Two tracks to help guide your learning experience:
Digital Advocacy
A track for professionals looking to activate supporters and drive them to action using online tools and tactics.
Digital Communications
A track for communications professionals looking to enhance their digital skills, build audiences online and manage a wide array of digital properties.
Monday, June 21
Times are in eastern standard time.
Noon - 12:45 p.m.
Pre-Summit Networking
Virtual networking can be difficult, especially when a large group is convened. The Council has a new and fun take on it that we think you will enjoy! Participants will virtually meet with colleagues from across the industry in random 1-1 pairings. Conversations will last just 5 minutes before a new pairing is created. Two lucky participants will win a drawing for a $100 Amazon gift card!
Tuesday, June 22
Times are in eastern standard time.
8:30 - 9 a.m.
Optional Morning HIIT Workout
Please join us to kick off the summit with a HIIT workout led by a CrossFit Level 1 Trainer (CF-L1 Trainer). This class is suitable for all levels of fitness. During this 30-min session we will cover a quick warm-up, an overview of movements, a 16-min workout and some stretches to cool down. Hop into something comfy, give yourself some space to move and let’s sweat!
Helen Taylor
CrossFit Level 1 Trainer (CF-L1 Trainer)
9:30 a.m.
Kickoff and Opening Keynote: Digital Body Language and Virtual Relationship Building
An audience often relies on body language, tone, gestures, facial expressions and subtle cues to fully understand your message. Even with videoconferencing, communication and relationship-building has become harder. Join collaboration expert Erica Dhawan as she explains how to use digital body language to close the empathy gap between you and your audience. Whether you are trying to develop a relationship with a policymaker, advocate or new employee, Erica will give you practical advice on how to carefully craft your responses, communicate your feelings and negotiate delicate power dynamics.
Erica Dhawan
CEO
Cotential
Author of Digital Body Language:
How to Build Trust and Connection, No Matter the Distance
@ericadhawan
10:30 a.m.
Break
10:45 a.m.
Breakout Sessions
Digital Advocacy Track: Paid Digital Campaigning: Using Advertising to Engage and Build Support
Social media platforms are throttling organic views of your content; make sure you have a paid strategy to get in front of your most valued audience.
Learning objectives include:
- Understanding the current digital advertising landscape
- Developing a digital advertising plan that maximizes each dollar and leverages your best content
- New ways of targeting policymakers, advocates and persuadables
- Optimizing your digital campaign for maximum effectiveness
Alex Kolb
Director, Global Public Affairs
AT&T
Tyson Megown
Senior Mobilization Manager
American Petroleum Institute
Digital Communications Track: Quick Hits: Innovative Digital Communications Case Studies
This isn’t your typical conference breakout session. We’re showcasing four quick case studies from four different organizations. Join us and learn successful new tools and tactics.
Each case study will answer the following questions:
- What was your overall goal and what metrics did you track?
- How much was your total budget?
- What changes did you make during your campaign and what did you learn from them?
- How would you improve the campaign and what is one thing you wish you tested?
Erica Klinger
Senior Director, Marketing
Association for Accessible Medicines
@ericaklinger
Stacie Manger
Director, Digital Communications
American Forest & Paper Association
@forestandpaper
Nicole Patton
Manager, Grassroots Advocacy
National Down Syndrome Society
David Ward
Director of Public Affairs
Association of Equipment Manufacturers
11:30 a.m.
Break
11:45 a.m.
Breakout Sessions
Digital Advocacy Track: Producing Advocacy Hybrid Events: How to Combine In-Person and Virtual
Even after the pandemic subsides, surveys indicate we’ll still be hosting virtual meetings, conferences, briefings and events. Join us to learn about the future of hybrid events.
Learning objectives include:
- Developing content, agendas, and virtual friendly plans
- Understanding how to engage both in-person and online audiences
- Technology considerations and determining your platform needs
Mike Ball
Video Producer
Bump
Brett Kobie
Strategy & Creative Director
Bump
Digital Communications Track: Making the Case for Digital-First Advocacy
How do you win a public policy fight when your tools may be limited by the pandemic or other restrictions? Digital is no longer a “nice to have.” Join us to hear from lobbyists and digital experts who work together to win.
Learning objective include:
- Making the case for digital and breaking down silos in the government affairs office
- Building an integrated advocacy campaign for the digital age
- Driving the policy conversation and influencing policymakers using digital
David H. Pryor
Director, Federal Government Affairs
Microsoft Corporation
Chelsea Ritchie
Head of Digital Advocacy, Public Affairs
International Copper Association
@ChelsRitchie
12:30 p.m.
