Drop the Mic: ACEP’s New Speaker Competition

• Eligibility: Any ACEP member from senior year residents (3rd of PGY1-3 programs & 4th of PGY1-4 programs) to retirement, board eligible, or board-certified emergency physicians that have never spoken at a national ACEP Scientific Assembly. Previous participants of the New Speakers Forum (renamed in 2017) or ACEP Drop the Mic at Scientific Assembly are not eligible.
• Application: Applications will open on April 26, 2025, and will remain open until July 5, 2025, or until all 27 speaking slots are filled. Don’t miss your Big Break! Applications include filling out the below form and submitting your 10-minute PowerPoint Presentation. This presentation should be the same presentation you present for Drop the Mic if you are selected. Applicants may only submit one application. The application MUST be completed in its entirety for consideration.
• Selection: Provided eligibility is met, the first 27 speakers will be chosen to speak live during ACEP25. The top two speakers will move on to the final round for a chance to be ACEP’s Drop the Mic winner!
• Notification: Once the first 27 people are selected, you will receive an email from Sydney Connolly with the next steps/schedule, if you were selected to speak at the live event. 
• Drop the Mic Preliminary Competition: This will be held on Monday, September 30, from 8:00 am - 5:00 pm in front of a live audience where the 27 selected candidates will present their 10-minute talks. This event will be judged silently by members of the ACEP Educational Meetings Committee based on their observations.
• Drop the Mic Finale: Only two individuals will be selected to continue to the Drop the Mic Finale. The Finalist will be notified no later than 6:00 pm following the live event on Monday, September 30 via email and will give their same 10-minute PowerPoint presentation in front of a live audience and Celebrity Judges on Tuesday, October 1, from 9:00 - 9:50 am in an ACEP Course Room.
• Scheduling: Before submitting your PowerPoint Presentation, please ensure that you are registered to attend ACEP24 on 9/30 and 10/1. You must be available in Las Vegas on September 30, 2024, from 8:00 am – 5:00 pm to give your lecture live, and on October 1, 2024, from 9:00 – 9:50 am, in the event you are selected to move on to the final round of the competition.
• Presentation Rules & Format: Speakers are allowed 10 minutes for their presentation. No exceptions. If selected to be a finalist, presentations will be followed by a brief Q&A and Ed Com Expert Panel Evaluation. Speakers must comply with the ACEP Presentation Policy, adhere to ACCME guidelines, and maintain respect for multicultural membership and patients. No product sales are permitted.
• Award: One speaker will be selected as the winner of Drop the Mic after the Drop the Mic Finale. The winner will be selected by our Celebrity Faculty and announced by a member of the Educational Subcommittee before the conclusion of the Finale time. See Evaluation Criteria for more information on scoring.

Summary of Deadlines

• Opening application date: April 26, 2025
• Closing application date: July 5, 2025, or until 27 speaking slots are filled.
• First 27 speakers email notification: July 12, 2025
• Drop the Mic Live event (27 speakers): September 30, 2025, from 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
• Drop the Mic Finale: October 1, 2024, from 9:00 – 9:50 am

Evaluation criteria

• Opening: Did the speaker grab attention with a case or problem, give a memorable title, establish their expertise, and provide disclosures?
• Content: Did the speaker provide evidence-based feasible objectives, then discuss each topic logically?
• Engagement: Did the speaker consistently pull in the audience with appropriate questions and humor?
• Slides: Did the slides contain only essential words, as well as appropriate key images and transitions, needed to reinforce the speaker's story?
• Voice: Did the speaker articulate clearly, without filler words, in an energetic, yet authentic voice?
• Presence: Did the speaker's appearance and body language appropriately convey competence, free of nervous or distracting movements?
• Conclusion: Did the speaker summarize the objectives, end the story, answer questions, as well as provide reference and follow-up info appropriately?

The ACEP Educational Meetings Committee has the ultimate authority to choose which 27 individuals will be designated to speak. The committee will review applications to ensure speakers meet eligibility requirements. They will also monitor the presentations to ensure that all speakers end on time, terminating any speaker with inappropriate content or remarks. All decisions of the Educational Meetings Committee are final and cannot be appealed.