Welcome, Presenters!
The 2027 NIRSA Conference & Campus Rec Expo is a great opportunity for our members to share innovative ideas with the community. Whether you’ve been working on a project for 10 years, you tried out a new method for staff training that was majorly effective, or you would like to spread the word on how you’ve successfully marketed new programs, this is the premier event for you to do so. Our members want to learn tactical strategies to take back to their campuses with them, so proposals that highlight actionable outcomes will have the best chance to stand out this year.
This page will continue to be updated with presenter information, timelines, and resources. Come back soon!
What do you need to do before submitting a proposal?
- Understand Requirements for Speaking at a NIRSA Event
- NIRSA membership is required for all presenters. Proposals may be submitted without active membership, but accepted presenters must hold a membership prior to the event.
- Presenters must agree to NIRSA’s speaker terms and conditions before submitting a proposal.
- All presenters must register for the conference. Registration for NIRSA 2027 is currently scheduled to open in early December.
- Consider what the Programming Committee is looking for this year
- The programming committee is on the hunt for proposals that clearly define actionable outcomes for attendees!
- Review the PDF proposal outline and presenter resources so you can have all of your materials prepared and thoroughly crafted.
- Be mindful of the proposal submission deadlines for the various formats.
- General Education Session (lecture-style, and panel-style), Expo Session and Virtual Session proposals are due September 18.
- Accepted Virtual Session presenters are responsible for recording and uploading their recorded session(s) by December 1.
- Poster Session proposals are due December 18.
Opens: August 3
Deadline: September 18
General Education Sessions & Panel Session Proposals
This year, we’re opening proposal applications for lecture-style and panel-style sessions, each lasting 45 minutes. Lectures are the classic classroom style session, whereas panels are hosted by a small group of experts who offer their unique perspectives on common experiences.
Opens: August 3
Deadline: September 18
20-minute Expo Session Proposals
Last year we had Expo sessions and learned a lot. While this isn’t the place for sales demos, this is a great place for associate members to share educational content with campus partners. This is the best spot for quick, powerful bursts of content and best practices that you and your colleagues can share with one another. We’ll make sure the audience can hear you loud and clear. If you’re interested in a sales demo, contact Nick Zumbrun.
Opens: August 3
Deadline: September 18
Virtual Session Proposals
We’ll be sharing a selection of pre-recorded sessions virtually through the PheedLoop app this year. If you’re unsure about making it to Kansas City, please consider submitting a virtual session proposal!
Opens: August 3
Deadline: December 18
Poster Presentation Proposals
Poster Presentations are ideal for sharing research, pilot programs, case studies, and emerging ideas in a visual, interactive format.
Proposal Status Notification Timeline
- Panels, General Education Sessions, Expo Sessions: November 2026
- Fitness Forum: November 2026
- Poster Presentations: February 2027
If your proposal is accepted, the PheedLoop speaker portal will include instructions for uploading materials, updating your bio, and communicating with event staff.
How Are Submissions Reviewed?
NIRSA uses a double-blind review process involving 50+ trained reviewers. Submissions are evaluated for:
- Strength and clarity of learning objectives
- Relevance to audience needs
- Alignment with NIRSA competencies and topic areas
- Potential to inspire growth, innovation, or action
- Overall quality
- Program design and delivery approach
The NIRSA Conference Programming Committee also reviews for learning outcome quality and alignment with conference priorities. This year, the committee wants to see intentionally designed programs that clearly define actionable takeaways that members can apply immediately at their institutions.
If you’re interested in volunteering as a proposal reviewer, please apply here!
Strategic Framework & Topic Priorities
NIRSA’s strategic framework guides educational programming.
For 2024–2027, top priorities include:
Professional Pipeline
Advocacy
Wellbeing
Presenter Resources
Use these tools as you prepare or refine your proposal:
- NIRSA Core Competency Guide
- Using Bloom’s Taxonomy to Write Effective Learning Outcomes (University of Arkansas)
- Writing Learning Outcomes – ABCD Method (UC San Diego)
- Writing Learning Outcomes for NIRSA Educational Event Proposals Short Webinar
- Equity, Diversity & Inclusion: A Resource Guide for Leaders in Collegiate Recreation (members only)
- Presenting for Impact: Presentation Skills Training (Tagoras)
- NIRSA Presenter Information & Resources
CE Credit Information
The CSAEd program has been sunset during the 2026 year, there will not be CEU’s offered for sessions this year.
FAQ
Can I use AI to design my proposal?
You may use AI to assist with your proposal design, but the idea for the session must be original, and should your proposal be selected, you must be able to deliver the content represented in your session description and learning objectives. You must list AI as a source of material if your proposal relies heavily on the support of AI for your program design.
Can I submit a proposal if I am not a current NIRSA member?
Yes, you can submit a proposal, but by the time the conference rolls around, you must hold a membership.
When do sessions get scheduled?
You’ll be notified of your sessions scheduled date/time in early January 2027.
Where can I find important information about my session?
If your proposal is accepted, you’ll receive an email with a link to your speaker portal in Pheedloop. The speaker portal is regularly updated with information; make sure you check there first before sending an email!
Special recognition
for the programming committee!
This year, we have a lot of new faces on the programming committee. We would like to thank them for their time and contributions towards designing a content-rich event. We’d also like to thank the committee chairs who commit dozens of hours of dedication over three years to understanding member needs and desires for the evolution of this event.