Our goal is to provide exceptional educational experiences, networking opportunities, and innovative tools that will make attendees and their cities more successful. Studies show that adults learn best when they are actively involved in the process rather than passively listening or watching. Most conference attendees are knowledgeable about the subject, and therefore are interested in hearing what others know and what their experiences have been. Accordingly, we urge you to plan your presentation with these suggestions in mind.

• "The presentation was a 'sales' pitch for a particular product or service."
• "I couldn't read the slides."
• "One speaker took so much time that the others were not able to give their full presentations."
• "I'd like more practical knowledge."

• Relevant content for experienced audiences that stretches thinking and provides new approaches.
• Content which is delivered in an engaging way and draws on the experience of the attendees.
• Examples and case studies of real success (and successful failures).
• Try to add stories, anecdotes, testimonials or demonstrations that emphasize your point. We all remember a good story, and thus more easily the lesson with it.
• Provide tools and information that audience can implement.
• If there are other speakers in your session, coordinate with them in advance to decide your speaking order and ensure that all presentations fit into the assigned time allotment. If you do not have the contact information for your co-presenters, please contact us at education@cacities.org.
• Selling from the podium creates conflict of interest problems. Education sessions at the Annual Conference should never be an advertisement. Therefore presentations may not include any commercialism for specific products or consulting services.

Presentation materials are an important element of the League's educational programs. By Tuesday, September 10, it is requested that all presenters submit, at minimum, a session outline and/or presentation in either a Microsoft-friendly format or as a .pdf file. Session materials can be submitted through our website starting in early August. It is the League’s goal to make a positive impact on the environment by integrating environmental considerations into all conferences. Beginning in 2008, all conference handouts and materials are only offered and distributed to attendees in electronic formats and made available online.

• When naming your session materials, please use your session title and your last name. For example: "YourSessionTItle - Smith"
• Please make sure your materials are in one document. Our system is unable to accept more than one document per presenter.

Please contact the education department at education@cacities.org with any questions, concerns or assistance needs you may have.