CALL FOR SPEAKERS

The Government Social Media Conference is opening its annual “Call for Speakers” to seek social media thought leaders, experts and industry professionals to share their knowledge and expertise with fellow government social media peers. Call for Speakers is now closed.

Selected speakers will host a breakout session in-person at the 10th annual Government Social Media Conference. #GSMCON®, happening May 20-22 in Orlando, Florida, is the premier social media conference for government agencies. Speakers receive recognition and complimentary admission to the event.

Speakers from all over the world have presented at the Government Social Media Conference! Do you have a powerful story, valuable advice or lessons learned for government agencies on social media? Propose a session to us today.

Curious who presented at GSMCON2024? Download our GSMCON2024 speaker archive (pdf).

Call for Speakers Timeline

Proposal Deadline: Wednesday, October 16, 2024 (by 11:59 p.m. PDT)

Initial Speaker List Announced:
Mid-November 2024

Submissions Closed

How to be a presenter at GSMCON

Get ready by reading the sample topics and tips on this page and reviewing the application questions in advance (pdf).
Submit your session proposal by 11:59pm PT, Wednesday, October 16, 2024.
Get your congratulations email in mid-November 2024 if selected.
Accept our speaker agreement & start preparing your session!

Please review our FAQs and then reach out to us if you have additional questions.

Sample Conference Topics

These topics would be a great fit for the 2025 Government Social Media Conference. You’re not limited to these ideas, though, so please propose any additional sessions. Keep in mind that the GSMCON audience is primarily government (city, county, state, federal, law enforcement, special districts, etc.).

Accessibility
Analytics, tracking stats
Artificial intelligence (AI) & automations
Branding for public agencies
Building an effective editorial calendar
Creatively reaching your different audiences
Deep dive into social media ads & budgeting
Diversity/Equity/Inclusion
First Amendment and socialgov
Graphics/Image strategies
Handling mis/disinformation effectively
Hands-on, demo-style sessions teaching peers about programs, platforms, best practices or tech

Hidden features/hacks
One-person shop/tight budget
Organic social to recruit, hire & spotlight employees
Platform-specific how-to’s (e.g. creating reels; setting up ads)
Professional growth
Promoting special events
Self-care for social media professionals, being your own advocate, work-life balance
Selling the value of social media
Social media comments — when to reply & elevate to legal
Social media policy
Time-saving tools & techniques
Video production/editing

Tips for Writing your Application

The focus of your entry should be entirely about your audience – GSMCON attendees – and what they can do differently or better. Your session pitch should be very audience-centered on what they will gain by attending your session.
Mention the key takeaways attendees will get out of your talk. What actionable advice will you be sharing?
We only select 'case studies' that illustrate how you'll focus heavily on the strategies that those in attendance can apply to their own social. Too often, case studies focus entirely on the story, and don't spend enough time discussing the actual strategies & tactics and guiding listeners on how to apply them to their own agencies.
Don’t be vague in your session title and description. We aren’t looking for generic “Social Media Strategy” titles. Be specific – what platform, technique or strategy will you be covering in depth?
High level overviews aren’t as sought after as sessions that go into a deep dive on specific topics.
If your session would be a demonstration (a hands-on walkthrough of a specific tool or platform), let us know in your proposal.

Speaker FAQs

We highly recommend reviewing all of the speaker agreement before proposing a session, as many other details are explained. Please reach out to us if you have any other questions.

What do I get out of being a speaker?

Approved speakers will receive complimentary in-person General Admission registration and recognition on our website and in event promotion. If you already have a paid registration and are approved to host a session, your registration fee will be refunded.

Speakers are not paid a speaker fee or honorarium, and are not reimbursed for expenses.

How do I submit my proposal?

You can review the application questions (pdf) in advance if you prefer, and then submit your session proposal using the button near the top of this page. You can save your proposal at any time to revisit — just make sure to officially submit your entry by the deadline!

How are GSMCON speakers selected?

Many breakout session speakers respond to our "Call for Speakers" and are selected based on their qualifications, the suitability of the topic and where it fits in with the rest of the program. We typically reach out to experts and accomplished professionals to lead keynotes and panels, and we also personally invite some breakout session speakers who we know have a unique perspective to share.

How do I know if I was selected as a speaker?

After our review panel makes final selections, you’ll receive a confirmation email from Team GSM with information on next steps. Speakers who are not selected will also receive an email informing them. You’ll be notified about your session in mid-November 2024.

What will my session look like and who am I presenting to?

Speakers for the hybrid 2025 event will host their session in-person at our venue in Orlando, Florida. Breakout sessions range from 45 minutes to 1 hour, with a suggestion to leave around 15 minutes for live Q&A. Multiple breakout sessions are also held concurrently, however, attendees have access to available session recordings after the event.

You’ll be presenting to both an in-person and virtual audience of GSMCON2025 attendees. We encourage speakers to engage with both in-person attendees and virtual participants. We’ll have an A/V team to handle all technical aspects and volunteers in each breakout session room to help facilitate live Q&A and manage the virtual chat box. Typically, attendees are social media coordinators, communicators, PIOs, elected officials, marketers, law enforcement, emergency managers and other government roles.

Our attendees tend to be more social media savvy than other conferences. The GSMCON audience is primarily government (city, county, state, federal, law enforcement, special districts, etc.).

What is it like working with Team GSM for my session and presenting at GSMCON?

Selected speakers work closely with Team GSM where we’ll get you access to our special Speaker Hub to download helpful information, speaker slide decks and more. We’ll regularly be in contact to help answer any questions and provide resources to help make your speaker experience and session excellent.

Presenting your topic in-person at GSMCON is a fun experience! We’ll provide you with all the tech necessary for your session and have an A/V team and volunteers available to help facilitate your Q&A. Speakers are always encouraged to enjoy the conference, too! Speakers receive complimentary General Admission where you can take part in all general and breakout sessions, join in on networking events and more.