Hear From Past Participants
Organizations That Attend Include:
Event FAQs
Why Should You Attend?
In addition to a diverse agenda on innovative best practices and the best networking opportunities, you’ll get access to:
Senior-Level Content: Advanced sessions and topics for experienced and returning professionals
Unparalleled Networking: Meet the top leaders in grassroots, public affairs, communications and stakeholder engagement — and learn from them to advance your own program
Mentoring Program: Be paired with alumni for career and conference advice from people who really get it
Industry’s Only Resource Marketplace: Check out the best sources available for advocacy technology, products and services
Hear From Past Participants
“The Advocacy Conference is great at providing innovative and top-level speakers who give insights on the ever-changing advocacy landscape around the country. By the time you leave the conference you’ll have a great network to help you be more successful in your career. This is the conference to be at if you want practical tips and to learn from the best in the arena.”
— Jordan Craig, Manager, Government and Industry Affairs, American Forest and Paper Association
“The Advocacy Conference is quite simply the premier event for public affairs professionals. The program itself is outstanding with first class content and speakers; the networking opportunities and the friendships that are developed during the conference are priceless.”
— Michael Garrison, Director, Grassroots, International Council of Shopping Centers
“The Public Affairs Council’s Advocacy Conference is now the only advocacy conference I attend – it’s that valuable. If you are involved in the advocacy field, this is the event to attend for best practices and innovative ideas.”
— Jeff Michaud, Senior Manager, Digital Communications, Government Relations, eBay, Inc.
“I was a first-time attendee in 2018 and I walked away from the conference energized and full of new ideas. Each session gave me the opportunity to hear from experts and interact with my peers. The lessons I learned paid immediate dividends by giving me actionable ways to improve the public relations and grassroots strategies at our association. The conference is also the gift that keeps on giving. The numerous networking opportunities allowed me to make connections with folks from across the spectrum, connections that I reach out to on a regular basis for advice or new ideas.”
— Sean Brown, Vice President, Communications, Federation of American Hospitals
Want to hear from more? Contact us for more information.
Advisory Committee
2022 Advocacy Conference Advisory Committee
Amie Adams, Dunn Associates
Stephanie Armstrong-Helton, Trinity Health
Avelyn Austin, REQ
Chris Baggett, Bristol-Myers Squibb
Brian Banks, American Counseling Association
Amy Becker, Boys and Girls Club of America
Khelan Bhatia, AARP
Hadlea Bothe, National Electrical Contractors Association, Inc.
Alexa Branson, U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Andrew Brashier, Prison Fellowship
Laura Brigandi, Pancreatic Cancer Action Network
Bridget Callaghan, BlueCross BlueShield of Minnesota
Vlad Cartwright, 720 Strategies
Laura Chaboya, Bayer Crop Science
Stephen Chang, American International Group, Inc.
Stacey Chappell, American Hospital Association
Angela Chiappetta, DDC Public Affairs
Robert Clark, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
Jessica Cooper, National Federation of Independent Business
Meghan Cruz, National Retail Federation
Trevin Dalton, Entergy Services
Bethany Dame, Property Casualty Insurers Assoc. of America
Megan Ekstrom, The Procter & Gamble Company
John Farina, AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF)
Randy Ford, NWYC
Jess Forrester, Quourm
Jennifer Fox, Finseca
Allyson Frazier, American Heart Association
Maria Gaulin, Thrivent Financial
Devon Goodall, LPL Financial
Brandon Graham, National Alliance on Mental Illness
Joseph Gregorich, Sutter Health
Joe Hansen, Novavax
Sarah Heckman, American College of Emergency Physicians
Jared Hess, DraftKings
Rachel Hicks, McDonald’s Corporation
Shawnda Hines, American Library Association (ALA)
Cliff Johnson, Bloomberg Government
Courtney Johnson, American Chemistry Council
Rob Jordan, American Medical Association
Meaghan Joyce, International Paper Company
Melanie Kahn, American Kidney Fund
David Kalrushner, BlueCross and BlueShield Association
Vanessa Kermick, Air Line Pilots Association, International
Erica Klinger, Association for Accessible Medicines
Jessica Knutson, National Marrow Donor Program, Be The Match
Jill Kozeny, American Council of Life Insurers
Keith Krosinsky, Association of American Medical Colleges
Lisa Lamkins, AARP Wisconsin
Susan Leppke, American Association of Blood Banks
Ashley Lerner, General Motors Company
Adam Lotspike, BD
Jim (James) MacGregor, National Assoc. of Realtors
Blake Major, MassMutual
Megan Managan, Washington Bankers Association
Mia Masten, Pfizer Inc.
Claire McDonough, Cision Government Relations
Amy Meli, Aristotle International
Dan Meyers, APCO Worldwide
Lindsey Miller, National Restaurant Association
Karen Morgan, AAA – The Auto Club Group
Bill Otto, Sourcewell
Gary Pickard, Pacific Dental Services
Kristen Prather, Credit Uniion National Assoc. Inc.
John Randall, Burson Cohn & Wolfe
Julia Richardson, National Association for Behavioral Healthcare
Frank Rizzo, FSB Public Affairs
Alicia Rockwell, Blue Diamond Growers
Paul Rohde, Waterways Council, Inc
Darlene Rosenkoetter, S&P Global Inc.
Claudia Salinas, DaVita HealthCare Partners Inc.
Kyle Sepe, Wakefern Food Corporation
Jonathan Simons, NCTA
Jonathan Spontarelli, State & Federal Communications, Inc.
Kristin St. John, National Association of Community Health Centers
Evelyn Stauffer, The Home Depot
Gill Stevens, NovoNordisk
Kandi Terry, NRG Energy, Inc.
AnnMarie Treglia, Dart Container Corporation
Tony Trenzeluk, Sentry Insurance Company
Lauren Tyler, Adfero
Julie Vieburg, Land O’ Lakes, Inc.
Peter Vujovich, Everytown For Gun Safety
Lisa Wagor, Target Corporation
Dorian Wanzer, International Paper
Yvette Williams, Johnson & Johnson
Sarah Yi, CTIA – The Wireless Association
Matthew Zablud, Beekeeper Group
Sue Zoldak, The Zoldak Agency
Contact Nick DeSarno to learn more about joining the conference advisory committee.
Read the Full FAQs
1. Is this the same conference as the National Grassroots Conference? Yes…and no. The Advocacy Conference is the evolution of the National Grassroots Conference. As grassroots and advocacy practitioners find that the scope of their work — and the challenges they face — are changing, so is the conference. Grassroots will be one featured track at the conference, paired with communications tactics and strategies and engagement solutions for working with partners, senior management and stakeholders.
2. Where will the conference be? The 2022 conference will be held in Austin TX.
3. How much does it cost? Please visit our Registration page for details.
4. How do I register? Registration is available online. In order to take advantage of the online discounted rates for Council members, you’ll need a website user name and password. If you cannot remember your username and password, please click this link where you can retrieve the information. If you are new to the site, click here to create a new profile. If you have questions, please call us at 202.787.5950.
5. How can I receive mailings for future conferences? If you would like to be added to our conference brochure distribution list, please contact us at pac@pac.org.
6. Who should I call if I have more questions?
The Advocacy Conference
Nick DeSarno
202.787.5971 | email
Sponsorship Opportunities and Consultant Expo/Resource Marketplace
Kristin Hanley
202.787.5968 | email
Membership
Caryn Seligman
202.787.5966 | email
Sponsors
Sponsoring The Advocacy Conference allows you to advertise your firm and services to our attendees. Your name and brand is present in marketing and throughout the conference itself, giving you repeated exposure to this unique, high-level community.