Speaker Submission Guide 2026

International

Aquatics & Water Safety

CONFERENCE A N D

E X P O S I T I O N

Presented by

Speaker Submission Guide &

8/15 submitt al deadlin e!

February 16 February 16 - 19, 19, 2026 2026

Colorado Springs, CO

Hello there!

The Association of Aquatic Professionals (AOAP) is currently seeking speakers for the International Aquatic & Water Safety Conference February 16 - 19, 2026 in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

AOAP is a non-profit professional organization run by an all volunteer Board of Directors that exclusively promotes and advocates policies, practices and procedures that contribute to safer and improved aquatic education, aquatic recreation activities, programs and facilities.

We are seeking creative, informative, dynamic speakers to offer unique learning experiences for our conference attendees.

Whether you have a story to tell or knowledge to share, if you think you are a good fit, we invite you to submit a session proposal!

As you prepare your proposal, use this guide to help you through the process. And please let me know if you have any

Gwen & Kate questions!

Gwen Willcox & Kate Connell, Conference Co-Chairs

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Works How It 01

SUBMIT YOUR SESSION Use this guide to help prepare your proposal. Don’t miss the August 15, 2025, deadline!

02

SPEAKER NOTIFICATION Speakers will be notified in mid-

CONTACT US

September to finalize all speaking sessions.

QUESTIONS? 262-894-9772 info@aquaticpros.org

03

PREPARE YOUR SESSION Finalize the content and collateral for your presentation. Be creative, add interactive features, and practice,

gwen.willcox@TemeculaCA.gov kateconnell@hydroapps.com SUBMITTAL SITE https://bit.ly/4a4pbbT

practice, practice!

04

CONFERENCE TIME! While you can come in for a single day to present, we encourage all speakers to attend the full conference! Present, network and have a great time with

SOCIAL MEDIA @aquaticpros

over 1200 conference attendees!

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Standards

Speaker Relevance to Audience

Speakers should tailor their presentations to meet the needs and interests of the audience.

As you consider possible topics, it may be helpful to understand that conference attendees work at a variety of aquatic facilities

Tell your story.

including municipal, K-12/collegiate settings,

Share your

military installations, private clubs and swim

knowledge.

schools, non-profit organizations, for-profit centers, lifeguard management companies and

Expand your

more. They also cover many aspects of work in

network.

professional aquatics including staff

Grow.

management and training, programming, maintenance and risk management. Keep in mind that most attendees come to sessions to find tools to help them be more effective in their roles. Creating content that can be practically applied is a benefit for many attendees.

Subject Knowledge Speakers and moderators should have broad knowledge of the subject matter going beyond their personal experience and their experience within their organizations. Speakers should be able to provide examples that illustrate different points of view and methods.

AQUATICPROS.ORG | SPEAKER SUBMISSION GUIDE

Accuracy & Integrity of Information Speakers must ensure the accuracy and integrity of the information they present. This includes citing credible sources, avoiding misinformation or speculation, and being transparent about any conflicts of interest.

Also remember that conference sessions are meant to provide information to professionals in the field - it is not a time to make a sales pitch. Speakers are not allowed to sell or promote any product or service, and handing out promotional literature should only happen inside your company’s exhibit booth.

Respectful and Inclusive Communication Speakers should communicate in a manner that is respectful, inclusive, and free from discrimination or offensive language. This includes being mindful of cultural sensitivities, using inclusive language, and fostering a welcoming environment for all attendees.

Experience Presenting or Teaching From voice projection and body language to understanding how to manage time and feedback within the session, speakers should have basic knowledge and experience teaching adults. Slides or presentation visual aids should touch on key points and support the content rather than being the main source of information delivery.

AQUATICPROS.ORG | SPEAKER SUBMISSION GUIDE

Proposal

Guide

Before You Begin to make the submission process easy, we recommend that you compile all of your information before beginning the submission process. As a reminder, all sessions must be submitted online at https://bit.ly/4aHUc6e

General Information Education sessions are generally 1 hour and 10 minutes, but longer sessions may be submitted for 2 hours and 40 minutes or a 4- or 8-hour pre- or postconference workshop. In-water session proposals will be accepted in 2025.

All sessions will be eligible for Continuing Education Units, and the proposal should be written with that in mind.

The Conference Committee is seeking a variety of perspectives that can be applicable to a range of communities and viewpoints.

The maximum number of speakers for a 1 hour 10 minute session is two. Up to four speakers will be accepted for longer sessions or panel discussions.

You must submit a separate proposal for each session.

Learn more about submittal requirements here.

AQUATICPROS.ORG | SPEAKER SUBMISSION GUIDE

Session Title

Session Description

Learning Objectives

Create a concise and descriptive title. This title will be used in the event program.

Example: Sales Skills for Front Desk Teams This is the summary of your session that will appear in the program guide. Your summary should be 150 words or less.

Example: With decreasing budgets and increasing competition, connecting with facility guests and program participants is an easy way to create repeat business with a limited marketing budget. But how do we teach our frontline team to make those connections, match needs to programs and up-sell?

Give your frontline team the skills they need to help drive program registration, increase returning customers generate revenue through daily customer contact.

Provide at least three learning objectives that specify what session attendees will learn or be able to do after attending your session. (You can find a great resource for writing effective learning objectives here!)

Example: Participants will be able to. . .

