September 15–17, 2026 | Las Vegas

AU 2026 Call for Proposals

Calling all Autodesk experts, thought leaders, and trailblazers. The Call for Proposals for AU 2026: The Design & Make Conference is now open, offering a chance to share insights, showcase innovation, and inspire the global Autodesk community.

How do I submit a proposal to speak at AU 2026?

Submitting is easy. Here is the link. If you don’t complete all fields, you can save your progress and return later.  

To help you prepare, download the proposal worksheet. 

How do I make my proposal stand out?

Only 12 percent of proposals were selected last year. Reviewers look for clear value, strong alignment, and content that truly delivers for attendees. The tips below are drawn directly from AU 2025 audience feedback. 

• Hands-on wins. Hands-on Labs and Product Demos earned the highest satisfaction scores in 2025, and sessions that teach attendees practical workflows often perform better. If people leave with a new skill they can use tomorrow, you’re on the right track. 
• Go deep, not broad. High-level overviews tend to have lower audience scores. Successful sessions clearly spell out what attendees will learn and how it improves real workflows. 
• Attendees love big ideas, as long as they come with practical takeaways. Ask yourself what someone should be able to do differently the very next day. 
• Make your abstract crystal clear. Be specific about who the session is for, what it covers, and why it matters. Alignment here sets expectations and strengthens your proposal.
• Bring something new and sound like yourself. Fresh perspectives and authentic stories stand out. Bonus points for experience-driven insights.
• NEW! We strongly recommend you upload a 15-20 second video pitching your proposal. It’s your chance to show energy, clarity, and why you should be on stage. Watch an example here.

What can I expect as an AU speaker?

If your proposal is accepted, we’ll provide you with the resources and support to deliver a high-impact presentation. You will have access to speaker training materials, opportunity to connect with fellow speakers, and a complimentary event pass for the primary speaker. 

We require the following from all AU speakers to ensure this valuable content is easily consumable and available year-round. 

• Presentation slides (PowerPoint template provided) 
• Handout (Word template provided) 
• Lab datasets (Hands-on labs sessions only)
• Video recording (Vendor provided). Exception: panels and hands-on labs  

How are proposals selected?

Proposals go through an extensive review process. We consider:

• How well proposals align with industry topics
• What AU audience is targeted  
• What are the business outcomes achieved
• New ways of thinking or working  
• Creativity and engagement
• How content will support year-round learning initiatives  

A successful proposal tells a story and has a beginning, middle, and end. It answers the question “why?” Why will this specific audience care? 

• Start strong with an attention-grabbing open that establishes the topic and details your why
• Follow up detailing your obstacles, challenges and pain points   
• End by sharing your key learnings

When is the deadline to submit?

The Call for Proposals will close on April 7. Submitters will be notified in mid-May whether or not your proposal has been selected. 

The AU selection process is competitive, and decisions are influenced by several factors including audience needs, session balance, and industry topics and themes. If your proposal isn’t accepted, consider sharing your expertise in the Autodesk Community.

Technical requirements

Speakers must bring their own laptop to deliver their presentation on-site and be able to capture high-quality video and audio prior to the conference. Presentations run directly from the speaker’s laptop via a plug-and play connection at the stage. 

What are the top reasons proposals are not accepted?

Because we receive significantly more proposals than we can program each year, even strong submissions may not be selected for the following common reasons: 

• Feels more like a sales pitch rather than an educational session
• Is too similar to other submissions and lacks a unique or original point of view 
• Does not clearly connect to AU content priorities, relevant products, or real-world workflows 
• Fails to demonstrate measurable business impact or meaningful outcomes 
• Relies heavily on generic or AI-generated language without specific examples, experience, or depth

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This track is for software developers and technology leaders interested in building their own value-driven applications (AI-powered dashboards, enterprise integrations with Autodesk products, automations, etc.) and driving innovation & business growth with Autodesk Platform Services. 

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