Hear how other government agencies are communicating critical information on a regular basis, using storytelling techniques to boost morale, and keeping employees engaged and informed no matter where they are working from.
Learn from your peers how to improve and increase collaboration, recognize employee successes through engagement, and shape culture with multi-faceted internal communications across your agency, including how:
National Transportation Safety Board created a workplace where employees love coming to work and perform at their best.
Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance removed the negativity surrounding change and helped others see it as an opportunity.
National Institutes of Health successfully communicated and engaged with a largely dispersed staff.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency used change management techniques to engage employees and inspire them to voluntarily change their behavior.
and more!
Benefits of Attending this Virtual Training
Join your peers for interactive discussions designed to provide you with solutions for your most pressing challenges.
Meet 20+ government communications professionals while remaining safe
2 information-packed days—attend both or choose one
1 track learning environment
Case studies, panels, and interactive hands-on breakout sessions
Access to presentations and recording post-conference
Certificate of attendance for CEU’s
Networking list to continue the conversation after the training ends
Content from leading organizations, consultants, and visionaries delivered to you wherever you are and available to access and share with colleagues later
Guaranteed extensive, how-to instructions that you can use immediately
Opportunity to ask questions to speakers and peers in real-time
This isn’t a passive experience! You will be encouraged to weigh in with poll questions, engage via chat throughout the event, and turn on your camera and sound during group breakout sessions.
Who Should Attend
Federal, State & Local Government & Nonprofits
Internal Communications
Employee Engagement
Brand Communication
Corporate Communications
Public Affairs
Strategic Communications
Organizational Development
Human Resources
Training & Development
Employee Communications
Change Management
Intranet Communications
Digital Communications
Global Communications
Strategic Planning
Public Relations
Employee Relations
Field Operations
What People are Saying
“Very nice to hear from people running into the same issues. Such good takeaways to bring home to my team.”
Communications Coordinator
Magna International
“I loved the range of speakers who presented. Professionals were represented from government, private industry, and non profit groups. I also love the activites that involved interaction with our table mates.”
Communications Liaison
National Transportation Safety Board
“Not since graduate school have I had a chance to connect with other Communications Professionals facing the same challenges & concerns. If you are looking for new ideas, this training is beneficial!”
Communications Program Specialist
Federal Aviation Administration
Learn more about ALI Conferences
Learn more about our services, conferences, trainings, and how you can connect with us.
We'll go over some housekeeping items and what to expect over the course of the next two days.
10:05 am - 10:25 am
Chairperson's Welcome and Speed Networking
Kathy Ohlhaber, Director, Digital Content | Association of American Railroads
Welcome to the 6th Annual 6th Annual Government Employee Engagement & Internal Communications Strategies conference.
In this fast-paced forum you'll get to know your fellow government peers, their biggest internal communication & employee engagement challenges, and a few fun facts before we kick things off.
10:25 am - 11:10 am
Deep Dive: Tools to Help You Communicate Critical Day-To-Day Messages to Your Employees Effectively - led by GREEN ROOM SPEAKERS
Sarah Gershman, President | Green Room Speakers
The work environment has changed and as such, the needs of your employees have also shifted. This workshop has been designed to be interactive, practical, and crafted to meet your specific needs and challenges your facing in the workplace.
Packed with concrete lessons learn best practices to help you deliver uncomfortable messages, communicate with a presence, listen, and provide feedback to your employees.
Leave this workshop with a toolbox of skills that can be applied immediately – in any speaking setting, including how to:
Conduct difficult conversations
Listen
Give employee feedback
Communicate tough messages
Brief senior leadership
Speak in front of a camera
Translate technical information into a clear and relevant presentation
Craft employee messages that stick
11:15 am - 11:30 am
Social Media: Your Employees, Your Audience, and Your Team | GOVERNMENT AGENCY
David Johnston, Government Social Media Advisor + Director of Media
Do people love your content? More importantly, do they trust your message? How authentic are your posts, tweets, and stories? Learn how your organization can produce content that engages your entire audience, including you employees, and accurately reflects the culture of your organization.
