Speaking
opportunities
at MTF, we believe that sharing knowledge is the key to forging a strong tech ecosystem
We also believe that you can’t be what you can’t see! That’s why we create a number of opportunities across the year for our tech community to come together and share knowledge through tech talks, panel discussions, round tables and more!
We hold a continuous Call for Papers, allowing anyone from our community to submit a talk to one of our social events throughout the year.
SpEAK at our core festival
Applications to speak at our Core Festival in October 2024 are now closed.
Be sure to check back here next year to see how you can apply for the Core Festival at MTF2025!
Current Opportunities
Explore our upcoming opportunities, and don’t forget to sign up to our newsletter at the bottom of the page as we announce new opportunities throughout the year!
Throughout the year, MTF creates regular spaces for 120+ techies to meet, network and knowledge share. Typically held at DiSH MCR, each event consists of two community speaking opportunities. These last 20 minutes each and are open to anyone within the tech community.
Some of our mixers are entered around a specific theme but if this is not specified – then we become talks from all corners of the community!
Check out our Social Events Calendar to find out more.
Inclusivity is at the heart of Manchester Tech Festival – thats why we have launched Queer Tech Co-Working, an opportunity for LGBTQ+ people and allies working in tech, to network, learn and (most importantly) get some work done!
At each event we have two community speaking slots open to members of the LGBTQ+ Tech community or to those who have something relevant to the community to speak about!
Check out our Social Events Calendar to find out more.
If you are new to speaking, or want to try out a new topic – our 99 second talks are perfect for you! Take to the stage and have your moment in the spotlight! All we ask is you keep it to 99 seconds… and you will be timed!
There is no formal application process for our 99 second talks, simply attend your chosen event and tell one of our volunteers you wish to speak!
How to apply
To apply we ask for:
- The proposed title for your talk
- Description of your talk. This should be between 800-1000 characters long (roughly 200 words)
- A biography. This should be between 500-700 characters and outline your past speaking experience and relevant career highlights
We will also ask for your personal details including Name, Email, Job Title (Speaker Tagline), and the company you work for.
(Please inform us upon applying if you wish for your job title or company to be omitted from any publications)
Ready to apply? Read the additional FAQ’s and then submit your talk on the form below!
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Manchester Tech Festival is all about inclusion, whether you have spoken publicly before or attended a panel makes no difference to us. We encourage you to submit your ideas if there is something you feel passionate about, you’ve made a discovery, or you just want to share your experience in the tech industry. No idea is a bad idea!
Each year MTF receive an extremely high volume of speaking applications. Therefore we are unable to feedback on your application to speak. We will keep your application on file for up to 12 months and will only be in touch with successful applicants.
Manchester Tech Festival is a community project that is entirely sponsor funded. Therefore, we are not able to reimburse expenses associated with speaking. This ensures we can reinvest as much money as possible into making our events the best they can be.
Yes! We know that you may have a lot you want to talk about or expertise in more than one area, that’s why we welcome more than one submission per person. However, due to the number of applications we receive each year, we limit applications to a maximum of three per person.
Apply to speak AT AN MTF EVENT
Fill in the form below to submit a talk to one of our Social Events – Please Note that this form is to apply to speak at one of our social events ONLY – and if applications to speak at our Core Festival are now closed.