Speaker & Moderator Resources – PDT 2026

This page includes everything you need to prepare for your session at the Professional Development Training (PDT). Please review all sections carefully and complete the required items by the listed deadlines.

Key Dates & Deadlines (All Speakers & Moderators)

• Jan. 27: Technical Committee call (find a copy of the slides here)
• March 16: Deadline to submit session proposals
• March 31: Deadline to review and score session proposals
• April 15: Session acceptance notices
• April/May: Finalize session titles and descriptions

• Friday, May 22: Submit moderator registration form with bio and headshot
• Friday, June 19: Submit speaker registration form with bios and headshots
• Monday, June 29: Session materials due (PowerPoint slides and polling spreadsheet)

Important: Deadlines are firm to allow time for conference app updates, onsite AV preparation and accessibility review.

Guidelines for Inviting Speakers:

• Educational Value & Program Diversity: We encourage session coordinators to assemble speakers from a variety of organizations that represent diverse points of view. We suggest each session includes a mix of presenters from different organizations and government levels (state, local and federal), gender, career specialties and race/ethnicities. Only government-sector professionals may participate in a panel of speakers; private-sector members may only moderate or facilitate a session (except in instances described below).
• Private-Sector Speakers: Very recent former federal Senior Executive Service (SES) members or equivalent state and local senior executives, now in private or commercial practice and are subject-matter experts, may participate in PDT 2026 sessions as panel speakers; however, participation is subject to approval by AGA. Please send your speaker requests to Jerome Bruce.

Important Note: All speakers and moderators are required to present in person at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C.   

If you need suggestions for speakers to include in your session or have questions about the types of speakers to seek out, feel free to reach out to Jerome Bruce before issuing an invitation to someone.

Moderator Registration Info:

Please complete the moderator registration form by May 22. Register for PDT 2026 online as a regular attendee or by using one of the complimentary registrations included in your company’s sponsor package, or to attend your session only for free.

Speaker Registration Info:

All speakers are required to register for the event in which they are participating. AGA needs to be sure we have the correct contact information and a name badge prepared for each person upon arrival. Please complete the speaker registration form by June 19.

• My session only – No Charge
• Entire day of my session $250
• Full Training $625

Bios & Headshot/Attire/Audiovisual

• Bio & Headshot — Submit a short bio (1,500 characters or less including spaces) and a high-resolution headshot format while completing the Moderator/Speaker Registration form or send it via email to Stephanie Shaer.
• Attire — Business casual attire is appropriate for all speakers and moderators. Jackets and collared shirts are suggested for men (no ties required) or shirts with corporate logos. Since no tables will be in front of our speakers, we suggest no skirts above the knee for women.
• Room Set-up & Audiovisual — Each room is equipped with basic A/V such as a projector/screen, microphones, and a laptop loaded with presentation slides. There will be A/V staff available at the back for any troubleshooting. Speakers and moderators will be sitting on chairs that are spread across the stage. Each panelist will receive a sanitized lavalier mic. Moderators are required to use their own device to monitor the Q&A, please visit your “app store” to download the PDT 2026 app or go to pdt.cnf.io, and select your session to view the questions submitted by your audience.

Moderator Responsibilities & Best Practices:

As the moderator, you will serve as a discussion facilitator. You will introduce speakers, keep time, and facilitate the audience’s Q&A portion of the presentation.

• Arrive in the session room at least 15 minutes before the start of the presentation. This will allow you to greet the speakers at the front of the room and connect with the AV technicians.
• If you plan to use PowerPoint, the presentations will be loaded onto the laptop located in the session room and saved as “session ID_ All Speakers/Speaker last name.” When you arrive in the room, please open the PowerPoint, if it’s not opened already, and verify that it is ready to go. AV technicians will be available to assist with audiovisual equipment as needed.
• Moderators are required to use their own device (cell phone or tablet) to view attendees’ questions. Please visit your “app store” and download the PDT 2026 app or go to pdt.cnf.io and select your session number to see the questions submitted by your audience, ranked by popularity. For more tips on how our Q&A works, check out the Presentation Materials & Engagement Tools section posted  .

AGA Moderator’s Best Practices 

As moderator, you will serve as the discussion facilitator. You will be responsible for introducing speakers, keeping track of session time, and facilitating the audience’s Q&A portion of the presentation. In some cases, you may also have a small speaking role providing an overview of the session content. 

