2022 ACC Annual Meeting Call for Programs

2022 Call for Programs Information

• AM22 will be held in-person, October 23-26. There will be hybrid virtual components, planning for which is also underway. 
• Top Session Content Priorities: 
  • Advanced-level sessions
  • Innovative, engaging session formats
  • Networking-oriented sessions
  • Addressing specific non-US jurisdictions/regions 
• Session Duration: 
  • Panel sessions: 90 minutes (including 10-15 minutes for Q&A)
  • Innovative format sessions: May request additional time (include in the description field of your submission)
• Speakers per Session: 
  • Panel sessions: 2-4 speakers, which should include one moderator
  • Innovative-format sessions: Discuss needs with ACC session liaison
     

2022 Curriculum

This list sheds light on the high-level categories most selected programs will fall into at the meeting. However, we welcome submissions outside the scope of this list.

• Business & Leadership    
• Career Development
• Compliance
• Contract Drafting
• Corporate Governance
• Cross-border/Global
• Data Privacy & Security
• Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
• Employment & Labor
• Environment & Energy
• Ethics
• Government Regulation
• Health Law
• Information Governance
• Intellectual Property
• Law Department Management/Legal Operations
• Litigation and Dispute Resolution
• Negotiations
• Networking Opportunities
• Social Media
• Technology
• Wellness

For more in-depth insights into any of these areas, please email Rachel Okolski at okolski@acc.com.

Helpful Resources for Preparing Submissions

1. Submission Prep Tool – Helps organize and prepare your submissions. Download here 
2. Advanced-level Session Guidance – Consider this guidance from the outset to ensure that your advanced-level session actually hits the mark. 
3. Innovative Format Ideas – Provides proven formats for actively engaging the audience. 
4. Submission Portal – Submit your program idea(s) via our submission portal by Monday, January 10, 2022. 

FOR NETWORKS ONLY: 

1. Network Data Memos – Provide helpful background for brainstorming by outlining network-relevant 2022 resource and programming data. Access 2022 Data Memos here  
2. Network Passwords – Network representatives must enter network’s password to prevent unaffiliated sponsors from submitting under the network’s name. Access network passwords here 

ACC Network Information

1. Confirm the estimated number of programs your network will be awarded. (See chart below.)
2. To demonstrate a higher level of member support for your idea, collaborate in advance with other networks’ Program Chairs and develop joint submissions that cross practice areas. 
   • Only ONE network should submit the joint proposal (“primary network”), designating the partner network on the submission form (“secondary network”). 
     • The proposal will only count toward the primary network’s submission count, and the primary network will be responsible for assigning a Program Organizer.
     • The secondary network will be allowed and expected to assist with speaker recruitment, program development, additional resource creation, etc. 
     • Both networks will receive all due attribution. 
3. Rank your program submissions in order of the network’s preference. While a high ranking does not necessarily guarantee selection, the Advisory Board defers strongly to these rankings whenever possible during Program Selection.
4. If one of your ideas is not well suited for sponsor participation, please indicate that on the submission form.
5. Locate your network's password, which you will need to log in and make your submissions. (To prevent unauthorized submissions by sponsors in your network's name.)

Number of Programs by Network

The awards below have been determined based upon a variety of objective and subjective factors, including past session attendance and feedback, network size and engagement, recent awards, and program development best practices. 

Want more programs? The Advisory Board may award more programs than listed below to networks submitting programs that address legal ethics, non-US jurisdictions, and truly advanced-level content. Well-explained workshops and joint submissions may also merit additional program awards. 
 

* Additional submissions are requested to help the Advisory Board reconcile networks’ overlapping ideas during program selection. 

ACC Chapter Information

• Hundreds of submissions are reviewed by an Advisory Board of ACC member volunteers, which selects the sessions that will be included on the final program agenda. 
• The majority of speakers on every session should be in-house lawyers (absent prior approval from ACC). 
  • In-house lawyer speakers are granted complimentary registration to the entire meeting.
• Sponsor representatives are invited to fill one speaking slot on every session. 
  • For a sponsor representative to speak on a session, their company must sponsor the 2022 ACC Annual Meeting.
  • ACC will be happy to assist you with filling the sponsor speaking slot, if needed.  
• When making your submission, please select "Member" as the submission type and note your Chapter affiliation in the program description field.

Sponsor Information

• Each sponsor may submit up to three (3) program ideas.
• Gold Level sponsorship is US$33,000. If you sign an agreement at the Blue level sponsorship by December 15 AND the Advisory Board selects your program, you will lock in a $1,000 savings; your Gold Level sponsorship will only be $32,000.
  • By submitting a proposal, you are agreeing to participate as a Gold sponsor if your program is selected. 
• If your program idea is not selected, you may be offered the opportunity to participate as a Silver or Blue Level sponsor. 
  • Contributing speakers to other programs as a Silver Level sponsor requires proactive collaboration with one of ACC’s Networks on the substance of their program. Silver Level status may be revoked in instances of failed collaboration. 

