Call for Proposals: Shape the future of irrigation

Be recognized as an industry thought leader and innovator.


The Irrigation Association is committed to expanding educational opportunities that provide valuable training and development for professionals in our industry. We invite industry experts to submit their ideas for the 2024 Irrigation Show and Education Week. This is a unique opportunity to elevate your career, expand your professional network and contribute to the advancement of the irrigation industry. Proposals must be brand agnostic and focus on providing educational value rather than promoting specific products or services.

Submit your proposal by Aug. 30. Applicants will be notified of their proposal status by Sept. 16

Submit Your Proposal


Submission Types

The IA is seeking two types of proposals for educational content:

  • High-level lightning sessions
    These 20-minute sessions will be presented on the exhibit floor in the Innovation Hub and will provide attendees information about important topics such as current industry issues and trends, advocacy updates, industry outlooks and more.
  • Classroom-style deep-dive sessions
    These 45-minute classroom presentations will focus on providing attendees with deeper, more technical education on irrigation-related topics.

Content Focus Areas

Consider these content focus areas for inspiration when crafting your proposal.

  • Irrigation Trends
    Provide insights and information about current trends and topics in the irrigation industry. Discuss the impact of today’s irrigation trends on the industry.
  • Irrigation Best Practices
    Share best practices that irrigation professionals can employ to achieve water and other natural resource efficiency. Present impactful case studies and demonstrate how-tos and best practices.
  • Diversity, Inclusion & Opportunity
    The Irrigation Association stands with our employees and member companies in recognizing that the greatest ideas and discoveries come from a diverse mix of minds, backgrounds and experiences. Such diversity serves to unlock the potential of innovation and advancement in efficient irrigation. These topics speak to the innovative ways companies are embracing diversity, inclusion and opportunity to foster a robust workforce.
  • Research
    Discuss processes and present data and results from professional research projects related to irrigation equipment and practices, water use efficiency, technology use and natural resource management.
  • Sustainability & Conservation Issues
    Provide insights and impactful discussions about sustainable irrigation practices and strategies, climate issues affecting our industry, how we can adapt to better serve global conservation initiatives and public affairs strategies for communicating our industry’s sustainable practices to the public.
  • Technology & Innovation
    Provide information and insights about today’s innovative technologies and equipment designed for more precise and efficient irrigation and water management, data and decision support and monitoring, business applications as well as a discussion of strategies to promote adoption of these innovations by irrigation professionals and end users.
  • Advocacy & Government Relations
    Provide insights and updates on current legislation and government programs, regulations and restrictions impacting the irrigation industry (local, state, regional or national level), tips for complying with regulations and adapting your business to address the changing regulatory landscape and ways our industry can work together to impact decision-makers (e.g., collaborative messaging, public affairs efforts and other ways to be an advocate for your industry).
  • Workforce Development
    Discuss strategies related to fostering the training, development, and education of a professional and expert workforce, meeting the education and development needs of a diverse workforce and ensuring that knowledgeable professionals aren’t leaving the industry.
  • Professional & Career Development
    Focus on practical approaches to career development within the irrigation industry. Proposals in this area should highlight strategies for professional growth and career advancement, including developing technical skills and enhancing overall professional capabilities.
  • Business Growth & Practices
    Provide insights and strategies for effectively managing and growing a business, including sales and marketing strategies, tapping into new markets, managing employee and workforce issues, embracing innovation and new technologies, navigating economic uncertainty and inflation, etc.

Submit Your Proposal


Please note: Presenters will need to pay for their travel and show registration.