September 11 – 14, 2008
The Galt House Hotel & Suites
Louisville, KY

Session Abstract Submission Deadline: Monday, December 17, 2007

Submit an Abstract Online

Lamaze is looking for presentations and hands-on sessions that build transferable skills among conference attendees to support its vision of creating a world of confident women choosing normal birth. Proposals are being accepted for concurrent session presentations (1 1/2 hours in length) related to childbirth and perinatal education. 

Please note: All abstracts must be submitted online using the Online Abstract Submission Tool. Incomplete and late submissions may jeopardize consideration of your proposal. Review the Online Abstract Submission Tips page prior to logging into the online submission tool.

Selection Process: Each abstract is initially reviewed and ranked by conference committee members without the presenter’s identifying information. Unfortunately, there are always more positively ranked abstracts than there are slots available. Those with the highest ranking are selected. The conference committee appreciates the time and energy that all submitters put into the development of their session proposal.
 
Abstract rankings are made based on the criteria listed below.

• Is the topic relevant to the conference theme and objectives?
• Is the topic relevant to the Lamaze International childbirth educator competencies?
• Does it reflect the Lamaze International philosophy of birth and philosophy of parenting and is it relevant to normal birth?
• What teaching methodologies are used and does the format and technique encourage audience participation? Is it presented in an innovative way?
• What are the audio visual needs for the presentation?
• Will the topic attract at least 75 participants?
• Has the topic and/or speaker been requested or recommended by membership or previous conference attendees?
• Is there an overall comprehensiveness and balance to the program?
• Is this submitted by a local or regional resource?
• Does it fit with the balance of topics for new childbirth educators and advanced topics?

The Conference Planning Committee will notify the primary submitter regarding acceptance by March 1, 2008 after complete review and consideration. The panel may recommend that some submissions be presented in poster format for evaluation in that category.

Abstracts not selected will be held on file for one year. If selected, Lamaze International reserves the right to edit the title, description and outline for clarity and to meet space requirements.

Conference session size varies; speakers are encouraged to choose topics that will attract at least 75 participants. Presenters will be notified before the conference as to the tentative number of attendees registered for their course.

Honorarium and Conference Registration: Lamaze International will provide a $500 honorarium for a session speaker living beyond a 100-mile radius of the conference site to apply to travel, housing or registration fees, as well as a complimentary one-day registration for the day she/he is speaking. All speakers must complete a conference registration form and pay appropriate registration fees if attending sessions or functions on days other than their speaking day. Speakers within a 100-mile radius will receive a complimentary registration to the conference; all other expenses are the responsibility of the speaker. Multiple speakers for sessions will share the honorarium or complimentary registration.

Please contact speakers@lamaze.org or call 800-368-4404 with any questions.