Speakers & Facilitators Guidelines

You can now submit a proposal to be featured in our ProductLab Conference, which will take place from September 16-18th in Berlin, Germany, and online.
The submission period is open until February 28.

TABLE OF CONTENT

> About ProductLab Community & Conference
> Who attends?
> Our 2025 Theme: Foresight
> Which topics are we looking for?
> How are submissions evaluated?
> Who can Submit?
> Conference Structure
> Travel, Compensations & Conditions
> Timeline
> Tips

About ProductLab Community & Conference

ProductLab Community launched in the summer of 2023, from Berlin’s product managers’ need to connect and share insights. With Lenny’s Newsletter as the main sponsor for our first year, we’ve attracted an online community of around 500 members. Our personal brand has grown to nearly 9K followers, backed by an email outreach of 2K subscribers—reaching up to 10K with our partner network.
We’ve hosted notable events, including Leah Tharin, Melissa Perri, and Marty Cagan during 2024.

We plan to host a conference for 500 attendees on Thursday, 18th September 2025, preceded by a day of workshops on Wednesday, 17th September 2025.

These workshops are tailored for senior professionals with at least five years of experience, focusing on roles up to Head of Product, emphasizing individual contributor responsibilities rather than people management. The conference will feature high-value networking, actionable insights, and a premium atmosphere, positioning the ProductLab Community as a prominent player on the European stage.

Founded by Daniele Ronca

Who attends?

The onsite edition operates on an invitation-based system. To attend, you’ll need to submit an application detailing your professional background, demonstrating that you are either a senior product manager (or above) or a product professional with over 5 years of experience. This approach is not meant to exclude those outside this group but to foster a focused, safe environment for seasoned product management professionals. Our goal is to provide a space where senior leaders can build meaningful connections and learn from peers navigating similar challenges in their careers.

Our 2025 Theme: Foresight

Foresight entails anticipating future trends and challenges while preparing to navigate them effectively.

In Europe and Berlin, there is a noticeable oversupply of product managers, many of whom were impacted by layoffs or benefitted from the era of abundant venture capital. During that time, working in tech was perceived as exciting, lucrative, and ripe for experimentation, often prioritizing growth and hypergrowth over sustainable business practices.

The aspiration to climb the career ladder now feels like a relic of the past, as companies increasingly pivot toward AI-driven automation, personalization, and faster development processes that require fewer personnel while addressing genuine customer needs.

Today's leaders are tasked with ensuring financial sustainability, managing stakeholders, and dealing with founder-investor mode.

This discussion will explore strategies to advance product management in an era where AI accelerates operations, introduces complexities, and heightens competition. Leaders and PMs face the dual pressures of bear markets, workforce downsizing, and rising stakeholder expectations towards a more technical, business, and marketing role. In response, many professionals are turning to communities for guidance and support. Our mission is to become their trusted resource and go-to platform.

Which topics are we looking for?

While you are able to submit proposals that fit the theme without specifically responding to these, we publish below a suggestion of prompts and questions we are looking to feature in 2025.

Build AI Products

AI streamlines tasks, lessens our workload, and can even make decisions for us. However, do all AI solutions and startup concepts effectively solve real problems and compete with leading industry players? How can we design meaningful AI integrations that deliver customer value, enhance understanding, and improve processes? What does it take to work as or become an AI Product Manager or leader, and what does the industry demand?

Sustainable Growth

Berlin's startup scene is facing tight budgets and headcounts, with VC funding much scarcer than during COVID. This has led to layoffs and a stronger focus on teams driving growth and revenue. Startups are opting for longer runways before raising again, often bootstrapping or operating as agencies—except in AI, where opportunities remain robust, though AI will soon face challenges in staying competitive and sufficiently differentiated. How can we navigate this period and quickly build competencies to maximize capabilities and outcomes?

