Speaking at Founded in FoCo | Founded in FoCo Help Desk

Apply to Speak and Present a Session or Workshop

Do you have a session or workshop idea you want to see at Founded in FoCo? We’re looking for excellent, dedicated presenters, speakers, and organizers to enhance our program! Timeline for the 2025 Event: - September: Application open for sessions & workshops - October 20th, 2024: Deadline to submit a session proposal - The Planning and Programming team reviews all submissions - Before December (tentative): Notify speakers if they've been selected (Round 1) - By end of January: Finalize session schedule Learn more about this year's event theme and submitting a session here >> What makes for a good session? 1. 95% to 5% Rule: 95% amazing content, 5% self-promotion (if any). Seriously: do not use this as a self-promotion vehicle. If you do, you will not be asked to speak again. 2. Attendance goes WAY up when there is a VERY CLEAR take-away from the session: “by the end of this session, you will know how to _______”. 3. Speakers engage their audience ahead of time and promote their own talk. - Speakers create a Facebook event for their session and add FiFC as a host. - Speakers have a cover image (use Canva’s PowerPoint slide size, it’s super simple). - Promote their session and the event with the network and on social media 4. Speakers have a hand-out/slides posted to Sched. Don’t rely on your PowerPoint deck. Attendees are there to learn from YOU, not read slides. 5. Practice, practice, practice. You can organize a listening session with our team when selected. How is programming chosen for Founded in FoCo? The volunteer team has track leads who aim to curate 75% of the sessions to align with our core themes. “Curated” means our core team pulls from known speakers and content captains to recruit speakers. You can discuss your ideas with our planning team and a “Content Captain.” If you haven’t gone through a content captain to apply, you’ll be pooled into the 25% of open submissions, and your session is not guaranteed. Don’t lose hope if your session isn’t selected for this year’s Founded in FoCo; we plan events throughout the year to help sustain the entrepreneurial community in and around Northern Colorado, and we also have a podcast and recorded panels that help us get to know new speakers while also providing you a platform to teach! If we like your idea but can’t fit it into the schedule, we’ll find a partner to help you host it another time.

Last updated on Oct 07, 2024

Speaker Selection and Participation Confirmation

Speaker and sessions selections will be announced in mid-January. Have you been selected as a speaker for Founded in FoCo 2024? Congratulations! Here's what you need to know: - Confirmation: If you've been selected, please confirm your participation by January 31, 2024. Simply reply to the selection email to accept the invitation. - Session Details: Your session will be 45 minutes long on the specified date, unless otherwise specified. The room location (at Fort Collins Senior Center) will be announced, subject to change based on pre-registration numbers. - Stay Updated: Keep an eye on the event app for any last-minute changes to your session location, up to 24 hours before your session. We're excited to have you onboard and can't wait to see your contribution to the community! Have further questions? Email speakers@foundedinfoco.com to reach the team.

Last updated on Jan 14, 2024

Session Room Logistics & Technology

We're committed to making your experience as a presenter as smooth and stress-free as possible (we can't actually present for you though). Here's what to expect for your session: - Room host: We'll do our best to have a room host who will guide you through getting setup for your session. They will also be responsible for a quick introduction at the beginning of the session. - Sound: The room will have at least one microphone. - Projector/Screen: there will be a hookup for your computer so you can share a presentation. - We'll have the most common computer hookups/dongles - Bring your own dongle if you have an unusual machine - Clicker/Remote: we'll do our best to have a handheld clicker you can plug in to your computer to advance the slides. Are Session RSVPs required? Yes! We'll provide priority seating to those who have RSVPed in advance up until 5-min before the session starts. Afterwards, we'll allow those on the waitlist and walk-ins to be seated.

Last updated on Jan 14, 2024

Upload Presentations and Files

You can add files and presentations to your sessions. Attendees will be able to download these on your event’s website and mobile app. Files can be any type, and have a maximum file size of 50MB. The file name is visible, so make sure to name the file something clear and readable. https://youtu.be/dRD6h4fxjUM?si=dRfQRIGq2cE94NcZ Within the Founded in FoCo event portal: 1. Click “Manage & promote your sessions“ Speaker Cta 1. Go to Add Presentation, select a file and click “Upload.” Speaker Upload File Things to keep in mind Currently, we do not support Google Files and Docs. However, we suggest using PDF or Microsoft files as they are compatible with our system for uploading session files.

Last updated on Mar 10, 2024

Edit Session Description

You can update your own session description. Help attendees quickly find what interests them by keeping your description brief and focused on what they will learn. 1. Click the “Manage & promote your session” link 1. Speaker CtaClick “Manage” (if you are speaking on multiple sessions) next to the session you’d like to edit the description for. 2. Go to Edit Session, add/make your changes, and click “Save.” Image 7

Last updated on Feb 10, 2024

Editing your Speaker Profile & Bio

Visit https://foundedinfoco2024.sched.com 1. Use the drop-down under your photo to access your profile. 2. Update your information and bio 3. Add your social media links (ie., Facebook, Twitter, etc.) 4. Click on Save Settings. 5. Upload a photo Note: Please save your settings before you add your photo, as adding this will take you to a new page and your unsaved changes could be lost.

