The WE Call for Participation (CFP) selection process is highly competitive, with SWE receiving more than 1000 submissions each year. SWE solicits peer reviewers with subject matter expertise to grade proposals according to an established process and rubric.
Each proposal can receive up to 35 points. Sessions with an average score of 30 to 35 points move into the final program design review, where approximately 250 exceptional sessions will be selected.
STEP 1: USE YOUR RESOURCES
The best way to increase your proposal score is to carefully review and follow the WE23 Call for Participation Guidelines and the WE Call for Participation micro-learning course to identify best practices to answer each question and examples of answers that received high and low scores.
STEP 2: RECOGNIZE YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES FOR SPEAKING AT THE WE23 HYBRID CONFERENCE
SWE will once again host a hybrid conference for WE23. The call for participation process and deadlines were created to ensure that both in-person attendees in Los Angeles and our virtual attendees receive quality programming.
- All WE23 accepted speakers must submit a pre-recorded session and a PDF of your presentation by September 7, 2023. Exceptions to the recording process must be submitted to Valerie Bland, SWE’s Director of Content and Programs before June 19.
STEP 3: PICK A TOPIC THAT ILLUSTRATES A UNIQUE PERSPECTIVE
It is common for SWE to receive multiple proposals on the same topic, so be sure your session has a unique perspective. If not, speakers may be asked to merge their session with another session with the same topic.
STEP 4: TAKE THE TIME TO PLAN YOUR SUBMISSION OUTSIDE OF THE PLATFORM & AVOID THE #1 SESSION COMPLAINT
The #1 complaint SWE receives about conference sessions is that the content presented does not match the description and learning outcomes available in the conference schedule and app.
Taking the time to plan a quality session and proposal is a critical first step in getting your session accepted and meeting the learning needs of attendees at WE23. Refer to the WE23 CFP micro-learning course for best practices and examples of writing titles, descriptions, and learning outcomes.
In order to avoid the top complaint of conference attendees, remember that conference attendees select sessions to attend based on the title, description, and learning outcomes submitted during the CFP. As a result, it is critical to finalize your content description and learning outcomes during the CFP so it accurately reflects what you will submit at WE23.
STEP 5: SECURE ALL SPEAKERS
The speaker(s) background relating to the session topic is available for 5 of 35 points, so it is critical to secure your speakers now to include in the CFP submission. If speaker updates are required, you must notify SWE of speaker changes before the speaker confirmation on June 19, 2023.
STEP 6: HAVE YOUR PROPOSAL REVIEWED BEFORE SUBMITTING IT
Many experienced speakers share the importance of reviewing session content before submitting it. It is recommended to share the WE CFP guidelines with the reviewer to have them score the proposal during the review.
STEP 7: BE AWARE & ADHERE TO THE CFP SPEAKER DEADLINES
Submit your proposal free of errors and with speakers finalized and in the system before the CFP closes at 11:59 ET on March 14, 2023. Changes cannot be made to your proposal after the deadline.
