Call for Speakers

Please sign up for our mailing list to receive information and instructions via email when the next call for speakers opens.

There is no specific limit on the number of hours you can speak at the Conference, but we do require that out-of-state speakers present a minimum of six hours of sessions and/or labs.

Be brief, but provide enough information that the education committees are able to get a good sense of what information you will be presenting. Your session information need not be shared in its entirety; if you are accepted, you will be asked to submit a complete and detailed description for all your sessions.

Speaker Agreement

You will receive an email invitation to log in to the MVC speaker platform. Click the link contained therein and follow these steps:

  • After logging in, click on "Events," then on "2025 Midwest Veterinary Conference."
  • Click on "Speaker Center" in the left sidebar.
  • Under "Speaker Questionnaire" in the right sidebar, click on "View & Answer."
  • Complete the required fields, accept the terms, and type your signature, then click "Save."

You can review your contract at any time by returning to the same place and clicking on the speaker questionnaire.

Should your plans change, please contact us as soon as possible so other arrangements can be made.

Speakers who present three or more hours may attend the live MVC and gain access to the Virtual MVC for free. However, any programs that require an additional fee are excluded from the complimentary speaker registration.

Speakers who present two hours or less and receive an honorarium will enjoy complimentary registration the day on which they speak and access to the Virtual MVC. To attend the rest of the Conference, these speakers may "upgrade" for a fee of $100.

If the nature of the speaker’s position precludes accepting an honorarium, they may receive a complimentary full or one-day registration at the discretion of the OVMA executive director.

Submission Items

All items should be submitted online via the Speaker Center. Please refer to your invitation email for a link.

Please see the "Materials Guidelines" section of the Speaker Kit for information regarding length, style, and content requirements, as well as examples.

  • Log in to the Speaker Center using the link in your email invitation.
  • Click on "Speaker Center" in the left sidebar.
  • You will see a list of sessions assigned to you. Click the edit button to the right of the session you want to update.
  • Click "Manage Session."
  • Click "Edit Session" to expand the session details.
  • Enter your title (do NOT delete the session number!) and description in the text fields.
  • Scroll down to select your audience(s) and skill level(s).
  • Click Update when finished.
  • Click the "Back" link to return to your session list. If all the required information has been provided, the session status will change to Done.
  • Repeat this process with all assigned sessions.
  • Log in to the Speaker Center using the link in your email invitation.
  • Click on "Speaker Center" in the left sidebar.
  • Scroll down until you see "Networking Profile" in the right sidebar and click "Edit."
  • Click on "Upload new picture" at the top of the screen, navigate to the image you wish to share, and click to select it.
  • Complete the remaining fields and copy/paste your biography into the text box. Remember, there is a limit of 150 words, so be sure to double check nothing is cut off!
  • When finished, click "Save."

Please see the "Materials Guidelines" section of the Speaker Kit when preparing your session documents.

Note: If you use the MVC presentation template, your PowerPoint will automatically meet the materials guidelines.

Yes, the MVC has created a template for PowerPoint and Keynote for your use. Please see the "Materials Guidelines" section of the Speaker Kit to download your preferred version.

If your presentation does not warrant scientific notes, you are welcome to provide other documents, provided they are not commercial in nature. Please combine all supplemental materials into one file (such as a PDF) for each session prior to uploading.

You will be able to upload your session documents beginning in November. We will send you an email once the upload period opens. Then, follow the steps below to upload your materials.

  • Log in to the Speaker Center using the link in your email invitation.
  • Click on "Speaker Center" in the left sidebar.
  • You will see a list of sessions assigned to you. Click the edit button to the right of the session you want to update.
  • Click "Manage Session."
  • Click "Edit Session" to expand the session details.
  • Scroll down to the Attachments section and click "Add Attachment."
  • Attach your documents. To add more than one document, either multi-select all the session documents, or click the plus icon in the top right corner after adding the first document.
  • Click the "Upload" button when all documents have been added. Once documents have uploaded, click "Proceed with selected files."
  • Click "Update" and then "Back" to return to your session list.

Compensation & Amenities

Speakers will be paid an honorarium of $450 per hour of in-person presentation and submission of PowerPoint Presentation(s) and/or Scientific Notes. Checks are mailed within 15 days of the conclusion of the live MVC.

