My expo:QA Decision: Not Submitting
I will not submit to expo:QA again, unless they significantly change how they treat and support speakers. In 2022, getting reimbursed required several follow-ups; the first transfer even had transposed digits. Over the last years, I heard from peers having the very same admin hurdles. On site, catering was very limited; many local sponsor booths felt very unwelcoming once it was clear I wasn’t from Spain; and I didn’t even get a handshake from the organizer and host of the event – very disappointing, given the effort speakers invest.
Beyond that, the current speaker policy, as I understand it, doesn’t feel fair. Covering only one hotel night often forces speakers to pay out of pocket; this is especially unrealistic for international travel, where safe arrival buffers and time to recover from jet lag are needed to deliver a quality talk. Speakers should be able to attend the full conference as part of their contribution, without personally funding extra nights. Providing adequate nights (arrival, conference days, and departure) reflects fair, professional support. Regional travel caps can still leave speakers short. Requiring speakers to pay everything upfront and wait for reimbursement creates unnecessary cash-flow risk. Fair practice in our industry looks different: cover actual travel, provide enough nights to arrive safely and participate fully and reimburse promptly and reliably.
I hesitated to say this publicly because I worried it might seem unprofessional. But each new call for speakers brings the frustration back. Sharing first-hand experiences and calling out unfair treatment is reasonable and helps our community improve. If these areas are addressed meaningfully, I’ll gladly reconsider. Until then, I’m sitting this one out.
These are my personal experiences and opinions.