Florida College Access Network (FCAN) is pleased to issue a call for presentation proposals for the 2026 Talent Strong Florida Summit, to be held May 6-8 at the Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay (2900 Bayport Drive, Tampa, FL 33607).

The Talent Strong Florida Summit is the premier event where education stakeholders from multiple sectors come together to network, learn, and inspire one another to prepare today’s students for tomorrow’s career opportunities. During the three-day event, we will explore innovations, best practices, and initiatives to help all Floridians achieve an education beyond high school and a rewarding career.

The agenda will include exceptional keynote speakers, breakout sessions on topics relevant to postsecondary access and student success, networking opportunities, local artists, and exhibitors demonstrating the latest tools and resources. The Summit will highlight evidence-based approaches, lessons learned from the field, and policy developments that accelerate progress and spark meaningful change with a focus on collaboration.

Building on previous years’ themes of “Access For All” and “Higher Education, Higher Rewards,” FCAN seeks proposals emphasizing the importance of college and career readiness initiatives and programs that position individuals for success on high-value pathways aligned with Florida’s workforce needs. Additional preferred criteria for breakout sessions include:

• Sessions that align with at least one of FCAN’s Seven Conditions for Success.
• Sessions that include the student voice and experience (e.g., co-presentations with students, presentations that include written or video testimonials from students, etc.).
• Sessions with a high degree of audience interaction. Year after year, the sessions that receive the best evaluations are those that provide opportunities for engagement between presenters and the audience.

Please note the following additional information:

• Each session will be one hour long and include a Q&A portion (plan for 10-15 minutes of Q&A).
• Presentation rooms will have audio/visual equipment, including a computer, projector, and screen.
• Conference registration is required for all presenters at a reduced rate. FCAN is unable to reimburse for travel, provide speaker honorariums, or offer complimentary or further discounted conference registrations for presenters.
• FCAN may work with presenters to edit/adjust their content or presentation to better fit the needs of Summit attendees.
• PowerPoint slide decks and other materials for attendees are required to be submitted in advance (usually two weeks prior to the presentation).
• FCAN will formally notify you of proposal acceptance by email by December 12, 2025.

Proposals are due by November 14, 2025, 5 PM ET.

With questions about proposal submissions, please contact Dave Sobush, Director of Research and Policy, at dsobush@floridacollegeaccess.org.