Registration and Morning Coffee
The Top Skills for Crisis Communicators in a Polarised World
In an era of deep divisions and heightened sensitivities, crisis communicators must navigate a landscape where messages are more scrutinized, and audiences are more polarized than ever before. Drawing from his extensive experience, Greg will share the essential skills that crisis communicators need to master to effectively manage and mitigate crises in such a challenging environment. From developing empathy-driven messaging to mastering rapid response strategies and leveraging digital tools for proactive engagement, participants will gain insights into the critical competencies that empower communicators to build trust, maintain credibility, and steer their organizations through turbulent times.
Greg Trevor, University Spokesperson & Senior Advisor for Crisis Communications, University of Georgia
Elevating Your Role as a Reputation Manager: Strategic Insights for Navigating Uncharted Waters
In today's fast-paced and unpredictable business environment, reputation management is more critical than ever. This session will provide you with the essential tools and insights needed to navigate the complex landscape of reputation management and effectively communicate its value to the C-Suite and other key internal stakeholders. Led by Doug Duvall, Assistant VP of Corporate Communications at Amtrak, the session will delve into practical strategies for building and maintaining a resilient reputation, even in the face of unforeseen challenges. Learn how to position yourself as a vital asset in steering your organization through crises, develop strategic partnerships with executive leadership, and implement proactive measures that safeguard your brand's reputation. Attendees will leave equipped with actionable techniques to enhance their influence and visibility as reputation managers, demonstrating the undeniable impact of their role in sustaining trust and credibility within their organizations.
Doug Duvall, Assistant VP of Corporate Communications at Amtrak
FireSide Chat: How to Win the Digital Reputation Game
In a world where Google rules, AI evolves, and social media never sleeps, your reputation is always on the line. Join Debora Lima and James Barndt of sister agencies Sensei Advisory and Status Labs as they explore a timely case study in the current news cycle, reveal how to outsmart algorithms, handle crises like a pro, and turn online challenges into powerful opportunities. It’s time to suit up and take control of your narrative!
Debora Lima, Managing Director, Sensei Advisory
James Barndt, Account Management Director, Status Labs
Corporate Culture: The Backbone of Crisis Management and Reputation Resilience
In today’s interconnected and fast-paced world, crises can strike sometimes without warning, putting organizations under intense public scrutiny. This presentation explores the profound role corporate culture plays in shaping an organization’s response to crises and its ability to protect and rebuild its reputation. We will delve into how a strong, transparent, and value-driven corporate culture fosters trust, agility, and resilience in the face of adversity. Key topics include:
- The relationship between corporate culture and decision-making during crises, and how it differs for NGOs.
- How ethical values, communication norms, and leadership styles influence public perception.
- Real-world examples of organizations that thrived—or failed—based on cultural alignment during crises.
- Practical strategies for cultivating a proactive culture that anticipates and mitigates reputational risks.
By understanding the intricate link between corporate culture and crisis management, participants will gain actionable insights into building a foundation that not only withstands challenges but also reinforces stakeholder confidence and long-term success.
Ginger Plumbo, Director, External Communications, Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation
Lunch for Speakers and Delegates
Harnessing AI to Test and Evolve Your Crisis Plan
Join Dana Schmidt, Chief Strategy Officer at Slice Communications, as she dives into how AI tools can transform your crisis management strategy. Discover practical AI applications, from scenario simulations to automated response prompts, that help you identify vulnerabilities, test responses, and adapt your crisis plan in real time. Learn how to use AI-driven insights to sharpen decision-making, speed up communication, and ensure your organization is always prepared for the unexpected.
Dana Schmidt, Chief Strategy Officer, Slice Communications
Measuring Success in Crisis Communications Measurement: Essential Tips and Strategies
In this session, Nicole Moreo, a distinguished expert in PR measurement, will provide essential insights into measuring the success of crisis communication strategies. In today's fast-paced digital landscape, understanding the impact and effectiveness of your crisis response is pivotal. Nicole will guide you through the most critical tips for crisis communications measurement, offering a practical roadmap for assessing your crisis management performance accurately. You'll learn how to set clear objectives, harness data analytics, master key performance indicators (KPIs), employ real-time monitoring, and identify trends and best practices in crisis communications measurement. Nicole's extensive experience and practical approach will empower you to navigate crisis management with confidence, ensuring your organization's reputation and financial health are safeguarded.
