Present a workshop

The Expo 2026 call for presentations will open in May 2025.

Each year Animal Care Expo offers nearly 100 professional development workshops and educational opportunities, each designed with clear learning objectives.  We feature speakers and panelists who are recognized leaders in their fields, covering a broad spectrum of topics- from veterinary medicine and field services to access to care and global innovations.  These workshops provide in-depth insights into emerging trends and proven best practices.  As part of our commitment to promoting community-centered strategies, we seek workshops that emphasize relationship-based engagement and inclusive culturally responsive approaches to animal welfare.

We invite proposals for educational workshops that help animal welfare professionals and volunteers maintain, develop and expand their knowledge and skills.  The goal is to offer a robust, non-promotional, and evidence-informed educational program that reflects the evolving needs and realities of our field. Animal Care Expo strives to bring together a broad spectrum of voices and experiences to strengthen the collective impact of our work.  

To make our conference more welcoming for all, and to ensure participants get to hear and learn from the best possible group of speakers, we will:

• Support speakers who need financial assistance to present at the conference, including hotel and travel, by inviting them to complete a grant-subsidized speaker application that could offset travel expenses associated with presenting at Animal Care Expo.
• Ask speakers who are able to cover expenses associated with presenting at the conference to forego making a request for financial assistance. By covering their own attendance, for-profit companies, exhibitors, sponsors, and non-profit organizations that have a budget for training can help us offer grants that will help us welcome and support speakers for whom attendance might otherwise be a challenge.
• Continue to provide all speakers with complimentary full-conference registration including a learning lab, (3) lunches, (1) evening reception with dinner, and the Expo party.

As a part of the presentation submission process this year, speakers will be asked to indicate whether they will need financial assistance via a question on the presentation proposal form. A speaker's need of financial assistance will not be factored into the process for selecting presentations. Financial support requests will only be considered if submitted during the proposal process.  We are unable to support requests made after speakers have been selected.

Presentation proposals for Animal Care Expo 2025 will be open until 11:59 PM EDT, Thursday, July 17, 2025. Late submissions will not be accepted. 

We receive many fantastic presentation proposals for Animal Care Expo every year, and not every submission can be selected. We strive to select proposals that will advance the current trending challenges that animal welfare professionals and volunteers are facing. Note that if your presentation is selected, each speaker will be required to sign an Event Speaker Agreement.

Selection Process

All proposals will be reviewed with the goal of presenting a comprehensive, objective and relevant conference experience.  Workshops should reflect the diversity of experiences and organizational roles within animal welfare, while remaining practical, grounded and solution-oriented. 

Core selection criteria:

• Relevance of Topic: Is the topic timely, important and valuable to Animal Care Expo attendees? Proposals that clearly describe innovative and creative work not widely available elsewhere will be prioritized.
• Achievability of Workshop Outcomes: Is there a clear and realistic alignment between the stated workshop description and its stated learning objectives?
• Quality of Submission: Does the proposal demonstrate clarity, accuracy, depth and a comprehensive understanding of the topic?
• Engagement and Knowledge Transfer: Will the workshop foster audience engagement, provoke discussion and promote knowledge transfer or a new skill development?
• Speaker Qualifications and Experience: Does the speaker(s) have the qualifications and experience to instruct on the workshop topic effectively?  Does the proposal reflect a variety of perspectives and real-world experiences? 

Prior to completing the form linked below, please review the presentation proposal process FAQ for guidelines or best practices. Email Tara Moran at tmoran@humanesociety.org with questions.

We welcome proposals from across the animal welfare field and encourage submissions that demonstrate collaborative problem-solving and a commitment to strengthening the collective impact of our work. Help us shape a dynamic, inclusive Expo that equips attendees with the knowledge, skill and inspiration to drive meaningful change in their organizations and communities.

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