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Annual Conference Call for Proposals

Crowne Plaza Indianapolis Downtown Union Station
123 West Louisiana Street
Indianapolis, IN 46225

November 4 - 6, 2026

SUBMIT A PROPOSAL
Submission Deadline: June 19, 2026


The Midwest Association of Colleges & Employers (Midwest ACE) Annual Conference Committee will start accepting breakout session proposals on May 11. The conference will include a variety of breakout session tracks. The Program Committee will work to balance current, critical topics along with meeting the needs of our membership to further grow as leaders and managers in our corporate and institutional environments. Our mission is to craft a program that addresses the needs of career services and employer professionals. 

All presenters must register for and attend the conference in person.
While one-day rates will be available, registration discounts are not provided for presenters.

This year’s conference celebrates Indianapolis's unique position as a vital connector between industries, regions, and communities. Positioned at the crossroads of innovation, opportunity, and collaboration, the city plays a pivotal role in strengthening the workforce ecosystem. Together, we aim to forge meaningful connections, advance career opportunities, and shape a workforce prepared for the challenges and opportunities of tomorrow.

The Talent Circle: Connecting People, Purpose & Pathways in Indianapolis

Theme Focus

Theme Session Ideas

Notes

People

Connecting People to Networks, Mentorships, and Collaborations

Impacts outside of the classrooms with meaningful connections.

Purpose

Coaching with a Purpose

Helping students bridge experiences to their post-graduation outcomes.

Pathways

Pathways that Work: Case Studies from the Midwest

Spotlights on successful employer–university collaborations (internships, apprenticeships, micro‑internships).

Professional Development

Our Careers in Motion: Leveling Up our Professional Development

How our professional environments can help support us in our professional development.

Session Topics

Sessions can be focused on the below topics:

  • Administration
  • Assessment and Data Analytics
  • Career Advising/Counseling
  • Diversity and Inclusion
  • Employer
  • Employer Relations
  • Experiential Education
  • Personal / Professional Development
  • Small Colleges and Universities
  • Technology

Sessions must be noncommercial in nature. To maintain the educational integrity of the program, presenters may not use their session as a platform for promotion of their products and services, or for monetary gain.

Session Formats:

Breakout Session: These one-hour sessions can take various forms, from a single presenter or panel presentation to a facilitated networking discussion. The length of one hour gives time for a more in-depth exploration of a topic.

 What you need to submit:

  • Presenter Resumes/CVs and Biographies
  • Session Title
  • Session Description (200 word max)
  • Brief Description for Conference App (75 word max)
  • Learning Objective (Minimum 1, Applies to Breakout Session submissions only)

Tips for Submitting a Proposal

Give it time - A good proposal takes time to create! Set aside a few hours to review past proposals, draft out your presentation outline, and craft your title and session description.

Tailor your sessions - Increase your chances of being selected by aligning with one of our topics above and think about a format that involves the audience and stimulates discussions (instead of straight lecture).

Make it Catchy - The title and description you create now will be listed in the app and program, so consider the audience, topic area and relevance to your presentation. Use action verbs and results-oriented words. Your title must be both attention-grabbing and give a good description of your session.

Share Takeaways - Think about the learning outcomes. What information will attendees learn? What new insights will you cultivate? What best practices or how-to’s will you share? Answer the following:
“By attending this session, attendees will gain…

Additional Information

  • Presentations are expected to stick closely to what is proposed on this form. 
  • Presenters will not be compensated.
  • Midwest ACE will provide accepted presenters of break-out sessions with a projector and screen, laptop and microphone. 

FAQs

Who can submit a proposal?
Anyone who has a relevant topic to share! We’ve had submissions from graduate assistants, faculty, career counselors, vice presidents, directors, recruiters and more.

Where is the 2026 Annual Conference?
Crowne Plaza Indianapolis Downtown Union Station
123 West Louisiana Street
Indianapolis, IN 46225

When is the 2026 Annual Conference?
November 4 - 6, 2026

How long should my presentation be?
Break-out sessions are 60 minutes.

When are proposals due?
June 19, 2026

When will I know if my proposal was accepted?
You will be notified in mid/late August of 2026 on the status of your proposal.

Who should I contact with additional questions?
Please contact MWACE Headquarters at [email protected].