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Holiday Showcase 2026 Opening Session

This year at Holiday Showcase we're celebrating all things ICONIC, and let's be honest: what's more iconic than than the people, ideas, and stories within our own association community?

We're looking for members of the community to take the stage during the Holiday Showcase opening session on Wednesday, December 2nd for a series of fast-paced, story-driven presentations of approximately eight minutes each.

The creative challenge: Pair an iconic holiday movie moment with a true association story, leadership experience, or meaningful insight that our community can learn from.

Think of Kevin realizing he is on his own and resourcefully working with what he has in Home Alone. Consider Buddy’s contagious enthusiasm in Elf, or George Bailey finally recognizing the ripple effect of his life in It’s a Wonderful Life. The movie moment provides the memorable hook, but the heart of the presentation should be a real experience, specific example, or meaningful insight relevant to association professionals.

We are especially interested in stories about:
  • Resourcefulness in the face of limited time, people, money, or certainty
  • A person, perspective, or idea whose value was initially overlooked
  • An impact that extended beyond traditional measures of success
  • An organization that reconsidered a long-standing assumption or way of working
  • Another defining moment that changed an association, profession, industry, or community
You do not need to be a professional speaker, but you should have a clear story to tell and be comfortable developing and rehearsing a tightly focused presentation with guidance from Association Forum. Speakers who are selected will receive coaching and complimentary two-day registration for Holiday Showcase.

Bring us your iconic holiday moment. Bring us your true story. Bring us an idea association professionals need to hear.

Submissions are due by 11.59 pm CT on Monday, November 2. Submitters will be notified on Friday, November 6.
1.Your Name(Required.)
2.Email Address(Required.)
3.Job Title(Required.)
4.Organization(Required.)
5.What iconic holiday movie moment will provide the opening frame for your presentation?

Briefly identify the movie and describe the specific moment. The movie scene should provide a memorable entry point into your presentation, but it should not be the presentation’s primary subject. Note: Please do not select any scenes from Love Actually.(Required.)
6.In one sentence, what is the central lesson or takeaway you want the audience to remember?

Focus on one clear, relevant idea rather than several broad themes.(Required.)
7.What true story, experience, or example will bring this lesson to life?

In under 200 words or fewer, tell us what happened. What was the challenge, decision, or defining moment? What changed as a result? Please be as specific as possible while protecting any confidential information.(Required.)
8.How does this story connect to association leadership, and why is it relevant to the Holiday Showcase audience?

In 150 words or fewer, explain what other association professionals can learn from your experience and how they might apply the lesson in their own organizations.(Required.)
9.Are you able available to present in person at Holiday Showcase on December 2, 2026 between 9:00-10:30 a.m.?(Required.)