NCPERS invites you to submit proposals for presentations at the 2026 Annual Conference & Exhibition (ACE). We are seeking dynamic and engaging sessions that provide valuable insights, practical strategies, and innovative solutions for public pension professionals. Whether you're an NCPERS service provider, fund member, or stakeholder, we encourage you to share your expertise and contribute to the success of ACE 2026.



 

Proposals must be submitted through the online submission form by January 30. Be sure to include all required information. Incomplete forms will not be considered.

 

What is the deadline for submissions?

All proposals must be received by Friday, January 30 at 5PM ET. Late submissions will be placed on the waiting list.

 

When will I be notified if my proposal is accepted?

Notifications will be sent the week of February 16.

 

​Engagement and Impact
Sessions that encourage audience interaction, provide practical takeaways, and offer valuable insights.

Expert Speakers
Proposals from individuals who have expertise in the subject matter and can deliver valuable learning experiences to our diverse audience.

Who will Be in the audience?

• Public pension trustees and board members
• Administrators and staff from state, local, and provincial retirement systems
• Investment, actuarial, and consulting professionals serving pension funds
• Government officials and regulators shaping public retirement policy
• Union representatives and labor organization leaders
• Service providers and vendors supporting pension operations and investment management

 

Topic Categories

Topic categories being considered include, but are not limited to:

Challenges, Trends, and Future Directions for Public Pension Funds Economic Landscape Affecting Public Pension Plans Investments and Financial Principles Actuarial Principles Sustainability and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) Investing Legislative and Regulatory Developments Legal Environment and Compliance Corporate Governance Best Practices in Pension Fund Management Ethics and Fiduciary Responsibilities Administrative Efficiency and Technology Solutions

Healthcare, Benefits, and Retirement Planning Retirement Planning & Financial Literacy Risk Management and Mitigation Strategies Crisis Management and Contingency Planning Cybersecurity and Data Protection Pension Plan Communication and Member Engagement Emerging Technologies (e.g., AI, blockchain) and Their Impact on Pension Funds Transformative Leadership and Change Management in the Public Pensions Operational Excellence in Pension Management

Speaker Policies

Membership
All speakers/organizations must have an active NCPERS membership. To verify your membership status, contact us at 202-601-2445 or email membership@ncpers.org.

Registration
Confirmed speakers are required to register to attend the conference. For more information on registration fees, please visit our registration page. CorPERS members receive one complimentary speaker registration pass. 

Presentation Deadlines
Confirmed speakers must submit their final presentation materials by the specified deadline. All content should be original and tailored to engage and inform our audience.

Engagement
We ask that all speakers include interactive elements to keep the audience engaged and facilitate learning.

Compliance
Speakers are expected to follow all event policies, including those related to promotion, content, and diversity and inclusion.

 

How are presentation selected?

The NCPERS Education Committee reviews all submissions based on relevance, clarity, and educational value. Proposals that offer new perspectives, member engagement, and peer-to-peer learning are prioritized.

Selection criteria include:

• Educational value and practical application of the proposed session
• Originality and uniqueness of the content
• Relevance of the topic to public pension professionals
• Diversity of the proposed speaker(s) and perspectives
• Overall quality and completeness of the submission
• Past reviews or evaluations of the speaker(s) (if applicable)
• Current NCPERS membership and active participation in the organization

 

Timeline

• Submission Deadline: To be considered, please submit your proposal by Friday, January 30 at 5PM ET. Proposals received after this date will be placed on a waiting list.
• Review Period: The NCPERS Education Committee will review proposals February 2-13.
• Notification: You will receive an update on the status of your proposal via email the week of February 16, sent to the designated point of contact provided in your submission.

Questions? Contact Jessica Ransome at education@ncpers.org.