Call For Presentations

Submit this application for consideration as a presenter at the 12th Annual Growing Sustainable Communities Conference to be held October 24 and 25, 2019 at the Grand River Center in Dubuque, Iowa.

The deadline for submissions is past, but we're leaving the submission form open until close of business on Friday, April 5. Submit your proposal now!

Please note: All presentations will be 25 to 50 minutes long unless special arrangements are made, and should include case studies of sustainability focused projects involving municipal governments, non-profit organizations, and/or high-profile commercial initiatives that significantly impact local economies, ecologies and/or address issues of social equity in communities. Selected presentations might be paired with others on a similar topic as part of a longer workshop session.

We encourage proposals that emphasize active learning, skill-building, case studies, creative approaches and time for group discussion. Workshops should encourage dialogue and elicit active participation by attendees – not be only lecture format. It’s important to present a balance of practical application and big picture visioning. Session participation could range from 10-75 participants.

Selected presenters may attend the day of their presentation for free, so long as they submit their presentation slides by no later than September 30, 2019. If presenters wish to attend the second day, they will pay the difference between the one-day and the two-day rate, which is $35 prior to the early-bird deadline.

For-profit companies selected to present are required to support the conference financially with a minimum $500 sponsorship. Sponsorships come with at least two free passes to both days of the conference and other benefits.

Notification: Selected presenters will be notified via e-mail by May 15, 2019. In the meantime, please pencil in the conference dates on your calendar to ensure your availability upon notification of acceptance. If accepted, you will be required to electronically submit your slides and handouts to be used in your presentation by September 30, 2019. Slides and handouts will be made available to conference participants via electronic files on the conference app.

The Growing Sustainable Communities Conference is the premier interactive educational opportunity on the topic of sustainability for civic leaders in government, business and community organizations.

An estimated 400 to 500 people are expected to attend the 2019 event.

Presentation proposals will be accepted on any sustainability topic. Case studies that focus on the following topics will be given special consideration:

Saving money by conserving energy and/or water in public or commercial buildings.
Reducing fuel costs and greenhouse gas emissions in automotive fleets or public transit systems.
Making communities more resilient to storms, floods, droughts and other natural disasters.
Implementing green infrastructure that improves the effectiveness and reduces the cost of stormwater management.
Enhancing social equity and vibrancy through development of affordable housing, public transit systems and complete streets.
Examples of creative placemaking strategies including local food programs, arts initiatives and neighborhood development strategies.
Plans, projects and/or policies that aim to reduce reliance on fossil fuels; conserve energy; generate clean energy; reduce, reuse or recycle solid waste; abate air and water pollution; reduce vehicle miles traveled; preserve natural, native habitats; or engage and educate citizens on sustainability issues.
Organizational development, employee/resident engagement strategies to advance sustainability goals of a community or organization.
Smart-city strategies and other examples of using technology to improve service deliveries.

Begin the submission process by clicking the "Register" button above, and then click "Checkout."

Registrations are closed

GSCC Call for Presentations