Information and Resources for Applicants
Successful events are built on the foundation of strong education sessions. We want to help you craft an excellent proposal so you can make your voice heard, and deliver impactful, inspiring solutions, stories, and ideas to the Total Rewards community. This is your opportunity to highlight your expertise and offer real solutions to the most urgent problems Total Rewards and compensation professionals face today.
We are offering the following resources to support you, our applicants:
- Read the information on this page to learn about selection criteria, topics, available session formats, and speaker types.
- Attend an Office Hour session. During this time WorldatWork staff will be available to review and provide feedback on submissions, help solve any technical problems, or answer general questions about the event or Call.
All submissions must be completed through the online form and are due by March 13. If you need an accommodation or have questions, please email us at speakers@worldatwork.org.
What are the Key Dates?
February 27 |
Call for Content Opens |
March 9, 3-4pm ET |
Office Hour (Add to Calendar) |
March 13 |
Call for Content Closes |
By March 20* |
Notifications Sent to Submitters |
What is the selection criteria?
This is a one-day event and we will only be able to accept a very limited number of sessions from this call.
Follow the tips below to make your application stand out.
- Include practitioners: Include the voice of someone who is currently living and breathing Total Rewards or compensation.
- Be creative with your session format: How can you present your ideas in a new or different way? How can you ensure engagement?
- Get specific: The more details you provide in your description, the more likely you are to be selected.
- Be topical: The event will occur in early October. What will be top of mind for Total Rewards professionals during that time? How can you connect your content to a larger trend in the macro environment?

For Consultant and Service Partner submissions, please note there are new guidelines.
What key topic areas will sessions address?
WorldatWork Newport Beach Summit sessions are organized by the areas of the Total Rewards model. Within the topics below, we hope to see submissions that help participants steer through unpredictability, innovate rewards to enable new work models, harness AI solutions to revolutionize work and total rewards, boost productivity and workforce results, enhance holistic well-being, advance equity in the workplace, and ultimately maximize impact.
What types of session formats will be at the Summit?
We all have different learning preferences. In order to meet as many individual preferences as possible, WorldatWork Newport Beach Summit will offer a variety of session formats. The submission form will ask you to suggest which of the following formats you believe will best help participants engage with your ideas. If your submission is accepted, you will work with the WorldatWork team to finalize your session.
What types of speakers present?
Academic: Full or part-time professor with no other source of employment.
Consultant*: A professional hired to provide expert advice to multiple clients or organizations. Does not include internal consultants. See practitioner definition.
Non-Profit Organization Representative: Advocate from a relevant non-profit, offering industry-specific insights and expertise, aligning with our event's cause and mission.
Practitioner: “Internal” professionals accountable to influence or deliver rewards for that one specific organization. Excludes those working in professional services supporting external customers.
- Examples: SVP Total Rewards, Manager, Compensation Manager, Director Employee Benefits, CHRO, Financial Analyst, Benefits Specialist, Recruiter
Service Partner*: A supplier or someone who works for a company that provides organizations with services other than management consulting. See consultant definition.
- Examples: IT Solutions Provider, Payroll Processing Provider, Recognition Outsource Provider, Insurance Agent, VP Product Development, Sales Director

*Please note there are new guidelines for Consultant and Service Partner submissions.