Washington, D.C. Study Tour

8:45 a.m.

9:00 a.m.

Public Affairs Council – 2121 K St. NW, Ste 900, Washington, DC 20037

We will begin the first morning of the tour with an overview of the daily agenda, participant introductions and time for questions about the upcoming three days.

9:30 a.m.

Public Affairs Council – 2121 K St. NW, Ste 900, Washington, D.C. 20037

Public Affairs Council President Nneka Chiazor will discuss the latest data and trends in public affairs as well as the biggest challenges facing the profession and how to navigate them.

10:15 a.m.

10:30 a.m.

Discussions will include successful strategies for engaging various stakeholders and best practices for managing a corporate global public affairs function from Washington.

11:40 a.m.

12:00 p.m.

Industry-specific trade associations are core to public affairs in Washington. This session will highlight the benefits of belonging to a trade association and ways to leverage membership to align with your public affairs goals.

1:30 p.m.

1:45 p.m.

Nonprofits play a large policy role in Washington and the advocacy ecosystem. Find out how these organizations operate, communicate their value, and engage with lawmakers and key stakeholders.

2:45 p.m.

3:00 p.m.

Multi-client lobbying firms play an important role in expanding an organization’s influence in Washington and beyond. These firms leverage their resources and expertise to advocate for various interests before Congress and the administration as well as in state capitals. This session will feature an overview of multi-client firms’ structures and how they can complement an organization’s lobbying efforts.

4:00 p.m.

We will close our first day of sessions with a welcome happy hour with drinks and light fare.

9:00 a.m.

9:15 a.m.

Public Affairs Council – 2121 K St. NW, Ste 900, Washington, DC 20037

Any good advocacy operation needs people power. Learn how to conduct outreach to employees, association members, the public and other key stakeholder groups to build a strong case for your issue that reaches policy and decision makers.

10:00 a.m.

10:15 a.m.

Public Affairs Council – 2121 K St. NW, Ste 900, Washington, DC 20037

For many organizations, legislative and regulatory activities happening in states and cities across the country can have equal or greater impact on their operations as what happens at the federal level in Washington. Experts will discuss how organizations structure, track and influence state and local government relations and how these approaches differ from efforts on the federal level.

11:00 a.m.

12:00 p.m.

Public Affairs Council – 2121 K St. NW, Ste 900, Washington, DC 20037

An election expert will provide a rundown of what you and your organization need to know in a tumultuous political landscape. This session will provide an overview of U.S. electoral trends and insights on the national level with plenty of time for questions.

1:30 p.m.

1:45 p.m.

As artificial intelligence, new software and emerging social media platforms dominate the headlines, it’s important to understand the new tools available for public affairs practitioners. Our hosts will discuss the most recent digital trends in public affairs and share case studies of how global companies are using these tools to further their public affairs agendas in the United States and abroad.

2:50 p.m.

3:30 p.m.

A visit to one of Washington’s key media outlets will answer pressing questions facing traditional players in a constantly changing media ecosystem. Discover what a news institution’s role is in the face of corporate consolidation, how journalism and communication are changing, and how to leverage sponsored content and paid media.

4:30 p.m.

8:45 a.m.

9:00 a.m.

Public Affairs Council – 2121 K St. NW, Ste 900, Washington, DC 20037

How are relationships built with U.S. government contacts? What are best practices to keep in mind as you develop your organization’s advocacy and stakeholder engagement strategy? How is the new Administration changing the way organizations approach and respond to executive orders and other actions? Our panel of government relations experts will answer these questions and share tactics for engaging Washington’s most important stakeholders.

10:30 a.m.

Public Affairs Council – 2121 K St. NW, Ste 900, Washington, DC 20037

Engaging in the regulatory process is a must for a successful policy-driven public affairs function. A panel of former federal agency officials will discuss how rules and regulations are developed inside government, including insights on which stakeholders are included in the process. Our speakers will provide an overview of how organizations can build relationships with agency officials to provide feedback and engage early in the process as well as comply with regulations going forward.

11:45 a.m.

12:00 p.m.

Embassies are not just for getting visas. As key Washington stakeholders, they can be key to advancing organizational and public affairs initiatives. Hear from an embassy official who will share an overview of their day-to-day public affairs and diplomatic work and how they engage with both U.S. and foreign companies.

1:45 p.m.

Knowing how Capitol Hill works is key to understanding Washington. A panel of senior Hill staffers from the House and Senate will provide an overview of the Hill’s key actors, the legislative process and which policy-making trends you should be paying attention to. These staffers will also cover committee structure and procedure  and what Capitol Hill engagement with other D.C. stakeholders looks like.

2:45 p.m.

Capitol Hill – First St. NE, Washington, D.C. 20515

A guided tour of the Capitol will include a brief orientation film and a walk through the Rotunda, National Statuary Hall and the Crypt. The tour will begin and end at the Capitol Visitor Center and will be led by a Capitol Hill tour guide.

4:30 p.m.

5:00 p.m.