
April 6-7, 2021
This event will be held virtually in 2021.
A must-attend event for senior executives from top companies, associations, nonprofits and consultancies, this meeting features high-level presentations and discussions about politics, business strategy and emerging issues in the public affairs profession.
Topics & Speakers

Michael Barbaro
Host of The New York Times’ podcast “The Daily”

Mara Liasson
Correspondent, Washington Desk
NPR

Frances Donald
Global Chief Economist and Global Head of Macroeconomic Strategy, Manulife Investment Management

Lily Zheng
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Consultant and Executive Coach

David Frum
Staff writer at The Atlantic; author, Trumpocalypse: Restoring American Democracy (2020)

Julie Morita, MD
EVP, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation; former Commissioner of the Chicago Department of Public Health
This program is eligible for 2 elective credits* toward the Certificate in Public Affairs Management.
*Note that no more than 4 credits may come from Executive Meeting attendance
Agenda
Tuesday, April 6
10:00am
Public Affairs Council Business Meeting
Virtual • Live
11:30am
Break: Networking Lounge
Virtual • Live
12:00pm
Virtual • Live
12:50pm
Break
1:00pm
Can the News Media Regain the Public’s Trust?

Michael Barbaro
Host of The New York Times’ podcast “The Daily”
Virtual • Live
2:00pm
Adjournment
2:10pm
Platinum Exclusive: Discussion with Michael Barbaro

Michael Barbaro
Host of The New York Times’ podcast “The Daily”
Virtual • Live
Wednesday, April 7
10:00am
Vaccines Don’t Stop Pandemics — Vaccinations Do

Julie Morita, MD
EVP, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation; former Commissioner of the Chicago Department of Public Health
Virtual • Live
11:00am
Roundtable Discussions
COVID and the New Normal: How Do We Get Back to Work?
Virtual • Live
11:30am
Global Economic Outlook

Frances Donald
Global Chief Economist and Global Head of Macroeconomic Strategy, Manulife Investment Management
Virtual • Live
12:30pm
Break for Lunch
1:00pm
Will the Republic Survive?

David Frum
Staff writer at The Atlantic; author, Trumpocalypse: Restoring American Democracy (2020)
Virtual • Live
2:00pm
Break
2:10pm
Communicating Authentically on Social Issues

Lily Zheng
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Consultant and Executive Coach
Virtual • Live
3:10pm
Adjournment
Sponsorship
A limited number of sponsorships for the Spring Executive Conference are available to members of the Public Affairs Council. Contact Brenda Plantikow to reserve your sponsorship by Friday, March 19.
We appreciate your investment in the leadership of our profession.
Platinum $3,500 |
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Gold $2,500 |
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Silver $1,500 |
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Platinum
720 Strategies
Abbott
Adfero
APCO Worldwide
Aristotle International
AstraZeneca
Bloomberg Government
FiscalNote
FSB Public Affairs
International Game Technology
Manulife
Phone2Action
Quorum
S&P Global Inc.
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom
Target Corp.
Thrivent Financial
TIAA
Gold
Comcast Corp.
Korn/Ferry International
Roche Diagnostics Corp.
Serlin Haley LLP
Silver
American Property Casualty Insurance Assn.
Atlantic Health System
Edison International
McKesson Corp.
State and Federal Communications Inc.
Register
+ Click to expand
The fee to attend this virtual conference is $500. Sponsorship includes complimentary registration. Contact Brenda Plantikow for details.
Virtual Platform Information
We have a few tips to improve your overall conference experience:
- Download and install/update Chrome. Chrome is the recommended browser to access our virtual platform.
- Test your internet (click here to test your internet using Google). A strong internet connection will ensure your best viewing and video conferencing experience. Try to close non-essential tabs in your browser while viewing. If you experience issues, try refreshing your page.
- There will be several opportunities for networking via video conference so please dress accordingly, at least from the waist up.
- The following software is integrated into our virtual platform. If you have any issues accessing the below services, you may have issues accessing the content within our platform:
- Zoom
- Vimeo
- YouTube
- If you have any issues accessing portions of the platform, please follow these steps:
- Make sure you are disconnected from any VPN services.
- If your organization has strong firewalls: Ask your IT support professional to temporarily lower the restrictions for you based on the list of software above, or access the platform from a personal device on less restricted network.
Links to access the platform will be sent to registered attendees one week in advance of the conference.
Attendees will have access to the session recordings up to 30 days after the event.

Brenda Plantikow
Manager, Board Relations
202.787.5965 | email