1 Define your criteria

Before you start reviewing speaker proposals and abstracts, you need to define your criteria for selecting speakers. What are the goals and themes of your conference? What are the expectations and needs of your audience? What are the skills and expertise of the speakers? How do you measure the quality and originality of their content? How do you assess their presentation skills and style? You can create a scoring system or a checklist to help you evaluate each proposal and abstract based on your criteria.

2 Review the proposals and abstracts

Once you have your criteria, you can start reviewing the proposals and abstracts. You may want to use a software tool or a spreadsheet to organize and track your reviews. As you read each proposal and abstract, pay attention to the title, summary, outline, relevance, value, originality, and speaker. The title should capture the main idea and value proposition of the presentation. The summary should provide a clear and concise overview of the objectives, outcomes, and target audience. The outline should show the structure, flow, key points, and evidence of the presentation. Additionally, it should align with the goals and themes of your conference and the interests of your audience. It should offer new insights, best practices, case studies, or solutions that your audience can benefit from. Moreover, it should present a fresh perspective or novel approach that your audience has not heard before. Finally, make sure that the speaker has the credentials, expertise, and reputation to deliver a credible and authoritative presentation.

3 Compare and rank the proposals and abstracts

After you review the proposals and abstracts, you need to compare and rank them according to your criteria. You may want to use a numerical score or a qualitative rating to rank the proposals and abstracts from high to low. You should also consider the diversity, the balance, and the fit of the speakers and their topics for your conference program. You may want to create categories or tracks to group similar or complementary presentations. You should also have a backup list of speakers in case some of them decline or cancel.

4 Communicate with the speakers

The final step is to communicate with the speakers. You should notify them of your decision as soon as possible, whether they are accepted, rejected, or waitlisted. You should provide constructive feedback and explain the reasons for your decision. You should also thank them for their interest and their contribution. If they are accepted, you should confirm their availability, their agreement, and their expectations. You should also provide them with the details, the guidelines, and the support for their presentation.

Evaluating speaker proposals and abstracts is a challenging but rewarding task. By following these tips, you can select the best speakers for your conference and ensure a successful and memorable event.

5 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?