Become a speaker

Read through our code of conduct.

Why should I apply?

The Things Conference is the world’s largest LoRaWAN conference with 1 big conference and 10 side events per year. We’ve worked really hard to put together the best experience we can for our guests. Before applying, please review the information below about the application process and possible questions.
Keynotes will also be recorded and shared within our worldwide networks, reaching an audience of up to 100,000 people.

What is a Things Conference keynote?

Inspiring. Knowledgeable. Innovative.

Our aim is to get insider visions from professionals or enthusiasts in the industry on overcoming challenges – whether developmental or economic. With an international team of experts, we pull together and inspire the LoRaWAN ecosystem through:

• Thought-provoking keynotes
• Engaging workshops
• Interactive side sessions
• Case studies
• Value-driven stories

We are known for delivering more than information that anyone can simply find on the internet. And we would like to keep it this way.

To get a better understanding, get inspired by some of our previous speakers:

LoRaWAN and the IoT – Olivier Seller (Semtech)

Adding Intelligence to Your LoRaWAN Devices – Jan Jongboom (Edge Impulse)

Wildlife protection – Laurens de Groot (Smart Parks)

WHO SHOULD APPLY?

People who stand with their feet in the dirt, the ones who have first-hand experience with running LoRaWAN projects.

GUIDELINES
When submitting your proposal for activity hosting at The Things Conference, consider the following guidelines:

1. Choose your topic
Choose the topic that you would like to organize an activity for. Try to present your topic with the most unique, objective perspective available as this will create the most value for audience members. You should also convey why you believe your story is significant.

2. Choose your format
Once you have chosen your topic, you will have to choose your format.

• Keynotes are talks given on one of our stages, often accompanied by presentations and sometimes co-speakers (15-20 minutes)
• Workshops are interactive, hands-on sessions where attendees can take an in-depth look together with an instructor at specific developmental challenges and learn how to overcome them (50 minutes).
• A roundtable session is a deep conversation on a specific topic in small and interactive groups (up to 30 minutes).

3. Title and abstract
Make sure that the title of your presentation is clear, representative and short. All keynotes will be available online after the conference, so use industry-related keywords to increase visibility. The abstract should have 80 to 100 words and should include a few key takeaways for your audience. 

4. Fill out the form
After deciding on all of the above, you can proceed to fill out this form.
If you would like the most customisation for your keynote, we encourage each speaker to use the options for open-ended remarks.

5. Deadline submissions
Here in The Netherlands we have a saying ‘Op is Op’ – meaning ‘when a product/spots are sold out, there are no more left’. So, apply as soon as possible. On a serious note, we accept applications until the 1st August, 2023.

IMPORTANT TO KNOW

• Talk about what’s available now, don’t talk about products that people cannot get started with right away.
• Be realistic and don’t oversell. Our audience wants to implement LoRaWAN in real life and has a hard time if you overpromise.
• Share your struggles & pains, this is where people learn the most.
• Only show things that are real, reliable and based on actual deployments.
• Explain how you make the life of IoT professionals easier.
• Product or company presentations are not appreciated nor accepted at our conference. Talk about your technology or solution.

Speaker Policy:

• All speakers receive a free speaker pass and a +1 ticket to the event.
• There are no costs to speak at the event.
• If selected, the costs relating to logistics (travel, accommodation, etc.) are to be covered by the speakers themselves.
• Content has to be original, new, or if you are a returning speaker, content has to be adjusted for this event.
• When representing a company, it is allowed to use 1 slide to present the company itself.
• Each session can have co-speakers but these have to be informed well in advance.
• Proposals will be selected based on the value the proposed idea provides to audiences and speakers involved.
• Changes in subject or speakers have to be coordinated with the conference organisation team and could lead to session cancellation.
• Due to limited slots for keynotes, some proposals might be offered slots as part of different formats to those proposed.
• Once the offers are accepted and speakers and session content confirmed, we will add these sessions/speakers to our conference website.
• All speakers will provide a copy of the presentation and/or any other handouts or materials at least seven (7) days in advance of the scheduled speaking engagement.
• Speakers also consent to The Things Network’s use and distribution (now and in the future) of the speaker’s images or voice in photographs, videotapes, electronic reproductions, and audiotapes of such events activities unless otherwise requested.
• Refer to our code of conduct for more general conference conduct.
• To view upcoming events – visit our online calendar.