Have you ever thought about presenting at a conference but weren’t sure where to start? Maybe you have an idea, but imposter syndrome kicks in, or the application process seems too overwhelming.
Here’s the hard truth you need to hear:
You don’t need to be an expert or have 20 years of experience to present—your knowledge and perspective are valuable, and conferences need fresh voices like yours.
In this episode, you’ll get a step-by-step guide to submitting a conference proposal, tips for making your application stand out, and why The Cancer Rehab Community Conference 2025 is the perfect place to start your conference presentation career!
Listen now to get started today!
Let’s Tackle the #1 Barrier FIRST
Before we dive into the step-by-step process of applying to present at conferences, let’s address the biggest roadblock that holds so many people back—self-doubt.
If you’ve ever thought…
👉 “I’m not an expert—who am I to present?”
👉 “I’ve never done this before—what if I mess up?”
👉 “What if my proposal isn’t accepted?”
You’re not alone. Almost every speaker—yes, even the most seasoned presenters—has felt this way at some point. But here’s the reality:
You don’t have to be THE expert. You just have to be A voice.
Your Experience is Valuable
Conferences aren’t just about hearing from researchers or high-profile speakers. Attendees want to learn from real clinicians in the field—people who are actively treating patients, problem-solving, and figuring things out in real time.
✅ If you’ve faced a challenge and found a solution, you have something worth sharing.
✅ If you’re passionate about something in your field, others probably are too.
✅ If you’ve learned something that made your clinical practice better, others can benefit from that knowledge.
Your perspective matters. And in cancer rehab especially, we need more voices advocating for our patients, sharing what works (and what doesn’t), and pushing the profession forward.
Every Speaker Starts Somewhere
Think about any well-known speaker or presenter you admire. They weren’t always a seasoned pro. They had a first application too, and chances are, they were nervous just like you.
The best way to become a confident speaker?
🔹 Take the leap. The more you apply, the easier it gets. The hardest part is just deciding to do it.
🔹 Learn & refine. Even if your first proposal doesn’t get accepted, that doesn’t mean it won’t be in the future!
Reframing the Fear of Rejection
Here’s the truth: Even experienced speakers don’t get accepted every time. Conferences receive hundreds of proposals, and selection depends on various factors—theme, session balance, and limited spots. Rejection doesn’t mean your idea isn’t valuable.
Instead of thinking:
🚫 “If I get rejected, I’ve failed.”
✅ Think: “This is a stepping stone. I’ll learn, refine, and try again.”
When it comes to conference rejection, it’s not a “no”; it’s a “not right now.” So pick yourself up and apply again.
The Bottom Line: Your Voice is Needed
It’s completely normal to feel self-doubt when applying to present at a conference, especially if it’s your first time. But here’s the truth: you don’t need to be the #1 expert in the field to deliver a valuable session. What matters is your unique perspective and your ability to help others learn from your experiences.
If you take away one thing from this episode, let it be this:
📢 The field of cancer rehab needs YOUR voice.
💡 Your experiences, ideas, and insights can help move the profession forward.
🚀 If you’ve ever thought about presenting, now is the time to start.
So let’s do this. Here’s how to apply to present at a conference.
Step 1: Choosing Your Topic
What Makes a Great Presentation Topic?
The best conference presentations start with a strong, relevant, and engaging topic. But how do you decide what to present on? Here are some key factors to consider:
✅ A Unique Perspective or Fresh Insight – Conferences are filled with seasoned professionals, but that doesn’t mean your voice isn’t valuable. Maybe you’ve tackled a challenge in a way others haven’t considered, or you’ve developed a new approach to patient care.
✅ New Research, Case Studies, or Clinical Strategies – If you’ve been involved in research or have clinical experience that’s led to meaningful outcomes, sharing your findings can be incredibly impactful. Case studies, patient success stories, and real-world applications help ground your presentation in practical takeaways.
A great example of this is Dr. Katie Schmitt’s recent presentation on CIPN at CSM 2025.
✅ Common Challenges in Your Specialty – If you find yourself answering the same questions over and over, that’s a sign the topic is relevant! Whether it’s a knowledge gap, a clinical challenge, or a tricky case scenario, addressing these common concerns makes for a valuable session.
✅ What Fires You Up? – Passion is contagious. If you’re deeply invested in a topic, that energy will translate to your audience. Consider what excites you about your field and what you could talk about for hours.
