Speaking at Summit

2025 Early Childhood Education Summit

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Please submit your proposal by clicking on the link below.

Since 2008, the Early Childhood Education Summit has provided an opportunity for educators and other professionals to share innovative strategies, research, and best practices that enhance early learning experiences.

We invite passionate speakers to submit workshop proposals that engage, educate, and inspire attendees committed to the development and well-being of young children. This is an opportunity to contribute valuable insights, foster professional growth, and shape the future of early childhood education in Pennsylvania.

This year's theme is Elevating Early Learning: Innovations for the Next Generation. Our focus is on groundbreaking policy and program strategies that improve outcomes for children, families, and educators.

We invite workshop proposals that align with key areas of early childhood education, including but not limited to:

Child development and learning strategies
Fair and respectful classroom practices
Social-emotional learning and mental health
Family and community engagement
Leadership and advocacy in early childhood education

Frequently Asked Questions

When and where is the 2025 ECE Summit being held?

The Early Childhood Education Summit will open Sunday, October 19, 2025. Workshop sessions will be scheduled for Monday and Tuesday, October 20 and 21, 2025 at the Penn Stater Conference Center, State College, PA. The conference website is https://earlychildhoodsummit.org

Who attends the ECE Summit?

How do I submit a workshop proposal?

We are using Whova to collect and review proposals. Please submit your proposal at https://tinyurl.com/2s4xb672

A preview copy of the Speaker Proposal submission form is available HERE.

What times are the sessions?

Breakout sessions run from approximately 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Monday and 9:30 AM to 1:00 PM on Tuesday. Workshops are 1.5 hours in length; you may submit proposals for a two-part series, but we are unable to guarantee that the same participants will be in each part of your series.

Do I need to register for Summit?

Yes. The Lead Speaker receives FREE registration for the day of their workshop, with a reduced registration fee for additional days of attendance. All Lead Speakers must register for the Summit, even if they are only attending for the session they are presenting)

Can I have a Co-Presenter or Panelists?

Yes, however only one co-presenter/panelist per session will receive a reduced registration fee for any day they are co-presenting a session. Speakers may have as many co-presenters as they would like, but regular registration fees will apply to additional co-presenters. ALL co-presenters must register for the Summit.

Does the Summit provide projectors or laptops for speakers?

No. Summit does not provide laptops or projectors in the breakout rooms. Rooms will be equipped with flip charts and markers. There will be projection screens, however speakers will need to furnish their own laptops and projectors. Projectors may be rented from the Penn Stater.

Who do I contact if I need assistance?

You can email us directly at info@earlychildhoodsummit.org. The Summit e-mail is monitored daily throughout the proposal, Summit, and post-Summit days.

How many attendees should I prepare for?

About two weeks prior to the conference, you will receive an email indicating the approximate number of attendees that have indicated interest in your workshop (participants can and do change their selections at the time of the conference, so it is not possible to give an exact number).

My proposal was accepted. How do I register?

All Lead Presenters and Co-Presenters need to register. More information on registration will be posted soon.

Can my co-presenter receive e-mails in my place?

No, only the lead presenter for each workshop will be contacted about workshop logistics. Lead presenters are solely responsible for communicating all necessary information to co-presenters/panelists.

Can I choose the day I present?

You will be asked for your days of availability when you submit your workshop proposal; we will schedule your workshop according to this information, and will contact you to confirm that the scheduled day and time work prior to publication of the final schedule of workshops.

How do I know if my proposal has been accepted?

All workshop presenters will be notified if their proposal was accepted, placed on a waiting list, or rejected. Lead presenters are solely responsible for notifying co-presenters/panelists of acceptance.

What are workshop materials?

Workshop materials are any handouts, PowerPoints, fliers, resources, or additional/supplemental learning materials for conference attendees. The deadline for workshop material submission is TBA.

How do I submit my workshop materials for participants?

More information on how to upload materials will be sent for accepted proposals.

Presenter Resources

Presenting at the Early Childhood Education Summit

Why Present at the Summit?

Each year, the ECE Summit provides attendees with a unique, cross systems professional development opportunity. The Summit bridges the gap between Pennsylvania‘s early learning programs by bringing together presenters and staff from Child Care, Head Start/Early Head Start, Pre-K, Home Visitation and Early Intervention. Past speakers have frequently commented on the richness that this diversity brings to the conversations that take place in their workshops.

PRESENTER REGISTRATION

To help us ensure that we are prepared for everyone, ALL SPEAKERS are required to register for the Summit and let us know when you will be on-site, even if you only plan on being present for your own presentation.

The registration fee is waived for the LEAD Speaker on the day of their workshop presentation, and a reduced, single day presenter registration fee is charged for any day that a Lead Speaker attends the Summit but is not presenting. This gives you the ability to attend workshops and earn professional development credits yourself. Up to one co-presenter per session is eligible for a reduced co-presenter rate for any day that they are co-presenting in a workshop.