You are invited to submit ideas for future conferences produced by Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc. (MMPI). A leader in trade show development, management and production, MMPI produces more than 300 trade shows, market events and conferences each year.

10 Steps For Submitting Your Program Idea
To be considered, complete the following steps on the abstract form.

  1. Select the event(s) at which you are interested in presenting.
  2. Select the educational track most appropriate
       for your topic.
  3. Indicate the target audience.
  4. Enter the suggested title of your presentation.
  5. Rate your course as basic, intermediate or advanced.
  6. Fill in the name, professional affiliation (if applicable), title,
      company or organization, address, telephone, fax number and
      e-mail addresses of all presenters (no more than three,
      including moderator).
 7. Prepare a 50-75 word statement describing your presentation
      and summarizing course objectives, learning outcomes and
      specific skills attendees can expect to gain from your
      presentation.
  8. Attach a mandatory brief professional biography for each  
      presenter.
  9. Indicate if you have a book and would like to do a book signing.
10. Submit your application and include a copy for each show
       you are submitting, postmarked by the submission date
       listed next to the show on the attached form to:

Monica DeBartolo
Director of Educational Programming
Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc.
Suite 470, The Merchandise Mart
Chicago, IL 60654 USA

We’re Looking For A Few Good Speakers

If you have an interesting presentation or an idea that could be developed into an educational session, you are invited to submit a written proposal. By submitting a proposal, you will help shape the educational conferences at various MMPI events and the future of your industry. If selected as a conference speaker, you will gain visibility in the industry and contribute to the advancement of your profession. Complete the submittal form and return it by the submittal deadline listed for each show.

The Evaluation Process
Members of the Program Advisory Committee evaluate all proposed programs based on the following criteria: overall quality, relevance to the industry, well-defined focus within the program track structure, practical applications of material, timeliness of the topic and speaker qualifications.

To be considered as a speaker, your program must be generic in nature — that is, sales presentations will not be accepted. In addition, your material should be original; otherwise, sources must be referenced. Furthermore, each speaker must agree to this submission. Incomplete programs will not be considered.

The final program selections will be made and selection notifications will be mailed four months prior to the show. Manufacturers or vendors not represented in the trade show are not eligible to submit presentation proposals.

Program Guidelines
Your program should address one of the educational tracks and program categories listed on the attached form. Programs should last one hour including a brief session for question and answer. We will seek continuing education unit (CEU) accreditation for all programs once they are selected. Panels should not consist of more than two panelists and one moderator. If your program is selected, a 3-5 page written paper, summarizing the presentation must be submitted for publication in the conference proceedings.

Speaker Expenses
If travel is necessary, MMPI will provide round-trip coach airfare and one night’s hotel accommodations for those selected to present. International guests will be provided two night’s accommodations. However, no travel or hotel expenses will be provided to speakers currently employed by companies maintaining permanent showrooms in The Mart, exhibiting in one of the trade shows or to members of the press representing industry publications.

Submission Deadlines • NeoCon® World's Trade Fair, June 14-16, 2004; Chicago, Ill.;   Submissions due Oct. 1, 2003
	• NeoCon® • Buildings Show® • Fine Design Residential Furnishings Show™ • Office Expo by OFDA • NEWHospitality • TechnoCon™
• NeoCon® West, March 25-26, 2004; Los Angeles, Calif.;   Submissions due Oct. 1, 2003 • IIDEX®/NeoCon® Canada, Sept. 30 - Oct. 1, 2004 ; Toronto, Ontario, Canada;   Submissions due Dec. 1, 2003 • NeoCon® East, Oct. 7-8, 2004; Baltimore, Md.;   Submissions due March 15, 2004

By completing and returning the submission form, you will be considered to present an educational seminar at selected MMPI-produced conferences. For more information on each show, see our homepage.