Guidelines for Pre-Conference (and Other) Proposals for AMA Summer and Winter Conference Events

The AMA Academic Council is committed to providing a forum at the Summer and Winter Educators' Conferences whereby significant programming dedicated to advancing academic professional development and/or marketing thought may be part of a pre-conference event. The Academic Council is soliciting proposals from interested parties, including Special Interest Groups (SIGs), for significant thought leadership/professional development events that would precede the Summer and Winter Educators' Conferences.

Proposals should emphasize the contribution to a significant audience that cannot be accomplished within the conference framework. Collaborations among groups are strongly encouraged to broaden appeal. The typical time frame for these events is Friday preceding the Summer/Winter Conference (e.g.,1:00 to 4:30 p.m).

Criteria used for evaluating these proposals may include the following:

• Leading edge contributions to the field of marketing
• Contribution to academic professional development
• Multiple interest group appeal/broad based support (anticipated numbers of participants)
• Practitioner involvement/sponsorship
• Consistency with that Summer/Winter Educators’ Conference theme and positioning (e.g., professional development for Summer and Thought Leadership for Winter)
• For proposals with a SIG or other affiliation, evidence of SIG(s) endorsement
• Budget that is fully articulated and within reasonable limits of typical AMA events of similar structure. For budgets that require additional subsidy, a proposed fee structure for attendees must be provided.
• Plans to offer at least one special session during the regular schedule of the Summer/Winter conference that build on the theme of the pre conference event.

Proposals are to be no longer than 5 pages in length, double-spaced in 12 point font including references, tables and figures. Proposals must be submitted no later that January 15 for the following Summer Conference and July 15 for the following Winter Conference to the current President of the Academic Council. Review of all proposals is to be the task of the Academic Council in consultation with the appropriate conference chair(s). Notification of the outcomes of the proposal reviews will be made no later than March 1 for the Summer Conference and September 1 for the Winter Conference.

Once approved, AMA staff will work with event planners on space and other needs including registration. Attendees are expected to register both for the pre-conference event in addition to registering for and attending the main conference. Typically there is a nominal fee for registration associated with the event.