Call for Lightning Talks

Great ideas begin with a spark. Inspire Esri’s user community with a presentation about your imaginative idea using GIS.

  • Submission deadline

    The deadline to submit an abstract for your presentation is April 14, 2023.

    Submit a Lightning Talk abstract

  • How it works

    Review the eligibility and requirements before submitting your abstract. Our committee will evaluate your abstract and make selections based on topic, content, and time availability. All authors will be notified after the selection process.

  • Tips and guidelines

    Submissions should tell inspiring stories that illustrate how you are using Esri GIS technology to positively impact your communities or industries.

    Go to submission guidelines
    Go to helpful tips
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· Smiling woman with long dark hair wearing burgundy-framed glasses against a background of multicolored swirls and map elements

Eligibility and requirements

All submissions must be in English and include the following:

  • Speaker name—For partner or distributor submissions, the end customer must be the speaker.
  • Presentation title (80 characters or fewer, including spaces)
  • Company name
  • Complete address, phone, and email information
  • Abstract (600 characters or fewer, including spaces)—Do not include information in your abstract that will not be in your Lightning Talk. This will be your published description.
  • Keyword set (list of 3–5 keywords)

The information you enter will be published on the website and agenda. Eliminate bullet points and numbering. Avoid using words in all capital letters. All Lightning Talks must be noncommercial. At no time is it permissible for speakers to use their time slot to advertise or promote a product, service, or company.

You will need an Esri account to access the submission form and submit your abstract. If you do not have an Esri account, you can create a free account.

Submit your abstract
Create an Esri account

Abstract topics

This year we are specifically interested in the following topics.

  • 3D visualization and analytics

  • Artificial intelligence (AI)

  • Apps and app development

  • ArcGIS Pro

  • Mapping, cartography, and visualization

  • ArcGIS Enterprise

  • Field operations

  • Game engines

  • Geodatabase

  • Imagery and remote sensing

  • Business intelligence

  • ArcGIS Online

  • Open data

  • Portal administration

  • Python

  • Real-time visualization and analytics

  • ArcGIS Solutions

  • Spatial analysis and data science

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Questions to be answered

  • What problem did you solve with GIS?

  • What advantage did GIS give you?

  • Did you find a more useful way to do something?

  • What difficulties did you overcome to solve your organization’s departmental problems?

  • What are your findings or results?

  • How can this project be useful for the audience?

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Submission guidelines

  • Be clear

    Ensure that your abstract reflects what will be included in your Lightning Talk. Attendees sign up for sessions based on the advertised content.

  • Be enthusiastic

    Present content that's both relevant and exciting. Demonstrate to the audience why the information you are sharing is valuable.

  • Be specific

    Identify your target audience and the roles that will specifically benefit from this session. Make sure your talk stays on topic and relevant to the session.

  • Be original

    Attendees want to see new presentations that cover the latest innovations in technology. Take time to create well-written titles, abstracts, and outlines and to select the appropriate audience and expertise level.

  • Be educational

    Use your Lightning Talk to inform rather than to promote. Ensure that your proposal demonstrates an exciting opportunity for attendees to learn something new instead of appearing like a sales pitch.

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Helpful tips

  • Focus on Esri technology

    The primary focus of your Lightning Talk should detail how you’ve leveraged Esri technology to overcome a challenge and realize success in your project.

  • Include relevant details

    Provide any pertinent information that will help us understand your selection of discipline and determine the appropriate topic category for your talk.

  • Avoid product promotion

    Lightning Talks must be noncommercial. Attendees are there to learn techniques, solve problems, and be inspired by what you’ve built. Your presentation should give the audience valuable takeaways they can use in their own work, not promote a product or service.

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Frequently asked questions

Your talk should be no more than five minutes.

Our committee will evaluate each abstract and make selections based on topic, content, and time availability. All those who submit abstracts will be notified after the selection process.

Speakers will be provided with presentation information as well as their time slot and instructions. During the event, Esri staff will help facilitate the session with you and the other speakers.

Any member of the Esri user community can submit an abstract.

No, product promotion is prohibited. While we understand you have products and services to sell, we would like these sessions to be inspiring, informative, and educational rather than a series of exhibit booth sales demonstrations.

Submit your abstract

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Get your questions answered

Send a message

Email confregis@esri.com

Call us

1-888-377-4576
Outside the United States

Event dates and location

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