33rd Annual Northwest Public Employees Diversity Conference
Tuesday, October 6, 2026
2026 CALL FOR DEI PAPERS AND PRESENTATIONS
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How have you been navigating disruption?
How are you remaining steady in your equity commitments?
How does AI inform your equity journey?
How are you ensuring your work remains trustworthy and transparent?
This year, twenty-five leading municipalities have combined resources to host this one‑day conference on October 6, 2026. This collaboration offers a unique opportunity to promote the values of inclusion, cultural awareness, and equal opportunity through shared learning and collective action. Our focus is on the skills and techniques public employees need to excel in today’s evolving public-sector workplace. This is your opportunity to guide the learning of a broad audience of public employees who are committed to serving their communities with integrity and intention.
Our theme this year, Progressing Through Disruption: Building Trust and Transformation in Public Service, calls for learning experiences that inspire action, build resilience, and invite reflection. We invite proposals for presentations, panels, and workshops that bring this theme to life, with particular interest in sessions designed for public‑sector professionals working in diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging amid rapid change, heightened scrutiny, and evolving expectations.
We encourage presenters to offer practical strategies, thoughtful reflection, and actionable tools that help public servants respond to disruption with clarity and courage, strengthen trust, and advance meaningful transformation in service to their communities.
Who will attend: Public employees at all organizational levels including line employees, technicians, managers and executives.
We welcome proposals aligned with one or more of the following categories:
Building Public Trust
Strategies for maintaining transparency and credibility during disruption.
Community engagement, communication, and inclusive decision-making.
Addressing misinformation and strengthening accountability.
Digital Transformation & Innovation
Modernizing government services through technology (AI, automation, digital platforms).
Improving accessibility and user experience for constituents.
Balancing innovation with privacy, cybersecurity, and equity.
Leadership & Change Management
Leading teams through uncertainty and organizational disruption.
Developing resilient, adaptable leadership cultures.
Workforce engagement, morale, and change‑adoption strategies.
Community‑Centered Service
Ensuring equitable service delivery during periods of transformation.
Designing policies and programs that address systemic disparities.
Building trust with historically underserved communities.
Crisis Response & Resilience
Lessons learned from recent disruptions (public health, climate, economic shocks, technology, etc.).
Strengthening emergency preparedness and response systems.
Supporting long‑term resilience in public institutions and infrastructure.
Cross‑Sector Collaboration
Partnering with nonprofits, the private sector, and community organizations.
Innovative models that drive transformation.
Breaking down silos to deliver integrated, effective services.
Proposals may also explore topics such as ethical leadership, culture change, inclusive service delivery, resilience, and strategies for advancing fair and effective public service in a shifting landscape.
Additionally, we welcome proposals addressing questions currently shaping and disrupting the DEI field:
How do we sustain equity‑centered work during periods of uncertainty or backlash?
How do we build and maintain trust across teams, institutions, and communities?
What does accountability look like when public‑service values are being tested?
How can leaders communicate transparently, engage differences constructively, and create space for belonging in complex environments?
How is artificial intelligence influencing equity work, decision‑making, and public trust?
*We are open to considering topics not listed, provided they support this year’s conference theme.
All presentations must include clear, measurable learning outcomes and provide attendees with tools to support their professional growth, regardless of their experience level in DEI work.
Selected presenters will receive a speaker fee. (Please note that public‑sector employees are not eligible for compensation.)
All selected presenters will receive a complimentary pass to the full day of conference activities. We appreciate your interest and your contributions to making this year’s conference our most impactful yet.
For more information, please contact Carolyn Lee, Conference Coordinator (carolynjlee13@gmail.com).
Past conference programs can be viewed here.
IMPORTANT DATES
Online submissions opens - Wednesday, May 27, 2026
Online submissions closes - Tuesday, June 23, 2026
Proposal acceptance notification - no later than Monday, July 6, 2026
Final presentation outline/abstract, headshot(s), and bio(s) - Friday, July 24, 2026
Deadline for digital handouts and materials - Friday, August 21, 2026
Day of conference - Tuesday, October 6, 2026
ELIGIBILITY AND MORE INFORMATION
There will be three 90-minute workshop periods throughout the day.
An abstract must be uploaded with your submission.
The maximum number of panelists is 4 per panel, including the moderator.
Presenters must be able to train a large audience.
PRESENTATION TIPS
Presentations promoting audience participation are encouraged.
Presenters should successfully manage their time and thoroughly cover the workshop content.
The audience should be able to take away tangible tools that they can apply to their workplace.
Your abstract should clearly match the workshop being presented.
PREVIEW THE QUESTIONS
Link.