Ready for the stage, dahlink?
Lightning Talks are concise, 5–7 minute presentations designed to highlight projects, ideas, and approaches that have made a meaningful impact in our communities. This engaging format encourages presenters to focus on the most essential elements of their topic, including key insights, lessons learned, and practical takeaways.
We welcome talks that highlight successful community engagement strategies, bold ideas, innovative approaches, lessons learned, and projects that have created meaningful impact.
Lightning Talks offer an efficient and energizing way to share expertise, experience, and innovation while sparking new conversations, ideas, and opportunities for collaboration. They also provide attendees with an opportunity to learn about the work being done by colleagues and community leaders with shared interests.
We are seeking talks from community leaders—yes, that means you!—from across Macomb County. Submissions from leaders in neighboring counties will also be considered.
Talk proposals must be submitted by Friday, July 31, 2026. Selected speakers will be notified by mid-August, providing ample time to prepare their presentations for the Summit.
Applicants will be asked to provide:
- A working or draft title for the talk
- Organization or affiliation
- A brief description of the talk
- Three key points you would like an audience of nonprofit leaders, city planners, community activists, educators, and other community stakeholders to take away from your presentation
- Anything else you would like us to know
Your idea does not need to be fully developed at the time of submission. A clear topic, a meaningful community connection, and three strong takeaways are enough to get started. Fill out the submission form here.
Advancing Macomb’s Community Engagement Summit will take place on Thursday, September 10, 2026 from 8:30 a.m.-12 p.m. at Macomb Community College’s John Lewis Community Center.
