Speak at Quality Beacon 2026

Share Your Expertise and Shape the Future of Testing

The Danish Software Testing Board (DSTB) is thrilled to announce our upcoming 2-day conference on Testing and Quality Assurance. This is your chance to join a diverse lineup of industry professionals and thought leaders, sharing innovative ideas and best practices in the realm of software testing and quality assurance.

We are looking for speakers of all experience levels and from all industries to help make this conference an enriching experience for attendees. Whether you are a seasoned speaker or taking the stage for the first time, we invite you to submit a proposal.

Date: October 20-21, 2026

Venue: CPH Conference in DGI Byen, Copenhagen

DSTB is a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing testing and quality in Denmark, Faroe Island, and Greenland.

Watch the video of last year’s conference and get inspired!

Theme of the Conference

Testing is no longer just about finding defects. It is a strategic capability for protecting and creating business value — enabling faster time-to-market, reducing risk, increasing confidence in decisions that matter, and enabling learning across the entire organisation. As technology, teams, and delivery models evolve, so must the skills and mindset of everyone involved in quality and testing.

This year’s theme, "Shifting Skills, Shaping Quality Culture" explores how new skills, mindsets, and ways of working are shaping quality in modern system development and enable value creation across the organisation.

We invite proposals on topics such as:

  • The changing role of testers and quality engineers

  • Automation, AI, and modern test practices

  • Building quality into agile and DevOps teams

  • Coaching, leadership, and influencing quality culture

  • Real-world stories of success and failure

What We Are Looking For

We seek inspirational talks that explore what it means to test in agile, DevOps, and AI-driven environments. From new technical skills to soft skills like communication, coaching, and facilitation, we want to focus on what it really takes to build a strong and sustainable quality culture.

We look for real-world stories, practical techniques, and honest conversations about what works — and what does not work.

This year we look for proposals for the following:

  1. Track Presentations: Share practical case studies, technical deep dives, or lessons learned in a 45-minute session.

  2. Gold Nugget Presentations: Present your most impactful advice, actionable insights, or innovative methods in a concise 10-minute session.

  3. Spark Presentations: Opportunity for you as a first-time speaker to present your experience and advice in a short 10-minute session.

  4. Half-Day Workshops: Lead hands-on, interactive sessions that enable attendees to build skills or solve challenges collaboratively.

  5. Full-Day Workshops: Deliver an in-depth experience that equips participants with comprehensive knowledge and practical tools they can apply immediately.

Why Speak at DSTB’s conference?

There are many reasons for speaking at our conference:

  1. Give back: Help grow the profession of testing and quality by sharing your experiences and advice.

  2. Impact: Influence the direction of software testing and quality assurance by sharing your ideas.

  3. Visibility: Showcase your expertise to a global audience of testing and QA professionals.

  4. Networking: Connect with peers, mentors, and industry leaders in an engaging, collaborative environment.

  5. Growth: Improve your public speaking skills.

  6. Fun: Be a star

Last but not least DSTB’s conference is one of the largest conferences on testing and quality in Denmark. You can get a feel for our conference by looking at the programme from last year’s event.

Who Should Apply?

We are looking for a broad mix of speakers to inspire our attendees:

  1. Practitioners with fresh perspectives or hard-earned lessons.

  2. Academics and researchers bringing theoretical insights into real-world applications.

  3. Different roles, e.g., testers, QA engineers, software developers, project managers, and product managers.

  4. First-time and experienced speakers.

Speaker Benefits and Renumeration

We value the time and effort our speakers contribute to making the DSTB Conference a success. As a token of our appreciation, we are pleased to offer the following benefits.

For Track, Gold Nugget, and Spark Presentations:

  1. Free Participation: Speakers receive complimentary access to the presentation day of the conference (21 October).

  2. Speaker Dinner: Enjoy a special dinner in the evening after the presentation day to network and celebrate the day.

For Half-Day and Full-Day Workshops

  1. Free Participation: Workshop speakers receive complimentary access to the presentation day of the conference (21 October). In addition, half-day workshop speakers also receive complimentary access to one preceding or following half-day workshop (20 October).

  2. Speaker Dinner: Workshop speakers are invited for an informal dinner after the workshop day, as well as the special dinner in the evening after the presentation day.

