SWLA Coastal Summit
Call for proposals
Proposals Due May 4
The 2026 Southwest Louisiana Coastal Summit is seeking proposals for sessions, presentations, panel discussions, workshops and more. The one-day event, hosted by the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana, will convene hundreds of business leaders, scientists, engineers, public officials and others to focus on the unique challenges and opportunities facing southwest Louisiana’s coast.
These guidelines will walk interested presenters through the proposal process. Use the links below to jump ahead to sections.
To learn more about the summit, visit the homepage.
Overview
On April 13, 2026, CRCL hosted a webinar leading potential presenters through the call for proposals process. This recording covers an overview of the guidelines, a walkthrough of the proposal application form and answers to the audience’s questions.
Session Topics/Tracks
The theme of the summit — Our Future Coast: Uniting Science, Industry and Community — reflects the belief that the future of southwest Louisiana depends on these groups working together. The region’s challenges are complex and distinct from other parts of the Louisiana coast, and progress will require practical solutions based on science and shaped by the industries and communities that live and work here.
We ask all applicants to identify one of the topics (also known as tracks) below that best fits the proposal.
Note that the subtopics listed beneath each topic are not meant to be exhaustive. Rather, they are intended to inspire ideas and help applicants see how their proposals might fit within the event.
1. Chenier Plain: Hydrology, Landscape and Marsh Management
• Marsh management and impoundment systems: history, benefits and challenges
• Water control structures and their role in sustaining marsh vegetation
• Drowning vegetation as a unique regional challenge
2. Shoreline Protection and Flood Risk
• Natural systems for storm surge defense
• Shoreline protection strategies
• Flood protection for coastal and inland communities
3. Data, Science and Innovation in Restoration
• Innovation in marsh management systems
• Lessons from drought vegetation recovery
• Beneficial use of dredge sediments
4. FUNDING AND POLICY
• Federal and state investment in SWLA
• Aligning investment with SWLA priorities and greatest regional impact
• Louisiana’s national leadership position and what it means for SWLA
5. Culture, Community and Connection to the Land
• Stewardship: the people-land connection
• Coastal land loss and SWLA culture
• Post-hurricane depopulation and retreat of rural communities
6. The Working Coast
• Public-private partnerships
• Coastal restoration to protect infrastructure and investment
• LNG on the landscape: challenges and opportunities
• Fisheries, aquaculture and coastal livelihoods
7. Land Use and Ownership
• Landowner needs and interests
• Natural resource-based livelihoods
• Trends in agriculture, waterfowl management and wildlife habitat
8. “One Coast” Regional Coordination
• A unified coastal voice for funding and needs
• A working coast and a nature coast
• Parish officials sharing vision and direction
Session Formats
Please craft your proposal to fit one of the formats listed below. If you have an idea for a session format that is not described here, email Morgan Randall.
Panel Session
Explore challenges and solutions in a dynamic, conversational format. This session typically includes three to five presenters from different backgrounds, sectors and perspectives talking with a moderator for 45 minutes, followed by 15 minutes of audience Q&A.
Standard Session
Go on a deep dive into a topic with the help of visual aids. This 60-minute session typically includes four 10-minute PowerPoint presentations, with each talk followed by five minutes of audience Q&A. However, you can flex the number of talks and scale their lengths accordingly. For example, you may wish to have three 15-minute presentations followed by five minutes of Q&A.
Individual Presentation
Have a 10- to 15-minute presentation you want to give but don’t have a session in mind for it? The committee may find a session to include it in.
Workshop
Get interactive and teach skills, tools and frameworks that participants can apply immediately. Workshops must fit within 60 minutes.
Field Trip
Showcase real-world successes and opportunities. Field trips are typically 2 to 3 hours and will take place the day before the summit. Email Morgan Randall if you would like to host a field trip.
The summit is focused on solutions and the future of southwest Louisiana. Proposals should emphasize what can be done, what has been learned and what partnerships or actions are needed moving forward. We are particularly interested in sessions that are:
• Solution-Oriented – Offers a solution to a clear and present challenge or creates a forum for collaborating on potential solutions.
• Actionable – Teaches skills, presents lessons learned or charts potential paths forward for the region.
• Collaborative – Represents a range of perspectives, backgrounds, sectors and disciplines working together on holistic solutions to shared concerns.
• Relevant – Addresses the needs and opportunities of Cameron, Calcasieu, Jefferson Davis, Vermilion, Acadia and/or Lafayette parishes.
If you are submitting a project update, please consider how your session can incorporate one or more of the elements above, such as lessons learned, partnerships, challenges encountered or implications for future work in the region.
Who Should Present
🥽Scientists and engineers innovating solutions and improving strategies used in coastal projects
🔍Cultural experts exploring the human dimension of coastal protection and restoration
📖Lawmakers and policy specialists building bridges between government and practitioners
💡Community leaders skilled at bringing together diverse voices for constructive conversations
How to Submit
Panel Session
If you are submitting a 60-minute panel session, you will need:
✔️ A moderator, including their name and contact information
✔️ 3-5 panelists, including their names and contact information
✔️ A title and description of your session
Note: A moderator cannot also be a panelist in the same session.
Standard Session
If you are submitting a 60-minute standard session, you will need:
✔️ A moderator, including their name and contact information
✔️ 3-4 presenters, including their names and contact information
✔️ A title and description of your session
✔️ Titles and abstracts of the presentations given by the 3-4 presenters
Note: A moderator cannot also be a presenter in the same session. If you have three presenters, each will have up to 15 minutes for their presentation. If you have four presenters, each will have up to 10 minutes for their presentation. The abstracts should be attached to the proposal in a separate Word document or PDF. Please consult this template when creating your attachment.
Workshop
If you are submitting a 60-minute workshop:
✔️ At least one facilitator, with the option to include more
✔️ A title and description of your workshop
Individual Presentation
If you are submitting a 15-minute individual presentation:
✔️ One presenter, including their name and contact information
✔️ A title and abstract for your presentation
For all proposal types, please note:
• The steering committee evaluates each proposal based on the characteristics listed in these guidelines and has final authority on which proposals are accepted.
• All proposals will be reviewed by the steering committee, which will select sessions and work with presenters to shape a program that is balanced, solution-oriented and relevant to the region.
• Proposals may be accepted, waitlisted or declined. We anticipate there will be more proposals than there are spots available for sessions.
• All accepted presenters will be required to register for the summit. The cost to register is $100.
• Presenters who do not register for the summit within 30 days of notification of their acceptance will have their presentation slot offered to someone on the waitlist.
If you have further questions, email Morgan Randall.
Proposal Timeline
April 1 – Proposal applications open
April 13 – Proposal webinar
May 4 – Proposal applications due
June – Presenters notified of decisions
June/July – Deadline for accepted presenters to register
July – Program announced to the public
Learn More
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For further questions, please email Morgan Randall.