The following information will help you prepare for your session: 

Before the Event: 

• Coordinate with the speakers to produce session materials to send to AGA. If you need assistance, contact Stephanie Shaer at sshaer@agacgfm.org or Jerome Bruce at jbruce@agacgfm.org  
• If the session is a panel presentation, determine the speakers’ preferred order of presentation and fill out the run-of show spreadsheet posted onto the Speaker & Moderator Resource Center. 
• Confirm that speaker(s) provide bios, headshots, and presentations to Stephanie Shaer. Please note the deadline to submit PowerPoint and polling questions is Friday, January 30. 

Onsite: 

• Arrive at the session room at least 10 minutes before the start of the presentation. This will allow you to greet the speakers at the front of the room and connect with the audiovisual technicians. 
• If slides are being used, the presentations will be loaded into the laptop located in the session room and saved as “session ID_Speaker last name/All Speakers.” Once you arrive at the session room, please open the slide deck, if it is not opened already, the AV technicians will be available to assist with audiovisual equipment. 
• At the beginning of the session, welcome the audience and give brief remarks about the topic from your point of view. Please see a sample of a script below: 
  • Welcome everyone! During this session, you can be part of the discussion by going to the NLT app and click the “Engage” icon and select this session. From here you can submit questions for the speakers or vote on a question you want to address. You can also participate in polling (if applicable). Towards the end of this session an “Evaluate this Session” button will appear and feel free to complete the four questions session evaluation. If you do not have the app, you can open a web browser and type in the URL – nlt.cnf.io and click/tap on this session from the schedule page. 
• Begin the session on time: Signal speakers when it is time to begin. Make sure they are aware of time limits, including the Q&A period. 
• Introduce each speaker: Briefly introduce the speakers. Biographies given to us by the speaker(s) are available on the NLT 2026 website and in the mobile app. We also encourage you to work with your speaker(s) on how they would like to be introduced. 
• End the session on time: Allow a few moments to add your own brief synopsis of the presentation (optional). It is especially important for speakers to stay within the allotted time limit. Many events are scheduled in the same rooms throughout the day. To give each session the proper amount of time, the previous session must end on schedule. 
• Session Evaluation: Before ending the session, please remind everyone to complete the evaluation. Fifteen minutes before your session ends, the “Rate this Session” blue button will appear on the audience’s device screen. Please note: these evaluations are NOT used to verify their CPEs. CPEs are only tracked by scanning the name badge randomly as they enter/exit the session room. 

Important reminder: The training may not be used as a platform for commercial sales, self-promotion or as a forum to criticize competitors. Presenters must share information in an educational and non-commercial manner not specific to a product or service. Presenters also must refrain from overt statements, harsh language, or pointed humor that disparages the rightful dignity and social equity of any individual or group. 

AGA is focused on providing participants with thoughtful and reflective process that addresses each participant’s current and future professional plans, current knowledge, and skills level and desired or required additional competence to achieve future work opportunities and/or professional responsibilities. 

Dress Code: Business casual attire is appropriate for all speakers and moderators. Please encourage your female panelists to wear slacks or skirts under the knees for their comfort. 

Registration: Moderators must register by filling out the form or by using one of the complimentary registrations included in your company’s sponsored package. Please email your form to sshaer@agacgfm.org 

The DO’s and DON’Ts of Moderating a Session 

Don’t  

Read bios word for word  

• Do: Refer attendees to the conference app/agenda for bios. 

Don’t 

Include text on your slides so small that the audience cannot read (please refer to AGA Slides Guidelines) 

• Do:  Use AGA’s slide deck template and font size recommendations – incorporate pictures and charts 

Don’t 

Monopolize the conversation 

• Do: Contribute your subject matter expertise throughout the session 

Don’t 

Run out of time for Q&A 

• Do: Ask questions that have come from the audience via the app. End on time so the next session will begin on time. 

Don’t 

Speak with a monotone voice and away from the microphone 

• Do: Speak with excitement and into the microphone! Enthusiasm is contagious and if you are speaking in a large room, the people in the back need to hear you. Encourage your panelists to do the same. 

Don’t 

Use acronyms and/or assume the audience is familiar with specific jargon/lingo 

• Do: Fully explain the topic you are presenting on, remember, your audience may include individuals from all levels of government, academia, and the private sector 

Presentation Materials & Engagement Tools

Slide Design & Template

We strongly encourage all speakers to use the PDT 2026 PowerPoint template.

• Presentation slides are posted for attendees to view and print before the training. By submitting your slides to AGA, you agree to their publication unless otherwise specified.
• To maintain consistency, combine all speaker slides into one PowerPoint deck in the order in which they will be presented. Send the final slide deck to Stephanie Shaer (with your polling spreadsheet, if applicable) on or before June 29.

Polling

As the moderator, you will have access to the same screen view as the audience. AGA will administer polling and build your questions and results slides into your presentation so that everything is set-up and ready for you at the event.

