If you are thinking about presenting at the MacAdmins Conference, we are sure you have a few questions on your mind. Here are some frequently answered questions that may help you. If you can’t find your answer here, don’t hesitate to contact us.
How do I submit a workshop or conference session proposal?
Starting on January 16 2024, you can submit your proposals here: https://sessionize.com/2024-macadmins-conference/
When are proposals due?
- Workshop Proposals: February 20, 2024
- Conference Session Proposals: March 26, 2024
- Sponsor Session Submissions: June 1, 2024
Is there any limit to the number of proposals I can submit?
Yes. If you know about various topics and want to share the knowledge, feel free to submit up to four proposals. We may limit the number of proposals accepted from one participant.
How many co-presenters can a presentation have?
Typically, conference sessions could have 1 to 2 people presenting. Workshops could have 1 to 3 people presenting. But we are open to ideas beyond these typical situations.
Why should I do a presentation at MacAdmins?
There are many reasons to present at MacAdmins!
- Improve your communication skills: Speaking to a small crowd helps you improve your confidence when communicating with teammates and clients on a day-to-day basis!
- Discover more about the subject: Giving a talk forces you to dig more and more about the topic you want to talk about, making you think about the “What-ifs”!
- Have fun: Every talk gets much better if you have fun with it! Memes, funny cat gifs, puns! Don’t be worried about “looking professional”, we are all here to have fun and learn!
- To Learn: Who says you can talk only about topics you are an expert in? Giving a talk is the perfect excuse to learn more about something you have always wanted to know!
- Everyone’s welcome: last but not least, you don’t need to be a seasoned speaker to give a talk! MacAdmins loves first-time speakers and our community is more than happy to support you!
Do you offer any compensation for presenting at your conference?
Accepted speakers receive complimentary registration for the conference including workshops, sessions, provided meals and conference events.
Wow! I’d really like to present at MacAdmins, but I don’t know where to start. Where can I get some help?
You can ask a MacAdmins Speaker Mentor for help! Over 20 former MacAdmins speakers have volunteered to mentor aspiring speakers. They can help you in many ways including:
- Talk about potential topics and help narrow it down.
- Help explore a potential topic and develop an outline for a presentation.
- Assist in writing a presentation proposal.
- Review and give feedback on your slides.
- Preview your presentation and give feedback.
- Give encouragement and support as you traverse the process of presenting at a conference.
You can find a mentor in the #psumac-mentors channel on the MacAdmins Slack.
I’d really like to present at the conference, but I can’t think what to present about, do you have any ideas?
Conference sessions and workshop can be anything related to the management and deployment of macOS, iOS, and IT related topics. Here are some topic suggestions, but they are just ideas to help you think of a presentation. If you need help selecting a topic, or just narrowing it down, you can ask a mentor in the #psumac-mentors channel on the MacAdmins Slack.
I have this really awesome idea for a presentation, but I’d like to check with you before I submit it. How can I get in touch with you?
Awesome! We’d love to hear about it. Feel free to contact us about this or anything relating to the conference. You can also ask a mentor in the #psumac-mentors channel on the MacAdmins Slack.
How long is a conference session? Do I really need that much material to cover that time?
A conference session is 75 minutes. Typically speakers present for 60 minutes and leave 15 minutes for Q and A.
A full day workshop is 300 minutes divided into 75-minute parts with breaks or lunch in between. A half day workshop is 150 minutes divided into 75-minute parts with a break in between. Depending on how you want to do your workshop, you may have some time for in-depth demonstrations, hands-on instruction, or Q and A.
What is the difference between a workshop and a conference session?
Workshops are half or full day deep dives into a topic. Previous years we’ve had workshops on deployment, security, programming and networking. The conference session is 75-minute session about a particular subject.
When will I know if my presentation proposal has been accepted?
Everyone who has submitted a proposal should be notified via email by mid-April. Make sure your speaker profile has your correct contact information.
Woo Hoo! My proposal has been accepted! What’s next?
Congrats! Now you must go through a few more steps to confirm your spot at the conference. First, there’s a little paperwork along with verifying your speaker and presentation details. Next, we’ll help you register and give you hotel information. Then we’ll give you information to prepare you to present at the conference. Don’t worry! Our speaker liaison will contact you and guide you through this excellent experience.