Background

The 2026 International Association for Public Participation (IAP2) Midwest Chapter Conference offers a unique opportunity for anyone who works in public participation (P2) and engagement to share their successes, challenges, and passion with conference attendees. Whether you are a public sector engagement specialist, nonprofit leader, government planner, community organizer, or consultant, we invite you to present and attend the conference.
The Midwest chapter includes Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. We welcome conference presenters and P2 enthusiasts from across our Chapter and beyond!

We are strongly committed to equity and the conference is open to everyone who would like to attend. Our conferences provide learning opportunities for seasoned and new practitioners, along with people interested in learning more about public engagement. Our conferences are very affordable, presenters receive a registration discount, and we will be offering some scholarships. Watch for registration information soon!

Question Title

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The theme for this conference is: Inspiring People, Partnership, and Participation

Public participation (P2) brings people together to work through issues that matter. Below are some prompts to help you think about a session proposal.
  • What stories, lessons, or approaches have helped inspire meaningful engagement among diverse participants?
  • How can we elevate and sustain the human side of engagement — empathy, creativity, and courage — in complex or changing environments?
  • What collaborations and partnerships across sectors, disciplines, or communities have strengthened your engagement efforts and improve outcomes? What made them work?
  • What innovative methods or shared leadership models have helped you co-create solutions or navigate challenges together?
  • How can we design participation processes and choose tools/techniques that are more inclusive, dynamic, and responsive?
  • How can we move beyond participation as a process toward participation as a shared value and ongoing practice?
  • What new ideas, strategies, or frameworks can help advance the practice and inspire the next generation of engagement practitioners?
Reference and examples: Review the 2025 program and session information to help you prepare your proposal.

Deadline: Proposals are due by Sunday, January 18, 2026 at 11:45 pm Central time.

Questions? Please reach out to the following to discuss your ideas or get more information:
  • Heather Tippey Pierce, HTPierce@cityofomaha.org
  • MJ Lamon, MLamon@EdinaMN.gov
Selection Process and Logistics
The Conference Program Committee will review proposals and evaluate them based on the following considerations:
  • How the proposed format and delivery methods support participants to achieve the sessions's stated learning objectives
  • Extent of audience engagement appropriate to the objectives
  • Depth and quality of the content
  • Relevance to important P2 issues and opportunities, and to the conference theme
  • The extent to which the session provides attendees with a tool/tactic/takeaway they can use in their work
  • Overall range and variety of issues, topics, and presenters
Equipment and materials: Presenters must bring their own laptops and any other materials needed for their session. Projectors and screens are provided.

Notification: Proposers will be notified of the committee’s decision in early February 2026. The committee will then follow up with accepted presenters regarding final logistics.

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