CALL FOR ABSTRACTS


In addition to our current call for oral and poster research presentations, the Sport Marketing Association invites you to bring your energy and enthusiasm to this year’s Ignite Talk Session at the 2026 SMA Conference in Baltimore.

Ignite Talks offer the opportunity for conference attendees to present and discuss ideas and topics that are important to the field of sport marketing in a dynamic and entertaining format different from the traditional 25-minute oral presentation. The presentations are not designed to share results of research studies. Instead, talks are designed to give attendees the chance to present ideas, concepts, and strategies in an engaging 5-minute format, where 20 slides advance every 15 seconds.

Should you submit? Ignite Talks are a great opportunity for all conference attendees, but especially for those scholars who do not have any research ready for a traditional presentation, or for those who have a topic they are passionate about and are looking for a place to share. This makes them a great opportunity for Ph.D. students, non-tenure track faculty, or even tenured faculty whose attention has shifted from research to practice or administrative work. Please note that your Ignite Talk presentation does not count toward your research presentations limit.

Not sure what types of talks make the cut? Here is a list of some previous topics:

  • Write for real people... And still publish

  • Putting the fan in the sport media driver’s seat

  • Should we have a 'women in sport class?' Insights on infusing diversity in every course we teach

  • #MillenialTalk: Communicating tradition to non-traditionalists

  • Little bets: Reshaping Academia

  • Didn't someone say it was all downhill after the dissertation?

  • It is time to revisit the importance of the poster presentation

  • Why do we talk about pedagogy when teaching adults?

  • What I never learned from my sport management classes

  • Humor in the peer review process

KEY INFORMATION:

Authors should be mindful of the following key dates when preparing and submitting their abstracts (please note that official submissions are effective as of this announcement provided authors abide by the guidelines provided):

  • Submission Deadline: August 31, 2026 (11:59 PM ET)

Ignite Talk Session submissions should be 150-300 words and should be sent in the body of an email message to Ignite Session Coordinator and SMA Member-At-Large, Dr. Brendan Dwyer, at bdwyer@vcu.edu.