Requests for FDA Speakers, Meetings & Invitations
FDA receives thousands of Speaker requests, Meeting requests and Invitations (SMI) from trade associations, professional organizations, industry groups, and other stakeholders seeking FDA participation in external meetings, conferences, workshops, and similar events involving staff from the Office of the Commissioner and FDA Centers and Offices.
The Office of the Executive Secretariat (OES), within the Office of the Commissioner, coordinates these requests and works closely with FDA leadership to identify appropriate Agency speakers and presentation topics that support FDA's regulatory, scientific, public health, and compliance mission.
FDA Speakers, Meetings, and Invitations (SMI) Request Directory
Below is a list of FDA Centers and Offices that handle SMI requests. Please select the Center or Office that best aligns with your request and follow the instructions provided. Submission processes and requirements may vary by Center or Office.
| Topic | Center/Office | Additional Information |
|---|---|---|
| Office of the Commissioner | Office of the Commissioner | Request a Speaker from Office of the Commissioner |
| Animal & Veterinary | Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) | CVM_ExecSec@cvm.fda.gov |
| Biologics, Blood, and Vaccines | Center for Biologics Evaluation & Research (CBER) | |
| Drugs | Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER) | |
| Foods, Dietary Supplements, and Cosmetics | Human Foods Program (HFP) | HFPExecSec@fda.hhs.gov |
| Inspections and Enforcements | Office of Inspections and Investigations (OII) | |
| Medical Devices and Radiation-Emitting Products | Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH) | |
| National Center for Toxicological Research | National Center for Toxicological Research (NCTR) | Write to: National Center for Toxicological Research, 3900 NCTR Road, Jefferson, AR 72079 |
| Oncology Center of Excellence/Oncologic Diseases | Oncology Center of Excellence (OCE) | |
| Tobacco Products | Center for Tobacco Products (CTP) |
Questions?
Before submitting your SMI request, please review the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) below for answers to common questions about the SMI request process.
If you have additional questions, please email us at FDASpeaks@fda.hhs.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Submit your SMI request at least three (3) months before the proposed event or meeting date for events within the contiguous United States. Allow four to six (4–6) months advance notice for events in Alaska, Hawaii, and abroad. Requests submitted with less than the recommended notice period may not be accommodated.
Information needed to evaluate an SMI request may vary by FDA Center or Office. Requesters should be prepared to provide information such as:
- Name, date, and location of the event
- Name of the organization(s) sponsoring the event
- Invitation letter and agenda, when applicable
- Topic of the requested presentation and desired length of presentation
- Target audience and expected number of attendees
- Organization contact information
- Program agenda, including invited speakers and topics, when available
- Information regarding media coverage, if applicable
- Other pertinent information that may assist FDA in reviewing the request
OES works closely with FDA Center and Office points of contact to review requests and determine the appropriate next steps. If additional information is needed, OES or the appropriate FDA Center or Office will work with the requesting organization to obtain the necessary information.
Factors that may be considered when reviewing requests include the timeliness of the topic, geographic location of the event, the event's target audience, FDA staff availability, expected number of attendees, and availability of funds to support travel costs (if applicable).
Once the request has been reviewed, OES or the appropriate FDA Center or Office will contact the requesting organization.
FDA strives to respond to requests as promptly as possible. However, response times may vary depending on the nature of the request, the reviewing FDA Center or Office, and the internal review process.
If your SMI request involves two or more FDA speakers from different Centers or Offices, or if your request does not align with any of the topic areas listed above, please email FDASpeaks@fda.hhs.gov for assistance.
No. To ensure your request is processed efficiently, please submit your request through the appropriate FDA Center or Office process rather than contacting an FDA speaker directly.
Although FDA carefully considers each SMI request, FDA receives more requests than it can accommodate. While your request is under review, please list the invited speaker as "FDA Invited" in promotional materials, including agendas, websites, brochures, and email announcements.
If FDA confirms participation and the speaker confirms their availability, you may update your promotional materials to include the speaker's name.
The Office of Global Policy and Strategy (OGPS) manage requests involving FDA's foreign regulatory counterparts, as well as officials from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).
For additional information, please contact the Office of Global Policy and Strategy at FDA_Global@fda.hhs.gov.
The Office of Intergovernmental Affairs (IGA) manages FDA activities involving federal, state, tribal, territorial, and local government officials.
For additional information, please contact the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs at IGA@fda.hhs.gov.
Please send comments or feedback to the Office of the Executive Secretariat, Office of the Commissioner at FDASpeaks@fda.hhs.gov.