The 2026 Annual Meeting of the Society of Florida Archivists – Tides of Resilience and Growth – will take place May 13-15, 2026 in Saint Petersburg, FL, at the Hilton St. Petersburg Bayfront. 

Call for Proposals

The 2026 Society of Florida Archivists Annual Meeting Committee invites proposals for sessions and poster presentations. Along with any aspect of archival practice, the Committee encourages proposals addressing the conference’s main theme and possible subthemes.

Tides of Resilience and Growth

Archivists are navigating an increasingly complex landscape shaped by rapidly shifting technologies, budget and funding uncertainties, and escalating demands on time and labor. Our 2026 program invites proposals that examine how archivists and archival institutions are demonstrating resilience and fosteri growth amid these turbulent conditions. We welcome sessions that engage with one or more of the following areas:

• Resilience – How is your institution strengthening its capacity to withstand and respond to challenges? Topics may include sustaining core services, implementing innovative tools or workflows, fostering professional development, or rebuilding after periods of disruption.

• Growth – How have your practices evolved over time, particularly in areas such as collection development, description, discovery, access, and the cultivation of community partnerships?

• Advocacy – In a climate of tightening budgets and increasing scrutiny, articulating the value of archival work is more important than ever. Proposals may explore advocacy strategies, relationship-building, community engagement, impactful storytelling, or successful efforts to secure resources and support for archival programs.

• Technology – How is your institution approaching new and emerging technologies, and how are these tools reshaping your work? We welcome discussions of challenges, opportunities, pain points, and innovations as you navigate new digital horizons.

• Combatting Burnout – Burnout continues to affect archivists at all levels of the profession. We seek presentations that address workload management, staffing realities, wellness strategies, and practical approaches to creating healthier, more sustainable archival workplaces.

The above list is merely a starting point for generating topics. The committee encourages first-time presenters and proposals that highlight institutional commitment to diversity, inclusion, equity, and accessibility. 

Presentation Format 

Individual papers: 15 minutes in length and typically combined into a 45-minute session followed by a 15 minute comment-and-discussion period. One to three presenters may comprise a single session. 

Papers in a complete panel session: Two or three papers with a common theme and a chair/moderator, comprising a 45-minute session followed by a 15 minute comment-and-discussion period.

Discussion-based panel sessions: Visual or media presentations (e.g., videos, films, physical items from  collections) followed by group discussion. One to three presenters may comprise a single session. Session length must be mentioned in the proposal.

Poster sessions: Visual displays of projects, activities, or applied or theoretical research, to be  incorporated into a larger poster session.

Other formats: Hands-on demonstrations or other formats that encourage engagement and conversation. Session length must be mentioned in the proposal.

Proposal Criteria

Submissions should be simple narratives of no more than 300 words that explain the purpose of the session, the intended audience, and how the session will proceed. You need not name specific presenters, but a designated chair or moderator must be identified. Please include that individual’s contact information (institution, mailing address, email, and phone). Preference will be given to session proposals that demonstrate the following characteristics:  

• Inclusion of geographically and demographically diverse perspectives and initiatives.

• Potential impact on archives and records management practice. Relevance of the topic for society members and other interested attendees.

• Interaction and engagement with session participants.

Presenters need not be SFA members, but are expected to arrange their own conference registration, travel, and accommodations.

Proposals are due by January 16th, 2026. Please submit your proposals through the Annual Meeting Proposal Submission Form, linked here: https://forms.gle/bPJyz7P4Ac87Ebsa7

If you have any questions or issues submitting, please contact Hannah Wiatt Davis at vicepresident@florida-archivists.org.