A MORPC Signature Event

Save the date

Data Day 2027 is Thursday, February 18, 2027 at Columbus State Community College’s Center for Workforce Development.

Know a great keynote?

Point us to a leader, practitioner, or storyteller shaping how the public sector uses data. Suggest a keynote — it takes about three minutes.

Champions  ·  Ways to Help

Ways to helpFive specific, time-boxed ways to pitch in

Take on as many or as few as you like. You connect and amplify; MORPC handles the invitations, decisions, and logistics. Every one comes with ready-made templates, links, and talking points.

Sign up to help Back to Champions

1 · Connect us with potential keynote speakers

What it is. Help us find keynote speakers who fit the 2027 theme and will draw a crowd. You're a scout and a connector: you surface names and open doors where you have a relationship.

What we'd ask of you

  • Suggest one to three keynote candidates (a name, their organization, and why they'd be a great fit).
  • For anyone you know personally, offer to make a quick introduction to our staff lead, after checking that they're open to it.
When
August–October (suggestions most useful by late September)
Time
About an hour, plus a short intro email if you make one
You'll have
The theme and a short list of what makes a strong keynote, a simple suggestion form, and an introduction template

2 · Share the Call for Proposals and recruit speakers

What it is. Help us fill the program with great breakout sessions by spreading the Call for Session Proposals (CFP) and personally encouraging strong potential presenters to submit.

What we'd ask of you

  • Share the CFP through your channels: email, LinkedIn, your organization's newsletter, and the like.
  • Personally encourage two or three people or teams you think would present well.
When
Late September through early November (about a six-week window)
Time
An hour or two, spread across a few nudges
You'll have
The CFP link, a ready-made promo slide and social graphic with suggested copy, a short "why present" blurb, and the key dates

3 · Help solicit sponsors

What it is. Help us reach organizations that might sponsor Data Day. You surface leads and make warm introductions; MORPC staff handle the package, the pricing, and the ask.

What we'd ask of you

  • Suggest organizations that might be a good fit (vendors, consultancies, civic-minded businesses).
  • Make a quick introduction to our staff lead, after confirming the contact is interested.
  • Pass along the sponsorship brochure to relevant people in your network.
When
September onward, with most introductions in September–November
Time
As little as one introduction
You'll have
The sponsorship brochure, a one-line summary of the tiers and benefits, an introduction template, and our staff lead's contact

4 · Encourage registration

What it is. Once registration opens, help us fill the room by inviting your network and your colleagues.

What we'd ask of you

  • Share the registration link when it opens, and again at a few key moments (when the agenda publishes, two weeks out, and the final week).
  • Personally invite colleagues, and encourage whole teams from your organization to come.
  • Once the agenda is live, point people to specific sessions or keynotes you think they'd value.
When
November through late January, ramping up after the agenda publishes in early January
Time
An hour or so, spread across a few shares
You'll have
The registration link, ready-to-use email and social copy with graphics for each moment, the published agenda, and the headline reasons to attend

5 · Take a day-of role

What it is. Help the event run smoothly on event day. There are several roles to choose from. Facilitating a breakout is the anchor role, with other ways to pitch in too.

What we'd ask of you (pick a role)

  • Session facilitator: introduce the speaker, keep time, run Q&A, and help with any AV hiccups.
  • Workshop session assistant: support the instructor during hands-on workshops: help participants follow along, troubleshoot, and keep things moving.
  • Greeter: welcome attendees and help with check-in and name tags.
  • Social / photo: capture and share moments throughout the day.
When
Roles are assigned in January; everything happens on event day
Time
A short prep touchpoint plus your time on event day
You'll have
Your assignment, a one-page facilitator cheat sheet, the run-of-show, speaker bios, pre-loaded slides, and a day-of contact list

Ready to help?

Take on as many or as few as you like. Let us know which interest you, and we'll follow up with the details and timing for each.

Sign up to help Read the FAQ

Thank you for helping us make year five the best one yet.