The shift to Business-driven PM

In today’s oversupply market for talent, leaders continue to struggle to find the right people. Product Managers are now expected to act as business units, blending technical, marketing, and strategic acumen.

The AI-powered PM

With tech flattening and AI raising expectations, PMs face tougher competition and broader roles—leading teams, shaping strategy, and staying hands-on. Inevitably, many hit a breaking point, with past methods falling short and burnout rising.

Developing Product Sense

Share how to deeply understand user needs, balance business and technical constraints, and make clear, impactful product decisions even in highly ambiguous situations. It blends strategic thinking, prioritization, and user empathy to create value and drive alignment across teams. And above all a data-informed decision making in our ops.

How are submissions evaluated?

The Uniqueness of Your Proposal

We’re seeking sessions that showcase distinct perspectives and unique points of view. The presenter must be qualified through experience, not just credentials. Proposals should feel personal and original, with a choice of topic and phrasing that clearly stems from the presenter’s own journey.

Tailored for Advanced Audiences

Our conference caters to senior-level professionals and beyond. We welcome topics that dive into advanced concepts or emerging trends—without covering the basics. Even if the topic is new, it should build on the foundation of expertise that seasoned product managers already possess.

Relevance to the European Product Market

This event isn’t about forecasting for 2050. Instead, we aim to equip participants with actionable insights for the year ahead. While global perspectives are valuable, our primary audience is based in Europe. Proposals must resonate with the challenges and opportunities specific to this region.

Practical Outcomes

Hype-driven or overly theoretical sessions won’t be prioritized. We’re looking for hands-on, evidence-based insights drawn from real-world examples. The goal is for attendees to leave your session ready to apply the learnings immediately and see the benefits within the next year.

Tool and Trend Agnosticism

While tools and frameworks are helpful, we’re looking for learnings that transcend specific tools or fleeting trends. Sessions should focus on core principles of product management, strategy, decision-making, and innovation—concepts that apply broadly, regardless of the latest tool or buzzword. Especially if you are working in estabilished companies or founder and the presentation is becoming a sales pitch showing features rather than obstacles, learning to getting here.

Looking Beyond Product Managers

We encourage proposals that expand beyond the immediate domain of product management. Show how collaboration with other departments—such as tech dev, designers, marketing, sales, finance, or customer success—can drive revenue growth, surface valuable customer insights, and strengthen cross-functional alignment. Explore how product managers can harness the expertise of these teams to shape more impactful strategies.

Who can Submit?

While you are able to submit proposals that fit the theme without specifically responding to these, we publish below a suggestion of prompts and questions we are looking to feature in 2025.

✓✓✓ On Submission that

You work in product, even not in a product team, like CTO going towards CTPO roles, Growth managers and User researchers
You bring learnings from your unique experience, Instead of explaining the world, or positioning yourself as a future-thinker, you want to bring learnings from your present and your past, that nobody else could share but yourself
The work you do is relevant for the European Product context and our audience.It doesn’t matter where you are physically based, but it is key that you understand our audience, the type of companies they work in, the current issues and the difference in the context of culture in comparison with other technology hubs in the world
You are a writer, and share product best practices in newsletters, podcast, or internal communities
You are an active ProductLab Community member

✓ Submit with Caution

Your daily role leans more towards that of a "speaker" or "facilitator" rather than an active practicing professional
We prioritize highlighting industry professionals who are actively shaping digital products across various sectors, rather than those primarily engaged in motivational speaking. Our preference is for company advisors and seasoned, proven angel investors
You are featured on Product Event circles too often
We are committed to giving space to new voices and ideas, and creating a unique program. When you’ve been featured in multiple conferences recently, and you’re even bringing your same talk on a tour, we probably won’t be too interested
You are Leveraging Titles
We believe the best talks come from the heart and personal experience. Therefore, we seek individuals with diverse career paths and work experiences who are willing to share their challenges and failures, while also embracing emerging voices
You're investing on being a LinkedIn Voice
Working with LinkedIn and building an audience feels natural and understandable. However, we've observed that many users are primarily focused on their personal branding and goals, viewing the community more as a new awareness channel. This shifts the value of connections and support, creating a different dynamic.

