprise wide culture of quality, safety, and compliance. Sessions also offer policy insights on the current regulatory landscape and the advocacy activities influencing legislative and executive branch action.
• Person-Directed Well-Being
  This track focuses on a multidimensional approach to wellness that recognizes a person’s physical, social, emotional, and spiritual interests regardless of their level of ability or cognitive function. Sessions also highlight practices that prioritize personal choice, support autonomy, and honor individual life experiences.
• Senior Living Design
  This track emphasizes design approaches that foster engagement, enhance the built environment, and support the health and well-being of older adults living in long-term care and residential settings. Sessions also highlight examples of new products, building design features, and elevated amenities to meet future market expectations.
• Workforce Strategies & Solutions
  This track provides human resources professionals and leaders in aging services with creative solutions to eliminate staff vacancies, reduce employee turnover, and attract new talent into the field. Sessions also cover how organizations can build stronger, intentional workplace cultures that empower team members, foster engagement, and promote well-being.

To ensure a seamless and impactful presentation, we ask all speakers to adhere to the following guidelines:

• Keep the conference dates open. Be available to present during any of the scheduled session dates and times.
• Attend the event in person. Deliver your session live on-site and assume responsibility for all expenses related to your participation.
• Ensure content exclusivity. Present original material tailored to our national audience and refrain from presenting the same content at other conferences.

Please Note: Proposals not included in the annual meeting program may still be considered for other educational opportunities, including online learning and state events.

To help reviewers understand your session’s value, prepare thoughtful and complete responses for each required proposal component. Here’s what you’ll need to include:

• Session Title. Write a concise headline that clearly communicates the main focus of your session content.
• Content Summary. Provide a detailed description of the information that will be covered during your 60-minute session.
• Learning Objectives. Outline three key takeaways from your session that will enhance the depth of knowledge participants gain.
• Contributing to a Well-Rounded Program. Describe how your session will introduce new concepts or insights, enrich the program with unique and diverse voices, perspectives, and experiences, and help address any knowledge gaps.
• Originality of Content. Indicate whether the content of your session is being presented exclusively at the LeadingAge Annual Meeting or how it will remain unique and relevant for a national audience.
• Education Track. Select the topic area that best aligns with your session content (refer to the education tracks section).
• Speaker Information. Include contact details for each speaker and a brief overview of their expertise, professional experience, and relevant background information.

Please Note: Once submitted, we cannot modify proposals or make speaker substitutions. Speaker updates may be requested after a proposal is accepted.

Are deadline extensions granted?
No. Proposals must be submitted before the submission site closes. No extensions or exceptions will be made.

Do I need a My.LeadingAge account?
Yes. If you don’t already have a My.LeadingAge account, you will need to create one to submit your proposal.

Can I submit a proposal on behalf of someone else?
Yes, you can submit on behalf of another individual. However, we cannot modify proposals or make speaker substitutions. Speaker updates may be requested after a proposal is accepted.

Can I update or make changes to my submission?
No. Once submitted, we cannot modify proposals or make speaker substitutions. Speaker updates may be requested after a proposal is accepted.

What topics are included in the program?
The program includes sessions covering a wide range of topics within various education tracks. Refer to the Proposal Components section for more details.

Does LeadingAge pay speakers?
Speakers are responsible for their own travel and related conference expenses. Confirmed speakers will receive a complimentary daily registration for the day of their presentation or a $300 discount toward full conference registration.

Who can submit a proposal?
Anyone working in aging services or a related field is welcome to submit a proposal. This includes members, non-members, residents/clients, business firms, consultants, vendors, academics, researchers, and more.

Who attends the conference?
The Annual Meeting is tailored for aging services providers, including life plan communities, assisted living facilities, dementia care providers, nursing homes, adult day centers, home care and hospice agencies, affordable housing providers (HUD-subsidized), and other organizations supporting older adults.