Speaker Application Form
Wonder Women Conference
Overview
Thank you for your interest in speaking at the Halifax Chamber of Commerce’s signature Wonder Women Conference! Since 2018, the Halifax Chamber of Commerce team plans the Wonder Women Conference to bring together bold and ambitious women to connect, educate, inspire and empower one another to take on new and expanded roles in work, community and life. This annual event strives to create a community of inclusivity that ultimately encourages all women to own their ambition, break down barriers, and unleash their superpowers.
As we prepare for the eleventh edition of the conference, the Halifax Chamber of Commerce is changing our process for speaker selection. We are accepting applications from the community from October 1 to November 13, 2026.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
The Halifax Chamber is committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and equitable Wonder Women conference. We welcome and encourage applications from persons who identify as women, visible minorities, Indigenous, persons with disabilities, members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community/people with diverse gender identities and sexual orientations.
To ensure the Wonder Women conference reflects Nova Scotia’s vibrant and diverse culture, our goal every year is to have a diverse representation among our speakers that represents our community.
Speaker Types
Keynote Speaker
Keynote speakers deliver powerful, high-impact talks to the full conference audience, sharing knowledge from their field of expertise, big-picture insights, and personal stories that inspire, energize, and set the tone for the event. Their sessions focus on high-level topics like motivation, leadership, and overcoming barriers, reinforcing the conference’s mission of empowerment, inclusion, and unlocking potential at scale.
Serving as a keynote speaker at the Wonder Women Conference provides both immediate and long-term value. Keynote speakers gain high-profile exposure to a large, engaged audience—700+ professionals—positioning them as a leading expert and elevating their professional credibility. The Wonder Women platform creates opportunities for expanded influence, including future speaking engagements, new business or partnership opportunities, and stronger personal brand recognition. Additionally, aligning with a respected, mission-driven event focused on empowerment and inclusion reinforces the speaker’s reputation as a leader committed to driving meaningful impact.
Presentation Timing: 45-60 minutes (placement in agenda TBD)
Audience Profile: 700-800 attendees expected
Audio/Visual Equipment: Podium, screen, microphone (handheld, lapel, and podium options available), and sound system provided.
Compensation*: 2 complimentary tickets to the Wonder Women Conference, including one for you and one for a guest (value total: $520.00). *Additional compensation to be discussed during the review process.
Keynote Speaker criteria:
- Master of your craft / subject matter expert on your topic, with credible evidence of knowledge, research, and expertise. (If available, please submit video(s) of you speaking and/or testimonials here)
- Extensive experience in delivering professional speeches, credited through submitting video(s) of your previous performances at events, conferences, etc.
- Charismatic, high energy, and engaging professional comfortable in front of hundreds of individuals
- Capable of submitting a Topic Proposal including:
- Session Title (A title that is clear, compelling, and audience focused.)
- Session Summary (What is the topic? Why does it matter? What will attendees learn? What makes this perspective unique?)
- Key Takeaways
- Storytelling Elements (Personal stories / lessons learned / real-world examples / audience connection)
- Capable of meeting time commitment:
- Attend the entire Wonder Women Conference (can be discussed if prior commitments interfere)
- Attend rehearsal period the day prior for sound and stage check
- Meeting with the Halifax Chamber of Commerce team twice minimum prior to the rehearsal (virtual meetings accepted)
- Social media support
- Provide us with a video or similar piece of content to help the Chamber promote the event on our channels.
- You do not need to be a current Halifax Chamber of Commerce member
Please note, if you’ve spoken at our Wonder Women Conference recently, we may select a speaker who has not yet had the opportunity, to provide a variety of speakers that create a unique event experience for attendees.
Breakout Speaker
Breakout speakers deliver interactive and engaging workshops rooted in their area of expertise. Designed to provide practical, actionable learning in a more intimate setting. Through two 30-45 minute sessions, they facilitate hands-on discussions, skill-building, and meaningful participant interaction, reaching hundreds of attendees while contributing to the conference’s goals of empowerment, leadership development, and community building.
Presenting as a breakout speaker at the Wonder Women Conference offers both immediate and long-term value. Breakout speakers gain targeted exposure to highly engaged audiences through interactive workshops, often connecting with hundreds of attendees across multiple sessions in a more intimate setting.