Last updated on Mar 01, 2024

Session Title & Description: Attract Your Ideal Audience

Your session title and description are key to attracting attendees to your session – whether it’s a talk, panel, or workshop. So please log into Sched (link) to check your session description. Here are 3 critical things to address with your session title and description: - Impact - Start with a title/headline that speaks to the key benefit attendees will gain, focusing on the impact of your insights. - Relevance - Connect your topic clearly to issues that attendees care about. Speak directly to their interests and pains. - Takeaways - Let attendees know what tangible knowledge, skills, or tools they will walk away with. Be specific on the practical, applicable value. Please help sell your great session by highlighting its impact, relevance and takeaways. This will get more people excited to attend and engage with your presentation. Instructions to: - Edit Your Founded in FoCo Session in Sched - Edit Your Speaker Profile and Headshot

Last updated on Feb 22, 2024

Speaker Checklist for Founded in FoCo

Here's our Speaker Checklist! As we gear up for an engaging event, this guide is designed to help you get the most out of the event by ensuring you're fully prepared and equipped for a successful presentation. In the checklist: - Tips for before, during, and after the event - Links to our promo materials including Canva template - How to log in to the event portal Whether you're a seasoned speaker or joining us for the first time, this checklist will aid in navigating through the essentials of delivering an impactful and memorable session. Thank you for being a vital part of our event’s success! We're here to support you, so let us know if you need anything else to make your participation as seamless as possible. Speaker Checklist for Founded in FoCo >>

Last updated on Feb 25, 2024

Promoting Your Session

To make the most of the event, think through how to help your ideal audience find their way to your session at Founded in FoCo. Here are a few things to think about: - Help sell your great session by highlighting its impact, relevance and takeaways, especially in the session title and description. Tips here. - Promote your session on social media, in your newsletter, and word of mouth. Use our handy Canva template to build your graphic. - Optimize your speaker profile with a compelling headshot/photograph, and a bio that intrigues the audience. How to here. Find these tips and more in our Speaker Checklist here >>

Last updated on Feb 25, 2024

Creating your Promo Graphic with Canva

Spread the word about your session by sharing with your network on social media. Here's a quick demo on creating your speaker graphic: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JSei3jeEgWQ Access the Canva template here >> Thank you for helping to spread the word!

Last updated on Mar 01, 2024

Tech Set Up & Equipment for your Talk

When you arrive in the room there will be a connector for you to plug your laptop into, to project your slides, if you have any. What you should bring with you: - Your own computer, Mac, PC or Chromebook, all will work with our setup. You will be presenting your slides from your laptop. - It's also very important to be sure to bring your laptop charger so it has plenty of power to get through your talk! - Your slides, stored locally on your hard drive, even if they're saved to the cloud, just in case there are internet connection issues. We will provide: - Projector - USB-C connector - Clicker (to move through your slides) - USB-C to USB-A converter How to Connect your Laptop We have two options for connecting your laptop: Option 1 - USB-C Plug the provided USB-C connector (dongle) into the side of your computer. The clicker will then plug into the dongle as well. Option 2 - HDMI Pull the video cable from the dongle and plug it directly into your laptop. Please be sure to plug it back into the dongle when you are done, to help the next person's set up go smoothly. You can use the USB-A port for the clicker connector. We will have tech support on site. Their contact information will be provided on the introduction paper that is in every room. However, there isn't tech support assigned to every room so please try your best to get everything set up yourself. For more information, including a video please click HERE

Last updated on Mar 02, 2024

I signed up to volunteer, now what?

THANK YOU! Be on the look out for additional information from our volunteer coordinator. Have questions? Email volunteer@foundedinfoco.com What to expect: 1. Show up 15 minutes early for your volunteer shift 2. You'll get an overview of the role and have your questions answered 3. Jump in and help! View and sign up for volunteer shifts here >> Thank you again for helping make this event run smoothly.

Last updated on Mar 03, 2024

Sessionize: Editing your Proposal & adding Speaker(s) to Your Session Proposal

Thank you for submitting a proposal for Founded in FoCo. Here's how to view and edit your session, including adding additional speakers. 1. Login to the Sessionize Speaker Dashboard: https://sessionize.com/fifc-2025/dashboard 2. Click to your Session Proposal. 3. Click Edit. 4. Update the information and Click Save. You can edit your session up until the Call for Proposals closes. Changes you can make include: - Updating your title and description - Adding speakers - Adjusting your proposed format See screenshots below. Have questions? Get in touch. We're here to help!

Last updated on Oct 03, 2024