MONTREAL SPECIAL NEEDS FAIR 2014

WORKSHOP PROPOSAL
INFORMATION & APPLICATION

 

Important:

Please review the following information carefully prior to submitting a workshop proposal.

It is expected that all presenters will be familiar with these details including the schedule format, audio-visual/presentation equipment provided, and the requested topics.

 

About the Montreal Special Needs Fair:

The Montreal Special Needs Fair is the leading event for Montrealers with disabilities and those who support them - their families, caregivers and healthcare professionals. For the past three years we've dedicated ourselves to making life better for Montrealers with disabilities and special needs. This unique forum brings the Community together to learn, network and be empowered.

 

The show offers a wide range of exhibitors, products and services. Attendees find mobility products, assistive technology, daily living aids, medical equipment, essential services and more. In addition to the exhibits the Montreal Special Needs Fair also features free workshops for attendees on a wide range of topics.

 

We seek speakers and organizations that are interested in sharing their expertise and knowledge at Montreal Special Needs Fair 2014. If you would like to be involved, please submit a workshop proposal by the deadline. Early submission of proposals is strongly encouraged.

 

Montreal Special Needs Fair 2014 Show Dates, Location and Deadline:

Deadline to Submit a Workshop Proposal: June 7, 2014

Show Dates: To be determined

Show Location: Ruby Foos Hotel

Additional information about the Montreal Special Needs Fair is available at www.montrealspecialneedsfair.com.

 

Montreal Special Needs Fair attendees include:

            38% Parents / Friends / Caregivers

            36% People with Disabilities

            20% Healthcare and Disability Professionals

            6% Other

 

Workshop Format:

• Workshops are presented throughout the day of the exhibition.

• All workshops are 1 hour in length.

• The Montreal Special Needs Fair is a free event. Workshops are also free. Attendees are not obligated to register in advance for workshops.

• Presenters are encouraged to plan for at least 10 minutes of questions and answers.

• All workshops take place in separate meeting rooms.

• Workshops should be designed for one of the fair’s primary audiences (see above).

 

Application Deadline:

The application deadline for Montreal Special Needs Fair 2014 is Friday, June 6, 2014. Please plan accordingly. We cannot review applications received after the deadline. We encourage potential speakers to submit applications early as we may confirm workshops in advance of the deadline.

 

Notification:

Workshops are selected 90 days prior to the date of the show. Selected speakers will receive confirmation in advance of show promotions to confirm your session and scheduled date and time. Speakers whose proposals are not selected for a show will receive notification approximately 2 months prior to the event.

 

Conference Promotion:

Speakers for the Montreal Special Needs Fair receive significant exposure via our promotions. Each show features an extensive marketing campaign using direct mail, email, website, media outreach and advertising.  We encourage you to review the Montreal Special Needs Fair website, www.montrealspecialneedsfair.com before submitting your proposal to get a sense of how workshops are promoted.

 

Selection Criteria:

Please take time with your proposal. We review many proposals and the quality of the workshop title and description are key factors that we consider. Applications should be complete and a well-defined proposal meets the following criteria:

 

• Clear title and description

• Well-defined focus to your identified audience

• Relevant and practical information

• Value to attendees

• Qualifications of the speaker

• Connection of the speaker to the disability community

 

The Montreal Special Needs Fair conference receives a high volume of applications and because of that, only fully completed applications that are within word limitations can be considered. Please make sure your workshop description is concise and includes stated outcomes.

 

Topics:

The most popular topics are those that provide practical information and focus on living life fully with a disability. We would like to offer workshops on the following topics for the 2014 Montreal Special Needs Fair.

 

Accessible Housing/Home Modifications

Aging and Disability

Alternative and Complementary Therapy

Assistive Technology

Caregivers

Computer Access

Dating, Relationships, and Intimacy

Emergency Preparedness

Emerging Therapies

Family Relationships and Dynamics

Future Care Planning

Mobility Device Selection

Nutrition and Wellness

Parenting and Disability

Pediatric Specific Information

Fitness, Recreation, and Sports

Seating and Positioning

Standing for Wheelchair Users

Transportation Solutions/Vehicle Mods

Travel and Vacation

 

Feel free to submit more than one presentation. For each workshop proposed, submit one application sheet and attach one Word document with the workshop details (title, description, speaker bio).

 

Montreal Special Needs Fair Workshop Policies - Please Note:

• Presentations designed as marketing or promotional pitches for specific products or technologies are not permitted.

• Speakers who are selected to present, but are not present for their workshop and do not make arrangements for a replacement, will not be considered for future presentations. Exceptions are made for cancellations due to emergencies.

• The goal of the workshops is to increase the value of the Fair for attendees, thereby benefitting all attendees and exhibitors. As a result workshops are scheduled independent of exhibitor agreements.

• The Montreal Special Needs Fair has exclusive and final say on the content and schedule of the workshops for each show.

 

Questions?

Please feel free to contact Marla Vineberg, Education and Events, with any questions about the Montreal Special Needs Fair or to discuss workshop topic ideas.

 

            Marla Vineberg

            Education and Events Director, Montreal Special Needs Fair

            email: info@montrealspecialneedsfair.com

            phone: 438-876-3247