Call for speakers
Share Your Voice on the Global Stage
TIDES is seeking speakers, panelists, moderators, workshop leaders, and cultural presenters to help shape conversations around trade, innovation, diplomacy, education, and sustainability. Submit a proposal to share your expertise, highlight international partnerships, and help connect Tampa with the world.
Who Should Submit
TIDES welcomes proposals from people and organizations working across borders, sectors, cultures, and communities. You do not need to be a professional speaker to submit. We are looking for a meaningful experience, useful insight, practical ideas, and compelling stories that can help advanced international connection and exchange.
Business & Trade Leaders
Share insights on global markets, trade, investment, tourism, logistics, and cross-border business relationships.
Educators & Researchers
Highlight international learning, research collaboration, student exchange, workforce development, and global education.
Diplomats & Civic Leaders
Explore city-to-city relationships, public diplomacy, protocol, delegations, and the role of local communities in global affairs.
Nonprofit & NGO Partners
Share examples of international service, humanitarian work, community partnerships, and mission-driven global collaboration.
Cultural & Community Leaders
Show how food, music, art, heritage, storytelling, and cultural exchange build understanding across borders.
Innovators and Entrepreneurs
Present ideas around startups, technology, AI, health innovation, smart cities, and global innovation ecosystems.
Choose your proposal Format
Individual Presentation
Share a focused idea, project, research topic, partnership, or case study with attendees.
Suggested length: 20–30 minutes
Suggested length: 20–30 minutes
Panel
Discussion
Bring together multiple perspectives for a moderated conversation around a shared topic.
Suggested length: 45–60 minutes
Suggested length: 45–60 minutes
Interactive Session
Lead a hands-on session that helps attendees explore ideas, build skills, or work through real-world challenges.
Suggested length: 45–75 minutes
Suggested length: 45–75 minutes
Fireside
Chat
Propose a conversational interview with one or two featured guests on a timely international topic.
Suggested length: 30–45 minutes
Suggested length: 30–45 minutes
Case
Study
Highlight a successful international partnership, exchange, mission, program, or collaboration.
Suggested length: 20–30 minutes
Suggested length: 20–30 minutes
Cultural Presentation
Showcase cultural diplomacy through arts, performance, food, heritage, storytelling, or community exchange.
Suggested length: 20–45 minutes
Suggested length: 20–45 minutes
Program Tracks
Proposals should connect to one or more of the five TIDES tracks. These tracks help organize the submit around the major ways Tampa connects with the world.
Trade
Building Global Economic Connections
Explore how cities, businesses, ports, chambers, and international organizations are creating new opportunities through trade, investment, and cross-border collaboration. Learn More
Innovation
Ideas Driving Global Progress
Innovation thrives through collaboration. This track highlights emerging technologies, entrepreneurship, research partnerships, and the exchange of ideas shaping industries and communities worldwide. Learn More
Diplomacy
Strengthening Relationships Across Borders
Diplomacy today extends beyond national governments. This track focuses on the growing role of cities, institutions, nonprofits, and cultural organizations in fostering international understanding, cooperation, and people-to-people engagement. Learn More
Education
Expanding Knowledge Through Exchange
Education has long been one of the strongest bridges between cultures. This track explores international education, student and faculty exchange, collaborative research, workforce development, and more. Learn More
Sustainability
Collaborating for a More Resilient Future
Global challenges require shared solutions. This track examines how organizations, governments, and communities are working together on sustainability, resilience, environmental innovation, and long-term planning. Learn More
Trade
Building Global Economic Connections
Explore how cities, businesses, ports, chambers, and international organizations are creating new opportunities through trade, investment, and cross-border collaboration. Sessions will examine global commerce, economic partnerships, supply chain connectivity, and the role international relationships play in regional growth. Learn More
Innovation
Ideas Driving Global Progress
Innovation thrives through collaboration. This track highlights emerging technologies, entrepreneurship, research partnerships, and the exchange of ideas shaping industries and communities worldwide. Discussions will feature leaders from startups, academia, technology, and innovation ecosystems. Learn More
Diplomacy
Strengthening Relationships Across Borders
Diplomacy today extends beyond national governments. This track focuses on the growing role of cities, institutions, nonprofits, and cultural organizations in fostering international understanding, cooperation, and people-to-people engagement. Topics include public diplomacy, cultural exchange, and global partnerships. Learn More
Education
Expanding Knowledge Through Exchange
Education has long been one of the strongest bridges between cultures. This track explores international education, student and faculty exchange, collaborative research, workforce development, and the role educational institutions play in preparing globally connected communities. Learn More
Sustainability
Collaborating for a More Resilient Future
Global challenges require shared solutions. This track examines how organizations, governments, and communities are working together on sustainability, resilience, environmental innovation, and long-term planning. Sessions will highlight collaborative approaches to building healthier and more sustainable futures. Learn MoreWhy Speak at Tides
TIDES gives speakers the opportunity to contribute to Tampa’s international conversation while connecting with civic, business, education, nonprofit, cultural, and international leaders.
Visibility
Receive recognition on the TIDES website and inclusion in the official summit program.
Connection
Engage with leaders across business, education, government, nonprofits, culture, and international exchange.
Thought Leadership
Help shape conversations around Tampa’s global future and the partnerships that can move ideas into action.
Promotion
Selected sessions may be promoted through TIDES communications, social media, and partner channels.
Networking
Participate in speaker networking opportunities and connect with other presenters and attendees.
Access
Complimentary or discounted conference registration may be available, depending on role and conference policy.
Help Shape the First TIDES Program
TIDES is designed to inform, inspire, and connect. Whether you are sharing a successful case study, moderating a panel, leading a workshop, highlighting a cultural exchange, or proposing a conversation Tampa should be having, we invite you to submit a proposal.
Questions? Contact the Speaker & Program Committee at program@tidestampa.com
Important Dates
Mark your calendar for the key proposal milestones. Dates are subject to final confirmation as the TIDES program schedule is developed.
Call for Proposals Opens
May 1, 2026
Proposal Deadline
June 30, 2026
Review Period
June 30 – July 30, 2026
Speaker Notifications
July 31, 2026
Speaker Materials Due
August 31, 2026
Conference Dates
November 16–17, 2026