CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT YOUR PRESENTATION PROPOSAL(S)

Interested in Submitting a Proposal?

Here's what you need to know!

Presentation options include:

• 60-minute Educational Sessions
• 30-minute Innovative Solution Sessions 
• 30-minute Learning Burst Sessions

• Enhancing your visibility as a school nutrition expert through pre-event promotion to NYSNA members.
• Your contribution to advancing the education and development of K-12 school nutrition professionals of NYS.

Educational Sessions (60 minutes)

• Interactive and/or lecture sessions on a specific topic that is presented and discussed.
• The Educational Sessions will take place on Saturday at the Annual Conference.
• Presenters agree to be available on October 25, 2025. The conference committee will confirm the exact time in early Spring of 2025. 
• Speakers are expected to make their own travel arrangements and overnight accommodations unless otherwise mutually agreed upon in writing.
• Speakers who are industry partners MUST purchase a booth at the 2025 Annual Conference.

Innovative Solution Sessions (30 minutes / presented twice)

• The Innovative Solution Sessions will take place on Saturday at the Annual Conference.
• These unique mini-sessions introduce school nutrition operators to the latest products and services on the market today, while giving industry representatives interested in reaching key decision-makers the opportunity to provide face-to-face, hands-on demonstrations.
• Presenters agree to be available on October 25, 2025. The conference committee will confirm the exact time in early Spring of 2025. 
• Speakers are expected to make their own travel arrangements and overnight accommodations unless otherwise mutually agreed upon in writing.
• Speakers who are industry partners MUST purchase a booth at the 2025 Annual Conference AND register for the “Breakout Workshop” sponsorship ($1,000), if selected.
• Innovation Solution Session speakers must:
  • Present a product or service that is applicable and new to the school nutrition market within the past year
  • Ensure a well-prepared presentation designed to obtain feedback from participating attendees
  • Use limited cooking – upon approval, per request.
  • Examples of products or services for Innovation Solution Sessions (suggestions, not limited to the list below):
    • Equipment:  Tabletop steamers, mini combi, small equipment for preparing vegetables, displays/serving lines/ refrigeration/ salad/sandwich/ slicers/dicers/ peelers/ knives, cutting boards, small utensils and vegetable washing equipment
    • Food:  Grains, meat/meat alternatives, no sugar added items, lower sodium items
    • Software:  Meeting meal pattern requirements, innovative ideas for point of sale, ideas for merchandising, promotion, i.e. menu boards, communications to parents, etc.
    • Other:  Uniforms, paper and chemicals

Learning Burst Sessions (30 minutes)

• Learning Burst Sessions will take place on Friday or Saturday at the Annual Conference.
• The goal of Learning Burst Sessions is to informally exchange ideas and short best practices within 30 minutes.
• Presenters agree to be available on October 24 or 25, 2025. The conference committee will confirm the exact time in early Spring of 2025. 
• Speakers are expected to make their own travel arrangements and overnight accommodations unless otherwise mutually agreed upon in writing.
• Speakers who are industry partners MUST purchase a booth at the 2025 Annual Conference AND register for the “Learning Burst” sponsorship ($500), if selected.

TIPS FOR YOUR PROPOSALS

• Content is King: If you really want to impress the NYSNA audience, pack your presentation with powerful intriguing content.
• Make it Compelling: The NYSNA audience is composed of food service directors, managers, and staff. Learning levels are diverse, and we are seeking programs for each level of attendee present.
• Be Authentic and Vulnerable: Don't be afraid to speak of failure as well as success.
• Customize: Be sure your content truly speaks to the association audience and is customized to their unique situations.
• Knowledge Sharing is the Most Effective Marketing: Sales pitches disguised as education will result in poor ratings and lost opportunities.
• USDA Professional Standards Training Requirements: The conference committee is specifically interested in receiving proposals that are aligned with the following professional standards
  • Key Area 1 – Nutrition
  • Key Area 2 – Operations
  • Key Area 3 – Administration
  • Key Area 4 – Communications & Marketing

NOTE: Presentations must be educational. We understand that our speakers wish to network with attendees and showcase their services, but we kindly ask that your presentation not be a “sales pitch”. Networking time will be made available to speakers, sponsors, and attendees for this purpose. We appreciate your cooperation in this area.

BENEFITS OF BEING A SPEAKER:

There are many benefits of presenting at NYSNA’s Annual Conference, including:

• Enhancing your visibility as a school nutrition expert through pre-event promotion to NYSNA members.
• Your contribution to advancing the education and development of K-12 school nutrition professionals of NYS.

*Experience has proven that participation in NYSNA’s Annual Conference programming has often provided exposure for speakers garnishing future speaking engagements with districts throughout New York State.

REQUESTED TOPICS:

Note: Attendees are most interested in breakouts sessions that are interactive, rather than using a projector/screen and having a single presenter talking.

• Grant Writing 101
• How To Create Recipes for Scratch Meals Tips For New Managers
• Production Records- Dos and Don'ts
• Help- I'm Being Audited!
• How To Maneuver the Food Buying Guide
• Customer Service- Dealing with Students and Teachers
• Advice From a Senior Director
• How To Pass a Health Department Inspection
• Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accountability
• Meal Vs. No Meal
• Dealing With Difficult Staff
• Technology Based Solutions:  How to Create Google Classroom Documents/Surveys Etc. To Use to Benefit Our Programs
• Technology Based Solutions:  Using Free Calendars/Spreadsheets, Etc. To Help Us Gather, Sort and Analyze Data
• Menu Planning for Special Diets
• Marketing To Students/Faculty/Parents
• Menu Trends
• Community Outreach Ideas
• Leadership
• Make AI work in foodservice
• Mental Health; staff and employee well-being
• Health & Wellness
• Maximizing Your ISP And Reimbursement
• How To Access and Use the State Bid

While we have captured many topic suggestions from our survey results, the list above is not an exhaustive one! Don't see your topic listed? Submit anyway! We are happy to receive your creative presentation ideas.