Welcome to Day 2 of our Crisis & Change Communications Strategies virtual conference!

This session explores how proactive communication planning, strong media relationships, and leadership clarity can dramatically shape outcomes when high-stakes moments hit.

Drawing from real-life crisis scenarios, this case study will offer actionable insights into:

• Why the timing of communication can make or break your response
• How and why leaders need to learn and practice non-crisis communication
• How to build trust with media before you're in the spotlight
• The importance of pre-crisis communication plans and internal alignment
• Key steps to ensure your team is ready to act fast and speak with one voice

Leave with practical strategies for preparing their organization to lead with confidence and clarity—before, during, and after a crisis.

Mergers and major transitions can create uncertainty—but they’re also powerful moments to reinforce connection, trust, and culture. In this session, Discover shares how their internal communications team is navigating the company’s merger with Capital One using a data-driven, employee-first approach. Learn how Discover is using internal comms data, targeted content, and employee engagement tactics to inform, motivate, and retain talent.

Attendees will learn:

• How to engage employees through transition using communication insights and analytics
• The power of structured messaging calendars and campaign-driven connection
• Strategies to maintain culture and morale with simple, high-impact ideas

In times of uncertainty, employees don’t just want information — they want to feel seen, supported and safe. This session explores how leaders can communicate with compassion, clarity, and credibility during organizational change or crisis. Using real examples from a private college, I'll unpack the do’s and don’ts of addressing mental health during a crisis, and how to embed care into your messaging without overpromising or sounding performative. 

Key Takeaways: 

• Crafting messaging that balances transparency with hope 

• What words (and silence) signal to staff during high-stress seasons 

• Internal communication rhythms that reinforce care and stability 

• Building trust through tone: why how you say it matters as much as what you say 

When the unexpected happens, communicators are on the front lines. In this session, panelists share firsthand lessons from navigating high-stakes crises—from internal disruptions to public incidents. Explore what to do in the first critical moments, how to manage risk while staying transparent, and how past crises have shaped stronger, more resilient strategies.

Welcome to Day 3 of our Crisis & Change Communications Strategies virtual conference!

Organizational restructuring can be a disruptive time for employees and stakeholders alike. At the heart of any successful reorganization lies effective, strategic communication. This speech will explore the critical role communications professionals play in guiding organizations through periods of transformation. Attendees will learn how to craft clear and empathetic messaging, anticipate challenges, and foster trust during moments of uncertainty.

How do you keep employees engaged and supported during organizational restructure? In this case study, Washington State’s Department of Labor and Industries shares how their change readiness team is navigating a complex, multi-division restructure transition through a phased approach.

You will gain practical insights into:

• The value of proactive vs. reactive communication during long-term change
• How to ensure employees feel heard, included, and part of the process
• Techniques for communicating across multiple layers of leadership
• How to prevent disengagement by addressing concerns before they fester

This session offers a real-world look at strategic communication and change management within a government agency, with lessons that apply across sectors.

An opportunity for attendees to engage in facilitated small-group discussions, exchange perspectives, and share strategies related to crisis and change communication. This session is designed to encourage peer-to-peer learning and connection.

Trust is the currency of modern communication—especially in times of uncertainty. This panel dives into how communicators are rising to meet shifting expectations from employees and the public. Hear how leaders are adapting tone, channels, and cadence to stay connected, build credibility, and recover quickly when crises and changes occur.