Registration and Morning Coffee

The Top Reputational Threats You Need to Include in Your Crisis Plan
In an era where public perception can shift in seconds, reputation has become every organization’s most valuable—and most vulnerable—asset. From misinformation and employee activism to political polarization and social media outrage, the landscape of reputational risk is constantly evolving. In this session, you’ll discover the emerging threats that every communicator must plan for and how to integrate them into a modern, resilient crisis strategy. Learn how to anticipate vulnerabilities, monitor early warning signals, and protect your brand before issues escalate.
Kristen Moss, Vice President, Strategic Communications, The Coca-Cola Company

Managing Crises During Social and Political Tensions
In a world where every statement can be politicized and every silence scrutinized, how can organizations navigate crises without deepening divisions or losing trust? This session will explore how to manage reputational risk during moments of heightened social and political tension. Drawing on real-world examples, you’ll learn how to assess when and how to respond, balance stakeholder expectations, and maintain credibility in polarized environments.
Greg Vanier, SVP, Reputation, Practice Lead, Edelman Canada

Communicating Uncomfortable Truths with Transparency
In times of crisis, the hardest messages are often the ones that matter most. Whether it’s delivering difficult news to employees, admitting organizational mistakes, or addressing public criticism, transparent communication builds the foundation for long-term trust and credibility. This session explores how to navigate moments when the truth is uncomfortable — and how to communicate it with honesty, empathy, and clarity. You’ll learn strategies for maintaining stakeholder confidence, managing internal alignment, and ensuring that transparency becomes a strength, not a liability.
Jennifer Van Der Valk, Senior Vice President of Communications and Marketing, Toronto Region Board of Trade

Lunch for Speakers and Delegates

Winning Back Trust After the Headlines Fade
In an era defined by political polarization, misinformation, and shrinking public trust, the real work for communicators often begins after the crisis. This session explores how to rebuild credibility and restore confidence once the headlines move on. Through lessons learned from the public sector, we’ll examine how transparency, empathy, and consistent engagement can turn reputational recovery into an opportunity for lasting trust and stronger stakeholder relationships.
Vonny Sweetland, Director of Communications & Stakeholder Relations, Ontario Government

Building a Resilient Communications Culture: Strategies for Preparedness in Emergencies and Crises
In an era of permacrisis—where organizations face constant and overlapping disruptions—the strength of your communications strategy can be the deciding factor between resilience and chaos. Join Luisa Rapport as she reveals actionable strategies to cultivate a culture of readiness that empowers your team in both day-to-day operations and during critical incidents.
You will gain practical insights into embedding preparedness into organizational culture, ensuring your communication team can swiftly and confidently navigate any emergency or crisis. From developing agile response frameworks to fostering a mindset of continuous vigilance, this session will equip you with the tools to lead effectively and build a communication function that thrives under pressure.
Luisa Rapport, Director, Emergency Communications and Media Relations, Stanford University

AI is changing our work faster than most organizations can govern it and that brings the potential for reputational risk. This session examines what happens when the gap between use and governance becomes the crisis;  a chatbot invents facts, a deepfake targets your leader, or AI-generated content damages trust. Drawing on new data and real-world cases, you’ll explore how to strengthen credibility, reduce risk and be ready for the ‘when’ in an era where the greatest threat to reputation may come from within your own systems.

Networking and Refreshment Break

When Culture Wars Meet Code: AI and the Future of Crisis Communication
In an age where every cultural flashpoint is amplified online, AI is reshaping how crises ignite—and how quickly they escalate. From algorithm-driven outrage to AI-generated narratives that blur fact and fiction, communicators now operate at the volatile intersection of technology and cultural division. This session will explore how AI is transforming the speed, scale, and stakes of crisis communication, unpacking strategies for anticipating flashpoints, countering misinformation, and navigating polarized audiences without losing trust. Participants will leave with a deeper understanding of how to prepare for the next wave of crises where culture wars meet code.
James Anderson, Communications Advisor, Global Media and Issues Management, FedEx Corporation

Deepfakes and Disinformation: Navigating the New Frontlines of Crisis Response
The rise of deepfakes and AI-fueled disinformation has created a new, high-stakes battleground for communicators. In this session, you’ll explore how these technologies are reshaping crisis response—eroding trust, accelerating misinformation, and challenging traditional playbooks. We’ll examine real-world examples of how disinformation campaigns spread, the risks they pose to organizations and leaders, and the tools available to detect and counter them. Most importantly, you’ll learn how to prepare your team to respond with speed, accuracy, and credibility when the narrative is under attack. This is about more than defending reputation—it’s about protecting truth in an age of manipulation.
Adnan Bashir, Senior Manager, Global Corporate Communications, Hansen Technologies

End of Day One