Lunch Break
1 p.m.
Afternoon Keynote: The Future of Social Media
Social media can be a powerful tool for changing public policy, empowering citizens and launching innovative ideas. However, if not used properly, social media can spur misinformation and division. Join us for a discussion on the future of online advocacy and social media.
Jenna Golden
Founder & President, Golden Strategies
Former Head of Political and Advocacy Sales, Twitter
@jigolden
Katie Harbath
CEO, Anchor Change
Fellow, Bipartisan Policy Center
Former Public Policy Director, Facebook
Session Moderated By:
Rachel Schindler
Co-Founder
Punchbowl News
@schindss
1:45 p.m.
Networking Break
2 p.m.
Breakout Sessions
Digital Advocacy Track: Advanced Grassroots Activations: Tactics to Increase Your Action Rate
Are you struggling to increase open and action rates? Then this session is for you. Your advocacy database is one of your most important tools and increasing engagement among supporters is key.
Learning objectives include:
- Mastering tactics for creating email campaigns vs. single email calls-to-action
- Understanding how the foundations of email marketing can help improve your advocacy alerts
- Using data to optimize and build personas
Andrew DiAntonio
Director, Communications
National Health Law Program
Hasan Shah
Grassroots & Member Engagement
Advanced Medical Technology Association (AdvaMed)
@hasanshah
Digital Communications Track: Inclusive and Accessible Communications
Our communications must reflect the communities we serve. Organizations are working to ensure their messages include diverse perspectives, underrepresented groups and are accessible for people with disabilities. Learning objectives include:
- Using language and terminology that is both appropriate and inclusive
- Using technology that can help disabled audiences consume your content
- Becoming a better listener and understanding people who have different lived experiences
Erica Harris
Public Affairs Associate
Public Affairs Council
@PACouncil
Alexa Heinrich
Digital Marketer / Social Media Manager
St. Petersburg College
@HashtagHeyAlexa
2:45 p.m.
Networking Break
3 p.m.
Breakout Sessions
Digital Advocacy Track: Building Online Advocacy Training Programs
Training has become both easier and harder. Organizations have spent considerable time over the last year building modules, convening expert trainers, and investing in their advocates. Join us for a session on how to build an online training program from the ground up.
Learning objectives include:
- Leveraging technology and gamification to get your message across
- Making advocacy training engaging during a virtual format
- Building modules or a library of content for your advocates
Johnna Miller
Director, Media and Advocacy Training
American Farm Bureau Federation
Megan Tweed
Director, Government Affairs
American Gastroenterological Association (AGA)
@mm_tweed
Digital Communications Track: Advanced Virtual
Presenting
Are you tired of presenters who do not connect with their audience? Are you done with the same old PowerPoints? Join us for a session on stepping up your virtual presentation game.
Learning objectives include:
- Building a slide deck for a virtual audience
- Tactics for making virtual presentations more interactive
- How to deliver a presentation that engages, activates, and teaches
Kate Zabriskie
President
Business Training Works, Inc.
3:45 p.m.
Networking Break
Participate in the Closing Session to win! During today’s Closing Keynote, we will have a Grand Prize Drawing for a $100 Amazon gift card.
Winners will be randomly selected and you must participate in the closing keynote session to be entered to win.
Grand Prize Drawing Sponsored By:
4 p.m.
Final Keynote: Digital Civic and Social Advocacy
Associations, companies, and nonprofits are all rethinking how they engage their members, customers, and employees – especially when it comes to advocacy. Organizations are now tackling social issues, supporting voting efforts and building on their GOTV efforts. Join us for an open discussion around the future of digital advocacy and how organizations are changing their approach.
Steven Levine
Director, Civic Alliance
Co-Founder, Meteorite
Katie Meares
Senior Policy Analyst
Salesforce.com
@katiem415
Session Moderated By:
Kristin Brackemyre
Director, PAC and Government Relations
Public Affairs Council
@kristinleighty @PACouncil
4:45 p.m.
Adjourn
Thanks to our additional Premier Sponsors
This program is eligible for 3 grassroots credits toward the Certificate in PAC and Grassroots Management, 3 specialization credits toward the Certificate in Government Relations and Lobbying and 3 elective credits to the Certificate in Public Affairs Management.
This program may be applied for 5 credits toward your CAE application or renewal professional development requirements.
Conference / Cancellation Policy