If the nature of the your position precludes accepting an honorarium, please denote as such in your speaker agreement.

Yes, all speakers enjoy complimentary lunch on the day(s) they are speaking. Those who present 6+ hours will receive a breakfast voucher. More information will be provided in your on-site packet.

Note: If you have any dietary restrictions, please denote as such on the correct form in the Speaker Resource Center.

The MVC provides the following standard A/V equipment in each session room. If you need additional equipment, or if you plan to bring your own laptop, please denote as such in the A/V request form.

  • Windows-based laptop and charging cord
  • Wireless lavalier microphone
  • LCD projector & screen
  • Slide advancer/clicker

Please note, dedicated Internet is not provided in the session rooms.

Travel & Accommodations

Please refer to the "Policies" section of the Speaker Kit for travel and acccommodations details.

Flight Arrangements

All speakers who indicated they would be traveling by air to the MVC will receive an invitation to TravelPerk, the MVC's flight reservation platform. These instructions will be emailed in October.

NOTE: If you can't remember when you are speaking, please refer to your speaker contract to confirm your specific speaking arrangments BEFORE making your flight request. Your contract is included in your contract submission confirmation email, or you may log in to the Speaker Service Center to review it.

Hotel Accommodations

If you are eligible for hotel accommodations, we will make the reservation for you unless you contact us to opt out.

Once your reservation has been made, you will receive a confirmation email. We ask that you verify the information therein for accuracy, and either confirm the details or let us know of any changes or corrections.

OVMA will make hotel reservations directly with the Hyatt for the number of nights requested in your travel request form, and you will receive confirmation of your reservation in late December or early January. Airfare confirmations are sent when the flight is booked following the Nov. 14 request deadline.

If you should need to make any changes to air travel or hotel reservations, please contact us as soon as possible.

Registering for Sessions & Events

Yes! All speakers will have access to the Virtual MVC. Additionally, speakers who present more than three hours get complimentary registration to the entire live MVC, and those who speak less than three hours get complimentary registration on the day they present. The latter group may upgrade to a full conference registration for $100.

More information to come.

Speakers are permitted to attend sessions and labs, as well as special events, as space allows. Please note, labs and special events are not included in your complimentary registration, so you will be responsible for any additional fees.

Instructions on how to register for sessions and labs will be posted in the fall.

Virtual MVC

No, OVMA records approximately 15 live tracks for attendees who wish to participate virtually. Select speakers are invited to participate, based on the relevance and expected popularity of their sessions.

Your sessions will be recorded live as you present them at the conference; no additional time or effort is required of you.

Presentation Tips

  • An audiovisual crew will be in the session room at all times to manage the technical aspects of recording. Please follow their instructions and direct any logistical questions you have to them.
  • You will need to use the laptop provided by the AV company during your recorded presentations.
  • You will be required to use the lavaliere or handheld mic throughout the presentations.
  • When answering questions, please repeat the question prior to answering to ensure it is recorded.

After Your Presentation

  • At the conclusion of the conference, your session recordings will be uploaded to our web-based platform, where they will be available to virtual attendees for six months, beginning on Feb. 26.
  • All speakers have complimentary access to the Virtual MVC.

Because of logistics, we cannot offer a live-streaming option. Therefore, yes, you will still need to present your sessions live at the MVC for in-person attendees.

No, all speakers must present in person, even if their sessions are being offered virtually.

No. Because of time limitations, the A/V team will begin processing the recordings immediately after your presentation. Once they are complete, they will be uploaded directly to the virtual platform.

Only MVC attendees who have registered for the virtual portion of the conference will be able to view your recorded sessions. Unregistered users will not be able to access the content.

Your sessions will remain on the virtual platform for a maximum of six months before they are removed.

No, attendees will not be able to download and save your video recordings from the virtual platform. However, any supplemental materials you provide (PowerPoint presentations and/or scientific notes) will be available for download.

Please note that, although the MVC terms and conditions prohibit attendees from physically recording speakers and their sessions (e.g., with a smartphone camera), we cannot prevent virtual attendees from doing so.

Speaker can request recordings for promotional and portfolio options only, not for reuse or resale. OVMA reserves the right to review and approve or deny such requests. If you would like a copy, please contact us after the conference to make this request.