In addition to the opportunity to organize and present a program at the 2022 ACC Annual Meeting, Gold Level sponsors are entitled to the following benefits:  

• 8 Full registrations and 4 Exhibit Hall Only registrations, which include your firm's speaker registrations
• 10x10 Booth on tradeshow floor
• Invitation for one rep to attend the ACC Leadership Awards Ceremony
• Opportunity to send one pre- and one post physical mailer to attendees (emails not provided)
• Opportunity to host special attendee social function during after conference hours
• Branding and recognition on-site
• Branding and recognition on ACC website, with sponsor logo linked to URL of your choosing
• Opportunity to submit one global resource, related to your program, that will be added to the ACC library

Speaking Slot Opportunities

Speaking opportunities accumulate based upon your role and level of support. Additional speaking slots are US$2,500 each.

E.g., an ACC Network sponsor that is also a Silver Level sponsor will receive up to 3 speaking slots total at the meeting (2 Network slots + 1 Silver slot = 3 speaking slots)

• Gold Level Sponsorship: up to 2 Speakers 
• Silver Level Sponsorship: 1 Speaker
• Blue Level Sponsorship: 0 Speakers 
• ACC Network Sponsorship: up to 2 Speakers
  • Network sponsor speaking slots should be arranged through early collaboration with your Network. Discuss in January which ideas they plan to submit and agree upon those that, if selected by the Advisory Board, will have slots reserved for your participation. 

Important Dates

*ACC confirms Program Organizer and speaker submissions on a rolling basis.

**Additional speaker selection rules and guidelines will be provided following program selection. ACC reserves the right to decline speakers if they do not meet these criteria.

Tips for Preparing Program Ideas

As you develop each idea, ask yourself...

• Been there, done that? If you’ve seen a program on this topic before, then articulate what you will do differently that will make yours more valuable.
• Is this too basic? (Answer: Probably, yes.) What can you do to dig deeper into the subject and level-up your program’s appeal for experienced lawyers? 
• How will you engage the audience? Plan and articulate your vision for making your lessons stick through workshopping, games, audio/video incorporation, or other effective learning techniques.
  • Submissions that include opportunities to learn and network with others facing similar challenges are strongly encouraged.
  • Remember: Creative format ideas automatically advance to the second round of review. (Audience polling, while appreciated, does not on its own justify automatic advancement.)  
• What will the attendee actually learn? Proposals that describe specific, practical learning objectives tend to result in higher quality presentations. 
• What resources will your attendees take back to the office? Identify takeaway materials in advance and develop plans for incorporating them into the presentation. 
• How big is your potential audience? Hundreds of members from around the globe attend the ACC Annual Meeting; limiting your scope to US issues cuts down on the appeal of your program.
• Do in-house counsel from large and small legal departments handle or experience this differently? If so, be sure to address that in the description and plan to recruit both types of speakers if your idea is selected.
• Can I realistically find qualified, available speakers for this program by the deadline? If not, please consider a different submission.
   

Using the Submission Portal

1. Log in to the submission portal.
   • NETWORKS NOTE: You will need to enter your network’s password to prevent unaffiliated sponsors from submitting under your network’s name.
2. Click on the “Add Program Idea + ” button to begin.
3. Once the program information is entered, select a submission status: “Save & Edit Later” or “Final Submit.” Only programs marked “Final Submit” by the deadline will be considered for selection.
4. Click “Save Program Idea” and close the box to return to the main screen and add another program idea. (Repeat steps 2-4 as necessary to enter all submissions.)
   • NETWORKS NOTE: Once all program ideas are entered, use the arrows to rank your submissions according to your network’s priority preferences.
5. Once complete, click to finalize your submission. You will receive a confirmation email at the address provided. 
    

Speaker Selection

• Panels may consist of a maximum of four (4) speakers total. 
  • One of the four speakers should be assigned to serve as moderator for the session. 
  • Approved in-house speakers will receive a complimentary meeting registration. 
• In-house Counsel Ratio: In-house counsel should comprise the majority of speakers on every session, absent prior approval from ACC. 
  • Exceptions are granted for programs that recruit regulators, judges, academics, non-legal business leaders, and others that are neither sponsor nor in-house counsel. 
  • Approved non-in-house speakers will be issued a day pass for the day of their speaking engagement.
• Outside counsel and/or legal service providers may speak on panels only if their organization is a sponsor of the 2022 Annual Meeting. 
• Given that we are returning to in-person meetings for the first time since the pandemic began, we are waiving the third-consecutive-year speaker hiatus requirement. 
• ACC reserves the right to decline speakers if they do not meet the criteria.
• Additional speaker guidelines will be provided following Program Selection.
   

Diversity Commitment

ACC aims for 100% of our sessions to feature women and people of color, and for legal professionals from other underrepresented groups in our profession to be showcased frequently and prominently as well. ACC encourages all Program Organizers to put forth candidates with these diversity objectives in mind and reserves the right to reject a proposed panel of speakers if no people of color and women are presented. Thank you for being part of ACC’s efforts to promote diversity and inclusion in the legal profession.