Call for speakers


Submissions are open for our upcoming in-person conference on Sept 5th, 2024 in Charlotte, NC! Please read the guidelines below if you interested in speaking at our event.

Our process is as follows:

  1. Submissions are open now through 11:59 PM ET July 15, 2024. We encourage you to submit your proposals earlier as we will review them on a rolling basis.
  2. A preliminary review will be made, based on the general criteria of the relevance of the topic and quality of the proposal.
  3. The committee will then organize and review all submittals to receive their ratings, and to ensure our program includes content that appeals to our diverse audience. Due to the limited program slots, not all submissions will be accepted.
  4. We will send an email notifying you of our decision by August 15, 2024.

Thank you for your patience and interest in our event. For any inquiries, please contact hello@fleurixconf.com.

Apply to speak

Fleurix will be held on September 5th, 2024 in Charlotte, NC. We are seeking new ideas and concepts that revolve around women+ in technology. We welcome creative, technical, inspiring presentations, as long as they remain within the boundaries of our Code of Conduct. We are looking for talks around the following set of topics:

  • Career advancement
  • Human-technology interaction
  • User and customer experience
  • Product design & development
  • Diversity, equity & inclusion
  • New and developing technologies
  • Innovation & entrepreneurship
  • Have another idea? We want to hear it!

Talk Guidelines

  • The deadline to submit proposals is 11:59 PM ET July 15, 2024.
  • To submit your proposal, please fill out this form: CLICK HERE TO APPLY
  • Lightning talks should be 5-7 minutes in length and do not include audience Q&A.
  • Talks should be about 20 minutes in length and can optionally include audience Q&A during that time allotment.
  • Panels should be 20 or 40 minutes in length and can optionally include audience Q&A during that time allotment.
  • The keynote should be about 25 minutes in length and can optionally include audience Q&A during that time allotment.
  • Presentations should use large font sizes and be high-contrast so our audience can see your presentation. If you’re using a code editor or terminal app during your presentation, please follow these same guidelines.

Selection Process

Each talk is rated based upon the following criteria:

  • Clarity of proposal
  • Originality of the topic
  • Speaker experience and expertise
  • Value and relevance to attendees
  • Communicable in the time allotted

Please take the time to craft your idea into one or two well-written paragraphs. If you have videos that highlight your speaking abilities, please feel free to attach those in the form. The more concise the better. Submission topics like, “A day in the life of a software developer”, are not detailed enough. Originality and clarity are key!

What would make you want to attend your talk? How can you make your talk informative, actionable, inspiring, engaging, digestible, or all of the above?


CFP Format Example

The following format will be found within our CFP form.

Name and pronouns of speaker(s)
Contact information
Presentation topic
Presentation type (ex. Talk, Workshop, Panel)
One or two well-written paragraphs on your presentation topic
Additional resources you’d like to include (ex. videos, audio with slides, other presentations you've given)
Are you a first time speaker?
What makes you a good fit for Fleurix? What Fleurix events have you attended, if any?


Best Practices

  • Presentations should use large font sizes and be high-contrast so our audience can see your presentation. If you’re using a code editor or terminal app during your presentation, please follow these same guidelines.
  • Keep it simple - focus on your core message.
  • Consider your audience's knowledge level and explain foundational concepts that are referenced throughout the talk, especially if giving a technical presentation.
  • If using examples or images of people, pick diverse images and portrayals.
  • Slides, if used, should not detract from what you're saying. Avoid slides with large bodies of text.
  • Read more advice here: How to give a killer presentation

FAQ

I have not spoken at an event before. Can I still apply?

Yes, we have had several first-time speakers at past events and we encourage you to apply. We provide support through dry-runs and coaching to ensure you are adequately prepared for the event. If you have a fresh perspective or idea worth sharing, we want to hear about it!

Can I apply to speak if I do not reside in the greater Charlotte region?

Yes, although you should plan to make your own travel arrangements and cover your travel expenses. Many companies will help cover these expenses for their employees. We love to showcase our local community, but are open to learning from other voices.

Can you support remote presentations?

Our preference is for in-person presentations to simplify logistics and reduce the risk of a low-quality presentation (choppy audio, poor connection, etc.). However, we might be able to support some remote presentations if needed.

Will I receive compensation to speak?

We generally do not compensate speakers, but may provide a gift. Speakers attend the conference for free.

+Non-binary folks, transgender people, and allies are welcome