In this session, we will discuss:
Why all employees are a part of your social media team
When employee and public messaging overlap
How employees can provide unique social media content
11:35 am - 11:50 am
Making Social Media Work for Your Agency: Amplify Your Message & Measure the Impact - DEFENSE MEDIA ACTIVITY
Clayton Filipowicz, Social Media Director - Air Force Production | Defense Media Activity
Social Media is always changing. Because of this, we must think outside of the box while keeping the user in mind.
Hear how the Defense Media Activity is increasing engagement with their audience on social media and measuring the impact of their messages.
You will learn how to use creativity and user habits to maximize the impact of your social platforms, including:
Best practices for driving interaction on social media videos
Utilizing platform tools to amplify your agency’s messaging
Understanding, organizing, and reporting social media analytics
11:55 am - 12:55 pm
Refresh & Regroup - Sessions Resume at 12:55 P.M.
Refresh your coffee, grab a bite to eat, and check-in with colleagues.
We'll resume in one hour.
1:00 pm - 1:15 pm
Unifying the Workforce: How to Reduce Anxiety and Build Confidence During Times of Change - MISSOURI DEPT. OF COMMERCE AND INSURANCE
Lori Croy, Director of Communications | Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance
As government employees, the word “reorganization” evokes feelings of fear, unrest, and anxiety. Learn how you can help leadership do a successful job of managing change and building confidence.
This session will provide you with examples of how communication, inclusion, and celebration can help blend the new and existing members of your government agency into a cohesive and unified organization, including how to:
Use your communicator “superpowers” to manage change –words are powerful
Explore how you can remove the negativity surrounding change and help others see it as an opportunity
Help employees learn to focus more on how their common ground and focus less on their differences
1:20 pm - 1:35 pm
Can You Hear Me - Tips for Improving Internal Communications - Government Agency
Jade Fulce, Public Affairs Specialist | Government Agency
Leave this session equipped with:
Proven case study example and steps to successfully improve internal communication during COVID-19
Resources on how to improve your crisis communications skills
1:40 pm - 1:55 pm
Mission, Message, & Media: How to Create and Sustain Engagement Among a Highly Skilled and Diverse Workforce - NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD
Michael Hughes, HR Development & Inclusion Specialist | Former Dept of Veterans Affairs
Creating a work environment where people feel supported, appreciated and motivated isn’t rocket science; but it does take work. And it starts at the top of your organization.
During this session, learn what leaders can both do and say to create and sustain a highly-engaged workforce. Also, hear how three basic principles of effective communication can empower leaders to accomplish this, including how to:
Tie the work people do to the reason (or purpose) your organization exists
Ensure leaders’ external messages are consistent with the organization’s internal value system
Use modern forms of technology to maximize opportunities to make authentic connections with staff
These tools and tips will help you create a workplace where people love coming to work and perform at their best.
2:00 pm - 2:40 pm
Interactive Speaker Panel - Get Your Questions Answered From Today's Speakers!
Clayton Filipowicz, Social Media Director - Air Force Production | Defense Media Activity
Lori Croy, Director of Communications | Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance
Michael Hughes, HR Development & Inclusion Specialist | Former Dept of Veterans Affairs
David Johnston, Government Social Media Advisor + Director of Media
Still have questions for today's speakers? Take advantage of the remaining time of the conference to get your most pressing questions answered.
2:40 pm - 2:45 pm
Close of Day One
We look forward to having you join us again tomorrow!
Day 2 - 09/18/2020
10:00 am - 10:10 am
Welcome Back - Recap from Day One
Kathy Ohlhaber, Director, Digital Content | Association of American Railroads
Highlights from day one, and what to expect from day two.
10:10 am - 10:55 am
Deep Dive: How to Leverage DIY Video Storytelling Methods to Jump Start Employee Engagement - led by SKILL SCOUT
Elena Valentine, CEO | Skill Scout
As you ease your team into the next phase of reopening -- whatever that may be for your company, consider using video to show your team how you are keeping them safe, and what they can expect at work.