X Avoid to Submit

You are planning on promote services, products or personal branding
There is no place for sales pitches, promotional stunts or plays. Even those sponsoring need to go through quality checks and work together with our team to guarantee a valuable cooperation
You are affiliated to or work for companies that sell products or services to PMs.
Independent events face challenges as larger competitors with significantly bigger budgets create offerings "X company on tour" we cannot rival. To maintain fairness, we strictly prohibit featuring companies that could financially support the event and benefit their marketing, hiring, or PR efforts. If your company stands to gain financially from being featured, we encourage pursuing a sponsorship opportunity rather than submitting through our call for proposals
You are more concerned about your personal brand and finance
Please note that European and Berlin layoffs have had a significant impact, and as a result, conferences can no longer offer speaking opportunities as they did previously. Sponsors have also become more selective, focusing on fewer events. If you are more concerned about speaking fees and make a huge profit, unfortuantely we cannot support you

Conference Structure

Product Leaders Day, September 17th

Leaders Dinner on Sept 16th
Joint Keynote with Shaping Products Day
40-60 Leaders. 2 Half-Day workshops to combine for a full day of learning from Director to CPOs with the Keynote speakers
Joint Party with Shaping Products Day Audiance

Shaping Products Day, September 17th

Joint Keynote with Products Leaders Day
120 Senior PMs to Head of Product. 2 Half-Day workshops to combine from 12 offerings, for a full day of learning*
Joint Party with Products Leaders Day audiance

Conference, September 18th

500 People. 3 Keynote + Main stage + Second Stage + Roundtables + Case studies

You can submit a workshop, speaking session, roundtable discussion, case study, or a combination of these. While Main Keynote Speakers are invited with different speaking fee.

*While applying as Workshop facilitator you need to submit two half-day workshops within the same topic. The audience can combine these with other offerings for a full day with you or build a customized schedule from your topic and other presenters' main topics.

Avaiable Spots

Product Leaders Day, September 17th

2, The Keynote Facilitators

Shaping Products Day, September 17th

1 Keynote Speaker
6 Workshop Facilitators

Conference, September 18th

3 Keynote Speakers
10 Speakes
4 Round Tables

Travel, Compensations & Conditions

At ProductLab, we prioritize transparency, and we want to ensure that you fully understand the terms and exceptions. We've been collaborating with former speakers and facilitators to refine these conditions, ensuring they are fair while minimizing the risk for organizers planning events before the budget is confirmed. Payouts are made within a month after the conference. All ammounts are including VAT.

Travel Expenses

For those who aren’t based in the Berlin or Brandenburg area, we cover travel and accommodation expenses* with specific limits. Once your agreement is signed, it will be your own responsibility to book travel and accommodation after you have been selected in Q2, and invoice us after the event, where you will be paid promptly within 4 weeks of submitting your invoice inside our accounting period.

*1. Travel Costs: The quoted amounts are final and include all taxes, luggage fees, seat selection, and carbon offsetting charges. Any additional costs beyond these will not be invoiced unless they do not exceed the agreed maximum amounts.
2. Role Clarification: We do not act as a travel agency and are not responsible for managing or booking travel arrangements.
3. Booking Timeline: To mitigate risks, travel arrangements will be finalized by May-June to allow sufficient time for adjustments and ensure smooth event planning.