• Complete the polling spreadsheet with your questions. Include a blank PowerPoint slide in your presentation for each polling question so that AGA can embed each poll in its correct place.

Team Battle!

Team Battle is a quiz-style game in which groups of attendees compete against one another to answer questions quickly and correctly. If you would like to incorporate Team Battle into your presentation, please follow the instructions below

• Include one blank slide in your presentation where you want to begin the battle.
• Complete the Team Battle spreadsheet with your questions and answers. Please indicate in your spreadsheet which answer is the correct one!
• IMPORTANT: Once you have inserted the blank slide into your final PowerPoint presentation, email all three documents (final slide deck and completed polling/Team Battle spreadsheet) to Stephanie Shaer no later than June 29.

Social Q&A

 Social Q&A allows attendees to anonymously ask the panelists questions in real-time, during a session. Using the PDT App, virtual attendees will submit questions through the Q&A tab in the chatroom on their player screen. Attendees can see questions other people ask and upvote ones they want speakers to address. This feature will be used in all sessions. Please watch the Social Q&A tutorial video for more information

Social Media Tips:

The official hashtag for PDT 2026 is #PDT26. View updates, conversations, photos, and more by clicking on the hashtag in social media posts.
For use on LinkedIn/Facebook:

• I’m speaking at @agacgfm #PDT26! Add my session to your schedule: [Insert Your Unique Session Link]
• Register now to join me at @agacgfm #PDT26. Don’t forget to add me to your schedule: [Insert Your Unique Session Link]
• I can’t wait to speak at @agacgfm #PDT26! Learn more about my session and add it to your schedule. [Insert Your Unique Session Link]
• Planning my #PDT26 session [insert session number] — what do you want to know about [insert topic]?
• Join me at @agacgfm #PDT26! I’ll be presenting [Insert Session Title], [Insert Your Unique Session Link].
• Looking forward to speaking at @agacgfm #PDT26. Learn more about my session [Insert Your Unique Session Link].
• So excited to be speaking at @agacgfm #PDT26. Register and learn more about my session [Insert Session Title], [Insert Your Unique Session Link].

CPE for Speaker’s Preparation Time:

Speakers, instructors and discussion leaders may be eligible for CPE credit for their preparation and presentation time to the extent the activities maintain or improve their professional competence and meet the requirements of applicable CPE standards/policies. AGA can issue CPE credit to instructors for their preparation time upon request. Instructors wanting this CPE documentation need to track their own preparation time and submit this information to AGA at meetings@agacgfm.org within 10 days of their presentation.

In accordance with NASBA standards, speakers who present a learning activity for the first time may receive CPE credit for actual preparation time, up to two times the number of CPE credits to which participants would be entitled, in addition to the time for presentation, subject to regulations and maximums established by the boards of accountancy. CGFM CPE policies have a similar provision for speakers, as long as the CPEs are applicable towards CGFM and are within the 40-hour maximum number of CPE hours granted to an individual as a speaker or course developer for any two-year period. For more information/guidance, please refer to NASBA standards, CGFM CPE policies or another applicable entity.

Non-Commercial Content Policy/Code of Conduct:

The training event may not be used as a platform for commercial sales or self-promotion, or as a forum to criticize competitors. Presenters must share information in an educational and non-commercial manner that is not specific to a product or service. Presenters also must refrain from overt statements, harsh language, partisan political views, and/or pointed humor that disparages the rightful dignity and social equity of any individual or group. Click the button below to review AGA’s code of conduct for private sector moderators and presenters.

Code of Conduct

AGA Recording

AGA may record live event sessions, including presentations, discussions, and audience interactions. By attending or participating, you agree that these recordings may be used, edited, and shared later as part of on-demand content, educational materials, or promotional uses.

Speakers and presenters agree that AGA may use their name, likeness, voice, and presentation materials in connection with these recordings. Speakers may request that their recorded sessions be excluded from on-demand course offerings by contacting AGA at education@agacgfm.org within 30 days of their live session. Attendees understand that their participation (such as asking questions) may be captured as part of the session. No compensation will be provided for these uses.

No-Recording Policy

 AGA prohibits unauthorized recording or broadcasting (video or audio) of any AGA event. This policy includes both in-person and virtual events.

Chatroom Code of Conduct

AGA encourages open and respectful discussions in the chat. Please be mindful of others’ perspectives and keep the conversation constructive, educational, and on topic to ensure a focused and meaningful discussion. The views and opinions expressed in this webinar are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of AGA or any organization they represent.

Questions?

Please contact Stephanie Shaer for all inquiries at sshaer@agacgfm.org