Increasing the Odds

• they say in New York about the lottery, "If you don't play, you can't win." 
   
• Be available.
  A program chair or selection committee member may call you to talk about your submission. Please return the call promptly. Also, it's you they'll want to chat with, not your assistant. 
   
• Submit your proposal on time.
  It's unfortunate but true that we have schedules and deadlines. The conference brochure has to be designed, proofed, and printed by a certain date; hotel meeting rooms have to be booked; et cetera, et cetera. That means conference organizers must have your proposals earlier than you might suppose. Deadlines are not arbitrary and capricious. 
   
• Get your organization's support and commitment up front.
  If required by your organization, get approval for your presentation before submitting it. Also, verify that funding is available for you to attend the conference. Some conferences will cover the registration cost for speakers, but few will pick up the tab for the expense of travel, accommodations, etc. 
   
• Be prepared to submit again.
  As Westley (the Man-In-Black) in The Princess Bride said to Inigo, "Get used to disappointment." I mentioned earlier that I have just reviewed more than 160 proposals. I should add that they were all vying for approximately 45 slots. Obviously, not every presentation proposal can be chosen. If your proposal is not chosen, submit it again for the next conference.

Well, that's my advice. Take it for what it's worth. Keep those submissions coming in. Encourage others with good ideas to submit also. Your knowledge, experience, wisdom, and participation are the key ingredients that make conferences useful to other professionals. I just stir the pot.