Nicole Moreo, Head of Customer Insights, LinkedIn
Cyber Crisis Management: Preparing for the Unthinkable with Equifax
In a world where cyber threats are ever-present and increasingly sophisticated, preparing for the unthinkable is no longer optional—it's essential. In this session, Ashley Korte will draw from Equifax's experience to explore the critical steps your organization must take to build a robust cyber crisis management strategy. Learn how Equifax responded to one of the most significant data breaches in history and the key lessons they learned in equipping internal stakeholders with the skills and resources to handle a cyber attack. This session will provide practical insights into developing a proactive cyber resilience plan, ensuring swift communication, and maintaining trust and business continuity when faced with an inevitable cyber crisis. Discover how to turn vulnerabilities into strengths and prepare your organization to respond effectively in the face of digital threats.
Ashley Korte, Senior Director, Global Crisis Management, Equifax
Networking and Refreshment Break
Case Study: Mastering Crisis Communications - Lessons from a National Tragedy
Critical incidents, such as mass shootings, draw national attention and place intense scrutiny on law enforcement's response. While officers focus on saving lives, an effective crisis communications strategy is essential to the overall response. In this session, Nelly Miles will share her experience handling a tragic event with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI). She will discuss how their team communicated vital information to concerned students, parents, and the local community, and highlight the pivotal role of social media in providing timely updates and countering misinformation.
Nelly Miles, Director of Public & Governmental Affairs, Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI)
Key Strategies for Internal Communications During Major Incidents
In times of major incidents and crises, a solid internal communications strategy is essential for organizational resilience and employee engagement. Recent years have shown that effective internal communications not only empower employees to deliver exceptional results but also play a critical role in ensuring that an organization can withstand unexpected disruptions. In this session, Dustin will share proven strategies for managing internal communications during major incidents, focusing on preparing your teams for crises, maintaining productivity, and fostering a culture of transparency and trust. Participants will learn practical techniques to keep their teams informed, aligned, and motivated in the face of challenging circumstances.
Dustin Sternbeck, Chief Communications Officer, City of Denton
End of Day One
A Full Day Crisis Simulation Workshop: Updating Your Crisis Plan in an Era of Growing Skepticism and Polarization
In a world marked by increasing skepticism and polarization, traditional crisis plans are no longer sufficient. Join Kathryn Kolaczek for an immersive, hands-on workshop designed to help you rethink and update your crisis communication strategy to address the evolving challenges of today's landscape. This interactive session will guide you through real-world scenarios, including navigating cancel culture, taking a stand amid political and social divides, and managing sensitive issues like layoffs and perceived inauthenticity. Working closely with your peers, you will practice effective use of social media, conduct challenging media interviews, and handle a high-stakes press conference in an environment where every word is scrutinized.
By the end of this workshop, you will return to your organization with:
- Ten cutting-edge crisis communication strategies tailored for an era of skepticism and polarization
- A clear action plan to boost executive readiness and response capabilities
- Enhanced skills for communicating under pressure in an increasingly hostile environment
You will also learn how to:
- Strike the right balance between preparation and rapid response in your crisis plan
- Critically assess your organization’s tone, language, and social media presence during a crisis
- Respond effectively to aggressive questioning in media interviews
- Reassess and strengthen your crisis communication strategy to better navigate the complexities of today's polarized world.
Prepare to leave with the tools and insights necessary to ensure your organization is crisis-ready in a time of unprecedented scrutiny and division.
About Your Workshop Leader:
Kathryn Kolaczek is the CEO of Alchemy Communications, bringing extensive experience in communications, media, and public relations. She specializes in crisis management, crisis communications, PR, digital marketing, and brand integration. As a leader, Kathryn guides Alchemy in developing strategic communications and marketing plans, identifying risks and opportunities, and ensuring high standards of quality and efficiency.
Kathryn is an engaging speaker and author, frequently sharing her expertise in crisis communications with other entrepreneurs and professionals. With a deep commitment to crisis management, she helps organizations navigate high-stakes conversations and media relations, protecting their reputations and fostering growth.
Under Kathryn’s leadership, Alchemy offers comprehensive crisis communications support and integrates inbound marketing with traditional communications strategies. The firm collaborates with businesses, nonprofits, and municipalities to educate communities, manage risks, and handle complex conversations effectively.
