PLA 2027 Convention & Trade Show
Call for Session Proposals
Innovation for Impact: Reimagining What's Possible for Public Lands
February 7–11, 2027 | Bellevue, Washington
Welcome
Thank you for your interest in presenting at the Public Lands Alliance 2027 Convention & Trade Show.
Each year, the PLA Convention brings together nonprofit leaders, public lands professionals, agency partners, corporate partners, researchers, educators, and innovators to exchange ideas, strengthen partnerships, and advance the stewardship and enjoyment of public lands.
We invite proposals that are engaging, practical, and forward-thinking. Whether you're sharing a successful partnership, an innovative program, research findings, or lessons learned from the field, we encourage sessions that inspire participants and provide actionable ideas they can bring back to their organizations.
Convention Theme
Innovation for Impact: Reimagining What's Possible for Public Lands
Public lands partnerships are evolving rapidly. Today's organizations are navigating new technologies, changing visitor expectations, workforce challenges, funding pressures, and unprecedented opportunities for collaboration.
PLA 2027 will explore how innovation can strengthen organizations, deepen partnerships, and create greater impact for public lands and the communities they serve.
Programming Pillars
Strengthening Organizations
Building resilient, sustainable organizations equipped to navigate change and maximize impact.
Deepening Connections
Creating meaningful relationships between people, communities, and public lands.
Enhancing Experiences
Improving how visitors engage with, learn from, and enjoy public lands.
Advancing Stewardship
Developing collaborative approaches to conservation, stewardship, and public lands management.
Accelerating Innovation
Leveraging emerging technologies, new ideas, and creative approaches to improve outcomes across the public lands community.
Educational Tracks
Leadership & Sustainability
Strategic leadership, governance, financial sustainability, philanthropy, and organizational resilience.
Community & Connection
Communications, community engagement, partnerships, advocacy, membership, and volunteer engagement.
Visitor Experience
Interpretation, education, accessibility, visitor engagement, recreation, and storytelling.
Everyday Impact
Operations, staffing, volunteer management, project implementation, risk management, and practical solutions from the field.
Mission & Marketplace
Retail operations, fundraising, philanthropy, sponsorships, earned revenue, and mission-driven commerce.
Technology & Innovation
Artificial intelligence, digital tools, emerging technologies, operational efficiency, and creative problem solving.
Important Dates
Call for Proposals Opens: Tuesday, July 7, 2026
Submission Deadline: Saturday, August 1, 2026
Notification of Acceptance: Monday, August 31, 2026
Before You Begin
To submit a proposal, you will need to create an account or log in to your existing account. Once logged in, you may save your proposal and return to complete it before the submission deadline.
Before starting your proposal, we recommend having the following information prepared:
- Proposal title of less than 10 words
- Educational Track
- Presentation Format
- Session description of 100 words or fewer
- Learning outcomes
- Presenter information for all speakers
- Presentation experience, if applicable
Presenter Expectations
PLA seeks educational sessions that provide meaningful learning opportunities for the public lands community. We encourage proposals that are practical, relevant, engaging, and designed to foster peer learning and professional development.
Sessions should not be used to promote a specific product, service, company, or commercial offering. Corporate partners, consultants, and vendors are encouraged to submit proposals when the content is educational in nature, offers practical takeaways, and is not sales-focused.
If your proposal is accepted, presenters are expected to register for and attend the PLA 2027 Convention & Trade Show. Unless otherwise arranged with PLA, presenters are responsible for their own registration, travel, and lodging expenses.
Every proposal is carefully reviewed by PLA's volunteer Program Committee. We appreciate the time and thought you've invested in preparing your submission and your willingness to share your expertise with the public lands community.
If selected, PLA staff will work with you to finalize your session details. Accepted presenters are expected to meet all presenter deadlines, provide requested materials, and collaborate with PLA staff to deliver a high-quality educational experience for convention attendees.
We especially encourage proposals that showcase innovative ideas, creative partnerships, research, and practical solutions that attendees can adapt and apply in their own organizations. Together, we'll explore what's possible and advance innovation for impact across the public lands community.
Ready to Share Your Ideas?
The strongest proposals are practical, interactive, relevant, and aligned with the PLA 2027 theme.
To get started:
1. Scroll to the top of this page and click Log In.2. Create a new account or sign in to your existing account.
3. Once you're logged in, click the Submissions tab to begin your proposal.
You may save your proposal and return to edit it at any time before the submission deadline.
Questions?
Please contact Emily Tanner at emily@publiclandsalliance.org