OVERVIEW
Presenting at the 2nd Annual Inclusive Growth Summit offers individuals and organizations an opportunity to share expertise, strengthen cross-sector connections, and contribute to actionable conversations shaping a more inclusive and economically competitive future for New Haven through collaboration, innovation, and shared learning.
This page outlines the submission process, review criteria, and key information for individuals and organizations interested in presenting at the 2026 Inclusive Growth Summit.
Before submitting your proposal, please read the full guidelines below.
KEY DATES | ABOUT SUMMIT | TRACKS | CRITERIA | FORMAT | IMPORTANT INFO | APPLY
KEY DATES FOR SPEAKER PROPOSALS
Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
Call for Proposals Opens | 05/18/2026 |
Call for Proposals Closes | 06/17/2026 |
Proposal Review Period Begins | 06/22/2026 |
Proposal Review Period Ends | 06/26/2026 |
Notifications Sent | 07/06/2026 |
Speaker Registration Deadline | 08/07/2026 |
Final Session Edits Due | 08/21/2026 |
Summit Date | 09/15/2026 |
ABOUT THE SUMMIT
The 2nd Annual Inclusive Growth Summit convenes leaders across business, education, healthcare, housing, workforce development, entrepreneurship, climate and green energy, transportation, technology, and public policy to define what inclusive growth means for New Haven, to identify actionable strategies that strengthen economic participation and opportunity for all residents.
Last year, more than 140 participants joined to share best practices, build partnerships, and explore innovations. The Summit serves as both a learning platform and a community benchmark for progress, research, and collaboration.
THEME AND TRACKS
This year’s theme, The Power of the Next Step, reflects the importance of practical action, cross-sector collaboration, and sustained momentum in building a stronger regional economy.
The Inclusive Growth Summit is designed to move beyond conversation alone. This convening will bring together leaders from various sectors to define what inclusive growth means for Greater New Haven, identify key priorities and opportunities, and develop actionable strategies to achieve a shared vision for the region’s future.
At a time of rapid economic, technological, and demographic change, the Summit creates space to remove silos, strengthen partnerships, and collectively shape a future where economic growth benefits all residents, leaving no one behind.
Track 1: On-Ramps to Economic Mobility
Intentional participation in the economy depends on nonnegotiable conditions such as housing stability, early talent pipelines, workforce readiness, and dignity.
These sessions examine place-based approaches that move beyond short-term services toward durable economic mobility and long-term participation in the economy.
Track 2: Powering Ownership Transitions
Local economic strength depends on ownership transitions that keep businesses viable, rooted, and growing through succession, entrepreneurship through acquisition, and innovative ownership structures.
These sessions focus on incremental, implementable growth that builds from what already exists to expand opportunity and sustain enterprises over time.
Track 3: NextGen Ecosystems in Action
Economic competitiveness increasingly depends on using technology and climate as economic levers to strengthen the workforce of tomorrow, modern infrastructure, and inclusive growth.
These sessions examine applied uses of AI, clean energy, and data-driven tools, along with workforce strategies that position inclusion as preparation for participation in the next economy.
PROPOSAL REVIEW CRITERIA
Proposals are reviewed by The Center for Inclusive Growth, in collaboration with Advisory Committee members and selected partners. Each submission is evaluated based on the following weighted criteria:
Category | Weight | Focus |
|---|---|---|
Presenter Perspective and Sector Representation | 20% | Does the presenter bring relevant expertise and on-the-ground experience? Does the overall speaker pool contribute to diversity across sectors, geographies, organizational types, and lived or professional perspectives aligned with inclusive growth? |
Fit for Paired Session and Facilitated Discussion | 25% | Is the proposed content well-suited to a concise 10–15-minute presentation within a paired session format? Does it offer a clear point of view, tool, model, or approach that could meaningfully complement, contrast with, or inform another organization’s work and support rich facilitated discussion? |
Practice-Based Content and Evidence of Traction | 35% | Does the presentation highlight real-world implementation, learning, or outcomes? Is the work grounded in evidence, experience, or measurable progress (early results, pilots, adoption, or iteration), rather than conceptual or untested ideas? |
Alignment with Summit Theme and Tracks | 20% | Does the proposal clearly align with the Summit’s theme, The Power of the Next Step, and one or more of the Summit tracks? Does it focus on practical, actionable progress rather than high-level theory or aspiration? |
SESSION FORMAT
Paired Sessions
Each session will be 45 minutes total and feature two speakers whose work meaningfully intersects around a shared track.
Each speaker will deliver a 10–15 minute presentation highlighting a specific idea, program, tool, framework, or initiative that:
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Addresses a real-world challenge aligned with the track
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Demonstrates evidence of use, testing, or implementation
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Shows early traction, learning, or measurable outcomes
We are especially interested in presentations that move beyond theory to share what has actually been tried, what has worked, and what has been difficult in practice.
Session Design
Speakers will be intentionally paired with another organization whose work complements, contrasts with, or expands on their approach. The conference team will design pairings to surface meaningful comparisons, connections, or productive tensions.
Following the presentations, the remaining time will be devoted to a facilitated group discussion focused on:
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Implementation challenges and adaptations
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Tradeoffs, constraints, and lessons learned
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How these approaches might translate across different organizational or community contexts
These discussions are designed to give attendees a grounded, honest view of how ideas move from concept to practice—so they leave with insight they can realistically apply.
Speakers are not expected to prepare additional materials for the discussion portion beyond their presentation.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION BEFORE YOU APPLY
SPEAKER POLICIES
By submitting a proposal, you agree to the following:
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All speakers must register by August 7, 2026.
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Speakers are responsible for their own travel, lodging, and associated costs.
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Speakers agree to participate in one virtual orientation call before the Summit.
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All materials (slides, handouts, etc.) must be submitted by August 21, 2026.
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Summit facilitators may moderate sessions to enhance engagement.
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Presenters are expected to return the room to its original condition following their session.
A/V support includes microphones, screen, projector, and Wi-Fi. Presenters must bring any additional items needed.