Participate

To create a well-rounded program that reflects the full spectrum of expertise and viewpoints, proposal submissions are limited as follows:

• Diverse panel of speakers representing multiple viewpoints and expertise
• An individual may submit only one proposal but may be included as an additional speaker/panelist in proposals submitted by others

Additionally, to promote broad participation in the program, the Conference Planning Committee may limit the number of proposals selected from the same organization or business firm/company.

The Conference Planning Committee considers the following criteria when evaluating the merits of each proposal:

• Proposal includes all of the required proposal components
• Proposals are unique, engaging, and, while not mandatory, address aspects of the recommended topics (technical subjects, the semiquincentennial, and archaeology)
• Proposals include a panel with diverse perspectives (multi-disciplinary views, geographic diversity, etc.) Proposals that only have speakers from one firm are discouraged.

The Conference Planning Committee is responsible for overseeing the content of the conference and, as the conference program develops, may suggest edits or additions to proposals to better balance each session, workshop, or tour.

• Architects (continuing education credits)
• Planners (continuing education credits)
• Archaeologists
• Cultural Resource Management
• Heritage Tourism
• Historians
• Historic Preservation Commissions
• Municipal and County
• Non-profits

As part of our commitment to delivering an engaging learning experience, we ask all confirmed speakers to adhere to the following guidelines:

• Keep the conference dates open. Be available to present during any of the scheduled session dates and times.
• Attend the event in person. Deliver your session live on-site and assume responsibility for all expenses related to your participation (confirmed speakers are asked to pay a reduced registration rate of $40).

Please Note: The Conference Planning Committee prepares session, workshop, and tour titles and descriptions based on your proposal. Unless something is inaccurate or misrepresents your planned presentation, we use the version published on the conference website.

To help reviewers understand your proposal's value, prepare thoughtful and complete responses for each required proposal component. Here’s what you’ll need to include:

• Title
• Description, including the objectives and target audiences
• Short summary – limit of 150 words (for conference marketing)
• Presenters (no more than three), names, contact information, and biographies – limit of 150 words (for conference marketing)
• Moderator (if appropriate for panel), names, contact information, and biography – limit of 150 words (for conference marketing)
• A/V requirements
• Proposals must be submitted by the due date of January 5, 2026

Please Note: Once submitted, you cannot modify proposals or make speaker substitutions. Speaker updates may be requested after a proposal is accepted.

Are deadline extensions granted?
No. Proposals must be submitted before the submission site closes. No extensions or exceptions will be made.

Can I update or make changes to my submission?
No. Once submitted, you cannot modify proposals or make speaker substitutions. Proposals can only be edited in the system up until you hit submit. Speaker updates may be requested after a proposal is accepted.

Who can submit a proposal?
Anyone working in cultural resource management or a related field is welcome to submit a proposal. This includes historic preservation architects, city planners, Historic Preservation Commissions, archaeologists, public history professionals, non-profit organizations, and more.

What topics are included in the program?
The program includes sessions covering a wide range of topics within various education tracks. Refer to the Education Tracks section for more details.

Does the Conference Planning Committee pay speakers?
Speakers are responsible for their own travel and related conference expenses. Confirmed speakers will receive a reduced registration rate of $40.

Posters can be presented by individuals as well as groups. If you will be presenting as a group, please limit the number of presenters to four participants. Posters will be displayed on the second day of the conference. Each presenter or group of presenters will have 3-5 minutes to explain their research and their posters to the judges. The winners of the Poster Competition will be announced by the end of the day.

To be eligible for the poster session and the poster competition, you must be:

• Currently enrolled in an undergraduate/graduate program
• Young professionals – Must have graduated in the past 2 years (Class of 2024 to present)

To help reviewers understand your proposal, prepare thoughtful and complete responses for each required proposal component. Here’s what you’ll need to include:

• Title
• Short summary of the project - limit of 150 words (for conference marketing)
• Presenters (no more than four), names, contact information, college/university name, graduation year
• Simple, visual mock-up of poster (submitted as a PDF) - should outline the main points and key elements of your display; this does not need to be the final version of your poster!
• Single-page resume/CV for each presenter (submitted as a PDF)
• Proposals must be submitted by the due date of March 6, 2026.

Please Note: Once submitted, you cannot modify proposals or make presenter substitutions. Presenter confirmation and updates may be requested after a proposal is accepted.

A good poster should introduce your topic, research questions, goals, and conclusions. Keep text brief and concise. You should include images and label them with the title, photographer, and date. All text should be printed, not handwritten. The test of a good poster is if someone can read it in two minutes and understand your main points.

Not sure what topic to research? Here are some suggestions:

• Semiquincentennial (250^th Anniversary of the American Revolution)
• New Jersey history
• Topics related to local history in Morris County
• Historic preservation and climate change
• Technological advancements in historic preservation and tourism
• Historic preservation’s role in tourism
• Heritage tourism
• Tools and initiatives that promote diversity and inclusion
• Out-of-state preservation tools and techniques applied to New Jersey

The poster session is an excellent opportunity for students and young professionals to develop essential communication, presentation, and research skills. Attending the conference and presenting your research can open doors to networking opportunities with history and historic preservation professionals across various sectors.

You also have a chance to win a monetary prize if you are chosen as the poster competition winner!

When does the poster session take place?

The poster session will take place on June 18 at Saint Elizabeth University. Your posters will be displayed throughout the day; however, students are only required to be present during the morning when the posters are being evaluated by the judges for the competition. Students are encouraged to network and attend sessions after they are done presenting.

How will my proposal be chosen for display?

Proposals will be chosen based on the persuasiveness of the abstract, clarity of the visual presentation, and the project’s relation to major issues in the field.

When will I find out if my poster was selected?

All presenters will be notified whether your poster has been accepted by the end of March 2026.

Is there a prize for winning the poster competition?

There is a monetary prize for winning the poster competition. Prizes will be announced at a later date.

If my poster is selected, do I have to pay for admission to the conference?

All selected students receive free admission to the conference on June 18. If you wish to attend any of the events on June 17, you will be responsible for those costs.

How should my final poster be formatted?

Final posters should be no larger than 36”x 48”. They should be able to stand on their own on an easel. We recommend either having it printed on a poster board or attaching it to a poster board. 

Who should I contact if I have additional questions?

Please contact Shannon Bremer at shannon.bremer@dca.nj.gov if you have additional questions about the poster session.