The premier conference and awards gala in the industry, the ElevateAEC Conference & Awards Gala garners the attention of thousands of AEC firm leaders worldwide. It is the largest in-person gathering of industry leaders and award-winning firms, all interested in advancing the “elevate the industry” vision. Through our Call for Presentations, we invite thought leaders from across the industry to contribute their expertise through an educational session delivered live at the conference this Fall in Park City, Utah.
2026 CALL FOR PRESENTERS
Park City, UT I Sept. 29 - Oct. 1
ELEVATE AEC CONFERENCE & AWARDS GALA Call for Presenters
OVERVIEW
The premier conference and awards gala in the industry, the ElevateAEC Conference & Awards Gala garners the attention of thousands of AEC firm leaders worldwide. It is the largest in-person gathering of industry leaders and award-winning firms, all interested in advancing the “elevate the industry” vision. Through our Call for Presentations, we invite thought leaders from across the industry to contribute their expertise through an educational session delivered live at the conference this Fall in Park City, Utah.
Note: Dates are subject to change. TIMELINE
Task
Deadline
Call for Presenters opens
Jan 30 I Friday
Call for Presenters closes
Feb 27 I Friday
Decision
End of March
Speakers notification
April 6 I Monday
Speakers confirmation due
April
Speakers announcements & promotion
Early Summer
Final Presentation due
Sept 15 I Thursday
2026 ElevateAEC Conference
Sept 29 - Oct 1
*Early bird rate for Elevate ends on June 30
2026 THEME Uncharted: Navigating the firm of the future
This year’s ElevateAEC conference is designed for AEC leaders navigating a landscape that no longer comes with clear precedents or reliable playbooks. From shifting markets and evolving client demands to talent pressures, technology disruption, and ownership transitions, today’s firm leaders are being asked to make consequential decisions without a blueprint. This conference brings together forward-thinking executives to explore how to lead with clarity, resilience, and vision—equipping firms to chart their own course, adapt with confidence, and build what comes next.
CALL FOR PRESENTERS
We’re seeking experienced AEC practitioners and leaders to join us with breakout sessions that are: ₀ Grounded in real experience—not theory alone ₀ Candid and practical, not polished case studies with the rough edges sanded off ₀ Bold but responsible—less “move fast and break things,” more “move deliberately and build things that last”
Please direct any questions/comments about this Call for Presenters to Shirley Che at sche@zweiggroup.com
ELEVATE AEC CONFERENCE & AWARDS GALA Call for Presenters
CALL FOR PRESENTERS
An ideal session for 2026 ElevateAEC Conference is forward looking - designed at the intersection of what leaders are solving and how they lead when the path forward isn’t fully defined. We encourage you to shape your session to align with one of three tracks below while framing it around the audience segment(s) you hope to target (detailed below). Select a Breakout Track Each proposal should clearly align with one of the following tracks (sessions may touch multiple areas, but should anchor to one): Talent & Leadership This track focuses on building strong teams and leadership capacity as firms evolve. Sessions should explore how leaders attract, develop, and engage talent, clarify roles and expectations, and prepare the next generation of leaders to step forward with confidence. Growth & Strategy This track focuses on shaping where and how firms grow. Sessions should explore setting direction, evaluating opportunities, and aligning strategy with shifting market realities, helping firms pursue growth—organic or acquisitive—that is intentional, sustainable, and well-executed. Performance & Technology This track focuses on turning strategy into results through smarter systems and technology. Sessions should highlight how thoughtful use of tools, data, and processes can simplify operations, support teams, and elevate firm wide performance. Select up to two target audience segments The ElevateAEC Conference gathers over 350 firm leaders from around the country. The audience is made up of C-Suites, VPs, Principals, Studio and Practice leaders, and Directors from high-performing, award-winning firms. Identify the primary, and one secondary if applicable, target audience that your session is intended to serve: ₀ Leaders setting strategic direction for what’s next Your session helps leaders prioritize opportunities, clarify focus, and make confident long-term decisions. ₀ Firms positioning for their next phase of growth Your session helps leaders focus on sustaining momentum, smoothing volatility, or expanding into new markets or services. ₀ Firms navigating ongoing change or evolution Your session addresses leadership, alignment, and execution during periods of continued transformation. ₀ Leaders strengthening talent and leadership capacity Your session focuses on attracting, developing, and engaging people while building future leadership depth. ₀ Firms sharpening performance and profitability Your session focuses on operational effectiveness, financial discipline, and turning demand into financial results
Please direct any questions/comments about this Call for Presenters to Shirley Che at sche@zweiggroup.com
ELEVATE AEC CONFERENCE & AWARDS GALA Call for Presenters
SPEAKER BENEFITS & RESPONSIBILITIES
Speaker Benefits
₀ Please refrain from pitching or demoing specific products or services. The primary purpose of all sessions is to provide practical takeaways to the attendees. ₀ Commit to providing a high-quality, engaging session – interactivity is encouraged! ₀ To ensure uniform conference branding/identity, all presenters are required to use, or at the minimum, incorporate, the official conference slide deck template. A speaker kit will be provided upon speaker confirmation. ₀ Allocating time to attend the rest of the conference is also highly encouraged – to allow time for organic connections with the audience. ₀ A final version of your presentation must be received by the Zweig Group events team no later than September 15. ₀ Any printed materials will be the speaker’s responsibility. Zweig Group will provide shipping instructions if applicable. ₀ The speaker grants Zweig Group the right to use the speaker/panelist’s name, biography, photographs, videos, and abstracts and presentation content for promotional purposes. Confirmed breakout session speakers are eligible to receive a 50% discount off the standard registration rate to the ElevateAEC Conference & Awards Gala. All confirmed speakers are required to register at one speaker rate. Zweig Group does not provide travel support or cover any expenses.
Speaker Responsibilities
APPLICATION OVERVIEW 1. Session Title*: Clear, consice, and direct titles work best (Max 10 words)
2. Session Description*: Describes what attendees will learn and the value of attending (Max 100 words) 3. Learning Objectives: Four learning objectives. For each one, a single sentence objectives stating a learning outcome. Effective learning objectives use active verbs to describe attendees takeaways. 4. Speaker Information: A succint bio, a headshot (<2MB), and recent speaking samples (if available) 5. Additional Information: Opportunity to provide any additional materials, e.g. speaker’s extended CV, and/or any additional comments and notes about your presentation. 6. Track ₀ Talent & Leadership ₀ Growth & Strategy ₀ Performance & Transition 7. Target Audience(s): Select up to two, ranked. ₀ Leaders setting strategic direction for what’s next ₀ Firms positioning for their next phase of growth ₀ Firms navigating ongoing change or evolution ₀ Leaders strengthening talent and leadership capacity ₀ Firms sharpening performance and profitability Click Here to go to the Submission Portal >>> >>>
*Note: Zweig Group reserves the right to revise session title and description as needed for promotional and program materials.
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