Pro Tip: If You’re Unsure Where to Start…
Think about what you wish you had learned earlier in your career. What would have made your journey smoother? If you can help others avoid the struggles you faced, that’s an incredible value-add for a conference audience.
Now that you’ve got a solid topic idea, it’s time to take the next step—turning that idea into a strong conference proposal. Having a great topic is one thing, but knowing how to pitch it effectively can make all the difference in getting accepted.
Step 2: Finding the Right Conference
Choosing the right conference to apply to can be just as important as choosing your topic. Finding the right fit will increase your chances of acceptance and ensure your presentation reaches the right audience.
Where to Start? Identifying the Best Conferences for You
✅ Look at Conferences in Your Specialty – Start with conferences that directly align with your expertise. If you work in oncology rehab, The Cancer Rehab Community Conference is a perfect fit.
✅ Consider Your Experience Level – Large conferences like APTA’s Combined Sections Meeting (CSM) often have competitive application processes and may require prior speaking experience. If this is your first time presenting, a smaller or specialty-focused conference (like TCRCC!) may be the best way to gain experience before applying to bigger stages.
- That’s not to say that you cannot be a first-time conference speaker at a big conference.
✅ Check Out Local and Regional Conferences – State-level PT conferences and local professional meetings can be a great place to get started. These often have fewer applicants, giving you a better chance of getting accepted while still building valuable presentation experience.
- For example, I’m looking to present at my local Oncology Nursing Symposium.
✅ Virtual vs. In-Person Conferences – Some conferences are hybrid or fully virtual, which can be a great way to break into speaking without the logistical challenges of travel. Virtual conferences also allow you to reach a broader audience without needing to be physically present.
How to Find Speaking Opportunities
📌 Professional Associations & Conference Websites – Visit the websites of major PT organizations (APTA, state PT associations, SIGs) to check their upcoming events and open calls for speakers.
📌 Social Media & Professional Groups – Follow PT organizations and leaders in your specialty on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook groups. Many conferences promote their call for speakers on social media.
📌 Network with Past Speakers – If you know someone who has spoken at a conference, ask about their experience and any tips they have. They might even introduce you to conference organizers or encourage you to apply!
📌 Join The Cancer Rehab Community – Our conference, The Cancer Rehab Community Conference, is an incredible place to start presenting! We welcome first-time speakers and provide a supportive platform to share your knowledge. If you’re looking for a conference that values fresh voices and innovative ideas, this is the perfect opportunity to take that first step.
Step 3: Writing a Standout Proposal
Once you’ve identified the right conference, it’s time to get your application noticed. A great idea isn’t enough—you need to present it in a way that captures the selection committee’s attention and makes it clear why your session deserves a spot on the schedule.
Breaking Down the Key Components of a Conference Proposal
Most conferences require a few standard elements in their speaker application. Here’s how to make each one stand out:
✅ 1. A Clear, Engaging Title
Your title should be concise, specific, and compelling. It should immediately tell the audience (and the selection committee) what they’ll learn.
✅ 2. A Strong Session Description
This is where you sell your idea. Your description should:
- Clearly state the problem or gap your presentation addresses.
- Explain why it matters to the audience.
- Highlight what attendees will take away—new skills, knowledge, or strategies they can apply immediately.
✅ 3. Defined Learning Objectives
Many conferences require at least 3-5 learning objectives. These should clearly state what attendees will learn and be able to do after your session.
Use Bloom’s Taxonomy to guide your learning objectives. Start with these action verbs to make your objectives stronger.
✅ 4. Why YOU? Your Speaker Bio & Credentials
Even if this is your first time presenting, you still bring valuable expertise! In your bio:
- Highlight your experience in the topic area.
- Mention any relevant research, clinical work, or mentorship roles.
- If you’ve never presented before, emphasize how your real-world experience makes you uniquely qualified to speak on the subject.
Pro Tip: Even if you don’t have speaking experience, demonstrating passion, expertise, and real-world application can still make you a strong candidate.
Step 4: Submitting & Preparing for Success
You’ve chosen your topic and found the right conference—now it’s time to officially submit your proposal!
Deadlines & Submission Tips
Each conference has its own application process, but here are some key strategies to ensure your proposal stands out:
📅 Keep track of deadlines.
- Nothing stings more than realizing you missed the submission window.
- For The Cancer Rehab Community Conference 2025, be sure to submit your application before March 14, 2025.
