Do you have experience, stories, tools, and lessons on how public markets can help address local and global challenges? We want to hear from you!

Our 2027 conference theme, The Future of Markets in a City We Can Afford, is a call to action to recognize public markets as anchors of shared prosperity in their communities. At a time when conversations across the U.S. and beyond are focused on affordability, economic justice, and community connection, public markets stand out as a dynamic solution. The theme is offered as inspiration to help you connect your proposal to some of the key conversations we’re hoping to spotlight at this year’s event. 

A key part of organizing the International Public Markets Conference is seeing trends emerge by hearing new ideas from market practitioners (of all types of markets), researchers, policymakers, and advocates around the world. While our call for proposals welcomes submissions on any topic, below are popular themes/topics in the public markets field. The sessions we include in the final program will reflect the themes that emerge from this proposal process. We welcome your ideas and fresh perspectives!

Or surprise us with a different topic!

Session Formats

We’re offering five formats to choose from this year. Each format is unique, so please review the characteristics and expectations of each before choosing the best fit for your content.

Please note that in some circumstances, the conference organizers may invite you to present in a format other than what you selected, should it be more suitable for the overall programming.

• Single Short Presentation (7 or 15 minutes, 1 speaker added to a 90-minute session): a single presentation by a single presenter, perfect for sharing a case study or something similar. Single presentations will be grouped together with other presenters proposing similar topics, into a session curated by the conference organizers.
• Skills Workshop Session (90 minutes, 1-2 speakers/facilitators): interactive and focused on teaching practical skills, strategies, and techniques. In this format category, please note that we will look for innovative workshop activities that engage with the audience directly, not lecture-style presentations. 
• Panel Session (90 minutes, 3 speakers, 1 moderator): a moderated “fireside chat” format used to spark dialogue and dig deeply into panelists’ expertise. Please note that we expect panels to include a diverse set of voices, featuring perspectives from multiple disciplines, projects, backgrounds, or cultures. We cannot accept a panel where all speakers are from the same company/organization.
  
• Roundtable discussion (90 minutes, 1-2 facilitators): a facilitated discussion on a specific topic, where the facilitator guides the conversation, poses questions, and drives toward an actionable outcome. For this format type, proposals should focus on the plan for the agenda and group facilitation strategy, not just the facilitator’s subject-area expertise.
• Mobile Workshops (120-180 minutes) (*For NYC local orgs and individuals only*): a moderated 2-3 hour offsite experience that will allow participants to dive deeper into one local market location or initiative, meet with stakeholders to learn more about its history and operations, and contribute their own ideas for greater levels of success.
• Other: Feel free to propose another type of session or activity that is not listed here. For example, this can be a tour, activation, or another interesting idea that we haven’t thought of yet!

Proposal Submission & Evaluation

This year's application form contains a series of questions regarding the session’s content, structure, audience, and outcomes. Please refer to the Submission Guidance which will help you prepare your answers before you submit the form. Please note:

• You may submit up to two proposals, but no more than one can be selected by our Review Committee to be featured in the conference.
• Anyone is welcome to submit a proposal, but our conference speakers have traditionally been made up of market operators and managers, urban planners and designers, academics and researchers, local government representatives, consultants, community advocates and nonprofit professionals. We welcome proposals featuring every kind of market, from street vendor clusters and temporary pop-ups to indoor market halls and wholesale markets.

• If selected to present, speakers will be expected to register at a speaker rate to confirm their place in the program. The speaker registration rate will be $295 USD, which is roughly 60% off of a regular rate registration. A “pay what you can” scholarship application will also be available for accepted speakers experiencing financial hardship.

Review Process

Proposals will be evaluated by the Program Review Committee, which will include individuals from participating conference partners as well as outside experts in the field. The Review Committee will be looking for proposals that are relevant to the broader public markets field; are complete, thorough, and thoughtful; demonstrate a focus on equity; feature speakers(s) with commensurate knowledge and expertise; and contribute to discussions around the conference theme.

Proposal timeline

• Proposal form closes: November 13, 2026
• Review period complete: January 2027
• Applicant notifications of status: Early February 2027
• Conference registration opens in February 2027‍

‍We look forward to receiving your submission!‍

‍For any questions about the Call for Proposals process, please email us at: IPMC@pps.org