Welcome to the 2026 Call for Presentations

Professionals and students are invited to propose a session idea per the General and Student Abstract Submission Guidelines, respectively. Presentations should address the overarching conference theme and fit into one of the three broadly defined tracks below.

Indianapolis is known as the “Crossroads of America” for its heritage as a transportation hub, which united industry and craftsmanship, leaving an enduring legacy of design. The city’s industrial history is marked by its growth as a major rail center connecting it to many major Midwest cities and the Ohio River by the 1860s. As a significant automotive manufacturing center in the early 20th century, Indianapolis rivaled Detroit as a hub of automobile manufacturing and design with companies like Duesenberg, Marmon, and Stutz Motor Company being prominent. The discovery of natural gas in the 1880s, just northeast of Indianapolis, saw growth around this new and seemingly unending energy source. The gas boom fueled the growth of glassworks such as Indiana Opalescent Glass, Greentown Glass, and Ball Jars.

The railroad network of the 19th century brought the beauty and craftsmanship of Indiana Limestone to the world. Referred to as “God’s Concrete,” Indiana Limestone has been a reliable and ubiquitous material in the construction of buildings and structures including the Empire State Building, the Tribune Tower, many state capitol buildings, bridges, and monuments across North America. The stone’s beauty and enduring strength are accentuated by the artisanship of fabrication still thriving today with both traditional carving techniques and modern milling methods.

In response to urban renewal and the interstate highway system’s effect on historic resources, Indianapolis’ grass roots preservation movement began in the 1960s. Today, preservation efforts in Indianapolis are not just about honoring the past, they’re about leveraging historic buildings and sites for economic benefits and quality of life. Indianapolis demonstrates best practices on how collaborations between businesses, private organizations, and government agencies transformed vacant industrial spaces into vibrant hubs of commerce, culture, and housing. This conference will explore The Crossroads of Preservation: Where Industry and Craft Come Together in an ever changing and complex market.


Deadlines
General Presentation submissions - February 4, 2026
APT Student presentation/scholarship applications - February 4, 2026
New for 2026 - Full Session Submission - February 4, 2026
Notification of acceptance of Presentation and APT Student Scholars will be made in May 2026

Additional Information
General Presentation Guidelines

APT Student Scholar Presentation Guidelines

Full Session Guidelies

Speaker Agreement Draft

Theme and Track Information
Track 1: INDUSTRY: The Impact of Large-Scale Production
Track 2: CRAFT: The Beauty in the Details
Track 3: CROSSROADS: Bringing Industry and Craft together locally and worldwide