  3. Speaker Fee: Workshop speakers will also receive a fee in recognition of their time and expertise.

Travel Expenses

We understand that some speakers may incur travel costs to participate in the conference. While most travel expenses are expected to be manageable by you, the speaker, DSTB will cover reasonable travel expenses that exceed normal levels.

Guidelines for Proposals

Below are the guidelines for submitting your proposal. Please note that the proposal you submit will not be the final text used in the conference program. If your proposal is selected, you will work with DSTB to craft a polished description that is engaging and suitable for marketing and program purposes.

What to Include in Your Proposal

To ensure a smooth evaluation process, please provide the following details about your proposal:

  • Presentation Title

    • A working title that clearly reflects the topic of your session.

    • Note: The final title and description may be revised in collaboration with DSTB to enhance its appeal to attendees.

  • Session Abstract

    • Provide a detailed description (150-500 words) outlining the key focus, objectives, and structure of your session.

    • Highlight why this topic is relevant, timely, and valuable for attendees.

    • Keep in mind that this is for internal review and not the final program text. If selected, DSTB will assist you in refining the abstract for maximum impact.

  • Learning Objectives

    • List 3-5 actionable takeaways or skills participants will gain by attending your session.

    • Be specific about what attendees will learn or be able to do after your presentation.

  • Session Outline

    • Provide a high-level structure or timeline for your session (e.g., introduction, main points, activities).

    • For workshops, include details about interactive or hands-on components.

  • Presentation Type

    • Indicate the kind of talk you would like to do:

      • Track Presentation

      • Gold Nugget Presentation

      • Spark Presentation

      • Half-Day Workshop

      • Full-Day Workshop

  • Target Audience

    • Specify the intended audience for your session, including their level of expertise (e.g., basic, intermediate, advanced).

  • Language Option

    • Indicate if you can do the talk in both Danish and English or only one of them.

  • Supporting Materials (optional)

    • Include links to any relevant videos, slides, or testimonials from previous presentations, if available.

We also need basic information about you which is part of the form below.

Tips for Crafting a Strong Proposal

We cannot read your mind so:

  1. Be Specific: Clearly define your topic, audience, and objectives. While we understand the desire to keep key points or details for the presentation itself, providing sufficient detail in your proposal is essential for the evaluation process. Avoid overly broad or vague descriptions—highlight the main ideas and key takeaways.

  2. Showcase Value: Highlight what makes your session unique and how it will benefit attendees.

  3. Engage Reviewers: Write with enthusiasm and passion for your subject. This is your chance to demonstrate for the reviewers why your session is a must-have for the conference!

  4. Submit Slides or Materials (if applicable): If you have given the presentation or workshop before, include a link to your slides, handouts, or other relevant materials. This helps reviewers assess the depth and quality of your content.

Need Help Crafting Your Proposal?

If you have never written an abstract or submitted a conference proposal before—or if you have experience but would like some extra support—DSTB is here to help!

We encourage anyone interested in sharing their ideas to reach out, whether you're new to presenting or a seasoned speaker looking to refine your submission.

Our team can:

  • Provide guidance on structuring your abstract and proposal.

  • Help you identify key points to include.

  • Offer feedback on drafts to ensure your submission is clear and compelling.

Contact us at: conference@dstb.dk

Let us know how we can assist you, and we will work together to create a strong proposal that highlights your expertise and aligns with the conference goals.

Important Notes for Submitters

Respectful Presentations: We value the contributions and efforts of various organizations in advancing software testing, including ISTQB, ISO, and others. We expect all presentations to reflect a respectful tone and acknowledge the work done by these and other organizations, even when offering critique or presenting alternative perspectives. The conference is a platform for collaboration and constructive dialogue that fosters mutual respect within the professional community.

Collaboration on Final Description: If your proposal is selected, DSTB will work with you to revise your session title and description to ensure it captures attendees' interest and aligns with the program's marketing goals.

Marketing Focus: The final description will be optimized to grab attention and clearly communicate the value of your session to potential attendees.

Submit Proposal

Important Dates

Proposals will be reviewed as they are submitted.

Here are the important dates:

  • 28 February Deadline for submitting proposals

  • 31 March Speakers confirmed

  • 8 May Description of presentations and speakers ready for announcing the programme

  • 15 August Speakers submit draft slides and materials (both workshops and presentations)

  • 15 September Speakers submit final version of slides and materials (both workshops and presentations)

We expect that you can work with us to meet these deadlines.

To submit your proposal, please fill out the form in the language in which you intend to present.