Video can bring often difficult concepts to life and make communications more human. And now, with the advent of new technologies and approaches, you can take video communications into your own hands- without breaking the bank. In this session, we will dive into case studies and practical tips from several organizations that are taking a more DIY video approach to showcase stories of employee successes and leadership highlights, to open enrollment and recruitment.
You’ll learn how to:
Leverage employee-generated content in nearly every touchpoint of the internal engagement spectrum
Attract and engage your colleagues in authentic and easy content creation
Set up simple video content structures that set your colleagues up for success
Film workplace stories, in a safe and socially distant manner
11:00 am - 11:15 am
Driving Organizational Change and Getting Your Employees to Buy-In to New Communication Tools - U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Michelle Gebhart, Customer Adoption Program Manager | U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
John Martin, Team Lead, Office of Mission Support Communications | U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Does your organization have trouble getting employees to use new technology? You’ve rolled it out, fixed the problems, everything works smoothly and…does no one use it?
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency faced such a challenge after transitioning to Office 365. They wanted employees to embrace new ways of doing business and position EPA to discontinue support for legacy and redundant technology. To accomplish these goals, they rolled out a Customer Adoption Program, which uses change management techniques to engage employees and inspire them to voluntarilychange their behavior.
The communications strategy focused on five guidelines for creating content:
Highlighting benefits
Focusing on people
Using conversational language
Making the important interesting
Including powerful visuals
Discover how this program achieved significant early success and continues to expand, including how you too can integrate a progam that helps you:
Develop effective communications that people will read and act on
Create big change with few resources
Drive adoption and engagement of new communication tools
11:20 am - 11:35 am
Internal Communications Case Study - City of Miami Gardens
Petula Burks, Director, Office of Strategic Communications & Civic Engagement | City Of Richmond, Virginia
Details coming soon!
11:40 am - 12:00 pm
Refresh & Regroup - Sessions Will Resume at 12:00 P.M.
Refresh your coffee, & check in with colleagues - sessions will resume at noon.
12:00 pm - 12:30 pm
Peer Discussion: Overcoming Your Biggest Internal Communication Challenges in 2020
2020 has had its fair share of hurdles. During this time you'll have the opportunity to connect face-to-face with your government peers to discuss your most challenging items. Together, you'll have the opportunity to swap stories and strategies to help you overcome these issues.
12:30 pm - 12:45 pm
Who Are You Talking to? Three Tools to Understand Your Audience and Create Internal Communications Strategies That Work - BC Public Service
Catherine Dooner, Director, Internal Communications | Ministries of Attorney General and Public Safety and Solicitor General, BC Public Service
Key takeaways from the session will be:
The ability to leverage demographic data.
How to conduct simple user persona interviews and create profiles for key job families.
How to create systems maps for key themes from the research and identify leverage points for success.
To use these tools to brief senior leaders and create an evidence-based internal communications strategy for your organization.
12:50 pm - 1:05 pm
How Internal Communication Can Improve Employee Morale - US DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
John Verrico, Chief of Media and Community Relations, Science & Technology Directorate | U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Nothing has more impact on morale than communication. Organizations with great employee communication retain their best employees, maintain high productivity and customer service. Agencies where people feel left out, however, suffer from dismal morale, poor attitudes and reduced performance. This session will provide you with tips on how to assess your organizational C.L.I.M.A.T.E. and identify areas where improved internal communications can make a difference.
Discuss what works and what doesn’t when developing a foundation of trust by establishing transparency and open lines of communication up, down and across the organization, including how to:
Identify areas where lack of communication is likely the underlying cause of problems
Get past the perception of “nobody tells me anything”
Make the best use of focus groups to clarify problem areas and develop potential solutions
Understand the forming, storming, norming and performing stages of team development
1:10 pm - 1:30 pm
Interactive Speaker Panel - Get Your Questions Answered From Today's Speakers!
