FAQ’s

1. When and Where is the 2019 Business to Business Expo and Conference?
   • The conference will take place July 26^th at the Hilton UF
   • The timeframe will be approximately*:

8:30 – 9am Registration and Networking

9am Workshops begin (30, 45 or 50 min each)

Noon Trade Show Opens

5:00 pm Trade show Ends / Cocktail Party Begins

7:00 pm  Event Ends

*this may adjust bases on applications received and final scheduling of topics.

2. Where do I find the application?
   • Scroll to the bottom of this page to find a button for the application. If you have any problems, contact our Events Director, Tiffany D. Williams Propes, at tiffany@gainesvillechamber.com
3. Can I submit Supplemental Material for my proposal?
   • You may provide some back up material or examples of handouts. Please be respectful of the time required for our committee to review the applications and try to keep these to a minimum and include only what is relevant and timely.
4. What is the deadline to submit applications and when will a decision be made?
   • The deadline to apply and submit any supplemental material is 5pm on April 5, 2019.
   • Speaker will be notified April 19, 2019 whether they have been selected to present at the B2B Expo & Conference.
5. What if I want to speak on more than one topic?
   • Great! Simply fill out Sections I, II, and IV on the application for your additional topics and refer to your first application for Section III.
6. Do I need to be a professional speaker or trainer?
   • No! We encourage applications from entrepreneurs, business professionals and experts in their field. If you are knowledgeable and passionate on a subject, we want to see your application!
7. What are the selection criteria for education session proposals?
   • Thoroughness: The application must be received by the deadline. Only those providing a complete submission form will be reviewed.
   • Content: Is the topic relevant to the audience? Does it convey ideas solidly and have “takeaways” for the attendees? Is the topic, description and learning objectives clear, relevant, and cohesive?
   • Speakers: Speaker knowledge and experience, presence, and professionalism.
   • Presentation Style/Format: Will the session be interactive and engaging? This should not be a sales pitch.
8. What are the different session style options for the conference?
   • Presentations will be divided by three – four concurrent sessions that are 30, 45, or 50 minutes. A speaker may speak in multiple tracks and give multiple presentations. Presentation methods include lecture, interactive sessions, workshops, roundtable sessions and panel presentations.
   • If you have a subject or topic that doesn’t fit inside these time-frames we will be offering shorter “campfire sessions” that will be 15-20 minutes and a bit more informal in the Breakfast Pavilion. They won’t include opportunities to show slides, videos, or use a Power Point presentation.
9. What AV will be provided for me?
   • Rooms will be equipped with a projector and screen for presentations. Microphones will be provided in rooms of sufficient size.
10. What are the education tracks that topics must be targeted towards?

• • Applications should align with one of these track topics:

Entrepreneurship, Startups

This track addresses the challenges and opportunities available to new or start-up businesses. For example: Stimulating Start-ups and helping unemployed become self- employed. Business angles and venture capital funds. Micro Financing.

Running the Business

This track would include everything from HR and talent management to accounting and tools of the trade.

Marketing and Promotion

The Marketing and Promotions track would cover topics such as web design, content, marketing and SEO optimization. The importance of branding.

Leadership and Professional Development

This track would cover topics that encourage the growth and development of business leaders.

11. The sessions will further be broken down into three levels of expertise. Is this subject targeted to a more seasoned professional or someone just starting out? Is it a niche or specialty topic?

(Select the area that is most relevant to your application/topic):

101) The aspiring or new entrepreneur or business owner
201) The well-established entrepreneur and business owner
301) A focused/niched specialty topic

For example:
101 – Social Media: Options for Consumer Engagement
201 – Pinterest Strategies for Increasing Sales
301 – How to Create Targeted Pinterest Ads

12. Are there any other requirements or obligations beyond the actual session at the conference?
    • Yes!
      • Speakers will need to attend an orientation session to help prepare them to be successful in their presentation. This will take place in the Board Room at the Greater Gainesville Chamber on July 12, 2019 at 2pm. More information to follow.
      • We recommend that Speakers use social media to promote the B2B Expo & Conference and their own presentation. An email signature graphic will also be available for speakers to promote their participation.

• • Speakers must agree to comply with the Speaker Agreement Terms and Conditions. Failure to do so may result in the speaking opportunity being cancelled.

1. Handouts: Speakers are responsible for bringing their own handouts or providing an electronic link to their presentation and resources.

1. What is the compensation for presenting or speaking at the conference?
   • All accepted speakers receive complimentary attendance to the Conference and Tradeshow.
   • Speakers will receive a complimentary invitation to the VIP Luncheon.
   • Bio and Photo on Speaker Page
   • If the session is recorded, the speaker may request a master audio copy of their presentation for a small fee. The Chamber owns the right to publish the presentation and all derivative works in all media. The speaker owns the copyright of the material and the right to reproduce the recording without restriction.
   • Each speaker is responsible for paying all his/her own expenses (travel, lodging and meals).
   • Exceptions may be made for the event’s Keynote Speaker(s).

Tips for a Successful Application and Proposal

We desire speakers who:

• Have a compelling story, a “real life” case study or example not just a theory to share but also HOW the audience can apply it to their workplace or career.
• Know that interaction and engagement is key to their session’s success and will utilize a variety of techniques and methods to support those.
• Are dynamic to listen to but also know that standing in front of a crowd and talking to a PowerPoint slide does not create interaction and engagement.
• Put the learner first and work to ensure that attendees leave with solid take-aways.

Your application should demonstrate how you will create an experience that inspires and empowers. It should feature interactive and engaging learning and showcase emerging trends and innovations.

Due to the large number of submissions and applications we expect to receive and the limited session slots, even submissions that score very well might not be selected. Put your best effort into a high-quality application!

Hot Tip:

**Don’t wait until the deadline to submit. Get it in early and stand out above the crowd!**

Additional Speaker Tips

Some tips on what reviewers will look for when evaluating your application.

1. Speaker/Presentation provides valuable takeaways for audience members. Answer the question – as an attendee how can I apply this to my current position/role?
2. Engagement and interaction. Plan audience engagement into your session design. You must go beyond simple Q&A.
3. Your title should accurately reflect what your session is but should also be interesting and compelling. Your title is essentially your elevator pitch to capture the interest of attendees with one quick glance or read.
4. Learning objectives should be accurate. A learning objective is what you expect the audience member to be able to do after participating in your session.
5. Clear language; please avoid using technical jargon, acronyms and slang.
6. This is an opportunity for attendees to learn and grow. It should not be a sales-pitch for you or your business. Speakers will have their bios and links to their company or personal website/social media posted on our website. We encourage you to include contact information on your hand-outs or provide business cards to attendees.
7. Your application must be completed by the appropriate deadline. No incomplete or late submissions will be reviewed.
8. Read through the form and gather all supporting materials prior to starting and submitting the application. This will help ensure a complete and well thought out application.
9. Proofread what you have entered in the application. Our review committee evaluates your application based on specific criteria. If your application is difficult to read because of spelling or grammatical errors, it will be difficult for your application to receive a high score.
10. Sessions will typically be 30, 45, or 50 minutes. If you have a subject or topic that doesn’t fit inside these time-frames we will be offering shorter “campfire sessions” that will be 15-20minutes and a bit more informal. These won’t include opportunities to show slides, videos, or use a Power Point presentation.
11. If you do not wish to present but would like to submit a white-paper for our attendees or audience instead, please fill out the application and select the correct track as well as “white-paper” under the sub-tracks. If we would like more information or to see the completed white-paper we will contact you.
12. Presentations should be diverse in subject matter but also
13. White-papers will be made available to all conference attendees and tradeshow vendors.