2026 Professional Management Conference (PMC)


The Association of Professional Genealogists (APG) will hold its 27th annual Professional Management Conference (PMC) from 14–17 October 2026. The APG PMC will be held virtually. This year's theme is "Research to Revenue: Raising the Bar."


Call for Presentations

APG is now accepting proposals for presentations designed to help our members grow their businesses and stay informed about trends within the world of professional genealogy. The deadline for submissions is 22 March 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern time.


Types of presentations

  • TipTalks are focused presentations covering one aspect of a topic in twenty (20) minutes of presentation time, followed by 5 minutes of Q&A time.
  • Lectures are 50 minutes, followed by 10 minutes of Q&A time.
  • Panel Discussions (maximum of 4 people) are 50 minutes, followed by 10 minutes of Q&A time.
  • Workshops consist of two 75-minute sessions, with a break in between, for a total instruction time of 2.5 hours. Workshops require hands-on activities and interaction with attendees. (Q&A is part of this timing; these are not lectures.)

Potential Topics:

  • Business Management – creating/refreshing a business plan; insurance needs; accounting; developing or adding a new specialty/niche; pricing and profit margins; managing employees/subcontractors; accepting payments; preparing contracts. 
  • Technology – Artificial Intelligence; project management; time tracking; website development; tools to improve workflow and efficiency.
  • Marketing – developing a marketing plan; social media presence; maximizing your APG profile; using marketing results to evaluate and reshape your plan; creating your elevator pitch.
  • Legal/ethics/privacy issues in genealogy that impact your business.
  • Specific niches within genealogy – becoming a speaker; writing for publication; translations; creating house histories; specialties within forensic genealogy, to name just a few.
  • Advocacy – how to be an advocate in your specialty area.

Examples of lectures given in previous years are available at this link.


New this YEAR!

New Professionals Track (topics targeted towards genealogists in business 5 years or less):

  • Fields of genealogy and diversifying income streams - Different career options
  • Self-employment - Considerations and requirements for setting up a business
  • Client Acquisition and Relationship Management
  • Project management and operations – tools for getting started and options as the business grows


Submission Details/Selection Process

Presentations from both members and non-members are welcome. APG prefers new and original presentations geared to professional genealogists. APG welcomes speakers from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives to participate in our event. Committed to creating an inclusive environment, we value and respect diversity, and we will strive to provide accommodations to ensure that every speaker can fully contribute their unique insights and experiences.

Prospective speakers may submit up to three (3) proposals. Our programming committee will carefully review all submissions and select presentations based on their relevance, innovation, and potential impact on the professional genealogy community.


Proposals must include the following:

  • Name, address, phone number, and email address of the presenter(s)
  • Title of the presentation or workshop (up to 120 characters)
  • Abstract of the presentation or workshop (up to 50 words)
  • Detailed description/outline of the presentation or workshop
  • How does the presentation support professional genealogists? (up to 50 words)
  • Presenter experience: list of presentations given in the last 12 months, including topic, audience, and location, live or virtual.

With the exception of workshops, all presentations will be recorded and available for attendees to watch until 31 January 2027.

Please use our online submission form. 


Compensation Policy

  • Accepted speakers will receive $100 per tip talk, $350 per lecture, or $625 per workshop. Accepted panelists would share the $350 lecture honorarium, divided by the number of panelists, maximum of 4. If speakers are selected to present live during the event, they must be available for their Q&A session.
  • Accepted speakers will receive a complimentary conference registration and digital syllabus.
  • Accepted speakers will not receive compensation for travel, accommodation, or meals due to the virtual nature of the conference.
  • Accepted speakers will supply APG with quality syllabus material for the lecture, workshop, or panel in the format requested in the contract. If provided by the stated deadline, the speaker will receive an additional $25 per tip talk, $50 per lecture, or $75 per workshop or panel discussion.
  • Accepted speakers recognize that their presentation may be pre-recorded and not live, if chosen as conference “bonus material.” Compensation will be the same as stated above, but they will not have a live Q&A session.
  • Accepted speakers grant permission for APG to record the tip talk, lecture, or panel discussion, and grant permission for APG to keep the recordings available in our members-only library for those who have paid for the conference until 31 January 2027. 


If you have any questions about the process or the event, please contact admin@apgen.org.