About the Regional Summit

The Women’s Initiative Regional Summit is the all-day women’s conference featuring speakers that present inspirational content for professional women. The Regional Summit is designed for all career stages of the workforce including young professionals, mid-career, senior level, entrepreneurs, encore and those transitioning careers. This regional conference draws women from Kentucky, Ohio and Indiana. The Women’s Initiative is seeking dynamic, insightful & engaging speakers to lead sessions during the Regional Summit. Presenters must be available 8:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. (exact times will be determined) to lead a session for approximately 30-60 minutes. This is an in-kind opportunity with several benefits as listed below. Please complete the selection in the application below if you would like your topic to be considered for this slot.

Below are some suggested presentation topics, however, topics are not limited to these:

• Exploring what successful goal setting looks like
• Positively shaping someone’s career journey as a mentor
• Identifying a strong mentor and/or advocate for your career path
• Networking effectively and efficiently
• Determining unique ways to enhance your personal and professional growth
• Strategizing for career advancement
• How to lead when you are not in charge
• How to make a positive impact in your community

Don't see your topic? Bring us your ideas for topics that excite you and you see as timely and relevant for the development of professional women!

Important Information 

• Applicants are required to upload a short video (must not exceed 3 minutes). This does not have to be a professional production, nor does it need to include a full video of your presentation. This video is to serve as a more in-depth explanation of your presentation. Also, this is an opportunity for the committee to "meet" you and experience your presentation style and energy level.
• The selection committee will meet to review all applications and have final selections made in August 2026.
• The committee will approve all presentation outlines prior to the Summit.
• The NKY Chamber and WI Summit committee will coordinate all public relations and promotions for the event. The presentations are for educational purposes.
• Speakers are asked to avoid self-promotion during the presentation because they will have other opportunities to promote themselves as outlined below.
• Speakers are asked to refrain from political promotion during the presentation. The intent and purpose are for presentations to be informative for all attendees about your topic and not to focus on a single organization or political candidate/issue.
• Speakers are welcome to collect business cards and raffle off a door prize at the closing session.
• If you have questions, please contact Holly Nibert Harrison, Director, Women's Initiative, at hnibert@nkychamber.com

Application Evaluation

The following criteria will be considered when evaluating your speaker application:

• Aligns with the mission statement of the NKY Chamber Women's Initiative program (top of page)
  
  
• Review of content and structure for:
  • Clear objectives
  • Engaging description
  • Resources and interaction with audience
  • Examples/lessons from a workplace or personal experience integrated into presentation
    
    
• Expertise: Validated by resume + past experience
  
  
• Presentation Skills: Validated by video submission(s)

Social Media: List your social media handles to promote you/your company, if selected.

Key Takeaways: Key takeaways should be able to complete the sentence: "Attendees will learn, uncover, identify..."

The NKY Chamber of Commerce is a membership organization which promotes and supports its members at every opportunity. The NKY Chamber recognizes that it is important for this event to have regional representation; therefore all interested parties are invited to apply regardless of membership status. However, if selected you will be required to become a member at that time. 

Application Deadline: Friday, July 31, 2026

For more information about NKY Chamber membership, click here or contact Lynn Abeln, VP of Membership at labeln@NKYChamber.com.