CALL FOR SPEAKERS at COMPOST2026

Call for Speakers!

The USCC's Annual Conference and Trade Show is the premiere professional meeting for composting, organics recycling, and related topics.

All events are IN-PERSON ONLY

Submission Deadline: July 8, 2025

Submit Abstracts for:

Concurrent Sessions: Made up of individual, 20-minute presentations, these 90-minute sessions provide an opportunity for speakers to present in a formal setting. The content includes best practices, how-tos, case studies, industry insights, emerging trends and technologies, advocacy, marketing, business, new perspectives, etc. Typically, three individual presentations are grouped based on a common theme so that each speaker ends up with 20–25 minutes.

CREF Research Track: The Compost Research & Education Foundation (CREF) has been designed with compost science and research work in mind. This track is made up of the latest scientific findings and papers in our industry. Proposed abstracts will be reviewed for scientific validity by select members of the CREF Board. If you would like to present your research, please choose "CREF Research Track" in the "Type of Proposal" in the Abstract Submission Form.

Up to two abstracts may be submitted per speaker; however, please note it is not common for two presentations to be accepted by the same speaker. (Once through the abstract submittal process with your first abstract, click submit before you start the process for a second abstract. Speaker/presenter will receive a confirmation email once each abstract is submitted.

All abstract submissions must be completed by the actual speaker, not a surrogate. Submissions from assistants or third parties will not be accepted. This ensures accurate representation of content, availability, and speaker intent.

Abstracts should be clear, concise, and not exceed more than 300 words; a minimum of 100 words is required. A review committee will rate all abstracts. Ratings are based on content, clarity, and format, with USCC membership a factor but not a requirement.

Proposed presentations should contain information directly relevant to compost collection, manufacturing, marketing or use and related professions, especially in the categories listed above. Both case studies and research reports are welcome. Case studies may not espouse the benefits of a single product or service but must make a more general point (i.e., no “infomercials”).

COMPOST2026 ABSTRACT SHOULD INCLUDE:

A clear, descriptive title that sparks interest.
Background and motivation that highlights the significance of your research.
Well-defined objectives that state your topic or research question or aim.
Precise methodology that outlines how you conducted your study.
Key results that present your findings; takeaways
Compelling conclusions that emphasize the impact and relevance of your work.

Why Speak at COMPOST2026?

Abstracts are encouraged on topics in each of these areas. Bullets are provided as suggestions but all relevant submissions are encouraged:

The conference routinely attracts more than 1,500 attendees working directly in the fields of compost manufacturing and organics recycling. Speakers receive outstanding professional exposure as well as great networking opportunities. Chosen speakers receive the discounted speaker rate of 50% off.

Only one speaker per presentation.

Benefits of Speaking at the USCC Conference

Recognition among your colleagues and peers in the organics recycling industry
Inclusion of your presentation in the conference recordings on Compost University(™) including PowerPoint and audio)
Unlimited networking opportunities
Reduced registration fee to attend the entire conference

Diverting and Collecting Organics
Processing Technologies
Uses and Markets
Programming, Policy and Education
Business of Composting and Finance
Feedstock Management
Process Control and Quality Assurance
California Legislation, Regulation and Policies
Compost-Related Procurement Policies
Lessons Learned from Operations
Compostable Products
Restoring Land with Compost after Wildfires
Use of Compost for Stormwater/Erosion Control
Agricultural Uses of Compost
Air Emissions and Odor Control
Regulatory Challenges and Compliance
Contamination Costs, Management and Reduction
Running and Financing Your Compost Business
Scaling Operations

CALL FOR WORKSHOPS

PRECONFERENCE WORKSHOPS

Preconference Workshops*: Pre-conference workshops take place the day before the conference starts and run for either half a day or a full day. If you have a workshop on any topic related to compost manufacturing, organics collection or diversion, or compost markets and uses, you are welcome to propose it. To propose a workshop, please DO NOT use this abstract submittal form. Please send an email to tsmcmanamon@compostingcouncil.org with the following information:

Workshop Title
Instructors, including brief bios
Duration (half-day (3-3.5 hrs.) or full-day (6-8 hrs.)
Summary and Topics covered
Agenda or outline
Teaching methods
Expected learning outcomes
Where have you taught this workshop, or similar ones, before

*We do not pay for workshop development or instructor travel, but we split the net revenue, with a guaranteed minimum. Instructors also receive complimentary conference registration. Email Teri Sorg-McManamon ( tsmcmanamon@compostingcouncil.org ) if you have any questions.

PRECONFERENCE WORKSHOPS

The deadline to submit abstracts is July 8, 2025

*Deadline is drop dead, no exceptions*

Accepted abstracts will be available to view online before and at the conference.

Apply