What Makes an AOAP Conference Session Memorable

After more than 100 presentations and being recognized as an AOAP Power Speaker for two years in a row, I've spent a lot of time thinking about what makes a conference session truly memorable. Not only the sessions people enjoy in the moment, but the ones they reference months later. The ones that lead to a new policy, a better practice, a difficult conversation, or a change in perspective.

If I'm being honest, I don't think it's the sessions with the most slides, the most citations, or even the most knowledgeable presenters that have the biggest impact. Some of the best sessions I've attended have been led by people who would never describe themselves as experts. They were simply willing to share something they learned, a challenge they worked through, or a problem they solved.

As AOAP's call for presentations approaches it's August 15 deadline, I want to encourage anyone who has considered submitting a proposal to take a chance. Our profession benefits when we hear from a wide range of voices, facilities, experiences, and perspectives. Some of the most valuable conversations I've had at conferences have come from presenters who almost didn't submit because they weren't sure they had enough to offer.

Start With a Problem, Not a Topic

One of the biggest shifts in my own approach to presenting happened when I stopped thinking about topics and started thinking about problems. When I'm building a presentation, I spend less time asking, "What do I want to teach?" and more time asking, "What challenge is someone trying to solve?" People don't attend sessions because they want information. They attend because they need help. The more directly a presentation addresses a real-world challenge, the more likely it is to resonate and create lasting impact.

Give People More Than They Expect

I've found that attendees appreciate leaving with more than ideas. They want something they can use. Whenever possible, I try to provide resources, examples, templates, discussion prompts, checklists, articles, or tools that attendees can bring back to their teams. If someone takes time away from their facility and invests in professional development, I want them to leave with practical value, not just inspiration. The best feedback I receive is often some version of, "I have three things I can implement next week."

Build Participation Into the Session

Learning is not a spectator sport. I can think of very few sessions I've attended where I remember every slide. I can remember quite a few where I discussed a scenario with colleagues, reflected on a question, shared an experience at my table, or worked through an activity that helped me apply the content. Whether it's a table discussion, case study, reflection exercise, or action-planning activity, participation helps attendees connect ideas to their own experiences and makes learning more memorable.

Tell Stories People Will Remember

Stories matter. In fact, I would argue that stories are often what people remember most. Years later, attendees rarely quote statistics back to me. They remember the story about a patron, a staff member, a difficult situation, a mistake, or a success. Stories create connection and help people see themselves in the content. They turn information into something relatable, practical, and easier to remember long after the conference ends.

Create Action Throughout the Session

One of my favorite things to build into presentations is action. Not just at the very end when everyone is rushing to their next session, but throughout the presentation itself. I want attendees thinking about how the content applies to their facility while we're discussing it. What could they implement next week? What conversation needs to happen with their team? What policy should be reviewed? What small change could make a meaningful difference? The best conference sessions don't just transfer knowledge. They create momentum.

Design Slides for After the Conference

Presenters often focus on what slides look like during the session, but I think just as much about how they'll be used afterward. Will someone take a picture of this slide? Will they pull it up six months from now when they're facing a challenge? Some of the most valuable slides I've created aren't visually impressive at all. They're simple frameworks, checklists, graphics, or action plans that attendees can refer back to when they return home. Great slides don't just support learning in the room. They support action afterward.

Connection Matters More Than Expertise

One of the biggest misconceptions about presenting is that you need to be the smartest person in the room. In my experience, attendees are looking for connection, authenticity, and practical insight far more than they are looking for perfection. They want to learn from someone who has faced similar challenges and is willing to share lessons learned along the way. Expertise is valuable, but connection is what makes people lean in and engage.

Your Experience Has Value

If you've ever considered presenting at the AOAP conference, here's a simple exercise. Think about the questions your colleagues ask you most often. Think about a challenge your facility has solved in the last few years. Think about a mistake that taught you an important lesson.

Think about something you wish someone had taught you earlier in your career. There's a good chance your next conference presentation is hiding somewhere in those answers.

The aquatic industry doesn't need more perfect presentations. It needs more people willing to share what they've learned. Some of the most memorable sessions I've attended weren't delivered by professional speakers. They were delivered by professionals who cared enough to contribute their experience to the conversation.

If that's you, I hope you'll consider submitting a proposal this year. Your story, your lessons learned, and your perspective may be exactly what someone else needs to hear.

Make Your Session Pitch Perfect!

AOAP is excited to share a variety of resources to help you prepare a perfect session proposal!

• Check out the Session Submission Guide here.

• Download the Session Proposal Template here. Once complete, you can copy & paste into the submission form!

• Finally, join us for our upcoming webinar, Pitch Perfect: How to Nail Your Conference Speaker Proposal, on Thursday, July 16 at 11 am CDT. Register here to join us!

About the Author

Kate Connell, CPRP, is an aquatic leader with over 15 years of experience. In addition to her role as Senior Manager of Sales and Strategic Partnerships at HydroApps, Kate works to build safer, more inclusive aquatic environments through her business, Equitable Aquatics. You can connect with Kate at kateconnell@hydroapps.com. 

Are you interested in submitting a blog post? Reach out to Kirsten at kirsten@aquaticpros.org to share your idea and learn more about the AOAP Blog.