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CALL FOR SPEAKERS2027 INVEST IN WOMEN FORUMJanuary 21, 2027 | Embassy Suites San Marcos, TX BECAUSEShe Can | We Will | It MattersEvery leader has a because. A reason they stepped forward. A challenge that changed their perspective. A person who opened a door. A moment that required courage. A lesson learned along the way. An opportunity they chose to create for someone else. For the 2027 Invest in Women Forum, we're looking for speakers who are ready to share those experiences—and, more importantly, turn them into meaningful lessons others can use. This year's theme, BECAUSE, explores the purpose behind leadership and the impact that follows when we choose to act. Because she can, we celebrate the talent, courage, and leadership of women who continue to shape our industries and communities. Because we will, we commit to opening doors, investing in one another, and creating opportunities that extend far beyond ourselves. Because it matters, we recognize that the work we do today will influence the next generation of leaders tomorrow. We're looking for engaging speakers, thought leaders, industry professionals, and changemakers who can bring this theme to life through authentic stories, practical insights, bold ideas, and meaningful conversations.
Deadline: October 15, 2026 WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FORThe Invest in Women Forum isn't about presentations that simply inspire for an hour and are forgotten the next day. We want relevant, thoughtful, engaging content that gives attendees something to think about—and something to do with what they've learned. Strong proposals will combine personal or professional experience with practical insights, lessons learned, new perspectives, or strategies attendees can apply in their own careers, organizations, and communities. We welcome both established speakers and compelling new voices. You don't need to be a professional speaker to have something valuable to contribute. You need a perspective worth sharing - and they're all worth sharing! HOW DOES YOUR IDEA CONNECT TO "BECAUSE"?This year's theme is more than a tagline—it will shape the conversation throughout the entire Forum. The day will unfold through three intentional sections: BECAUSE SHE CANRecognizing Potential. Owning Possibility.This part of the day focuses on the individual—her talent, potential, confidence, choices, experiences, and ability to lead. What helps women recognize what they're capable of? What gets in the way? What happens when we challenge expectations, take a risk, find our voice, redefine success, or choose to step forward? Sessions might explore leadership, confidence, career growth, resilience, self-advocacy, entrepreneurship, navigating setbacks, taking risks, or the experiences that help us recognize what's possible. Think: What becomes possible when she believes she can? BECAUSE WE WILLOpening Doors. Creating Opportunity.Potential alone isn't enough. This part of the day shifts the conversation from the individual to the collective. How do we intentionally invest in one another? How do leaders, mentors, sponsors, colleagues, organizations, and allies create environments where people can grow and succeed? Sessions might explore mentorship, sponsorship, allyship, collaboration, workplace culture, developing talent, building strong teams, creating pathways, partnership, advocacy, or removing barriers to opportunity. Think: What can we choose to do—for one another—that changes what's possible? BECAUSE IT MATTERSTurning Leadership Into Impact.The final section looks beyond ourselves toward impact, responsibility, and what comes next. How does investing in women strengthen our organizations, industries, communities, and the generations that follow? What are the conversations we need to be having now? What are we building, changing, or leaving behind? Sessions might explore innovation, the future of our industries, workforce development, community impact, legacy, organizational change, emerging technology, developing the next generation, or turning ideas and intentions into meaningful action. Think: Why does this work matter—and what are we going to do because it does? WHERE DOES YOUR "BECAUSE" FIT?When developing your proposal, consider where your idea naturally belongs within the day's journey: SHE CAN → Individual potential, growth & possibility WE WILL → Collective action, support & opportunity IT MATTERS → Impact, purpose & the future You don't need to force your presentation into the theme or put "Because" in your session title. We're more interested in the connection behind the content. Tell us where your idea fits—and why. LEADERSHIP | MENTORSHIP | OWNERSHIP | PARTNERSHIP | ALLYSHIPThese five pillars continue to provide the foundation for conversations at the Invest in Women Forum. LEADERSHIP — Developing stronger leaders, navigating change, building influence, and creating impact. MENTORSHIP — Sharing knowledge, developing talent, opening doors, and helping others grow. OWNERSHIP — Taking ownership of our careers, decisions, opportunities, growth, and impact. PARTNERSHIP — Building relationships, strengthening teams, collaborating across industries and disciplines, and achieving more together. ALLYSHIP — Advocating for others, removing barriers, creating opportunities, and turning support into meaningful action. TOPICS WE'D LOVE TO EXPLORELooking for a starting point? Here are some of the conversations we'd love to bring to the 2027 Forum:
This list is only a starting point. If you have a compelling idea, experience, or perspective that doesn't fit neatly into one of these topics, we still want to hear it. Some of the best Forum conversations begin with something we weren't expecting. What conversation do you think we should be having? FROM CONVERSATION TO ACTIONThe conversation shouldn't end when a session does. Every attendee will receive a Forum workbook designed to carry the ideas shared throughout the day into personal reflection, meaningful conversations, and action. We want each session to give attendees something they can carry forward—a question worth considering, an idea worth writing down, a conversation worth starting, or an action worth taking. As you develop your proposal, consider: What do you want attendees to think about? What do you want them to write down? What conversation do you want them to have? What do you hope they'll do differently because they were in the room? Selected speakers may have the opportunity to contribute prompts, questions, takeaways, or other content to the Forum workbook, helping connect individual sessions to the larger journey of the day. Don't just tell us what you want to talk about. Tell us what you want to move forward. WHO SHOULD SUBMIT?We welcome proposals from professionals across capital projects, architecture, engineering, construction, infrastructure, development, government, education, nonprofit, technology, and the skilled trades, as well as leaders whose experiences and expertise can bring valuable perspectives to our audience. We encourage submissions from executives and senior leaders, emerging and next-generation leaders, entrepreneurs and business owners, technical and industry professionals, public-sector and community leaders, educators and workforce development professionals, skilled trades professionals, mentors, advocates, and allies. Women and men are encouraged to submit. You don't need a certain title—or a professional speaking résumé—to have something meaningful to contribute. SESSION FORMATSProposals may be considered for a variety of Forum programming, including: Keynote or Featured Speaker Panel Discussion Breakout Session Facilitated Conversation or Interview I-LinCP may recommend a different format or connect selected speakers with other participants when doing so can create a stronger experience for attendees. WHAT MAKES A STRONG SUBMISSION?Before you submit, think about four things: Why does this topic matter?What challenge, opportunity, or conversation are you addressing? Why you?What experience, expertise, or perspective do you bring to the conversation? What will attendees take away?What should someone know, reconsider, discuss, or do differently because they attended your session? What's your "because"?Why does this conversation matter to you—and why should it matter to the people in the room? WHAT WE ASK OF OUR SPEAKERSAt IIWF, we value authenticity, substance, conversation, inclusion, and actionable takeaways. We want our speakers to share real experiences and useful perspectives—not sales pitches—and help attendees leave with something they can carry forward. Detailed speaker expectations and submission guidance are included as part of the Call for Speakers application. READY TO SHARE YOUR "BECAUSE"?Your experience could be the insight someone needs. Your lesson could help another leader navigate a challenge. Your story could encourage someone to take the next step. Your perspective could change the conversation. Because your voice matters. SUBMIT YOUR SPEAKER PROPOSALSpeaker Submissions Due October 23, 2026 2027 Invest in Women Forum
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