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Interested in sharing your talent, knowledge & expertise with our members? Participate in our annual open call for speakers!

During annual open call phases (October through December), applicants can propose ONE continuing education (CE) course per event for evaluation and consideration. Please be advised that by completion of this application, applicants are not guaranteed a speaking opportunity. Application evaluation, selection and invitation are at the discretion of the AAO Committee on Conferences & Meetings (CCON).

Important: Our 2024 Winter Conference and 2024 Annual Session CE programs have been finalized. Course proposals are no longer being accepted for either of these upcoming events. Additionally, our 2025 Call for Speakers concluded on December 31, 2023.

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

An applicant must create a user account to apply. Applicants can log into the Applicant Portal at any time to check the status of a previously submitted application. The following information is included in user accounts (*required):

  • Contact Information*
  • Abbreviated Biography
  • Demographic Information

Important: If you’ve applied in the past, please review your user account information and perform updates as needed.

Learn more about the applications.

Applicants are limited to ONE Winter Conference and/or ONE Annual Session application per open call phase. Winter Conference 2025 and/or Annual Session 2025 applications will not be accepted after the December 31, 2023 deadline. The following information is included in applications (*required):

  • Membership Status*
  • Dental Education Faculty*
  • Abbreviated Biography*
  • Experience
  • Course Proposal*
    • Course topic with preliminary title and description accompanied by three (3) actionable learning objectives
    • Course duration
    • Target audience(s) and educational method
    • Exclusivity
    • Conflict of interest disclosure
    • Option to propose a joint speaker

NEW Applicant resources available.

Before proceeding with an application, take some time to review the following helpful resources:

  • Course Proposal Tips – Download handout HERE
  • AAO Speaking – From Proposal to the Podium – Download recording HERE
  • Policy Concerning Promotion of Commercial Products and Services from the Podium at AAO-sponsored Activities – Download policy HERE

Learn how applicants are evaluated.

For 2023 events and beyond, CCON established a formalized open call for speakers followed by a systematic peer review and evaluation process of all applicants ensuring the best CE programs for our members. This peer review process allows CCON to quickly and objectively select the best event topics and speakers. CCON evaluates prospective speakers using specific selection criteria as follows:

  • Member need and relevance
  • Exclusivity
  • Differentiated, high-quality CE
  • Speaker talent, knowledge and expertise
  • Clearly identifiable expected learner outcomes
  • Target audience(s) appeal
  • Opportunity for commercial interest bias

WINTER CONFERENCE 2025

Our CE program during the American Association of Orthodontists’ Winter Conference will focus on the highly compatible specialties of pediatric dentistry and orthodontics.

Click HERE to review the topics we are looking for in 2025!


Winter Conference 2025 CE Program Planning Timeline

Please note that the following timeline is subject to some ebb and flow as various milestone activities are accomplished.

PhaseTimelineStatus
Open CallOct 10-Dec 31, 2023Closed
Application EvaluationsJan 1-31, 2024Complete
Application Decisions & InvitationsFeb 1-Mar 31, 2024In Progress
CE Program FinalizationJul 1-31, 2024Pending
Registration OpensAug 5, 2024Pending
ConferenceJan 24-26, 2025
Marco Island, FL
Pending

ANNUAL SESSION 2025

Our most comprehensive CE program is presented during the WORLD’S GREATEST CELEBRATION OF ORTHODONTICS™, the American Association of Orthodontists’ Annual Session.

Click HERE to review the topics we are looking for in 2025!


Annual Session 2025 CE Program Planning Timeline

Please note that the following timeline is subject to some ebb and flow as various milestone activities are accomplished.

PhaseTimelineStatus
Open CallOct 1-Dec 31, 2023Closed
Application EvaluationsJan 1-Mar 31, 2024In Progress
Application Decisions & InvitationsApr 1-Jun 30, 2024Pending
CE Program FinalizationOct 1-31, 2024Pending
Registration OpensNov 4, 2024Pending
MeetingApr 25-27, 2025
Philadelphia, PA
Pending

Sign up for our next Call for Speakers.

Our 2026 Call for Speakers will open in October 2024. Sign up now for future alerts!


We need YOU! Sign up for volunteer opportunities at AAO events.

We could always use your help – from Moderators to Social Media Ambassadors, and everyone in between. Whether you are selected to speak or not, volunteering is an excellent way to get involved in the production of AAO events. Sign up now for future alerts!


Questions?

Click HERE to review the most frequently asked questions. If you have additional questions or concerns, please contact Melissa McCulloch at [email protected] or (800) 424-2841 ext. 557.