Speaker Resources
Thank you for your commitment to speak at Prospect Development 2026 in Chicago. The following are deadlines, travel information, and answers to frequently asked questions to make your participation as smooth and fulfilling as possible.
PD2026 PowerPoint Template: Download
Mark Your Calendar for Important Dates
- Monday, January 5: Call for speakers opens
- Friday, February 13: Call for speakers closes
- March 23: Speakers notified of session status and speaker compensation survey opens
- March 30: Speakers confirm session acceptance and speaker compensation survey closes
- Mid-April: Registration opens
- Monday, June 29: Email draft PowerPoint to speaker liaison (assigned in March) & schedule call to discuss
- Wednesday, July 8: Speaker orientation webinar
- Wednesday, July 15: All final session PowerPoint presentations and handouts to be uploaded.
- Tuesday, August 11 – Friday, August 14: Prospect Development 2026, Chicago, Illinois
Useful Tips to Make Your Presentation Effective
- Know your audience
- Identify the key point you want to convey on each slide
- Limit the amount of text or information displayed on each slide
- Create slides to highlight your presentation, not to duplicate exactly what you will say
- Use a large font size (at least 12 pt) — black font is recommended. Remember that those sitting in the back of the room should still be able to read your slides
- Consider asking questions throughout your presentation rather than ending with “Questions?”
- Practice. Practice. Practice.
Speaker Orientation: Wednesday, July 8, 2026
To help you prepare for your responsibilities as a speaker at Prospect Development 2026, Apra Headquarters will host a speaker orientation webinar on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, at 11 a.m PT/ 1 p.m. CT/2 p.m. ET. This webinar provides an overview of the conference experience as a speaker, including logistics and preparation needs.
Hotel & Travel
Apra is excited to host Prospect Development 2026 at the Hilton Chicago! Please note your conference registration does not include a hotel room. Hotel reservations must be made separately.
Hilton Chicago
720 South Michigan Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60605
Standard Room Rate: $209 per night plus 17.4% taxes
How to Secure a Room Reservation: Apra has secured a block of rooms for Prospect Development 2026 attendees at a special rate. The Apra room block rate was subject to availability through Monday, July 20, or until the hotel sells out (whichever comes first). After this date, the hotel will accept reservations based on availability and at its prevailing rate.
Hotel Cancellation Policy: A deposit equal to one night’s room and tax will be processed at the time of booking. The deposit will be refundable if notice of cancellation is given to the hotel at least 72 hours prior to arrival.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I promote my session?
To help you market your presentation and encourage your peers to attend your session, please use the PD Speaker Marketing Kit, coming soon!
Do I need to register for Prospect Development 2026?
All speakers are responsible for completing their conference registration. Registration will be available in mid-April 2026. You are responsible for the cost of your conference registration (unless otherwise indicated by Apra). If you have any questions, contact conference@aprahome.org.
Do I need to make my hotel reservation?
You are responsible for your own travel and hotel arrangements and expenses (unless otherwise indicated by Apra). Details are listed above under the "Hotel and Travel Information" headline.
How do I confirm my participation as a speaker at the Apra Conference?
Speakers are required to electronically confirm their participation as a speaker. Please reference the instructions in your speaker confirmation letter, or conference@aprahome.org
What A/V equipment will be available in my presentation room?
All rooms are equipped with an LCD projector, a projection screen, a wireless slide advancer, a wired lavalier microphone, and wireless internet. Additional microphones will be available for sessions with multiple speakers. All session rooms will have Wi-Fi internet access.
Please note: all breakout session rooms will be equipped with laptops with Microsoft Office. Make sure to bring your presentation on a USB flash drive.
How do I update my presentation information?
Apra Headquarters has sent you the information we currently have on file specific to your session(s).
Please note: Your abstract and biography may have been edited for style and consistency for our marketing collateral.
To submit changes to the session information you received from Apra Headquarters or add a new co-presenter, you must contact conference@aprahome.org and submit your updated session information to be included on the Apra website. Session edits will be updated on the website within five business days.