1. Discuss and understand basic sales techniques; 2. Identify sales opportunities for frontline teams; 3. Teach ways to connect current customers with new or continuing programs.

Keep reading!

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You will be asked to provide a detailed outline of your session. Indicate the time sequence of each topic/activity in your presentation.

Example: 1. Introductions, Background & Overview (4 minutes)

Session Outline

2. Understanding a Traditional Sales Definition (3 minutes) 3. Redefining Sales and What Your Team is Already Doing (4 minutes) 4. Training Your Frontline Team (15 minutes) a. Remind Your Team that Everyone Sells b. Get Buy-In from Your Team c. Start by Knowing Your Product 5. Sales Training Basics (35 minutes) a. Understanding how your programs/facilities are a solution to a customer problem b. Defining the Buying Process c. Identify prospective clients d. Ask qualifying questions and match needs with services e. Ask for the sale f. Maintain the customer relationship 6. How to implement train team training for the buying process (10 minutes) 7. Audience Participation: Question & Answer (5 minutes)

Speaker Information

For each speaker, you’ll need some biographical information. You’ll need to share the speaker’s experience teaching adults, speaker biography, and speaker introduction. You’ll also need to upload a profile picture, and you’ll have an opportunity to include your organizational / personal website and social media handles.

AQUATICPROS.ORG | SPEAKER SUBMISSION GUIDE

Speakers

Selected SELECTION PROCESS Sessions will be reviewed by the Conference Committee. The goal is to create a comprehensive, well-balanced, innovative list of sessions for conference attendees. All submitters will be notified by mid-September if their proposal was accepted or declined.

AUDIO VISUAL EQUIPMENT AOAP will provide an LCD projector and screen.

Not all rooms have audio speakers, so consider bringing your own if needed! Please note that some rooms have weak WiFi connections, so be sure to plan your presentation accordingly!

PRESENTATION ROOMS Rooms are generally available 15-20 minutes before your session so that you can set up and verify that everything is in order. Please note that nothing can be taped, stapled or attached to the walls or other surfaces of your room.

PRESENTATION MATERIALS AOAP requires all presenters to upload their handouts and other supporting materials into the conference app for conference attendees.

AQUATICPROS.ORG | SPEAKER SUBMISSION GUIDE

Information

Important Speaker Please note that AOAP does not pay speakers or reimburse any expenses for presenting at AOAP (other than the keynote, endnote and potentially pre and post conference workshops set up by AOAP).

All speakers must register for the AOAP Conference.

You have the following choices: Those 3 options include (only 1 speaker per session may take advantage of the speaker options.

1. One Day Speaker Only Option (Complimentary) Attend any session on the day of your scheduled presentation, CEUs for sessions attended, and entrance to the public hours of the Exhibit Hall on Wednesday.

2. Speaker ONLY Option ($150) Attendance at any session for the duration of the conference at which you are speaking, CEUs, and entrance into the exhibit hall on Wednesday from 1-3 pm only and CEUs. (This option does NOT include any meals OR socials.)

3. Discounted Speaker Registration ($384) This includes a full conference registration: entrance into any AOAP or NDPA regular conference sessions, the Monday night social, the Tuesday night exhibit hall grand opening and dinner, the Wednesday exhibit hall lunch, the Wednesday night social and dinner, and CEUs.

AQUATICPROS.ORG | SPEAKER SUBMISSION GUIDE

Suggestions Session Risk Management

Risk Assessment -- Mitigating Risks at Your Facility - Tracking Accidents/Injuries to Implement Changes - Future of Lifeguarding Best Practices in Risk Management Documentation

Programming & Staff Training

Customer Service - Innovative/New In-Service Ideas - Recruiting & Retaining Staff - Staff Development - Improving Team Accountability - Communication for Young Leaders - Volunteer Management & Engagement - Programming on a Limited Budget - Aquatic Therapy/Rehab - Aquatic Fitness/Wellness Programs Special Events & Unique Programming Ideas

Drowning Prevention

Effective Water Safety Campaigns - Lessons Learned Research/Data in Water Safety - Drowning Trends - Effective Intervention for Improving Water Safety - Partnering with Schools

Leadership & Executive Development

Overcoming Workplace Challenges - Advocating & Explaining Aquatics to Administration - Staff Leadership Programs - Using Data to Drive Change (budget, safety, etc) - AI & Aquatics Minimizing Burnout - Starting Your Own Training Business

Diversity & Inclusion

Community Engagement & Outreach - Inclusive Programming Adaptive Swim Lessons - Initiatives to Promote Diversity in Programs & Staffing

Operations

Resource Management - Cost Recovery - New Revenue - Partnering with Non-Profits Marketing, Social Media & Branding - Aquatic Facility and Renovation Considerations Lessons Learned - Water Conservation - Sustainability - Indoor Air Quality - New Technology in Aquatic Management (Teams, Pump Rooms, etc.)

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AOAP2026 AOAP2026

Call for Presenters

ASSOCIATION OF ASSOCIATION OF AQUATIC AQUATIC PROFESSIONALS PROFESSIONALS

CONFERENCE AND CONFERENCE AND EXPOSITION EXPOSITION

SUBMITTAL DEADLINE: AUGUST 15, 2025

AQUATICPROS.ORG | SPEAKER SUBMISSION GUIDE