John Verrico, Chief of Media and Community Relations, Science & Technology Directorate | U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Jade Fulce, Public Affairs Specialist | Government Agency
John Martin, Team Lead, Office of Mission Support Communications | U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Still have questions for today's speakers? Take advantage of the remaining time of the conference to get your most pressing questions answered.
1:30 pm - 1:40 pm
Close of Training - Thank You for Joining Us!
Kathy Ohlhaber, Director, Digital Content | Association of American Railroads
Thank you for joining us and making this conference a huge success! You will receive a follow-up email with a link to the One Drive shortly. The One Drive will contain speaker materials and a recording of the sessions. We hope to see you on another ALI virtual conference soon!
Speakers
Catherine Dooner Director, Internal Communications | Ministries of Attorney General and Public Safety and Solicitor General, BC Public Service
Petula Burks Director, Office of Strategic Communications & Civic Engagement | City Of Richmond, Virginia
Jeffrey Allen Operations Manager | Air Force Media
Clayton Filipowicz Social Media Director - Air Force Production | Defense Media Activity
John Verrico Chief of Media and Community Relations, Science & Technology Directorate | U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Kathy Ohlhaber Director, Digital Content | Association of American Railroads
Lori Croy Director of Communications | Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance
Lieutenant Colonel Olivia J.M. Nunn Director of Communications | Soldier for Life
Sarah Gershman President | Green Room Speakers
Derrick Thompson Communications Professional | Government Agency
Jade Fulce Public Affairs Specialist | Government Agency
Michael Hughes HR Development & Inclusion Specialist | Former Dept of Veterans Affairs
David Johnston Government Social Media Advisor + Director of Media
Michelle Gebhart Customer Adoption Program Manager | U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Elena Valentine CEO | Skill Scout
What People are Saying
“Very nice to hear from people running into the same issues. Such good takeaways to bring home to my team.”
Communications Coordinator
Magna International
“I loved the range of speakers who presented. Professionals were represented from government, private industry, and non profit groups. I also love the activites that involved interaction with our table mates.”
Communications Liaison
National Transportation Safety Board
“Not since graduate school have I had a chance to connect with other Communications Professionals facing the same challenges & concerns. If you are looking for new ideas, this training is beneficial!”
ALI heard your requests and concerns loud and clear. All fall and winter conferences will be held virtually.
This is your chance to attend this top-rated communications conference from the safety and convenience of your desk: No travel concerns, hotels, or extra costs associated with attending the event live.
This virtual event will still provide the high-quality content, leading speakers, and interactive breakout sessions ALI conferences deliver in person.
Contact Us
Ways to Save
- Alumni Rate: Past ALI conference attendees may use Promo Code "ALUM" to receive the $200 off discounted alumni rate. Contact us if you have questions.
- Team Discounts: Attend this training with your colleagues. Contact us for promotion codes.
Team of 2 save $200 each, Team of 3 save $300 each, Team of 4 save $400 each
Terms & Conditions:
View our Terms and Conditions for full information about payment, cancellation, postponement, substitution, and discounts.
Payment by check or invoice option is available on the registration form.
Payment must be received by 2 weeks prior to the start of the meeting.
No refunds are allowed on virtual events. Registered attendees will receive the recording of the session and copies of the presentations.
Questions?
Contact ALI by email or call us at 888-362-7400 or 773-695-9400.
Testimonials
"Very nice to hear from people running into the same issues. Such good takeaways to bring home to my team." - Communications Coordinator,MAGNA International
"I loved the range of speakers who presented. Professionals were represented from government, private industry, and non profit groups. I also love the activites that involved interaction with our table mates." - Communications Liaison,National Transportation Safety Board
"Not since graduate school have I had a chance to connect with other Communications Professionals facing the same challenges & concerns. If you are looking for new ideas, this training is beneficial!" - Communications Program Specialist,Federal Aviation Administration