National UASI Homeland Security Conference “Call for Speakers”



The National UASI Homeland Security Conference Planning Committee is issuing a general “Call for Speakers” and presentation topics.  We want your thoughts on what information is most needed and what will stir up stimulating exchanges among our participants.  The conference seeks to encourage lively discussions among preparedness grant participants from different regions and levels of government who might not otherwise connect.  We often combine different proposals and mix suggested panelists to reframe issues and encourage discussion. Track session design is how we achieve this goal.  You can offer to speak on a topic yourself, or ask for a presentation on a particular topic. Just send an e-mail to speakers@urbanareas.org.

This year's theme is "Creating capabilities through regional collaboration."  While presentations do not need to directly address the theme, finding a way to address how the topic may be influenced by regional collaboration or may influence collaborative efforts is of interest to us. This could range from a simple mention within a presentation to a case study or more extensive discussion.

You may submit specific or general ideas or topics for sessions; however, things to keep in mind when proposing a presentation:
We are very interested in presentations which tie into our theme, cover emerging issues, provide answers to related questions, highlight new perspectives, showcase best practices, and share successes and topics of interest and applicability to our attendees across the various grant programs.
•       Provide as much information as you can—the more we know about your ideas and desired panelists, the more likely we are to include them somewhere in the program.

•       You can submit as many topic or session ideas as you would like.

•       If you want to present on a particular topic, please give us a brief abstract using the attached form. When submitting your abstract we ask that the following information be included:

o   Your name, title, agency and affiliated grant program(s) represented.
o   An office phone number, a mobile phone number (if applicable), and e-mail address.
o   The name of the track you would like to present on, or the topic you would like to propose.
o   A concise description of the presentation content.  This should include information on what will be presented (best practice, lesson learned, academic study, etc.)
o   An indication of the delivery medium to be used (PowerPoint®, video, speaking only, etc).

Even if you do not want to present, we are anxious to hear your thoughts; so, please take a moment and let us know what you’d like to see at your conference.  Please submit your offer or suggestion to: speakers@urbanareas.org by no later than February 18th.

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