From Europe/UK

Flight or Train to Berlin: €250
Return flight or train to your City: €250
Bus or Car Ride: €0.25 per km
Public Transit ticket per Day: €11
Accommodation*: €200/night**

*Requires presenting official invoice of hotel or temporary accommodation.
** Night of your participation + 1 extra night

Other Continents

Flight or Train to Berlin: €750
Return flight or train to your City: €750
Bus or Car Ride: ---
Public Transit ticket per Day: €11
Accommodation*: €200/night**

*Requires presenting official invoice of hotel or temporary accommodation.
** Night of your participation + 2 extra night

Compensation

We sincerely thank our speakers and facilitators for their contributions. As this is our inaugural conference, we strive to minimize costs but will show our appreciation with an invitation to the 17th Leaders' Dinner and further acknowledgments. Workshop organizers will be compensated after deducting costs and sharing 50% of ticket sales.

Facilitator Shaping Products Day

Minimum income (10 attendees): Around €1,000 with VAT
Maximum income (20 attendees): Around €2,850 with VAT
You need to submit 2 half day workshop that people can pick and combine

Calculation:
Each workshop costs €599 per person (VAT included), with a 10% discount (€539) for groups of 5+, bundles with the conference, or referrals.

The goal is 20 attendees per workshop, but the minimum is 10. After covering fixed and variable expenses, the remaining income is split 50/50 between the workshop holder and the organizer.

Perks

CONFERENCE PASS: No matter which day you participate in, you will be able to also take part in the Conference Day for free
PLUS ONE: have a plus one to invite. (You are not allowed to resell your extra ticket)
SPEAKER BRANDING KIT: pre, during, after event media coverage and photos to use into your personal branding
ACCESS: to OoO Party
10% DISCOUNT: for your team or company from group of five

Speakers from: Europe/UK

25 Min. Speaking time + Q&A + Networking (exclusive***): €650
25 Min. Speaking time + Q&A + Networking (not-exclusive***): €200
50 Min. Case Study facilitator or Hold a Round Table pays as above***

** * The exclusivity clause establishes that the keynote is (a) not currently available to watch online, (b) not featured in any other event before the ProductLab Conference, or up to 3 months after, (c) not an adaptation of an existing presentation available to watch, (d) presenter also must give consent for streaming and recording rights.

Other Continents

25 Min. Speaking time + Q&A + Networking (exclusive***): €950
25 Min. Speaking time + Q&A + Networking (not-exclusive***): €350
50 Min. Case Study facilitator or Hold a Round Table pays as above***

Timeline Onboarding

December-February

Pre-Validation

We are selecting speakers and informal agreement to create and mention then on our line up

28th Feb, 23:55 pm CET

Call End

You have until the very end of the day to submit your proposal

March - April 15th

Get-to Knows

We have 30 minute calls with those we are considering to ask questions and validate talks

April 16th - May 1st

Confirmations

Get the final agreement signed and start planning your trip to Berlin

Marketing Support

May-June

Podcast

Get to know the speaker and share insights to create FOMO and interest in the Community

May-June

Share Template

To create a special offer in the Community and people can get to know you better

Timeline Preparation

1st - 20th of August

Feedback Call #1

Get a slot with one of our team members to go through your topic and presentation

Late August

Feedback Call #2

Showcase your session in final form and get some more feedback from our team

Until September 7th

Delivery

Submit your slides or materials

September 11th

Dry Runs

We offer a 15 minute speedy-dry run chance the day before to settle on the stage and ask any last minute questions.

Last Tips

Focus on Practicality, Not Just Theory

ProductLab isn’t an educational event, actually to learn podcast, newsletter are better—it’s a snapshot of the product landscape. Your proposal should offer immediate, actionable insights. If it doesn’t, it’s less likely to make the cut.

Provide Advanced, Unseen Content

Our audience is looking for content that’s fresh and relevant. Avoid buzzwords—focus on what’s new and truly useful, even if it’s not about AI.

Prioritize Diversity

We value underrepresented voices. If you’re from a group that’s often overlooked, we may prioritize your proposal to ensure diverse perspectives are represented.

Read the Guidelines Carefully

We can tell that poeple don't read anymore and when proposals don’t follow the guidelines, so make sure to review them before submitting.