PDAC 2026 Short Course Application

Short Courses are in-depth educational sessions led by presenters with expertise in a variety of different subject matters.

Application process:

Applications must be received by Thursday, August 21, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. E.T.  Please complete the form below to submit your Short Course application for consideration at PDAC 2026.

Applications will be reviewed by the Short Course Working Group and applicants will be notified as to the success of their applications in September.

Characteristics of a successful PDAC Short Course:

1. Course content with broad appeal, and led by recognized subject matter experts, with experience presenting at past PDAC Conventions or other renowned international mining conferences.
2. A diverse and inclusive speaker lineup.
3. Course design that includes a balance of theory, case histories and stories, real world examples, and applications.
4. Course design that employs a variety of tools to engage the audience and improve the learning experience. Examples of audience engagement tools include course exercises, video, break-out sessions, samples and props, and polling tools.
5. Non-commercial in nature. Courses are meant to educate participants. Sales presentations with branding and promotional content are not suitable for the program.

In addition to these characteristics, the Short Course Selection Committee and PDAC must consider practical features such as room availability, scheduling conflicts, and time constraints.

PDAC welcomes applications from a diverse range of speakers. Please review our Equity, Diversity & Inclusion policy for more information.

Categories:

We welcome you to submit an application on any relevant topic. Applications are grouped into categories for evaluation to avoid selection overlap. You will be asked to choose from one of the following categories in your application:

• Compliance
• Deposits and commodities
• ESG (exploration industry focused)
• Exploration
• Finance
• Geoscience
• Health and safety

Applications from other categories are also welcome. If this is the case, please note the category your course best represents in the “Other” field.

Dates and format:

Dates and course structure may be adjusted as we move through the planning process. Short Courses are tentatively planned to take place between Friday, February 27 to Sunday, March 1, 2026 (in person only).

Roles and responsibilities of organizer(s):

• Content development
• Coordination of logistical requirements with PDAC staff
• Development of support materials required for the session
• Meet PDAC deadlines to:
  • Submit content for print and online promotion and advertising
  • Submit course manual and materials by PDAC's deadline
  • Submit course slides and any additional materials for preparation of course production

Roles and responsibilities of PDAC:

• Schedule each Short Course
• Coordination of room set-up and ordering of audio-visual services
• Compile and produce course manual and materials
• Ensure all presenters will have complimentary access to their classroom
• Manage registration and collecting fees
• Short Course promotion
• Provide course manual/materials to attendees 

Compensation:

PDAC is please to offer compensation in the following amounts:

• $2,500 CAD total for courses that are 6 hours or less in duration (a half-day course)
• $5,000 CAD total for courses that are 6 hours or more in duration (a one-day course)
• $10,000 CAD total for courses that are 12 hours or more in duration (a two-day course)

Additionally, PDAC presenters are recognized as experts and leaders in their field resulting in new business at the Convention and beyond.

Any information provided in the application below may be used to promote the Short Course if selected. Please consider this when completing the form.