Turn Your Experience Into Impact at Journey 2026!
We are excited for you to share your expertise at Journey 2026, the fifth annual A&M System IT Shared Services Conference.
This page includes everything you need to submit your proposal and understand what to expect as a Journey speaker.
What’s in it for you?
-
- Professional Recognition: Showcase your knowledge and position yourself as a trusted expert in the field.
- Career Advancement: Demonstrate your skills and add an achievement to your resume.
- Knowledge Sharing and Collaboration: Inspire and connect with others by sharing solutions, best practices and lessons learned.
- Personal and Skill Growth: Strengthen your communication skills and gain confidence when speaking to an audience.
- Educate and Contribute: Help colleagues from across the state of Texas learn new tools, strategies and ways of thinking to improve their own work!
Explore the details below, then submit your proposal using the button when you’re ready.
Proposal Submission Key Dates
All proposals are reviewed by the Journey planning team. Sessions are evaluated based on relevance to the Journey audience, practical value and takeaways, clarity and organization, innovation and impact, and alignment with the selected audience level.
Proposal Submission Window
June 15 – July 31, 2026
Proposal Review & Schedule Development
August 3 – August 20, 2026
Presenter Notifications
August 21, 2026
Before You Submit
Important Information
-
- Multiple Submissions: You may submit as many proposals as you’d like. A separate proposal is required for each topic
- Presentation Limit: Speakers may present a maximum of two sessions during the conference
- Co-Presenters: Each session may include up to four (4) speakers
- Save Your Progress: Returning Accelevents users can log in with their existing credentials to save a proposal as a draft and return later to review, edit, and submit it before the deadline
- Proposal Review: Proposals are evaluated based on audience value, topic relevance, learning outcomes, and overall conference balance
- Conference Sponsors: Trailblazer Sponsors are eligible to co-present a breakout session in partnership with an A&M System member institution that uses their product or service. Session proposals must be submitted by the A&M System co-presenter through the online proposal form
What Makes a Strong Journey Session?
Strong Journey sessions:
-
- Solve a real business problem
- Demonstrate practical applications of tools and services
- Share lessons learned and measurable outcomes
- Help attendees work more effectively
- Explore emerging trends and future opportunities
- Include opportunities for audience engagement
Ideal Session Topics
Business Processes & Operations
-
- HR, payroll, finance, procurement, and workforce administration
- Process improvements and operational efficiency
Technology & Systems
-
- Reporting and analytics
- Collaboration and productivity tools
- A&M System applications and services
Leadership & Professional Growth
-
- Communication and collaboration
- Project and Change management
- Customer service
Innovation & Emerging Trends
-
- Artificial intelligence
- Automation
- Future workplace technologies
Proposal Requirements
A breakout session proposal includes several requirements like session description, target audience, and speaker information.
Use the tabs below to learn more about these requirements.
Create a clear, engaging title that accurately reflects your topic
A strong title:
-
- Clearly communicates the topic
- Highlights the value attendees will receive
- Encourages attendees to learn more
Journey serves employees with a wide range of experience levels and technical backgrounds. As you develop your proposal, think about who will benefit most from your session and select the audience level that best fits your content.
Clearly identifying your audience helps attendees choose sessions that match their needs and expectations.
Beginner
-
- Designed for attendees who are new to the topic, system, or process.
- Focuses on foundational concepts, basic navigation, and introductory skills.
Advanced
-
- Designed for experienced users who already understand the basics.
- Focuses on deeper functionality, complex processes, strategic applications, or specialized skills.
Both
-
- Designed for a broad audience with varying experience levels.
- Provides enough context for beginners while offering practical insights and value for experienced users.
When selecting a session length, choose the format that allows adequate time for demonstrations, audience interaction, and questions.
| Session Length | Best for: | Examples: | Recommended format: |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25-Minute | Focused learning experiences | Quick demonstrations Single concepts or features Technical skills and how-to sessions Short case studies |
15–20 minute presentation or demonstration 5–10 minutes for audience questions |
| 50-Minute | Standard breakout sessions | Process walkthroughs Feature overviews and best practices Case studies and success stories Panel discussions Demonstrations with audience Q&A |
35–40 minute presentation or demonstration 10–15 minutes for discussion and questions |
| 90-Minute | In-depth learning experiences | Comprehensive topic deep dives Multi-part processes Complex topics that benefit from extended examples and audience engagement |
Combination of presentation, demonstrations, audience interaction, and Q&A Opportunities for attendees to apply concepts, explore scenarios, or participate in guided discussions |
Help attendees quickly find the sessions they want to attend!
Select the topic(s) most closely related to your session. Tracks may include the technology or application you are featuring, the group of employees you are speaking to, and/or the general professional development topic you are addressing. There is a variety of tracks listed in the submission form, but you can also select OTHER to add additional topics.
A detailed overview explaining what attendees will learn and why the topic matters
Include:
-
- What attendees will learn or take away
- Key topics that will be covered
- Skills or knowledge participants will gain
- Any demonstrations, activities, or discussions planned
Be specific and realistic about what can be accomplished within your selected session length.
A brief summary used in conference marketing materials and the event schedule
Keep it:
-
- Concise – 150 characters or less
- Audience-focused
- Easy to understand
- Limited to the most important takeaway
Clearly defined learning outcomes that describe the value attendees will gain from your session
Include:
-
- What attendees should know, understand, or be able to do after the session
- Specific skills, knowledge, or insights participants will gain
- Practical takeaways attendees can apply in their work
- Outcomes that align with the content and session format
Focus on attendee benefits rather than presentation topics. Strong goals are clear, measurable, and realistic for your selected session length.
Speaker Expectations
Presentation Slides Due
-
- Deadline to submit presentations slides: October 14, 2026
- All speakers will be given a slideshow template to use for Journey 2026.
- Presentations are shared on the online conference platform and are reviewed by our planning team to ensure digital accessibility and communication standards are met.
Meetings to Attend
If your proposal is accepted, speakers will be asked to participate in several planning and preparation activities, including:
Speaker Kickoff Meeting
Learn what to expect as a Journey speaker, review key deadlines and requirements, explore resources, and become familiar with the presentation template.
Attend One Session
September 1, 2026 | 2:00 – 3:00 pm
September 2, 2026 | 10:30 – 11:30 am
Accelevents Speaker Training
Get acquainted with the Accelevents conference platform and learn how to navigate the speaker tools and presentation features.
Attend One Session
New Speakers
October 13, 2026 | 2:00–3:00 PM
October 14, 2026 | 10:30–11:30 AM
Returning Speakers
October 14, 2026 | 2:00–2:45 PM
October 15, 2026 | 10:30–11:15 AM
Pre-Conference Run-Through
Review session logistics, test audio and video settings, and ensure your presentation is ready for the conference.
Scheduled between October 19 and November 6, 2026 by your session moderator, times will vary
Don’t Wait!!!
Select the button below to submit your proposal today.