Speakers! Share your knowledge, inspiration, best practices and creative strategies

Business Development Institute (BDI) invites you to share your knowledge, inspiration, best practices and creative strategies. BDI is seeking speakers/presentation proposals for our upcoming and ongoing events. BDI’s programming brings audiences including business owners and small business development practitioners from both public and private sector seeking to expand opportunity for small businesses. Equity is at the core of BDI, and we seek to provide speakers that represent the diverse audience we support.

Participants expect a wide variety of topics, including: practical information and solutions for small businesses, inspirational topics, equity and inclusion, business opportunity and growth, relationship building, public contracting, equity contract compliance, and more. See BDI’s Programs to learn more:

Benefits of Speaking at BDI event

  • Give back to a diverse and engaged community

  • Gain exposure and network with industry professionals who are seeking your expertise

  • Grow your visibility and credibility

Presentation formats include:

  • Speaker with Q&A – traditional speaker with time at the end for questions
  • Panel – facilitated discussion among a group of experts
  • Workshop – instructional session where audience engages in activity or discussion
  • Keynote address – speaker provides inspirational address to large, mixed audience

At this time all presentations are held in person in the Portland-Metro area unless otherwise noted.

BDI will rely heavily on the written session description and identified audience takeaway sections when selecting presenters. Interested presenters can submit as many different topics and presentation formats as they like. Presentations are intended to educate and inspire attendees and should not be sales pitches.

BDI will select proposals on a rolling basis throughout the year, and approximately one month ahead of the event for which they are selected, barring special circumstances. For BD Week, final selections may be made further in advance.
For questions on the application process please contact: info@bdiworks.org