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Public Affairs Council Staff Gets Unreasonably Hospitable

Public Affairs Council Staff Gets Unreasonably Hospitable

June 2026

In early June, the entire Public Affairs Council team gathered in Washington, D.C., for our annual Staff Retreat, including our Brussels-based colleagues who made the long journey to join us.

The Public Affairs Council team

Justin Smith discusses leadership during the retreat’s morning session.

Inspired by Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara, we spent the day exploring new ways to better serve our members, strengthen collaboration and continue growing as an organization. Leadership expert and facilitator Justin Smith kicked off the morning session, during which he underscored that “leadership is experienced”—that our leadership, or lack thereof, is felt every day through our actions, decisions and interactions with others.

The International Practice team in D.C.! Pictured: Managing Director Joao Sousa, President & CEO Nneka Chiazor, Programs & Member Relations Officer Amanda Crafford and Senior Advisor (Europe) Inês Reis Basto.

The retreat was a valuable opportunity to step back from our day-to-day work, learn from one another and align around our shared goals. We left energized, inspired and ready to put these great ideas into action as we continue serving our members and advancing the profession.

Council staff enjoyed an opening happy hour on the Akin rooftop.

Special thanks to Board Member Ken Gross and Akin for their generous hospitality in hosting our opening happy hour.

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