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2026 Communications School
NAGC 2026 Communications School

49th annual communications school

 

May 11-13, 2026
Greater Palm Springs, CA

 

 



Important Update: Due to unforeseen construction scheduled at the Riviera in Palm Springs, we have decided to move the event to a new venue, which will require a slight shift in dates. This change will ensure the best possible experience for our attendees. 

The 2026 NAGC Communications School will now take place May 11–13, 2026, at the Omni Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa in Greater Palm Springs, California. Please note that the conference remains in the same week as originally planned, but will begin one day earlier, on Monday, May 11. 

This change allows us to provide improved accommodations, enhanced meeting space, and a setting that better supports the learning,
networking, and collaboration that define the Communications School. 

If you previously made a hotel reservation at the Riviera Palm Springs, your credit card will be refunded, and you should have received an email confirmation from the property.

  

Look back on 2025 Communications School, which was held in Pittsburgh, PA!

 

REGISTRATION

Registration Opens Soon!

 

2026 Communications School Registration Fees

EARLy RATES
Early member rate
$925
early non-member rate
$1,275
Regular rates
regular member rate
$1,050
regular non-member rate
$1,450
late rates
late member rate
$1,115
late non-member rate
$1,550
Pre-cONFERENCE WORKSHOP RATES
PRE-CONFERENCE WORKSHOP MEMBER RATE
$465
PRE-CONFERENCE WORKSHOP NON-MEMBER RATE
$575
BPGS BANQUET ONLY RATE
RATe
$165
EXHIBITOR RATES
EARLY EXHIBITOR RATE
$1,200
LATE EXHIBITOR RATE
$1,400
EXHIBITOR PERSONNEL-ADDITIONAL RATE
(limit up to 2)
$250

AGENDA


Click the drop-down menu below to view the entire Schedule-At-A-Glance!


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

*Schedule subject to change

SUNDAY, MAY 10

1:00 pm - 5:00 pm Exhibitor Set-Up Time


2:00 pm - 5:00 pm  Registration Open

 

MONDAY, MAY 11

8:00 am - 11:00 am Exhibitor Set-Up Time


7:30 am - 5:00 pm  Registration Open


7:30 am - 11:30 am Beverage Service


8:30 am - 11:00 am  Pre-Conference Workshops [add-on fee]

- Inauguration Blueprint to Action: Building a JIC That Delivers Under Pressure 
           Speaker: Rebekah Mena, DC Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency 

- Video That Builds Trust: Strategic Storytelling for Government Communicators 
   Speaker: Ronda Scholting, West Metro Fire Rescue 


11:00 am - 3:30 pm Exhibit Showcase Open


11:30 am - 1:00 pm Lunch On Own (Non-First Time Attendees)


11:30 am - 12:45 pm First-Time Attendee Lunch and Presentation


1:00 pm - 3:30 pm  Pre-Conference Workshops [Add-On Fee]

- The Trust Remix: Elevating Town Halls to Meet Today’s High Stakes 
   Speaker: Nikki Wellander, Adams County 

- The Bonfire Collective Live: Strategies, Stories, and Tools for Trust-Centered Communication 
   Speakers: Thomas Reeves, City of Baytown; Chad Lewis, King County; Kim Newcomer, Slate Communications 


3:45 pm - 5:45 pm Social Activity (Off-Site)


6:00 pm - 6:30 pm Sponsor's ONLY Reception


6:30 pm - 9:00 pm *President's Reception

- Open to all Communications School Participants

 

TUESDAY, MAY 12

7:30 am - 5:00 pm  Registration Open


7:45 am - 8:15 am Continental Breakfast (All Participants)


8:15 am - 9:30 am  Opening Keynote Session


9:30 am - 5:30 pm Exhibit Showcase Open


9:30 am - 10:00 am Networking Break/Exhibit Showcase


10:00 am - 11:00 am  Breakout Sessions


11:00 am - 11:30 am Lunch & Presentation of the Communicator of the Year Award


11:30 am - 1:30 pm Blue Pencil & Gold Screen Awards


1:45 pm - 2:45 pm Breakout Sessions


2:45 pm - 3:15 pm  Networking Break/Exhibit Showcase


3:15 pm - 4:15 pm  Breakout Sessions


4:30 pm - 5:30 pm  *All Attendee Reception

- Open to all Communications School participants


7:00 pm - 10:00 pm Bonfire Collective Event (Application Required)

WEDNESDAY, MAY 13

7:30 am - 1:00 pm  Registration Open


7:30 am - 8:30 am Continental Breakfast (All Participants)


8:30 am - 9:30 am General Session


9:30 am - 10:00 am Networking Break/Exhibit Showcase


10:00 am - 11:00 am Breakout Sessions


11:00 am - 1:00 pm Box Lunch, NAGC Passing of the Gavel & Closing General Session

 
INFORMATION COMING SOON!              
HOTEL INFORMATION

Omni Rancho Las Palmas
41000 Bob Hope Dr,
 Rancho Mirage, California, 92270

 

Make Your Hotel Reservation!


  • NAGC has a hotel room block with a group rate of $259/night + taxes and fees
  • You are also welcome to book reservations with the hotel's global reservations department at 1-800-THE-OMNI (1-800-843-6664).
  • Book by Friday, April 17, 2026 to secure the discounted rate
  • The Omni Rancho Las Palmas Resort resort fee has been waived for all people who book their hotel in the NAGC room block at the Omni hotel. 
  • Hotel Features: Splashtopia, a water playground with water slides, lazy river & sandy beach. just steps from The River and in the middle of the Valley. 25 Court Peter Burwash International Tennis Center. 27-hole Ted Robinson-designed Golf Course. 50,000 sq ft of Meeting & Event Space. 20,000 sq ft Spa.


Note: If you previously made a hotel reservation at the Riviera Palm Springs, your credit card will be refunded, and you should have received an email confirmation from the property.


NAGC is excited to offer Exhibitor and Sponsorship Opportunities specific for the NAGC 2026 Communications School! 

 

Review the Prospectus

 

Sponsor & Exhibitor Registration





ATTENDEE PROFILE
The NAGC Communications School is a one-of-a-kind educational event for government communicators at every level of professional experience. Attendees are spokespersons, web developers, social media strategists, editors, writers, public information officers, broadcasters, videographers, photographers, and marketing professionals.

SPONSOR & EXHIBITOR PRICING & DEADLINES

  • Exhibitor Early-Bird Rate: $1,200 (Deadline: March 4, 2026)
  • Exhibitor Regular Rate: $1,400 (Deadline: April 24, 2026)
  • Sponsorship Pricing: See Prospectus (Deadline: April 24, 2026)

 

Review the Prospectus

 

Sponsor & Exhibitor Registration

 

 

Thank You 2026 Communications School Sponsors

 

Thank You 2026 Communication School Exhibitors

 
National Association of Government Communicators
400 South 4th Street, Suite 754e | Minneapolis, MN 55415
P: (888) 285-8556 | E: info@nagc.com
Monday - Friday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Central
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