Request for Proposals (RFP)

Process, Information, & How to Submit

Submission Deadline: Wednesday, May 28, 2025

The AALA Annual Symposium provides high-quality CLE programs while serving as a forum for sharing information on and discussing laws and public policies affecting agriculture.

The Planning Committee is asked with ensuring that the program reaches these objectives.

Proposals should articulate how the presentations will deliver the high-quality education the Symposium is known for.

Regional Focus

Each year, the Symposium welcomes attendees from across the country and features special guests and speakers from the host region. For 2025, the Planning Committee particularly encourages proposals addressing these regionally significant topics:

  1. Water Rights & Usage Regulations – The Southwest is highly dependent on the Colorado River and groundwater resources. Legal battles over water allocations, conservation mandates, and groundwater restrictions significantly impact agricultural supply chains.
  2. Labor Laws & Immigration Policies – Agricultural operations in states like California, Arizona, and Texas rely heavily on migrant labor. Legal issues surrounding H-2A visa programs, wage disputes, and worker protections continue to shape the industry’s labor force.
  3. Environmental Regulations – Stricter emissions policies, pesticide usage restrictions, and climate-related regulations (such as California’s climate laws affecting dairy and livestock methane emissions) impact production and transportation.
  4. Transportation & Trade Compliance – Cross-border trade with Mexico is a key component of the supply chain, meaning legal issues related to tariffs, import/export regulations, and trucking compliance (such as California’s AB 5 law affecting independent contractors) play a major role.
  5. Land Use & Zoning Laws – Expanding urban areas and regulatory changes influence where and how agricultural operations can function, including challenges related to eminent domain and farmland conservation efforts.
  6. Food Safety & Traceability Requirements – FSMA (Food Safety Modernization Act) and state-specific traceability laws impact how producers and distributors handle food safety compliance and recall management.
  7. Native American Law and Its Impact on Agriculture and Natural Resources in the Southwest – Key legal concerns such as water rights, land use regulations, tribal sovereignty, jurisdictional challenges, environmental protections, and access to federal agricultural programs.
  8. Drought & Disaster Relief Legislation – Federal and state-level drought relief programs, crop insurance regulations, and disaster aid policies affect the financial stability of agricultural operations.

Other Areas of Focus

Additionally, the Planning Committee encourages proposals that cover “hot legal” issues relevant to all of our stakeholders regardless of regional specificity.  Although regional speakers, guests, and topics will be covered, the Planning Committee aims to ensure a wide variety of relevant, thoughtful topics adorn the Symposium agenda

Key Symposium Information

  • Dates: November 5-7, 2025
  • Location: Scottsdale, Arizona
  • Format: In-person presentations
  • Program Tracks:
    • Policy
    • Private Practice
    • Food Law
    • In-House/Corporate Counsel
  • Ethics: The Symposium includes Ethics CLE sessions

Presentation Requirements and Preferences

  • Duration: Concurrent sessions are 60 minutes
  • CLE Qualification: Presentations and materials should be designed to qualify for CLE credit in most states
  • Diversity: Submissions demonstrating diversity of thought, experience, and backgrounds will receive priority consideration, especially those featuring:
    • Presenters from multiple employers (not just one firm)
    • Multiple perspectives on the topic
    • National perspectives on the subject matter

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

The Planning Committee seeks to advance diversity and inclusion at the symposium and encourages proposals that include one or more presenters from under-represented or diverse backgrounds.

The Selection Process

  • Submission Deadline: Wednesday, May 28, 2025
  • The Planning Committee consists of over 30 AALA members, including track sub-committee leaders and the Symposium chair
  • Submissions are evaluated based on how they fulfill symposium objectives and complement other program content
  • The committee designs a comprehensive program that addresses the diverse needs of attendees across experience levels and geographic regions
  • Approximately 15% of content slots are reserved for direct committee placement outside the RFP process
  • Session slots are not available for sponsorship
  • The committee reviews proposals through mid-June and plans to notify applicants by the beginning of July if their sessions have been accepted.

SUBMIT YOUR PROPOSAL HERE