Conference
Public Affairs Leadership Summit
July 29-30, 2025
1 p.m.−4 p.m. ET (each day)
Virtual
The Public Affairs Leadership Summit is designed for current and emerging public affairs leaders who want to strengthen their ability to integrate public affairs strategies, strengthen their business acumen, and manage a diverse portfolio of responsibilities while communicating effectively about the value of public affairs. The Leadership Summit covers the essentials of strategic planning, issues management and prioritization, understanding business fundamentals for public affairs, honing your executive presence and more. Join us at the Public Affairs Leadership Summit to hear from leading experts across the field on the best practices and strategies they are using to navigate today’s public affairs challenges.
Tuesday, July 29
1:00 p.m.
Strategic Planning & Alignment
This introductory session will cover the strategic planning process for public affairs, including the steps and analysis required to create an integrated action plan. Learn to streamline how you create, plan and carry out your public affairs initiatives. We’ll explore tested planning techniques and how they must align with your business goals.
2:00 p.m.
Issues Management: Prioritization & Consensus Building
In response to the demands of today’s fast-moving policy landscape, leading organizations are strengthening existing issues management processes. It’s critical to have a sophisticated process of identifying, analyzing and prioritizing potential or current issues that can impact your organization or industry. This session will focus on characteristics of these advanced models and how organizations are focusing on prioritization and consensus building for the greatest impact.
2:50 p.m.
Break
3:00 p.m.
Advanced Public Affairs Campaigns
High-impact public affairs and issue advocacy campaigns require a multi-faceted approach that utilizes a variety of strategies and digital advocacy tools. It’s increasingly important to develop a unified message and integrate traditional government relations activities such as lobbying into broader advocacy campaigns. We’ll unpack the new standards for creating a strong advocacy and communications plan that reaches elected officials, activates advocates, and influences other key stakeholders.
4:00 p.m.
Adjourn
Wednesday, July 30
1:00 p.m.
Writing Workshop: Brevity & Business Writing
This session will workshop strategies to improve your clarity, brevity, word selection, composition and overall writing skills. You’ll gain an understanding of the principles of storytelling and tactics to develop compelling business and policy narratives.
2:00 p.m.
Public Speaking and Executive Presence
As public affairs leaders, we are routinely called upon to present to internal leadership or deliver remarks to outside groups. It’s crucial that you’re an effective verbal communicator who can express your organization’s message to key internal and external stakeholders. This session will help fine-tune your public speaking and executive presence to ensure you project confidence and are well positioned to influence outcomes.
2:50 p.m.
Break
3:00 p.m.
Project Management Essentials
This workshop will cover core project management skills and principles to help your team work smarter and more effectively. Learn to streamline how you create, plan and carry out your public affairs initiatives. We’ll explore tested project management techniques and ways to apply them to maximize your results.
4:00 p.m.
Adjourn
Thank You to Our Sponsors
This program is eligible for 3 credits toward the Certificate in Government Relations and Lobbying, and 6 Core credits toward the Certificate in Public Affairs Management.
Register
Members: $449
Nonmembers: $595
*As a Signature Event, this program is not included in Membership Plus.
More Registration Info
Additional discounts may apply to this meeting. These discounts may include:
For multiple registrants: A discount will apply to the standard member/nonmember rate for organizations that register two or more participants for the same meeting. The first registrant will pay full price, the second participant will receive a 10% discount and each additional registrant will receive a 15% discount. To register multiple participants, you may either register online or download the print and fax registration form.
Member discounts: Discounts for members are applied to all Public Affairs Council meetings.
Nonmembers: Join the Council today, and save by registering at the member rate and using the $300 new-member coupon you will receive. Contact our membership team for information about joining the Council.
Questions? Contact us at 202.787.5950.
Questions
Kristin Brackemyre
Senior Director, Public Affairs Practice
202-787-5969 | [email protected]