Handouts, Slide Deck, and FAQs
Welcome to the official 2025 DONA Summit Speaker Information Page. This page is designed to support you with everything you need as a speaker for the upcoming in-person DONA Summit in Seattle, Washington. We’ll be updating this page regularly, so please check back for new information and resources.
Theme
“Community Roots: Endless Heights”
This year’s theme honors both where we’ve come from and the vast potential ahead. As we gather in Seattle—the birthplace of DONA International—we are also marking our first summit since the passing of our beloved co-founder, Penny Simkin. We invite you to reflect on this legacy as you prepare your session.
The theme speaks to our deep community connections, the growth of perinatal health, and the elevation of our work as doulas, educators, and advocates. Please consider weaving the theme into your session and aim to provide 2–3 key takeaways that participants can use to stay rooted in community, while reaching new heights. Please consider that both birth and postpartum doulas and professionals will be in the room; at times we can lean heavily on birth, and postpartum is under represented. Please consider ways to include postpartum practices in your session as you see opportunities to do so.
Summit Slide Deck
To ensure consistency across the program, all speakers are asked to use the official DONA Summit powerpoint slide deck template. At a minimum, please include the required intro and closing slides: cover/theme, speaker/session info, disclosures, and your contact information.
Speaker FAQ
How should I reserve my hotel room?
Please reserve your hotel room as soon as possible. Hotel details can be found here: https://donasummit.com/hotel-travel/. You should make a reservation as normal, and then we will be sure that your reservation is marked to get your 1 room night comp charged to the DONA master account. You will be responsible for any other room nights on your reservation. If you have any trouble making the reservation, reach out- the room block is filling up, so please book sooner than later if you haven’t yet.
How do I register for the Summit?
Concurrent session speakers receive 50% off the registration rate at the time of their registration starting with our regular registration rate on May 16, 2025. A discount code will be emailed to you to use for your registration. Keynote speakers will be auto registered by DONA staff.
When and where is my session?
The full schedule will be available at www.donasummit.com on May 1st and will also be listed in the conference app. Session times are local to Pacific Time (PT). Please take a moment to note your speaking time and contact us ASAP if we’ve missed a special request for timing. Please check for updates as the event approaches.
What’s my call time?
Please arrive at your assigned room 15-30 minutes before your session begins to allow time for tech check, setup, and to connect with your room doula. If there is a session in your room prior to your talk, you’re set up time will be 15 minutes.
What about A/V or tech support?
Each session will have an assigned room moderator (your “room doula”) and we will have A/V technicians on site to include projection, a room laptop, and microphones. If you would like to use your own devices, please make sure to bring adapters that may be needed. If you have any technical questions prior to the event, please reach out to conferencecoordinator@dona.org.
How and when will I receive my honorarium?
Honorariums will be available via check after your session concludes. Please see Melissa Harley to receive your check.
Promoting Your Session
DONA International is featuring speakers across social media and invites you to share your session with your network! Branded social media graphics will be provided for your use. Help us spread the word about this powerful in-person gathering for perinatal professionals to learn and grow together.
Product/Service/Political Promotion Guidelines
Speakers may not promote or sell products, services, courses etc. during their session. You may mention your offerings in your disclosures at the beginning and include contact info on your final slide. Presentations should be content-rich and not promotional in nature. Speakers should also refrain from political commentary in support (or not) of political candidates and/or positions.
Interested in sharing your business? Consider becoming a sponsor or exhibitor—our in-person booths offer a great opportunity to connect with attendees directly. In addition, we have various sponsorship opportunities which include inserts to the swag bags, event sponsorships, session sponsorships and more.
Visit Summit Exhibit and Sponsors Page
Silent Auction Donations
Each year, we host a silent auction during the conference in which attendees have an opportunity to bid on products, services & courses. 100% of the proceeds from the silent auction go to our scholarship fund (The Doula Spirit Fund) which helps people attend conference in the future. If you have something you’d like to donate for the auction, we’d be grateful!
Tips for an Impactful In-Person Presentation
Do:
- Use the official DONA Summit slide deck with required intro and closing slides.
- Arrive early to get familiar with your space and technology.
- Engage your audience with clear, accessible language and thoughtful pacing.
- Build in time for reflection or Q&A where appropriate.
- Speak to your audience: birth and postpartum doulas, along with educators, lactation professionals, and healthcare collaborators.
- Align your session with DONA’s Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics and Language Policy as appropriate.
- Offer practical takeaways and encourage attendees to bring the content back to their communities. At the end of the session- what valuable insights will help participants reach new heights.
Don’t:
- Use your session time to promote services, products, or paid offerings.
- Assume knowledge—meet the wide range of learner experience levels with clarity and inclusion.
- Deviate from your session description unless it’s been pre-approved.
- Forget to review accessibility tips—speak clearly, minimize jargon, and describe visuals when needed.
Uploading Session Materials
Upload Handouts:
Session handouts for attendees are due by September 15, 2025. Clearly label files with your name and session title. Some speakers choose to upload a copy of session slides, if you would like to do this, we’re happy to add them to the session handouts post conference.
Speaker Handout Upload
Thank You!
Thank you for being a part of this meaningful in-person gathering. Your session contributes to a vibrant, educational, and uplifting space for our DONA community.
Questions? We’re here to support you: conferencecoordinator@dona.org.
See you in Seattle!
