The success of nonprofit and philanthropic efforts relies on more than just money and good intentions; it is rooted in the ability to truly listen, engage, and respond to the needs and solutions of the communities at the heart of our work. This year we’re taking the Summit to new heights—literally! Join us June 4–6, 2025 in the breathtaking town of Bozeman, Montana, where the mountains meet innovation. This year’s theme, Rooted in Listening, is more than just a theme—it’s a call to action for each of us to center community voices in every stage of our work, from design to implementation and evaluation.
“There’s a direct correlation between feedback and understanding what it means to offer equity to community, to indivduals, and to organizations.”
We are currently accepting breakout session proposals for Feedback+Bozeman, and would love to hear your ideas! We are looking for people who have a great story, idea, or case study to share related to high-quality listening and feedback, regardless of title or whether they have formally presented at a conference before. Speakers who are chosen to present will receive a 30% discount on their Summit ticket.
Feedback+Summits are a great place for junior staff to develop their presentation and facilitation skills. If you are a junior staff member with an idea for a session but would like support talking through your proposal prior to submission, please contact our team at [email protected]. We will schedule a free 30-minute proposal development session with you.
Proposal applications are due November 27, 2024, and everyone will be notified of final selections by January 15, 2025. Applicants are encouraged to reach out to our team at [email protected] for more information, questions, or concerns.
Prior to starting your application, please take a moment to review some of the questions on the form:
- Where are you and your organization based?
- How would you identify the sector you and/or the organization you will be representing primarily work in? (Nonprofit, Philanthropy, Government, Other)
- Which of the following presentation formats will you use for your session? (Panel, Workshop, LabStorm, Lightning Talk, Product or Tool Announcement, Other)
- What is your working Session Title?
- Can you provide a description of your presentation? Feedback+ Summits are all about putting feedback practice into action. Provide a brief description of what this session will look like. What is the main message? How will you convey that message? Feel free to include a session outline if you’d like.
- We request that workshops and panel proposals include 2-4 speakers. Please list the names and affiliations of your expected speakers here. If your session is selected you can change your final speaker list later. Please indicate whether the speakers listed are suggested or have confirmed their interest in speaking in this session.
- Will anyone else be participating in this presentation other than you?
- Which Summit track does your session best align? – You can see a full description of each track on the Feedback+Bozeman website here.
- Knowing (research, case studies)
- Showing (closing the loop, influencing the field)
- Growing (tools, skills)
- Other
- The sessions at Feedback+Bozeman should speak directly to an issue related to listening and acting on perceptual feedback in the nonprofit, philanthropic, or government sectors. How does your session address issues related to listening and feedback?
- Does your organization highlight listening or feedback practice in Bozeman or the greater region? – Having a connection to Bozeman or Montana is not a requirement to present, but knowing this helps us to create a well-balanced agenda.
FAQs
What kinds of topics are you looking for? – We are actively seeking topics related to Knowing, Showing, and Growing. Read more about the topics here.
What if I’ve never spoken at a conference before? – We welcome people with various experiences. Our staff provides support for first-time and new speakers.
Can I present virtually? – Feedback+Bozeman will be an entirely in-person event. If you plan to present, you must do so in person in Bozeman.
How long are the sessions? – The duration of sessions varies to cater to different formats:
- Panels and Workshops typically run for 60-75 minutes.
- LabStorms offer an extended interaction window, lasting 75-120 minutes.
- Lightning Talks and Product Announcements are concise, with durations ranging from 5 to 20 minutes.
Do I have to know my final list of speakers? There is ample time prior to the event to finalize the list of speakers.
What type of support will Feedback Labs provide if my session is accepted? – Our support includes further developing your chosen topic, refining key talking points, and ensuring you have all the necessary materials and resources.
Is there a discount for speakers to attend Feedback+Denver? – Speakers who are chosen to present will receive a 30% discount on their Summit ticket.
Join us as we explore the power of listening and high-quality feedback as the foundation for impactful social change, emphasizing that every stage of program design, execution, and evaluation must be rooted in the voices and experiences of those at the heart of our work. Be part of the movement at Feedback+Bozeman, where this year’s Summit will provide a unique lens on the transformative power of listening.
