2024 Communications School Schedule

2024 NAGC Communications School:
Schedule-at-a-Glance

All times listed are Central Time. Please note that all sessions are only being offered in person.

Monday, May 20, 2024:

2:00 – 5:00 pm

Registration Opens

Tuesday, May 21, 2024:

7:00 am – 6:00 pm	Registration Open
7:30 – 11:30 am	Beverage Service
8:30 – 11:00 am	Advanced Training Workshops [add-on fee]
	•Communication Planning for Government Communicators by Chris O'Neil •Social Media Bootcamp by Ann Beck
12:30 – 1:00 pm	Networking Break/Exhibit Showcase
1:00 – 3:30 pm	Advanced Training Workshops [Add-on fee]
	•Leadership in Three Directions by Scott Thomsen •Lessons Learned and Ethical Uses of AI Technologies for Government Communicators by Jerome Poink
3:30 – 4:30 pm	Networking Break/Exhibit Showcase
5:30 – 6:00 pm	Sponsor's ONLY Reception-Cabildo-Off-Site
6:00 – 8:00 pm	President's Reception-Cabildo-Off-Site
	•Open to all Communications School participants; Event filled with robust networking, New Orleans Entertainment and delicious cuisine of New Orleans. • Appetizers provided, plus a credit card ONLY bar

Wednesday, May 22, 2024:

7:00 am – 6:00 pm	Registration Open
7:45 – 8:15 am	Continental Breakfast-All Participants
8:15 – 9:30 am	Opening Keynote Session
	•Ben Feller From the Briefing Room to the Living Room: How to Make your Message Matter
9:30 – 10:00 am	Networking Break/Exhibit Showcase
10:00 – 11:00 am	Breakout Sessions
	•Embracing Collaboration: Trading Competition for a Stronger Foundation in Communications by Jaime Carson • Meeting the Press: Making the Interview Work by Shayne Martin & Wade Muehlhof •Speechwriting by Jessica Kellogg •Tweeting Gone Awry: When Deletion Derails Government Communication by Dr. Muira McCammon
11:15 – 11:45 am	Lunch & Presentation of the Communicator of the Year Award
11:45 – 12:15 pm	Keynote Session by Donna Brazile, Political Strategist and Author
12:15 – 12:45 pm	Keynote Session by Doug Heye, Founder, Douglas Media; TV Political Commentator; Former RNC and Congressional Leadership Communications Director
12:50 – 1:30 pm	Fireside Chat: Communicating in a Politically Polarizing Worldby Donna Brazile, Political Strategist and Author & Doug Heye, Founder, Douglas Media; TV Political Commentator; Former RNC and Congressional Leadership Communications Director
1:45 – 2:45 pm	Panel Discussions
	• Behind the Headphones: How to Amplify Your Message with a Podcast by Tabitha Clark and Nicholas Worrell • The Impact & Importance of Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging in Government Communications by Jolie Bernard and Karina Mora • Working with the Media: How to Strengthen Relationships with Local Reporters by Lauren Walck and Wes Muller • Special Presentation: Minding the Gap: Rebuilding Trust in Government Communication. Results of the Second Annual GW Government & Public Affairs (GPA) study, conducted in partnership with the NAGC by Larry Parnell & Zoe Young
2:45 – 3:15 pm	Networking Break/Exhibit Showcase
3:15 – 4:15 pm	Breakout Sessions
	•Web Design for Public Engagement by Mo Schriner • Wellbeing for Public Communicators - How to Ensure You Keep Yourself Healthy and Safe as a PIO by Christine Townsend • Embracing Digital Platforms & Tech Tools to Shape Your Organization’s Narrative by Jawauna Greene • Government and the Fourth Estate: Why You Should Really Talk to the Media in Times of Calm and Crisis by Melissa Hodgson
4:30 - 6:30 pm	Blue Pencil & Gold Screen Awards Reception and Ceremony
	•Open to all Communications School participants • Appetizers provided, plus a cash bar

Thursday, May 23, 2024:

7:30 am – 2:00 pm	Registration Open
8:00 – 8:30 am	Breakfast: All Participants Beignet Cafe, Fresh Fruit, Beverage Service
8:30 – 9:30 am	Morning Keynote Session
	• Robert Sumwalt The Crisis: Now What? Managing through Effective Crisis Communications
9:30 – 10:00 am	Networking Break/Exhibit Showcase
10:00 – 11:00 am	Breakout Sessions
	•More than Eye Candy: Visual Storytelling for Complex Ideas by Ryan Han, Victoria Aysola & Shenandoah Sowash •Working with Data in Government Communications by Nicole Bateman •Speak Strong, Speak Long: Mastering Your Vocal Stamina for Effective Communication by Katy Stevens • A Tactical Approach to Ace a Media Interview by Karen Terrill & Kerry Shearer
11:00 – 11:15 am	Networking Break/Exhibit Showcase
11:15 am – 12:15 pm	Breakout Sessions
	•For a Good Time, Call Your Local Government by Chris Floore, Olivia Walter, Edna Adams • How to Effectively Execute Advocacy Campaigns by Nicholas Worrell • Working with FOIA Requesters by Michael Madsen •Improving Language Access by Danna Matheus & Cindy Zork
12:15 – 12:30pm	Box Lunch
12:30 – 1:30 pm	Closing Keynote Session
	•AI in Government Comms: Are you a Pioneer or a Passenger? by Angela Tennison