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Session Types:
The following table outlines the types of sessions that will be included in World Congress 2025 with noted details and topic areas that fit each type. Sessions that are livestreamed will be available to registered virtual attendees in addition to the in-person audience. Topic Areas are detailed in the following section.
Session Type |
Timing |
Description |
Topics Areas That Fit |
Notes |
Conversation |
1 hour |
Facilitated discussions that drive meaningful takeaways and participant sharing and collaboration on a challenging topic. The facilitator provides context and discussion questions to guide the conversation. |
Trending Challenges |
Max of two speakers.
Likely to be in person only. |
Briefing |
1 hour |
An update on an important change, new trend, etc. These sessions provide new information to the community. |
Updates |
Max of two speakers.
Likely to be livestreamed. |
Panel |
1 hour |
A success story show and tell. |
Powerhouse Success Story |
Max of four speakers, including moderator if needed. Two speakers will receive registration and two must be paid registrants.
Likely to be livestreamed. |
Deep Dive |
2 hours |
A session on an important skill or process, designed for attendees to practice making key decisions, analyzing information, etc. – competencies they’ll be able to take back and apply in their workplaces. Deep Dive sessions are encouraged to be workshop-style and include immersive learning experiences. |
Contract Management Skills
Power Skills |
Max of two speakers.
May be livestreamed.
Encouraged to include immersive content, formerly called workshops |
Tech Alley |
30 minutes |
Non-selling sessions in the exhibit hall designed to share a new technology or new use of technology or AI in contract management. |
Tech Alley |
Max of one speaker
In person only |
If selected for further review, NCMA may ask you to consider a different format for your topic, pair with another presenter, or otherwise tweak your content to complement the intent of the event and other sessions on the agenda.
Session Topic Areas:
Trending Challenges
A significant portion of the agenda will be dedicated to the most pressing challenges faced by the contract management workforce. This will be a place to discuss the current tightrope faced by employees and employers around telework, workforce recruitment and retention challenges, small business contracting, supply chain issues, cybersecurity and many, many more. We rely on our community to bring the most pressing topics forward.
Powerhouse Success Stories
We want to hear from teams or experts who have a story to share with the community. Did you write the contract that landed us on the moon? Did you find a new way to drive speed within your agency? Did you implement a career program for your procurement team that revolutionized your organization? Panels should leave plenty of time for Q&A. Panels only will be allowed up to four instead of two speakers including a moderator, if needed (two of up to four speakers receive complimentary registration if accepted and the other two must be paid registrants). We will have space for 7 panel sessions at the event.
Contract Management Skills
A significant portion of the World Congress agenda will be devoted to building core competencies of the contract management profession. Sessions must address the topic in a current way that demonstrates the impact of our environment. Successful session proposals demonstrate how attendees will learn and practice applying specific skills they’ll need on the job and focus on skill areas that are not too broad or too narrow.
For example, “Supply Chain Challenges in Federal Acquisitions” is too broad. “Supply Chain Pitfalls in an Ocean Transportation Market” is too narrow. “Building Systems to Mitigate Common Supply Chain Risks” is a good lens. For the skills we are seeking, refer to the Contract Management Standard®.
Power Skills
A significant portion of the agenda will be dedicated to “power skills” sometimes called soft skills or career skills, these are the essential areas required for all professionals at any level. Examples include emotional intelligence, avoiding burnout, empowering teams, etc. We are particularly looking for topics that recognize the uniqueness of the contract management role and those that recognize and share new skills or skills that may be growing in importance.
Updates
Updates are designed to bring relevant cases, regulatory changes or policies that recently have or will soon impact our profession broadly. Examples include CMMC updates, Corporate Transparency Act Changes, Changes to small business program requirements. We rely on speakers to bring important information to keep our community current.
Tech Alley
A 30-minute non-selling session that takes place on the Tech Alley stage in the exhibit hall, meant to show a live demonstration of a new use of tech or AI in contract management. A few examples of topics shared at last year’s event:
- Use Acqbot to Write Contracts Faster
- Automated Weighted Guidelines
- Work Faster with an AI Agent
- Make Data Driven Decisions with the PK Knowledge Board!
- Negotiate with ChatGPT
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