SDMS Call for Proposals – Accepting Submissions Year-Round
All presentations must be 50 minutes in length.
Each submitted proposal is carefully reviewed and will be considered by the SDMS Events Management Committee (EMC). Not all submitted proposals will be selected for an SDMS event. Selected course proposal(s) will be notified 90 days after the listed submission review deadline.
2028 CME Weekend
Held in the spring, CME Weekend is a travel-free, online-only learning experience that enables sonographers, sonography students, and physicians from around the world to network and learn. In addition to earning SDMS CME credits, the educational program provides attendees with the opportunity to gain insights into sonographic innovations and advancements and learn from the real-world experience of subject matter experts.
Proposal Submission Requirements:
- Title
- Description
- Content Level
- Specialty
Speaker Responsibilities (once proposal is accepted and speaker contract is executed)
- Prepare a presentation that is 50 minutes in length (to be reviewed by the EMC and SDMS staff);
- Record presentation on the date assigned by the SDMS staff; and
- Answer questions from attendees while session is live streaming.
Speaker Honorarium
The following speaker honorarium is available to speakers (where applicable) and is outlined in detail in the speaker services agreement upon acceptance of the proposal.
- Complimentary CME Weekend registration;
- 3x the amount of SDMS CME credit for delivering the presentation;
- $100 Stipend OR SDMS Membership (value $175); and
- 50% discount on registration fees for the SDMS Annual Conference.
Submission Review Deadline for 2028 SDMS CME Weekend – October 15, 2027
Scheduled throughout the year with a focus on specialty specific content
Offered throughout the year, the SDMS Virtual Seminars focus on specialty specific content. Presented virtually, attendees have the opportunity to attend sessions, chat with attendees and speakers, and earn SDMS CME credits from the comfort of their own home or office.
Proposal Submission Requirements:
- Title
- Description
- Content Level
- Specialty
Speaker Responsibilities (once proposal is accepted and speaker contract is executed)
- Prepare a presentation that is 50 minutes in length (to be reviewed by the EMC and SDMS staff);
- Record presentation on the date assigned by the SDMS staff; and
- Answer questions from seminar attendees while session is live streaming.
Speaker Honorarium
The following speaker honorarium is available to speakers (where applicable) and is outlined in detail in the speaker services agreement upon acceptance of the proposal.
- Complimentary virtual seminar registration;
- 3x the amount of SDMS CME credit for delivering the presentation;
- $100 Stipend OR SDMS Membership (value $175); and
- 50% discount on registration fees for the SDMS Annual Conference.
Submission Review Deadline for 2028 SDMS Virtual Seminars – October 15, 2027
Scheduled throughout the year on current topics of interest
The SDMS Knowledge Series are live webinars led by sonography experts on current topics of interest. Held throughout the year, they provide expert commentary and updates that enable attendees to expand their knowledge and earn SDMS CME credits.
Proposal Submission Requirements:
- Title
- Description
- Content Level
- Specialty
Speaker Responsibilities (once proposal is accepted and speaker contract is executed)
- Prepare a presentation that is 50 minutes in length (to be reviewed by SDMS staff);
- Give a live presentation on the date assigned by the SDMS staff; and
- Answer questions from attendees upon completion of the presentation.
Speaker Honorarium
The following speaker honorarium is available to speakers (where applicable) and is outlined in detail in the speaker services agreement upon acceptance of the proposal.
- 3x the amount of SDMS CME credit for delivering the presentation;
- $100 Stipend OR SDMS Membership (value $175); and
- 50% discount on registration fees for the SDMS Annual Conference.
Submission Review Deadline for 2028 SDMS Knowledge Series Seminars – October 15, 2027
2028 SDMS Annual Conference: September 7 – September 9, 2028 | Salt Lake City, UT
The SDMS Annual Conference is designed for sonographers, sonography students, and physicians who use sonography in their practice. Held in the fall, the SDMS Annual Conference fosters connections and learning and includes multiple opportunities to network and visit the exhibit hall. Attendees will earn SDMS CME credits while learning about new sonographic techniques, diagnostic accuracy, enhancements of sonographic instrumentation, and practice management strategies.
To be considered, you must submit at least two (2) course proposals (in one or more specialties).
Proposal Submission Requirements:
- Title
- Description
- Content Level
- Specialty
Speaker Responsibilities (once proposal is accepted and speaker contract is executed)
- Prepare a presentation that is 50 minutes in length (to be reviewed by the EMC and SDMS staff);
- Deliver a live presentation on the conference date assigned by the EMC; and
- Answer questions from conference attendees upon completion of the presentation.
Speaker Honorarium
The following speaker honorarium is available to speakers (where applicable) and is outlined in detail in the speaker services agreement upon acceptance of your proposal.
- Complimentary full conference registration;
- 3x the amount of SDMS CME credit for delivering the presentation; and
- Reimbursement for eligible travel expenses, as detailed in the speaker agreement.
Submission Review Deadline for the 2028 SDMS Annual Conference – October 15, 2027
2028 SDMS Annual Conference: September 7 – September 9, 2028 | Salt Lake City, UT
The Stephen McLaughlin Memorial Lectureship was created as a tribute to past SDMS President Stephen McLaughlin for his service to the SDMS and his dedication to promoting sonographer professionalism within the healthcare community. The lecture is presented each year at the SDMS Annual Conference in his honor.
Candidate Eligibility
- Be a current member of SDMS in good standing.
- Be currently certified and registered by a national sonography certification body recognized by the SDMS Board of Directors and in accordance with the SDMS Position Statement: Recognition of Sonography Credentialing Organizations.
- Have not been a recipient of the award within the previous 5 years.
- Be nominated by a current SDMS member (self-nominations are accepted).
- Have previously spoken at national or international conferences.
- Be willing to both serve as an SDMS Annual Conference general session and a conference track speaker.
Candidate Application Requirements
- Professional career documentation, including a current CV and awards/recognition received in the last five years;
- A detailed outline of the proposed presentation. The EMC will review the candidate’s submission and may suggest modifications or recommend an alternative topic if the proposal does not align with the committee’s focus;
- Written description (1 to 2 paragraphs) of the candidate’s influence and contributions to the sonography community, particularly in advancing the profession and shaping its future; and
- One (1) Letter of Recommendation from a colleague supporting the candidate’s leadership, influence, and overall impact on the profession.
Note: Candidates who do not submit all required application materials will not be considered.
Candidate Responsibilities (once nomination is accepted)
- Prepare a presentation that is 50 minutes in length, focused on sonographer professionalism or the sonography profession in general (to be reviewed by the EMC and SDMS staff).
Speaker Recognition/Honorarium
The selected Stephen McLaughlin lecturer shall receive:
- A complimentary full conference registration to the current year’s SDMS Annual Conference;
- Reimbursement for related travel arrangements including air travel and hotel expenses, (up to three nights, depending on schedule);
- An engraved award;
- Two complimentary, transferrable tickets to the SDMS & SDMS Foundation Awards Event held at the SDMS Annual Conference; and
- Recognition at the SDMS Annual Conference and in the Journal of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JDMS), SDMS press release, and SDMS social media release.
Submission Review Deadline for the 2028 Stephen McLaughlin Memorial Lectureship – October 15, 2027