Engage with GBA

Present at the Next Conference

CALL FOR KEYNOTE ABSTRACTS 

GBA invites bold, practitioner‑tested keynote proposals for the 2027 Annual Conference that model what it means to go ALL IN—to fully commit to elevating the geoprofessions and geoprofessional value.

Keynotes should deliver actionable lessons leaders can apply immediately to reduce loss, grow and optimize their businesses, and develop people at every level—reflecting GBA’s North Star to be the preferred source of business and educational resources in risk mitigation, business optimization, and leadership development.

The Conference Theme: “All In ─ Uncompromising Commitment to the Geoprofessions”

Proposals must connect clearly to one or more of GBA’s 2027+ Strategic pillars and outcomes:
• Loss Prevention (Risk Mitigation): Approaches that materially lower claims and incidents, improve contracting and client expectation management, strengthen safety culture, and embed risk‑aware decision‑making.
• Business Optimization: Methods that improve margins and resilience via pricing discipline, service mix, operational excellence, data/AI-enabled workflows, and scalable go‑to‑market.
• Leadership Development: Systems that grow people—succession, mentorship, manager capability, change leadership.
• Elevate Geoprofessional Value: We especially welcome keynotes that integrate the 2027+ strategic pillars—Member Success, Impact, and Vibrancy—to advance firm capability and elevate geoprofessional value across the industry.

Keynote Themes
High‑value contrarian or case‑driven takes are encouraged.

All In on Loss Prevention

• Contracting strategies that prevented seven‑figure losses.
• Safety culture beyond compliance: leading indicators and field‑level ownership that move the needle.
• Client selection, scope discipline, and risk communication that avert disputes and reputational harm.

All In on Business Optimization

• Pricing, WIP/cash excellence, and PM discipline that reliably expand EBITDA.
• AI & data: practical use cases that de‑risk delivery, accelerate analyses, or lift gross margin.
• Operating models that smooth cycles and strengthen competitive position.

All In on Leadership Development

• Career architectures, skill pathways, and cohort programs that retain early‑ and mid‑career talent.
• Building manager muscle: coaching, feedback, and decision‑making at scale.
• Leading through change—how leaders create clarity, pace, and trust during technology and market shifts.

How You Will Benefit
Join geoprofessional leaders as they convene to engage and share their knowledge. As a presenter, you will gain visibility and credibility; create new relationships; and generate awareness of your expertise in our industry.

Abstract Submission Requirements
Please submit a single PDF that includes:

  • Proposed keynote title (aim for compelling and concise).
  • Abstract (300-400 words) describing the problem, what “All In” looked like in practice, methods, and quantified outcomes.
  • Three to five takeaways attendees can implement in 30-60 days.
  • Evidence of impact (metrics, case snapshots, policies/tools).
  • Speaker bio (≤150 words) and up to two prior speaking links or references.
  • Strategic alignment statement (≤100 words): name which pillar(s) you advance—Loss Prevention, Business Optimization, Leadership Development—and how the keynote supports Member Success / Impact / Vibrancy.

Submit the form and any Word documents (for additional speaker biographies) via e-mail to: abstracts@geoprofessional.org

Important Milestones

Friday, July 31, 2026          Submission deadline

Friday, August 21, 2026        Notification made to selected presenters

Friday, September 4, 2026  Final session description and title due

Friday, February 12, 2027    Preliminary presentation due

Friday, March 26, 2027          Final presentation due