📝 Double-check for clarity & alignment.
- Make sure your session title and description clearly communicate what attendees will learn.
- Avoid jargon—your proposal should be easy to understand, even for reviewers outside your specialty.
- Tie your topic into the conference themes or audience needs. Show why your session is relevant and valuable to attendees.
👀 Get a second set of eyes on it.
- Ask a mentor, colleague, or friend to review your proposal before submitting. They can catch typos, suggest edits, or help refine your key points.
- If you’re new to presenting, consider partnering with a co-presenter—sometimes, having a teammate can make the process less intimidating!
📌 Follow all submission guidelines.
- Some conferences require learning objectives, references, or a speaker bio—don’t skip these details!
- If a word or character limit is given, stick to it—concise, well-structured proposals are more likely to be accepted.
Final Thought: Go for It!
Submitting your first conference proposal can feel intimidating, but the hardest part is just deciding to do it. Every presenter started somewhere, and the sooner you put yourself out there, the sooner you’ll gain confidence and experience.
Apply for The Cancer Rehab Community Conference 2025!
If you’ve been thinking about presenting at a conference but haven’t taken the leap yet—this is your sign to go for it! 🚀
Presenting at a conference can be an incredible way to share your knowledge, connect with peers, and build your professional reputation. But let’s be honest—the idea of speaking in front of a room full of colleagues can feel intimidating. That’s exactly why The Cancer Rehab Community Conference 2025 is the perfect place to start.
Why TCRCC 2025 Is the Best Place to Begin
✅ Shorter session length = less pressure. Unlike larger conferences where sessions can run 60-120 minutes, #TCRCC2025 keeps things concise and impactful—which means less intimidating prep time for you and a more engaging experience for attendees.
✅ A highly supportive community that wants to hear from YOU. Our attendees aren’t just here to listen; they’re here to learn, discuss, and grow—and they want to hear from diverse voices and perspectives.
✅ A great stepping stone to bigger conferences. Many large conferences require prior speaking experience, and #TCRCC2025 can be that crucial first step to help you gain confidence and credibility.
How to Apply
📝 Submitting your application is simple:
- Head to the application link and fill out the short proposal form.
- Not sure what topic to choose? Message me on The Cancer Rehab Community! Sometimes, talking through your ideas with someone else is all it takes to find the right angle.
- Don’t overthink it! If you have knowledge or experience that can help others, you’re already qualified to share it.
We truly need more voices in the cancer rehab space, and that includes yours. Whether you’re a seasoned presenter or this is your first time applying, #TCRCC2025 is the place to take that step.
So don’t wait—submit your proposal today! 💡🎤
Apply to be a speaker at TCRCC2025!
Want to watch the episode instead?
Watch this week’s episode of TheOncoPT Podcast on our YouTube channel!
Transcript
Elise Cantu (00:19)
Have you ever thought about presenting at a conference but weren’t sure where to start? Maybe you have an idea, but then doubt starts to creep in. Or maybe the application process seems too overwhelming to get started, let alone finish. Well, here’s the hard truth that you probably need to hear, my friend. You don’t need to be an expert with 20 years of conference speaking experience in order to present. Your knowledge,
and your perspective are valuable and we need fresh voices like yours. In this episode, you are going to get a step-by-step guide to submitting a conference proposal, tips for making your application stand out and why this opportunity is the perfect place for you to start your conference presentation career. So let’s go ahead and get started. Now, hello friend.
Welcome to TheOncoPT Podcast. My name is Elise. I am the Onco PT and I am so excited that you are joining me today. Now in last week’s episode, we talked all about the amazing CSM conference that just happened. And you might be thinking to yourself, I want to be involved in something like that. I want, I want to get in to speaking. I want to, I want to be presenting. I want to be like that person I saw on that stage presenting at CSM, regardless of where you’re at. I’m really, really excited to hear that.
Because as I mentioned, we need your voice more than ever. But before we talk about the how of how you’re actually going to submit that application, we need to talk about the elephant in the room. We need to tackle the number one barrier to presenting at conferences first. That barrier is self-doubt. If you’ve ever thought, I’m not an expert, what could I possibly know that would
you know, be a good presentation. Maybe you’ve thought, I’ve never done this before, so what if I mess up? Or what if my proposal isn’t accepted? You are not alone, my friend. Every speaker who has ever presented at a conference or any other speaking opportunity, even the most seasoned presenters that I know you love to go and watch at CSM and other conferences have felt that same way at some point. But here’s the reality. We do not need you to be the expert.
