2027 Chesapeake Gateways Annual Partner Meeting

Call for Session Proposals

SUBMISSION DEADLINE: 10:00 AM on July 31, 2026

Background and Theme

The 2027 Chesapeake Gateways Annual Partner Meeting is scheduled to take place in Harrisburg, PA late February-early March.

This keystone technical assistance opportunity, convened by NPS Chesapeake Gateways, is an opportunity for network members to learn from NPS staff, experts in the field, and most importantly, other members of the Chesapeake Gateways Network. The 2027 Annual Partner Meeting is expected to welcome 120-150 attendees who represent the wide range of organizations we serve - governmental agencies, nonprofits, and private businesses. Chesapeake Gateways partners and communities help manage sites, provide programs, and promote visitation to the special places that connect people to the Chesapeake’s natural, recreational and cultural heritage.

The theme for the 2027 Chesapeake Gateways Annual Partner Meeting is “Investing in Place: Recreation, Heritage, Opportunity.”  The agenda will feature 16 sessions scheduled within four tracks, two non-track sessions, and two keynote speakers. Participants will be able to attend four sessions for each track as well as two non-track sessions during the two-day meeting:

1. Return on Partnership: Chesapeake Gateways Member Models Worth Replicating: Explore proven partnership approaches, programs, and projects that demonstrate measurable community, conservation, or visitor benefits and offer lessons learned that can be adapted across the Chesapeake Gateways Network.

2. Outdoor Recreation as Chesapeake’s Economic Engine: Discover how outdoor recreation investments can drive economic growth, attract visitors, support local businesses, and enhance quality of life throughout the Chesapeake region.

3. Resilient Organizations, Resilient Chesapeake Places: Learn strategies for building strong, adaptable organizations and partnerships that can sustain recreation, tourism, and community priorities while navigating challenges and opportunities.

4. Chesapeake Tourism: Economic Impact by Design: Explore how intentional tourism planning, place-based storytelling, and strategic partnerships can increase visitation, strengthen local economies, and create lasting benefits for Chesapeake communities.

Session Guidelines

Presenter Expectations: The Chesapeake Gateways Annual Partner Meeting is an in-person convening. All presenters must be present on-site for the day of their presentation. There are no virtual options.

NPS Chesapeake Gateways may offer invitational travel for presenters on a limited basis. If you require financial assistance at this year’s event, please note this request in your proposal. This will not affect consideration of your proposal.

Proposal Evaluation:
Each session is scheduled for 75 minutes, with the suggested structure of 45-minutes of presentation and 30-minutes of interactive workshopping or questions & answers. Sessions may take the form of a panel (3+ people), presentation (1 person), chat/discussion (2 people), or workshop.

Sessions may spotlight a case study(s) or introduce new, innovative, and/or “hot” topics; be in-depth presentations that facilitate discussion; give participants opportunities to workshop ideas or programs; or provide an opportunity to take a deeper dive into a topic of choice about which the presenter(s) have specialized experience, knowledge, or expertise. Sessions are expected to be creative, engaging and meaningful with opportunities for practical learning and networking.

We will evaluate each proposal based on the following criteria:

1. Relevancy and Timeliness – The proposal suggests a clear understanding of the target audience within Chesapeake Gateways that would likely benefit from the session. The title, topic and abstract present a unique perspective that addresses current trends from the field in relation to the theme.

2. Skill Building and Utility - The proposal clearly explains the intended learning outcomes for the target audience. It includes tangible resources and takeaways participants can use on their own.

3. Interactivity - The proposed session is designed to engage participants beyond the traditional lecture format through interactive activities.

4. Feasibility and Planning - All planned activities are appropriate for the session format and make appropriate use of time. The proposed session will feature speakers with a unique perspective or other expertise on the content.

While more than one session proposal per organization may be submitted, each proposal must be submitted separately. Because we are looking to provide a range of learning opportunities for attendees, priority will be given to selecting at least one proposal per organization before considering additional proposals from the same organization.

NOTE: The Planning Team will consider the geographic and thematic distribution of proposals received in determining the selection of presenters. We may also ask presenters to combine sessions, switch tracks, or consider additional speakers. Please note your willingness to do so in your proposal.

Session topics to consider: The following list includes some suggested topics for sessions related to each of the Annual Partner Meeting tracks. We also encourage topic submissions that are not listed here, especially if the topic is theme-related and creative.

Track	Suggested Topics	Suggested Topics
Return on Partnership: Chesapeake Gateways Member Models Worth Replicating	Cross-Sector Partnerships Shared Interpretation Initiatives Volunteer Stewardship Programs	Small Organization Strategies Regional Trail Partnerships Partnership Lessons Learned Visitor Storytelling Techniques
Outdoor Recreation as Chesapeake’s Economic Engine	Expanding Water and Land Based Public Access Recreation-Based Economies Impactful Park and Recreation Data	Recreation and Conservation Frameworks Conservation and Recreation Success Stories Importance of Partnerships and Communities
Resilient Organizations, Resilient Chesapeake Places	Multigenerational Workforce Management Shared Capacity Models Collaborative Fundraising Models	Succession Planning Navigating Organizational Change Workforce Development
Chesapeake Tourism: Economic Impact by Design	Destination Development Strategies Repeat Visitation Strategies Tourism Impact Metrics	Downtown Revitalization Chesapeake Gateway Community Collaboration Tourism Office Partnerships Regional Visitor Itineraries

Where do I go to submit my session proposal?
Submit your proposal through our online form. It is best to prepare your proposal in advance by reviewing the questions below.

Click for Online Form Question Review