Proposal Information

Thank you for your interest in presenting at the Association of Medical Illustrators 2026 Annual Conference. The AMI Program Committee looks forward to reviewing your proposal.
The AMI 2026 Annual Conference will be held July 29 - August 1, 2026 in Madison, Wisconsin.

Submission Dates:
Submission Opens: August 26, 2025
Submission Deadline: October 31, 2025
Notification of Acceptance: Early 2026
General Program Areas for Submission:
AMI 2026 invites presentations engaging in, but not limited to:
  • Artistic Techniques: Digital and traditional approaches to visual communications
  • Biomedical/Scientific: Exploration of biomedical sciences for visual communications
  • Technology in Biomedical Sciences: Technological innovations in science and medicine
  • Business: Leadership, contemporary and emerging business practices, legal subjects, policies, and marketing
  • History of Biomedical Illustration: Can span any time or location but must specifically relate to the history of visual communication and education in science and medicine
Themes for 2026 Presentations and Tech Showcases:
AMI is composed of professionals working in a wide variety of sub-specialties and industries. We welcome speakers from all areas of practice, on a wide variety of subjects. Submissions related to the following topics are of particular interest this year:
  • Contracts, negotiations, IP protection
  • Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in biomedical visualization
  • Graphic design within medical illustration
  • History of medical illustration
  • Impact and implementation of artificial intelligence (AI) in biomedical visualization
  • International subjects
  • Medical legal
  • Patient education
  • Refreshers in a particular area of anatomy and physiology
  • Research updates/resolution from past AMI speakers
  • Setting up and/or operating a small business
  • The science of learning, pedagogy
  • Tips and tricks for common software applications
  • Topics of interest to professionals (i.e. business, marketing, employment, work/life balance, wellness, etc.)
  • Understanding medical imaging
  • UX / UI / human-computer interaction in interactive media
  • Visualization in cutting-edge research
  • Visualizing medical and scientific data (data visualization)
  • Topics in running a Medical illustration Production Department, Institutional teams, advocacy for Institutional teams

Submissions outside of these topics are welcomed and encouraged.
Potential topics of interest for 2026 Workshops include, but are not limited to:
  • 3D modeling or animation (Blender, Cinema 4D, Substance, ZBrush, etc.)
  • Alternative and/or open-source creative software
  • Anatomy/dissection
  • AR, VR and game development (PlayCanvas, Unity, Unreal Engine, etc.)
  • Balance/scheduling for studio owners
  • Business Development
  • Diversity Equity and Inclusion in medical illustration
  • Figure drawing
  • Illustrating and painting various skin tones and facial features
  • Illustrator/Photoshop tips and tricks
  • Mental health for the medical illustrator
  • Museum/zoo/botanical sketching
  • Project management
  • Try new/unique art materials (carbon dust, oil pastels, paper quilling, watercolors, etc.)

Submissions outside of these topics are welcomed and encouraged.
Session Type Descriptions:
  • Plenary Sessions – 60-minute presentations delivered in the main session room and attended by the full conference audience. Plenary sessions highlight topics of broad interest and significance to the field. Presenters are asked to reserve at least 10 minutes for audience Q&A. Plenary sessions may take one of several formats:
    • Lecture – A presentation by one or more experts offering thought leadership, inspiration, or insight on a topic of broad relevance.
    • Panel Discussion – A moderated conversation among multiple speakers bringing diverse perspectives to a significant issue.
    • Interactive Plenary – A hands-on or discussion-based session designed to actively involve participants in activities, problem-solving, or idea exchange. See ideas for engaging interactive sessions here.
  • Concurrent Sessions – 45-minute sessions that run alongside other programming and give attendees the opportunity to choose from multiple topics. Presenters are asked to reserve at least 10 minutes for audience Q&A. Concurrent sessions may take one of several formats:
    • Lecture – A focused talk by one or more presenters sharing expertise, research, or case studies.
    • Panel – A moderated discussion with multiple experts offering different perspectives on a shared theme.
    • Interactive – A hands-on or discussion-based session designed to actively involve participants in activities, problem-solving, or idea exchange. See ideas for engaging interactive sessions here.
  • Tech Showcase – An interactive session where presenters give live demonstrations of tools, workflows, or techniques. Each demo runs on a repeating 30-minute cycle, allowing attendees to drop in at any point during the two-to-three-hour block to explore new skills, ask questions, and see the process in action.
  • Workshops – In-depth learning sessions designed to strengthen skills and expand knowledge. Offered in 4-hour or 8-hour formats, workshops may introduce foundational concepts, provide essential background for advanced topics, or explore innovative ideas within a specific discipline. Objectives focus on delivering practical value—whether through advancing scientific and medical understanding, developing technical artistry, or refining professional practice in AMI fields.

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