You do not have to be the expert to present, you just have to be a voice. Because first of all, your experience is tremendously valuable. Conferences, although it might seem like it sometimes, are not just echo chambers from where we are going to hear about researchers or high profile speakers or academics, you know, who have been in this information and talking about it for years and years and years.
Attendees also want to learn from real life clinicians in the field who are actually in the trenches doing the work with patients, problem solving through some of those issues, those obstacles that we encounter. So that is something that I think kind of gets lost sometimes when we’re thinking about, gosh, I would love to present. I don’t know if I’m the right person for this presentation though.
We need your voice. You have something to share. You have encountered a patient care challenge before, and you have found a solution that others would benefit from. You have a passion about something that someone else is going to resonate with and take away and say, wow, that was so, so good. If you have ever learned something from your clinical practice that you’ve said, I’m never making that mistake again, I’m going to do something different. I found that this is way better.
others can benefit from that knowledge too. Your perspective matters and in cancer rehab, we especially need more voices advocating, advocating, excuse me, for our patients and sharing what works, what doesn’t and ultimately continue pushing our profession forward. Every single speaker that you’ve ever listened to, that you’ve ever encountered has started somewhere. Nobody is always a season pro. Nobody starts as a season pro.
You have to start somewhere. And that also includes the application process. So you need to take the leap and apply. You need to find an application. You need to put in that application and apply. The more you apply, the easier it gets. Just like when we think about, you know, working as a physical therapist, working with patients. The more you do something, the better you’re going to get at it. The hardest part is just deciding to actually do the thing.
Now you might be thinking, but what if my proposal, what if my application is rejected? That doesn’t mean that it’s not going to be accepted in the future. It might just be a not right now situation. So it’s really important for us to reframe this fear of rejection. Rejection is such a deep-seated human fear that we have.
And part of that is like an evolutionary concept, know, being rejected from the tribe, you know, way back when, think like caveman days, being rejected from the tribe means not as safe, right? Exposed to elements in danger. And so we as humans, we’ve held on to, you know, semblance of that over the years. And unfortunately, fear of being rejected for applying to presentations, to conferences is something that definitely comes with the territory. Even experienced speakers.
Don’t get accepted every time though. Conferences, a lot of times receive hundreds of applications. Think CSM, they probably had thousands genuinely of proposals and selection depends on so many different factors, right? What’s the theme of a conference? Some conferences have themes. What other sessions are there that the programming people are trying to…
balance, right? There are limited spots, you know, unfortunately we can’t have a 17 week long conference all about PT. That would be wild. So rejection doesn’t mean that your idea isn’t valuable. So I want you to reframe instead of thinking, if I get rejected, I failed. Okay, that is not it. If this is something you encounter, more like when this is something you encounter, we need to think about rejection as this is a stepping stone.
I will refine my application. will, excuse me, learn from the mistakes.
I want you to think instead, I have learned from this experience, I will refine my application and try again. This rejection is a stepping stone to ultimately submitting the best possible presentation I can for the most appropriate conference for me. So really, if you take nothing else away from this, when it comes to rejection, like conference applications, it’s not a no.
More than likely, it is a not right now. And for any number of one of those reasons that I talked about previously. So pick yourself up again. It’s okay to be sad, but pick yourself up again and try again and again and again until you get submitted. The bottom line is, is that your voice is so needed here. It is normal to feel self-doubt, okay? That is totally normal.
but you don’t have to be the number one expert in the field to get started presenting. You don’t have to be the top researcher in this field to submit an application. What matters when applying for presentations is your unique perspective and your ability to help others learn from your experiences. So let’s go ahead and get started. Here’s how to apply to present at a conference. Step number one, we are going to choose our topic.
Now what makes a great presentation topic? The best conference presentations are always going to start with a strong, relevant, and engaging topic.
but how do you decide on what to present on, right? What I would consider you to consider, that was a bit much. What I would encourage you to consider, let’s do that, is maybe bringing a unique perspective or fresh insight to a classic topic, for example. Maybe you’ve tackled a clinical challenge in a way that others haven’t considered, or maybe you’ve developed a new approach to patient care.
And this kind of bleeds into this next section of, you know, new research or case studies or other clinical strategies. If you’ve been involved in like research efforts or have some clinical experience that’s led to meaningful outcomes for your patients, sharing this is a great way to be incredibly impactful here. And a great example of this, I think, is Dr. Katie Schmidt’s recent presentation on CIPN at CSM 2025.
