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Want to speak at a tech conference? These four practical tips will help your session proposal stand out—and land you on the stage.
GitHub Universe returns to San Francisco on October 28 and 29—bringing together the builders, dreamers, and changemakers shaping the future of software. From first-time speakers with big ideas to DevRel pros with demos to share and business leaders rethinking workflows with AI, we believe that a diverse range of voices belong on our stage.
But writing a compelling conference session submission can feel like decoding a complex algorithm. What makes your idea stand out? How do you grab the content committee’s attention? And what if you’ve never done this before?
Good news: we’ve cracked the code, and we’re sharing it with you.
Here are four proven tips to help you put together a proposal that’s clear, compelling, and uniquely you.
Reading this in 2026? This year’s call for speakers is now open.
Here’s the truth: passion is magnetic. If you’re excited about your topic, it shows. It pulses through your proposal, powers your delivery onstage, and pulls in your audience—content committee included.
Instead of chasing the latest trends, talk about something that lights you up. Maybe it’s a story from building an open source project in your off-hours. Maybe it’s how your team shipped something new using GitHub Copilot. Or maybe it’s the unexpected way you quickly scaled developer experience across a global org. Your unique perspective is your superpower.
Content committees can sense authenticity. They’re not just looking for polished buzzwords. They’re looking for people who care deeply and can teach others something meaningful.
🎤 Pro tip: If it’s a topic you’d talk about over lunch with a teammate or geek out about on a podcast, it’s probably a great fit.
Think of your session title like an email subject line—it’s your chance to make a strong first impression, and it needs to do the heavy lifting for you. A strong title shouldn’t just sound good. It should clearly communicate what your talk is about and why it matters.
Let’s take our title as an example:
Avoid vague titles (“A new approach to software”) or clickbait (“This one trick will fix your codebase”). Instead, aim for clarity with flair. Give the content committee a reason to want to learn more along with the confidence that your talk can deliver.
🎤 Pro tip: After you write your title, ask yourself—would I attend this session? Would I understand what I’m getting from it in five seconds?
The content committee is rooting for you, but you’ve got to help them out. The best submissions remove all ambiguity and make a strong case for why this session matters_._
Here’s how:
Also, show that your content has a life beyond the stage:
🎤 Hot tip: Think beyond the talk itself. That’s pure gold for event organizers.
Yes, your session submission is the star, but reviewers on the content committee can also look you up. Your online presence helps us understand:
You don’t need a massive following. But you do want a strong, relevant footprint. Here are a few tips to consider:
On LinkedIn:
Optimize headline and bio
Share speaking experience
Engage with your network
On GitHub:
Update your profile README
Have public contributions
Showcase recent activity
🎤 Hot tip: Post about your submission journey! Sharing your process helps you engage with the community and might even inspire someone else to apply.
You’ve got the ideas. Now you’ve got the blueprint. If you’ve made it this far, we hope you feel ready—and excited—to throw your hat in the ring. Let’s recap:
Whether you’re a seasoned speaker or stepping into the spotlight for the first time, we can’t wait to hear from you. And if you don’t have a session idea this year, you can also nominate a speaker who deserves to take the stage. Submit a session proposal or a speaker nomination to be considered!
Let’s build the future together—one session at a time. 💫
