CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS
2023 Conference: “Getting Comfortable with Change”
August 24th, 2023, at Interlachen Country Club, Edina, MN.
Main Conference Components
MERC 2023 will deliver a comprehensive professional development opportunity for relocation professionals and workforce mobility specialists and practitioners from the region and across the US.
MERC invites proposals for concurrent and plenary sessions that will form part of our conference that will take place August 24th, 2023.
Plenary sessions feature motivating and inspiring speakers who deliver thought provoking ideas and leave participants enthused and re-energized.
Concurrent sessions engage participants and provide new perspectives on difficult mobility challenges and trends. Delegates expect to receive practical tools and applied learning with concrete action plans and take-a-ways that can be implemented in their own organizations and workplaces. Delegates expect to be engaged in stimulating conversation, with presenters and other delegates. For that reason, sessions that are highly interactive, providing audience participation, are most preferable.
Topical Areas of Interest
Membership was polled earlier in the year and the topics below will be focused on during the conference. Presentations should address details that will be of value and appeal to corporate mobility managers and mobility industry executives and practitioners.
- · Mobility ROI/Cost savings/Core Flex experience
- · Corporate Program Manager day-to-day challenges (RFPs, Special Projects, percent of day dedicated to Mobility issues vs. other HR issues, etc.)
- · ESG's (Environmental, Social, and Governance) journey in Relocation and Mobility
A Supplier Only Session that will run concurrent to the international Corporate Roundtable is still open for Topic Selection. New and innovative ideas supported by proven success stories and measurable results are most valued by delegates. Tangential subjects and personal development/motivational presentations that provoke thought and encourage debate are most welcome.
Benefits for Presenters
- · Enhanced reputation as an industry expert
- · Opportunity to present your best ideas and influence industry practices.
- · Improved profile for your organization
- · New contacts and business relationships
- · Recognition in all MERC conference materials
- · Free conference registration fee (Corporate Speakers Only)
Please note compensation, travel, and hotel accommodations are typically not covered by MERC.
Developing Your Presentation
MERC has a commitment to ongoing professional development and our annual conference has been recognized as a valuable forum for relocation professionals and workforce mobility specialists.
Relocation and human resources managers from some of the region’s largest corporations will attend the MERC 2023 Conference, together with relocation management specialists, corporate housing providers, Realtors, movers, consultants, lawyers, and related relocation services providers. They expect to receive valuable information about the relocation industry including trends in the management of relocation and workforce mobility, real estate, legal, immigration and taxation aspects, human resource management and international assignments. Presentations should deliver information and knowledge that will help them to improve their business operations and address organizational priorities.
- · Presenters are expected to share information and experience. Presenters may not use the conference for commercial purposes, to solicit clients, or for self-promotion.
- · Presentations vary in length with 45-minute workshops, 55-minute seminars and a limited number of 75-minute sessions offered. Please indicate your interest in your submission.
- · If selected, presenters must confirm their attendance upon being notified. All presenters must agree to adhere to conference regulations and sign an agreement to present.
Submission Guidelines
Submission deadline – May 19, 2023
How to Submit a Speaker Proposal
Email is the preferred format. Please send the speaker submission form, speaker bio, photo, and any necessary background information to Sandy McKinney at SMcKinney@weichertwm.com by May 19th, 2023.
Each proposal must include all the following (see template below):
▪ An indication of the subject area to be covered.
▪ A written overview of the presentation, not to exceed 300 words.
▪ Three expected learning outcomes of the presentation
▪ Concrete tools and action plans that will help delegates meet organizational priorities.
▪ Suitability of the presentation to a "basic", "intermediate" or "advanced" audience, or any combination thereof
▪ A biography of the presenter, including previous presentations, together with the names of two references who can confirm the presenter’s subject matter expertise and presentation skills.
▪ Contact information of speaker
Dates to Remember
May 19th, 2023
Submission deadline. This date is firm.
May 31s, 2023
Notification of acceptance or rejection by MERC.
July 14th, 2023
Notification of presentation date and time. Receipt of presentation PowerPoint template.
August 11th, 2023
Deadline for receipt of final presentation materials to MERC.
Minnesota Employee Relocation Council Antitrust Statement
Please remember to avoid engaging in the following topics:
• Specifics regarding pricing, discounts, rebates, or credit terms.
• Contemplating a concerted refusal to do business with any entity or individual; and
• Whether the business practices of a competitor are unethical or unfair
Additionally, all presenters or speakers on behalf of MERC shall not violate any copyright or plagiarism laws and/or regulations and assume all personal responsibility for all content.
Download Form for Speaker Submissions HERE