This format allows you to:
- Demonstrate your expertise in a practical, hands-on way
- Build meaningful connections with participants
- Enhance your professional visibility and credibility
- Open doors to future speaking opportunities, new clients or collaborators
- Expand influence in your field
Presentation Timing: Two 45-minute sessions (placement in agenda TBD)
Audience Profile: 150-200 attendees expected per session
Audio/Visual Equipment: Podium, screen, microphone (handheld, lapel, and podium options available), and sound system provided.
Compensation*: 2 complimentary tickets to the Wonder Women Conference, including one for you and one for a guest (value total: $520.00). *Additional compensation to be discussed during the review process.
Breakout Speaker criteria:
- Teacher’s mindset, comfortable interacting with and teaching a large group of professionals
- Master of your craft / subject matter expert on your topic, with credible evidence of knowledge, research, and expertise. (If available, please submit a video(s) of you speaking / testimonials here)
- Extensive credible experience in delivering professional workshops/training/speeches
- Engaging professional comfortable in front of hundreds of individuals
- Capable of submitting a Topic Proposal including:
- Session Title (A title that is clear, compelling, and audience focused.)
- Session Summary (What is the topic? Why does it matter? What will attendees learn? What makes this perspective unique?)
- Key Takeaways
- Interactive materials or elements
- Capable of developing physical / interactive elements attendees can use to engage in the session
- Capable of meeting time commitment:
- Attendance of the entire Wonder Women conference is preferred but not necessary
- Attend your rehearsal period the day prior for sound and stage check
- Meeting with the Halifax Chamber of Commerce team twice minimum prior to the rehearsal
- You do not need to be a current Halifax Chamber of Commerce member
Please note, if you’ve spoken at our Wonder Women Conference recently, we may select a speaker who has not yet had the opportunity, to provide a variety of speakers that create a unique event experience for attendees.
Pep-Talk Speaker
Pep Talk speakers deliver inspiring, energetic, and short presentations that blend storytelling, lived experience, and practical insights to inspire empowerment, confidence-building, and unlocking potential! Positioned throughout the conference program, these sessions aim to provide attendees with impactful moments of motivation and encouragement, leaving the attendees with a “warm fuzzy feeling”. Pep Talk speakers aim to energize hundreds of attendees, are you up to the challenge?
Presenting as a Pep Talk speaker at the Wonder Women Conference offers both immediate and long-term value. Pep Talk speakers gain visibility among a large and engaged audience while showcasing their unique voice and perspective in a memorable and exciting format. Your stories create meaningful connections with attendees, often generating strong audience engagement and lasting impact.
Participation offers the following benefits:
- Enhance your professional profile
- Strengthen your personal brand
- Open doors to future speaking invitations, networking opportunities, and new professional relationships.
Presentation Timing: 10 minutes (placement in agenda TBD)
Audience Profile: 700-800 attendees expected
Audio/Visual Equipment: Podium, screen, microphone (handheld, lapel, and podium options available), and sound system provided.
Compensation*: 2 complimentary tickets to the Wonder Women Conference, including one for you and one for a guest (value total: $520.00). *Additional compensation to be discussed during the review process.
Pep-Talk Speaker criteria:
- Charismatic, high energy, and engaging professional comfortable in front of hundreds of individuals
- Extensive experience in delivering professional speeches, credited through submitting video(s) of your previous performances at events, conferences, etc. (If available, please submit a video(s) of you speaking / testimonials here)
- Capable of submitting a Topic Proposal including:
- Session Title (A title that is clear, compelling, and audience focused.)
- Storytelling Elements (Personal stories / lessons learned / real-world examples / audience connection)
- Key Takeaways
- Your plan to energize & connect with the audience
- Capable of meeting time commitment:
- Attendance of the entire Wonder Women conference is preferred but not necessary
- Attend your rehearsal period the day prior for sound and stage check
- Meeting with the Halifax Chamber of Commerce team once minimum prior to the rehearsal
- You do not need to be a current Halifax Chamber of Commerce member
Please note, if you’ve spoken at our Wonder Women Conference recently, we may select a speaker who has not yet had the opportunity, to provide a variety of speakers that create a unique event experience for attendees.