And Katie actually, I think mentioned this in her presentation is that she and this team that she has worked with have tried to actually get this information published multiple times and unfortunately have been rejected multiple times, which totally sucks. But instead of being down on herself and saying, gosh, this must not be good information. Nobody wants to hear about it. Katie has kept going and has now turned this, you know,
attempted publication into very successful presentations. Like I mentioned, her recent interactive workshop on CIPN at CSM 2025. This method, I have started telling my patients it is the Schmidt CIPN method because it is so impactful and just doesn’t that roll off the tongue so nicely. And what a great way to also like, wow.
Katie has found this method that is working for patients and wants to share it, wants to share that perspective, that insight, that clinical strategy that is working for CIPN, which can be so challenging to treat sometimes. And again, what amazing presentations have come out of that initial rejection. And gosh, I know it must be so frustrating, but like what a way to turn that around and still be able to reach a bunch of clinicians.
who are now gonna take this home and use it in their practice. my God, love it so much. So maybe common, kind of moving on from that, what are some maybe common challenges that you have come up against in your practice, in your specialty? If you feel like you are answering the same question over and over and over again, that probably means that this is something that is really important and really relevant to cover.
So your presentation topic might help cover a knowledge gap or a clinical challenge or a tricky case scenario that can help clinicians and attendees really get something out of that. And then lastly, if you’re like, I don’t know, like I’m just not sure if any of these ideas are really resonating with me, what are you passionate about? What lights a fire under you to get up and get back to work on blah, blah, you know,
insert topic here, right? That energy that you carry towards this particular topic or area is going to translate to your audience as well. They are going to feel that energy and say, whoa, this person is really fired up about this. I am also going to be fired up about this because of how much I’m learning right now. So consider what excites you in your field and what you could talk about for hours. Now, I’m not saying, you know, talk about it for hours necessarily.
But this is a great way for you to get started on, this would be a good topic for me to present on at a conference. If you’re unsure ultimately on where to start, consider when you first started in Onco PT.
What were you struggling with? What do you wish you had learned way earlier? Again, I mentioned I went to at CSM this year, the Hemong 101. And what I really loved about that session is they walked basically with a person from diagnosis through inpatient care, outpatient care, and then into long-term survivorship.
So it really didn’t matter where you were, like what setting you were in on oncology PT, the likelihood you were going to encounter those patients was very, very great. And it was great to see that big picture of what they were talking about. And in last week’s episode, I talked about how I needed that course seven years ago when I first started. Better late than never. Here we are. We’ve made it through the woods.
But it would have been nice to really get that information. So what a great opportunity for, and I don’t know what these speakers did to come up with this topic necessarily, but they’ve identified a topic that, hey, we probably needed this when we were young clinicians. Let’s turn this into a presentation that can reach the masses here. So now that you’ve ultimately decided upon your very wonderful presentation topic, it’s time to turn it into that next step, which is the application, the proposal.
Now, in order to do that, we need to find a good match for your topic for a conference. So we have to find the right conference for you here. This is almost as important. It might be just as important actually as selecting your topic. Choosing the right conference is going to increase your chances of being accepted and to also ensure that your presentation reaches the right audience, right? We want these things to be a match.
So you can look at conferences within your specialty, right? You know, for example, if you work in oncology, the cancer rehab community conference might be a great place to start. You know, looking at your experience level, if you don’t have a lot of experience yet, that doesn’t mean you can’t apply for big conferences, but maybe starting smaller, more locally is a better way to get you in the door, right? Get that foot in the door.
That’s not to say again, I never want to say you can’t apply and get accepted at big conferences just because you’ve never presented at a conference before. People do that all the time. Like I know there were so many first time speakers at CSM, they did a great job. You know, check out again, like local regional conferences. Maybe these are your state level physical therapy conferences, but maybe there’s others in adjacent disciplines. For example,
I have been going to my local oncology nursing symposium conference for the past few years. It’s great, I love it. And what I also love about it is that it’s a great opportunity to have very local connections with oncology nurses in the area. And so again, this is not a PT conference, but they usually have some kind of rehab programming. And so I am looking to present at this symposium in the future.
