Speaker Application
Every year, the 99U curatorial team works to identify an eclectic mix of serial idea executors from across the creative industries who have incredible stories and insights to share. Our audience arrives at the Conference with focus and intention, and we strive to provide the highest level of insight, delight, and pragmatic takeaways through our speaker selections.
Just a very short list of past speakers includes Twitter founder Jack Dorsey, RISD president John Maeda, FuseProject founder Yves Béhar, photographer Jill Greenberg, designer Stefan Sagmeister, Echoing Green president Cheryl Dorsey, marketing guru Seth Godin, and
This American Life producer Starlee Kine, among many others.
To nominate a speaker please fill out the recommendation form below.
FAQ: SUBMITTING A SPEAKER
Can I recommend myself as a speaker?
If you're a serial idea executor — and a great speaker — with relevant insights to share, yes!
Please use the form below to apply.
Can I recommend someone else as a speaker?
If you think they're qualified absolutely! Please use the form below to apply.
Can sponsors be speakers?
We love to have sponsors who are aligned with the 99U mission, but we do not include speaker positions as part of our sponsorship programs. You can learn more about becoming a sponsor
here.
Is there a deadline for speaker submissions?
There is no deadline as we are looking for speakers year-round. We do start planning very far in advance, however, so the sooner you submit your speaker idea, the better.
How long are the talks at 99U?
All talks are 20-30 minutes — the length is determined by our curatorial staff.
How can I check on the status of my submission?
When you submit your speaker idea, you will receive an on-screen confirmation that it has been sent to us. Then, you can rest assured that your submission will be reviewed by our curatorial team. Unfortunately, we cannot respond to every inquiry individually due to the high volume of submissions.
Please keep in mind that all 99U talks are expected to be 20-minute, original presentations focused on some aspect of idea execution.
