February 16, 2022
2 p.m. – 4:15 p.m. ET
Virtual
Hiring a consultant is not only a significant financial investment; but with so many options, it can also be a daunting task. Additionally, finding the right fit can make or break your initiatives and impact your reputation with policymakers and the public. Whether you’re looking for a contract lobbyist or public affairs firm, this workshop will walk you through the ins and outs of hiring, assessing and managing consultants.
Featured Topic & Speakers
Whether you are hiring at the state or federal level, or working with a firm or an individual consultant, understanding best practices for vetting and managing consultants is essential. To help you make strategic decisions and get the most of our consultants, our experienced experts will share tried and true ways to:
- Decide if a full-time employee or a consultant is the right investment for your organization
- Find and hire a contract lobbyist
- Assess and secure a public affairs firm
- Turn the relationship into a results-driven partnership
- Evaluate your consultant’s performance
- End the relationship without burning bridges
Michael J. Behm
Co-Chief Executive Officer & Principal
Stateside Associates
Frank Rizzo
President
FSB Public Affairs
Nick DeSarno
Director of Digital and Policy Communications
Public Affairs Council
This program is eligible for 2 Elective credits toward the Certificate in PAC & Grassroots Management, 2 Specialization credits toward the Certificate in Government Relations and Lobbying, and 2 Elective credits toward the Certificate in Public Affairs Management.
Agenda
2:00 p.m. Assessing and Hiring Contract Lobbyists and Consultants
Our speakers will discuss best practices for identifying government relations needs, determining which types of consultants will deliver necessary results, making the best hire and setting goals. Join us for timely insights on:
- Decide if a full-time employee or a consultant is the right investment
- Assessing budget needs and aligning the search with your values
- How to make the best hire – from RFPs to interviews to defining success
- Setting expectations for communications, deliverables and outcomes
Frank Rizzo
President
FSB Public Affairs
3:00 p.m. Break
3:15 p.m. Managing the Relationship and Results: Measuring, and Demonstrating ROI
Did your consultants achieve the goals for which they were hired? This session will discuss specific tools and metrics that leading government relations managers rely on to determine if their lobbyists and consultants are getting the job done. Specifically, this session’s thought leaders will share:
- Formal and informal assessment tools for evaluating contract lobbyists and consultants
- How those tools are interpreted in the context of short and long-term goals
- Insights on translating those metrics internally to demonstrate success and show value for the investment
- How to decide who to retain, who to release, and how to communicate these decisions
Michael J. Behm
Co-Chief Executive Officer & Principal
Stateside Associates
Nick DeSarno
Director of Digital and Policy Communications
Public Affairs Council
4:15 p.m. Adjourn
Event Location
[vc_toggle title=”+ Click to expand” style=”text_only” size=”lg” css=”.vc_custom_1637597409337{margin-bottom: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;}”]This program will be hosted in a secure virtual environment.
*Participants joining the program virtually will receive an email one week beforehand with instructions for logging on to our web-based platform. On the platform, they will be able to listen and participate through any computer or internet-enabled device, see a video of the speakers, and ask questions and participate in the discussion via a chat box.[/vc_toggle]
Register
[vc_toggle title=”+ Click to expand” style=”text_only” size=”lg” css=”.vc_custom_1638075254309{margin-bottom: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;}”]- Membership Plus: Free
- Members: $289
- Non-Members: $399
Additional discounts may apply to this meeting. These discounts may include:
For multiple registrants: A discount will apply to the standard member/non-member 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.
Non-members: Join the Council today, and save by registering at the member rate and using the $200 new-member coupon you will receive. Contact our membership team for information about joining the Council.
Questions? Contact us at 202.787.5950.[/vc_toggle]