Because again, I think it’d be a great opportunity and the topic idea I have is going to be a great fit for this audience. You may also consider weighing your options between virtual or in-person conferences. Maybe one or the other works best for your life, your stage in life, what you can realistically handle right now. So virtual conferences again are a great way for you to reach a broader audience without having to be
physically present in that location. However, there is definitely something to be said for in-person conferences. But again, consider your options with all of these. Once you have said, I’ve kind of considered the landscape of here are some different conferences that I’m considering, a lot of these conferences will put out information on like their professional associations, their conference websites, their social media.
as to when are they calling for speakers? What is the application that I need to fill out? How do I submit that application, et cetera? So I would encourage you definitely check those out as you’re preparing to say, okay, I think I wanna speak. I think I wanna be involved in this. And again, I would absolutely be doing a disservice. I would encourage you to also join our free online community called the Cancer Rehab Community.
Not only, of course, do we host the cancer rehab community conference every year, but we also have a lot of different professionals represented from across the globe who also post about different opportunities from time to time in that community. So I would really, really encourage you check that out, join that community. You can join that community for free at theoncopt.com slash community. So we’ve identified our topic.
We have now selected what is the most appropriate conference for this particular presentation that I want to come up with. Now it’s time to actually do the application. And in this case, we are going to write a standout proposal. We need to get your application noticed. If it is a plain Jane, black and white, boring application, more than likely it’s not going to be accepted. Now this isn’t to say that we go so outlandish that it is frankly un…
unreasonable, unrealistic to include that kind of information in the presentation, right? There is a balance. We’re kind of like Goldilocks here. We’re not too crazy. We’re not too boring. We’re right in the middle of interesting, unique, and something that is going to resonate with the audience. So a lot of times, conferences will have very set applications that you have to fill out in order to submit for a conference, right? And they have different criteria that you have to include. A lot of times,
You need a clear and engaging title. You need learning objectives that are clear that you can say, is exactly what participants are going to take away from this session. A lot of times you need some kind of a session description, right? Something that is going to grab the attention. So a lot of times like your title will grab the attention. Our description is really where we say, okay,
you are in the right place if you come to the session. Here’s why. Here’s how I know this, because this is the information again that you’re going to take away from it. And then also usually some kind of bio credentials, resume, CV that you have to also include with that submission. Again, to make sure that you’re a professional and not, I don’t know, my neighbor who doesn’t have anything to do with healthcare, for example, right?
So when you are coming up with these, it’s really important that you always review that application ahead of time to know what you should be putting together, what is necessary for your application to be submitted. Now, once you have prepared this amazing proposal, it’s time to actually submit it. Now, when you are going to submit for an application, you have to be crystal clear on what are the deadlines.
Every conference is different. Every conference, right, has different requirements, different deadlines by which to meet. Nothing stings more than doing all this work.
on your conference proposal only to realize that you have missed the deadline. So painful. So make sure not to do that. When you are considering conferences, I would go ahead like way beforehand, go into these websites or wherever you find the application and put these dates on your calendar. That’s what I do is what I will go, I will go find the website.
I will find when that application is due and then I usually set a deadline for myself to do it like a week before, because otherwise I will procrastinate and that is not good. So put it on calendar, put it somewhere where you’re going to remember it, and then put a plan in place to actually get that proposal done on time. Now for the Cancer Rehab Community Conference 2025, be sure to submit your application before March 14th, 2025.
If you’re listening to this in the future, the dates might have changed a little bit. But again, for the 2025 conference, please submit your application before March 14th, 2025. And I have also included that link in our show notes for today. As you’re reviewing your application and proposal, make sure that your session title and description clearly communicate what your session is all about, what attendees are going to take away from this presentation.
And I would also encourage you to get a second set of eyes on your application. We are so close to this information, right? You spend so much time working on it. It’s sometimes kind of hard to see the big picture and maybe catch some mistakes that you’ve made, that we all make, right? So having someone else or someone else says, plural, look over your application is always a great way to say, okay, this is a really well-rounded, really well thought out.
reviewed application, I feel very confident in submitting. And who knows, those reviewers or those peers that you have look over your application might be able to offer some suggestions, maybe even based on their own speaking experience that could help you be more successful in your submission. It also might be worth your time to consider presenting with a team, with a panel of speakers.
That’s what we did for both last year’s CSM presentation and this year’s CSM presentation is we did a panel of speakers and frankly it helped decrease the amount of load that one person had to do, but it also made for a great opportunity to bounce ideas off of each other and I think ultimately create a stronger, better presentation. again, something to consider. It’s not a must.
