Speaker and Session Resource Center

#NABJ26 Speaker and Session Resource Center

#NABJ26 Member Session & Speaker Quick Facts

The Call for Member Session Proposals is now open until 11:59 PM (PT) on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, for the #NABJ26 Convention & Career Fair scheduled for August 12-16 in Atlanta, GA. This deadline will not be extended.
 

Please contact programming@nabj.org if you have any questions regarding the Call for Member Session Proposals process.
 

During the Call for Member Session Proposals, members may submit two (2) session proposals. If a member has more than two session proposals, another NABJ member may submit the additional proposal(s).

•  If you are submitting a session proposal on behalf of an NABJ Committee or Task Force, please note that in the session description.
•  Member sessions may have up to 1 moderator and 4 panelists
  • ???????Moderators and panelists of member sessions/events are eligible for complimentary registration for the DAY of the session. If the moderator/panelist plans to attend the convention beyond the DAY of the session, NABJ offers a discounted Convention registration rate of $275. Pre-registered speakers who have paid more than the discounted speaker rate will be given a refund. The adjustment will appear as a credit to your balance, or if you have paid in full, will be credited back to the original payment method. Visit HERE to complete a refund request form. Further details will be provided if your session is accepted. Please note that the moderator and panelists registration benefit is non-transferable.
•  Hard copy signage will not be provided for member sessions. The built-in room reader boards located outside of each session room at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis will display the current session. Attendees may also access the #NABJ26 Convention app for the #NABJ26 schedule.
• The standard set for member sessions is theater seating, 60 minutes with a 6-foot head table for 4 panelists with up to 3 microphones, and a lectern with microphone. Hands-on sessions are encouraged and are in a classroom seating at maximum room capacity, 60 minutes with a 6-foot head table for 4 panelists with up to 3 microphones, and a lectern with microphone.?Please note that your request to be placed in a hands-on classroom setting is not guaranteed; however, organizers of accepted sessions will be able to upload resource documents (i.e. PDFs) in the #NABJ26 Convention app. 
• Any requests outside of the standard set will incur an additional charge. These charges will be at the expense of the organizer and/or presenter(s) from NABJ or NABJ’s third party vendor(s). It is the responsibility of the speaker(s)/organizer to contact and pay NABJ’s third party vendors directly to order food & beverage, additional audio visual or setup requests outside of the standard set. It is also the responsibility of the speaker(s) to consult with the third-party vendor(s) onsite to ensure all orders are accurately placed to the partner’s satisfaction. NABJ’s show management team will be informed of all orders; however, cannot oversee orders directly submitted by the speaker(s)/organizer.

#NABJ26 Partner Session/Event & Speaker Quick Facts

The Partner Session & Event Submission Portal will open on Monday, March 30, 2026. Partners will receive access to this portal from the NABJ Programming Team after their agreement is finalized. The deadline to submit partner session or event details is 11:59 PM (PT) on Friday, May 29, 2026. This date will not be extended.
 

Please contact development@nabj.org if you have any questions regarding your partnership agreement and programming@nabj.org if you have any questions regarding the submission’s process.

Partner Session/Event Speaker Limits (Unless otherwise noted on the agreement)

•  90-minute Sessions - Up to 4 panelists and 1 moderator
•  Screenings & Clips and Conversations - Up to 4 panelists and 1 moderator
• Receptions - Up to 2 speakers for opening and closing remarks
•  Half-day Sessions - Up to 6 panelists and 2 moderators
•  Full-Day Sessions - Up to 12 panelists and 2 moderators

Moderators and panelists of partner sessions/events are eligible for complimentary registration for the DAY of the session/event. If the moderator/panelist plans to attend the convention beyond the DAY of the session/event, NABJ offers a discounted Convention registration rate of $275. Pre-registered speakers who have paid more than the discounted speaker rate will be given a refund. The adjustment will appear as a credit to your balance, or if you have paid in full, will be credited back to the original payment method. Further details will be provided once your partner session/event is confirmed. Visit HERE to complete a refund request form. Partners may email speaker updates to vjeparker@nabj.org and programming@nabj.org until Monday, June 22, 2026.

Partner Session/Screening/Clips & Conversations Room Sets

Room Set – Max theater set per room capacity, head table for 4pp, lectern, stage for larger rooms
 

AV – Mic at lectern, up to four table mics at head table, Laptop, LCD projector with advancer and screen, PC and MAC connector cables (HDMI, lightning, etc.); MAC/PC switcher, and Microsoft Office software. In-room tech support will be provided for partner screenings/clips and conversations.
 

F&B – If F&B is not included in the agreement, the partner will work directly with the assigned hotel rep once approved by NABJ.

Breakfasts / Luncheons

Room Set – Max banquet (rounds with 10pp per round) set per room capacity, lectern, stage
 

AV – Mic at lectern, Laptop, LCD projector with advancer and screen, PC and MAC connector cables (HDMI, lightning, etc.); MAC/PC switcher, and Microsoft Office software.
 

F&B – Refer to your agreement. If F&B is not placed by NABJ, the partner will work directly with the assigned hotel rep once approved by NABJ.

Receptions

Room Set – Banquet (rounds with 10pp per round) and hi-boys per room capacity, lectern, stage
 

AV – Mic at lectern, Laptop, LCD projector with advancer and screen, PC and MAC connector cables (HDMI, lightning, etc.); MAC/PC switcher, and Microsoft Office software.
 

F&B – Refer to your agreement. If F&B is not placed by NABJ, the partner will work directly with the assigned hotel rep once approved by NABJ.

Room sets and layouts will be provided by the NABJ Programming Team after confirming with the venue and Fire Marshal. Additional needs outside of the above sets will be at the partner’s expense. Organizers for half and full-day partner sessions will work directly with the NABJ Programming Team and the venue rep to confirm their room layout.

Partner Session/Event Signage

•  Hard copy signage will only be provided for partner breakfasts, luncheons, NABJ partnered signature events (i.e. Newsmaker Plenary, Salute to Excellence, Gospel Brunch), and receptions located in rooms with no built-in reader board at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis. The built-in room reader boards at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis will be used for all other partner sessions and events. Attendees may also access the #NABJ26 Convention app for the #NABJ26 schedule.