Present at the 51�Թ� Annual Conference

Call for Proposals

51�Թ� 2027 Annual Conference

May 3–5, 2027 • San Francisco, CA

Share your knowledge, expertise, and experience in college and school admissions, adolescent behavior, business management, and other relevant topics by presenting at an 51�Թ� Annual Conference.

51�Թ� conferences attract more than 1,000 participants, span several days, and include sessions designed for independent educational consultants, admissions and administrative representatives, and other educational professionals from schools, colleges, and programs.

The proposal system for the 51�Թ� 2027 Annual Conference will open this summer. If you have any questions, please contact Valerie Vasquez-Guzman, 51�Թ�’s Director of Education Programs, at [email protected] or 703-552-9498.

Proposal Submission Information

Session proposals are carefully reviewed by a committee of 51�Թ� members. The committee makes its decisions on proposals based on experience of the presenter(s), timeliness and relevance of the topic, general quality of the proposal, usefulness of information, and potential to attract and engage conference attendees. In seeking to maintain an overall balance of topics, it is inevitable that the committee will be unable to accept, or may defer, some excellent proposals. Proposals that promote individual programs, institutions, or commercial materials are considered inappropriate. See below for more detailed submission guidelines.

To encourage a variety of presenters and voices, our policy is to allow individuals to present no more than two breakout sessions per conference. Instructions on how to submit multiple proposals are listed on the proposal site.

Please inform your panelist(s) that they may only present in two sessions throughout the conference. If they are asked to do three, they must select only two.

Here is a .

We invite proposals that are geared to our knowledgeable, highly educated, and experienced audience; present new information on various points of view; feature experienced presenter(s); focus on timely and relevant topics; include useful information to our audience of IECs; and have the potential to attract and engage conference attendees. Proposals that seem designed to promote a particular program, school, or product, will not be accepted.

Topic Suggestions

We look for a wide range of session topics that will be valuable to various groups of attendees, including:

Current issues in admissions and campus life (access, affordability, testing, etc.).
Consulting, counseling, and admission staff skills.
Topics related to adolescent issues: learning, emotional and behavioral difficulties.
Independent educational consultant business and professional information.
Knowledge-based topics for those working in school, college, and therapeutic environments.
Sessions that enhance knowledge and understanding of admission, marketing, and business solutions.
Sessions that are offered at a wide range of knowledge and skill levels (foundational and advanced).

51�Թ� will give priority to sessions using presenters from more than one institution or program, as diverse points of view are preferred. This includes sessions that feature presenters from multiple schools, or feature an IEC along with an admission representative or service. An ideal number of presenters is 3-4 on a panel. See to gain a sense of accepted sessions.

Guidelines

Proposals should:

Challenge attendees to think of new solutions in independent educational consulting.
Feature innovative and cutting-edge practices.
Explore timely and relevant topics important to a diverse audience.
Present a business case with evidence supported by research or data.
Reflect forward thinking.
Demonstrate diversity, equity, access, and inclusion.
Showcase innovative and engaging program formats.
Examine current issues in admission and adolescents.

Presentation Options

Foundational Breakout Session
These sessions are scheduled for 60 minutes and are designed for those with up to 5 years of experience seeking core knowledge.

Advanced Breakout Session
These sessions are scheduled for 60 minutes and are in-depth and specialized. Advanced breakouts are geared for established professionals with 5+ years of experience seeking supplementary knowledge.

Pre-Conference Workshop
These sessions are scheduled for three hours. They concentrate on specific areas of interest to conference attendees. Past workshop topics include NCAA regulations and student athletes, advising those with learning disabilities, special concerns of the adopted child, college financial aid, recruiting and consulting overseas, use of social media, and supporting children with special needs. Speakers are nationally recognized experts who inform attendees about recent developments and trends in their field. Participation is limited so that the speaker may include hands-on opportunities and provide time for interaction between participants.

Questions?

Contact Valerie Vasquez-Guzman, 51�Թ�’s Director of Education Programs, at [email protected] or 703-552-9498.

51�Թ