Again, Dr. Katie Schmidt did her interactive CIP and workshop as a solo endeavor and it was incredible. Cannot say enough good things about that presentation. And then of course, make sure to follow all submission guidelines. Nothing is more irritating than number one, missing the deadline, but number two, having an outstanding application that you missed one thing on. And again, I get it. Sometimes conferences are…
you know, real sticklers because they want to make sure that you’re going to do a good job and you’re going to pay attention to the requirements. But man, wouldn’t that suck if it didn’t get accepted because your description was two words too long.
That would suck. So make sure that you have reviewed those guidelines and adhere to whatever parameters they have in place for this proposal. Now, my final thought here is that you need to go for it. As I mentioned at the top of this episode, as I’ve talked about before, we need your voice. We need your perspective. We need as many voices and perspectives as possible if we are going to elevate the standard of cancer care.
in our communities for our patients. This is the only way we are going to advance our profession forward. Submitting your first conference proposal can feel intimidating. It can, but the hardest part is deciding to do it and then doing it. Every presenter somewhere had to start at absolute zero. And the sooner you put yourself out there,
the sooner you are going to gain confidence and experience. And frankly, the sooner you’re going to be accepted for your first presentation. So I would really encourage you to apply for our upcoming, the Cancer Rehab Community Conference 2025. If you have been thinking about presenting at a conference, but you haven’t taken the leap yet, this is your sign. Okay, this is your sign from the universe.
presenting at a conference, no matter what it is, can be a great opportunity to share your knowledge, connect with peers, and build your professional reputation. But I know sometimes the idea of presenting at those big conferences like CSM can be intimidating, which is why the Cancer Rehab Community Conference 2025 is the perfect place for you to start. For starters, we have a shorter session length. If you didn’t know, a lot of sessions
at conferences are usually 60 to 120 minutes. That is a long time, especially for a first time presenter. But over at the Cancer Rehab Community Conference 2025, we keep things concise and impactful. So we have 30 minute sessions, at least for this conference this year 2025, which means a less intimidating prep time and work for you and a more engaging experience for our attendees. We also have a
highly engaged community of cancer rehab professionals and future cancer rehab professionals that want to hear from you. Again, your voice, your perspective. They’re not just here to learn, they’re here to take that information and implement it with their own patients because they are struggling with the exact thing that you know how to address in your practice. And as I mentioned previously, TCRCC 2025 is a great stepping stone
to other speaking opportunities. Again, maybe that is bigger conferences, maybe that’s on an international level, maybe that’s insert whatever here. But because many large conferences require this prior speaking experience, and you can’t get that speaking experience until you’re accepted somewhere. I know, I know. This is a great place to get started. This might be that crucial first step you need to really break through into presenting.
Now, how to apply is very, very simple. You’re going to head to the application link, which you can find in your podcast player. And then also in this episode, show notes, that would be the oncopt.com slash three, three, four, number three, number three, number four, and fill out our application form. If you’re not sure what topic to choose, message me on the cancer rehab community. That’s what some of the other accepted speakers have done is they’ve said, I’ve got a couple ideas.
I’m not sure where I should go. And I provided some suggestions on like, wow, this topic has not been covered yet. I think it would be really impactful or whoa, that’s amazing. Have you considered also including this kind of situation? So I encourage you, like we want you to apply because we want this to be a experience where a ton of different voices are heard. So again, you always take our attendees are always going to walk away with something and say, whoa.
that talk really resonated with me. That talk is going to improve how I treat patients with cancer. And ultimately, I don’t want you to overthink it. Okay, overthinking can get you to a point of analysis paralysis and paralyzed is the last place that I want you to be when it comes to presenting for conferences. If you have knowledge, if you have experience that can help others, you are already qualified to share it.
We truly need more voices and more perspectives in the cancer rehab space. And that includes yours, my friend.
So we’ll apply today. Again, you can find the application for the Cancer Rehab Community Conference 2025 in our show notes and also in your podcast player. Don’t wait, submit that application today. The clock is ticking down. Remember the deadline is March 14th, 2025. Oh man, I cannot wait to see your application. So get that taken care of. I can’t wait to see you at the Cancer Rehab Community Conference 2025. And until next time.
This is Elise with the Onco PT. And remember, you are exactly the physical therapist that your patients with cancer need. So let’s get to work.