2026 - Call for Breakout Speakers!

We are seeking engaging breakout session speakers for the SHRM Vermont 2026 State Conference.

Each year, our conference brings together 500+ HR professionals from across Vermont and beyond for practical learning, meaningful connections, and real-world takeaways.

Breakout sessions are at the heart of the conference experience, and we welcome both experienced and first-time speakers who want to share ideas and insights with Vermont’s HR community.

Share Your Expertise

Our conference succeeds because of speakers who are willing to share their knowledge and experience with Vermont’s HR community.

We look forward to learning more about your session idea.

Questions? Please feel free to reach out to our conference team: [email protected]

Important Dates

Submission Deadline: April 1, 2026

Speaker Notifications: by April 17, 2026

Conference Dates: Thursday, September 24, and Friday, September 25

Location:

DoubleTree by Hilton
Burlington, Vermont

Shaping the Future of Work
People. Purpose. Possibilities.

Submit your proposal:

What We're Looking For

We are seeking breakout sessions that provide practical value and meaningful takeaways for HR professionals.

Strong sessions typically include:

  • Practical tools and strategies
  • Real-world examples
  • Actionable takeaways
  • Fresh perspectives
  • Interactive elements when possible

Topics may include:

  • Employment Law
  • Talent Acquisition
  • Employee Engagement
  • Leadership Development
  • Workplace Culture
  • Compensation & Benefits
  • Compliance
  • HR Technology and AI
  • Organizational Development
  • Employee Relations
  • Strategic HR
  • Emerging Workplace Trends

Speaker perks:

  • Complimentary conference registration
  • One-night hotel accommodation (if traveling)
  • Conference exposure to 500+ HR professionals
  • SHRM Speaker recognition

Who Should Apply

We welcome proposals from:

  • Experienced conference speakers
  • HR practitioners with real-world experience
  • Consultants and subject matter experts
  • Employment attorneys
  • First-time speakers with strong practical content

You do not need to be a professional speaker to be considered.

Breakout Session Details

Breakout sessions will be approximately:

75 minutes

Sessions should include:

  • Practical takeaways
  • Real-world examples
  • Opportunities for participant engagement

Speaker Support

SHRM Vermont is a nonprofit professional association and does not provide monetary speaking fees for breakout sessions.

We are pleased to offer:

✔ One night of hotel accommodations for speakers traveling from outside the local area