IEEE International Conference

Call for Speakers

September 22-23, 2026 · Chicago

Join us for the RTC Conference and Expo at Illinois Tech, taking place from September 22nd to 23rd in Chicago. As we celebrate our 22nd anniversary, we're excited to bring together thought leaders from across industry and academia to shape the future of real-time communications.

Who Should Attend

If you're involved in video, messaging, mobility, the cloud, AI or the Web, whether you're a developer, innovator, engineer, academic educator or researcher, product manager, marketer, or entrepreneur, this conference is for you. For additional information on the conference, please see our Conference Prospectus.

Topics of Interest

We're soliciting presentation proposals at the leading technical and industrial edge of how we conceptualize, create, and implement real-time communications networks, services and applications. Presentations will be placed into the following conference tracks:

  • Programmable Real-Time Networks
  • AI in RTC
  • WebRTC & Real-Time Applications
  • Next Generation Emergency Communications
  • IEEE Communications, Quality and Reliability Workshop
  • Research Track (Juried Papers)

For more details on each track, visit our Program page.

To propose a talk, submit a title, abstract, and brief bio via the Propose a Talk page on our site.

Individual presentations are typically allotted 30 minutes, consisting of 20-25 minutes of speaker presentation and 5-10 minutes of audience Q&A. Panel presentations are typically allotted 60 minutes, consisting of 45-50 minutes of panelist presentations and 10-15 minutes of Q&A.

Call for Speakers vs. Call for Papers

Call for Speakers is distinct from the Call for Papers (Research Track only). Juried papers selected via peer review will be presented at the conference and submitted for publication in IEEE Xplore. The Call for Speakers covers all tracks other than the Research Track.

Presentation proposals will be reviewed by the Program Committee as they are received. The proposal deadline is July 6, 2026, but please submit as early as possible.

If you are submitting a paper for the Research Track, visit the Call for Papers for EDAS submission guidelines.

Expectations for Presenters

Please note that this is an in-person event with all the advantages that the format offers. The in-person format, in particular, gives participants the opportunity to meet and talk with the presenters during the breaks and social events. Talks that are accepted for the program will be given in person and not online. Please note also, that our audience has high expectations! They expect our speakers will present meaningful, thought-leading content. Overt marketing pitches will not be accepted.

Join Us

The RTC Conference at Illinois Tech is a globally recognized event where industry and academia connect. Submit your proposal today and be part of the conversation!