Speak at COS 2027

March 13–14, 2027
Bow Valley College, Calgary

Share your expertise. Strengthen our child care community.

Do you have experience, practical knowledge or a fresh perspective that could help child care leaders and the families they serve?

We’re inviting operators, educators, business professionals, health specialists, researchers and community experts to contribute to the COS 2027 Childcare Leadership Summit.

Our focus is practical: helping participants build their knowledge, work through real challenges and leave with ideas they can use in their programs, teams and communities.

What could you share?

DAY ONE: Leading Strong Child Care Programs

Topics may include team leadership, HR, operations, financial management, administration, quality, compliance, communication and managing change.

Sessions for owners, operators, directors, supervisors and emerging leaders. We welcome ideas related to:

• Leadership, communication and managing people

• Staff development, workplace culture and retention

• Daily operations, administration and effective systems

• Financial management and program sustainability

• Quality, compliance and managing risk

• Leading through change and developing future leaders

DAY TWO: Supporting Children, Families and Communities

Topics may include child development, inclusion, neurodivergence, speech and language, play, nutrition, health, family partnerships, community services and understanding child care policy and funding.

Sessions connecting child care practice with the professionals, services and systems supporting children and families. We welcome ideas related to:

• Child development and the power of play

• Neurodivergence and inclusion

• Speech, language and communication

• Nutrition, health and well-being

• Family relationships and access to community supports

• Child care policy, funding and regulation

Parents and caregivers will join designated Parent Community Day sessions, with tickets proudly sponsored by The Educator Table.

Have an idea that connects these areas? We’d love to hear it.

What we’re looking for

Sessions should give participants a clear understanding of the topic and practical ways to apply what they learn. We welcome real examples, useful tools, thoughtful discussion and approaches grounded in professional expertise, research or direct experience.

You might share a lesson from leading your own program, demonstrate a useful approach, explain a complex issue or help participants work through a common challenge.

Ways to contribute

We welcome practical presentations, interactive workshops, panel discussions and Leadership Labs—facilitated sessions where participants work through real scenarios together.

You can apply on your own, with a co-presenter or as someone interested in joining a panel. If you’re unsure which format would work best, tell us about your idea and we can explore the options.

A focus on learning

Speaking sessions should provide educational value. Presenters may introduce their organization and relevant experience, but sessions should not be sales presentations.

If your main goal is to showcase a product, service or business opportunity, please contact us about sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities at info@churchergroup.com.

You don’t need a finished presentation to apply

A short outline and a description of your relevant experience are enough to get started.

We review submissions for relevance, practical value and fit with the overall program. Submitting an idea does not guarantee a speaking place. Session format, length and any speaker arrangements will be discussed with selected contributors before confirmation.

apply

COS 2027 Speaker Application

Share Your Session Idea

Tell us what you would like to share, who it would help and what participants would take away.

We will use the information you provide to review your session idea and contact you about COS 2027.