Good morning! We hope you had a restful night and are ready to dive back into the second day of the Annual Strategic Internal Communications Conference. If you're joining us for the full two-day experience, welcome back! And if you're just joining us for day two, we're thrilled to have you here.

We're kicking off the day with Registration: Badges, Breakfast, & Beverages. Grab a cup of coffee or tea, help yourself to a delicious bagel and check in to pick up your badge and any materials you may need for the day's sessions. It's also a great opportunity to visit with our partners and sponsors at their booths, and catch up on any conversations from the day before.

We have a full day of informative sessions and networking opportunities planned, with speakers and topics that are sure to inspire and inform. So grab your badge, breakfast and a beverage, and let's get ready for another day of learning, growth and connection.

Thank you for being a part of this incredible community, and we look forward to seeing you throughout the day!

To kick things off, we'll start with a fun and engaging speed networking session. This is a chance for you to meet and connect with other attendees, share your experiences and learn from each other. Whether you're a seasoned professional or new to the field, this is an opportunity to build your network, share insights and make lasting connections.

After the speed networking, we'll jump into our first session of the day, where we'll explore some of the biggest challenges and opportunities facing internal communications professionals in today's rapidly evolving business environment.

Thank you for joining us again today and I hope you're ready for another great day of learning, networking and growth. Let's get started!

Join George Brown, Associate Communications & Engagement Manager at Kroger, as he shares insights on how to create compelling internal newscasts that inspire and engage employees. In this session, George will share examples from Kroger's own internal newscasts, highlighting how video storytelling can be used to enhance employee engagement and build a strong corporate culture.

Learn how to use storytelling techniques to craft messages that resonate with employees, and discover the importance of visual elements in bringing stories to life. George will also share best practices for creating effective internal communications that connect employees across departments and locations.

Don't miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights from one of the most successful companies in the retail industry. Whether you're a seasoned communications professional or just getting started in the field, this session will provide you with practical tips and inspiration for creating impactful internal communications through video storytelling.

Attendees will learn:

• Why telling the stories of your employees is important.
• How to find those stories
• How to decide the type of story for the audience you’re trying to reach
• How internal story telling can help with retention, growth and can be repurposed externally.

As internal communications strategists for organizations, our role has shifted dramatically over the past number of years. It’s not enough anymore to focus on helping the business achieve its goals and line that up with what our employees need to be engaged. More than ever, we’re seeing the work of the internal comms team showing up - or even being proactively placed - externally. So what does that mean for how we approach our roles? That’s what we’re going to talk about in this session.

You’ll walk away with a solid understanding of what’s happening in our industry based on real, current examples. We’ll deconstruct some of those examples to learn from them together, and you’ll get practical tips about how to be the most strategic and thoughtful comms professional you know.

Attendees will learn:

• A solid understanding of why internal comms has to be more strategic (and sometimes brave) than ever
• Practical tips about how to be the most strategic and thoughtful comms professional you know
• Real, current examples of how internal comms have affected external perceptions of companies
• The importance of developing a strong relationship with the external comms team - and how to do it

Brace yourself. By 2030, the U.S. could face a deficit of more than 6 million workers. Globally, that number could reach 85 million. Retaining your best people and creating a talent magnet will be critical. Winning the competition will take a profound shift in prioritizing the employee experience–from measuring employee engagement in real-time to expecting more from technology to prioritize communication, connection, and community. Together we will talk about how to prepare.

As a sponsor of the Annual Strategic Internal Communications Conference, Simpplr is committed to helping internal communications professionals stay ahead of the curve and navigate the rapidly changing landscape of the field. Be sure to visit their booth to learn more about their innovative solutions and to speak with their team of experts.

Enjoy a refreshing break with complimentary morning refreshments while networking with other attendees. This is a great opportunity to exchange ideas, share experiences, and make valuable connections with like-minded professionals.

Don't forget to visit the sponsor booths during this break. Our partners and sponsors are an essential part of this conference, and they are eager to showcase their latest products and services. Take advantage of this chance to learn about the latest industry trends and innovations, and to connect with representatives from leading organizations in the internal communications space.

Whether you are looking to network with your peers or to explore the latest solutions in the field, this is a break you won't want to miss. So grab a cup of coffee and start your day off right!

Creating a highly engaged workforce is a critical aspect of building a successful organization. It requires leaders to foster an environment where employees feel supported, appreciated, and motivated to do their best work. 

In this session, Michael Hughes, Development & Inclusion Specialist at the U.S Department of Labor, will share his insights on how leaders can create and sustain a highly engaged, diverse hybrid workforce.

Attendees will learn:

• Create and sustain a highly engaged, diverse hybrid workforce
• Identify critical roles leaders play in fostering a culture of engagement
• Uncover the three basic principles of effective communication 
• Incorporate modern forms of technology to maximize authentic connections

Managers play a critical role in the employee experience, translating information into
action and fostering the culture you want. In essence, your manager population is a powerful
channel in your tactical toolbox--what can you do to elevate that channel?
Attendees will learn:

• Inspire, engage, and influence team performance through effective
  communication
• Elevate communication by translating information into action with more filtered
  and focused messages
• Construct tips and tools in communication the right messages to the right
  audience
• Identify opportunities to reach people managers by leveraging relationships with key stakeholders

 In this Q&A session you will learn how Cloud Software Group (a merger of Citrix and Tibco) modernized its internal communication to provide personalized content to each employee. 

You’ll learn:

• The value of effective IC tools for change management
• IC’s role in navigating M&A
• How to move beyond just email
• How to meet employees where they are
• How to tie your existing channels together without creating more work for the comms team

Join Tarek Kamil, CEO and Founder of Cerkl, for a session dedicated to creating forward-thinking solutions that uniquely fit your communication and organizational goals. Whether your department is structured differently, Cerkl is committed to providing a platform that unifies your internal communication teams and channels. Learn about the features and benefits of Cerkl, and discover how you can streamline your internal communication efforts for optimal success.

We understand that networking and connecting with colleagues is important during the lunch break, but we also know that exploring the city and its culinary delights is a must-do while you're in Boston. That's why we've made reservations at some of the city's top eateries to provide attendees with the opportunity to dine at some of the best restaurants in town.

Please note that lunch is pay on your own or "dutch treat" as some call it. This gives attendees the flexibility to choose where they would like to eat and how much they would like to spend. We have made the reservations and provided recommendations for some of the best restaurants in town to ensure you have a delicious and enjoyable lunch experience.

So grab your colleagues and join us for a lunch break that is sure to delight your taste buds and provide an opportunity to explore the vibrant city of Boston.

This hands-on workshop will tackle the most commonly experienced pain points in employee communications and share actionable strategies for how to elevate IC in your organization, including: 
 

• Developing a charter for the IC team that defines and clarifies its role and ensures stakeholders know how to engage
• Building a highly visual chart that illustrates what, where, when and how the cascade of information works inside your organization
• Clarifying the purpose and process for all internal communication channels, including guidance for selecting the most effective channel for different topics and audiences
• Building basic KPIs for measuring progress and demonstrating impact
• Creating tools to keep stakeholders build their own effective communications plans and materials

Take a break and connect with our sponsors in a structured, speed-dating style networking event during the afternoon refreshments break. Our sponsors are here to offer solutions to your internal communications challenges, and this is the perfect opportunity to learn about their products and services in a fun and engaging way. Grab a refreshment, visit sponsor booths, and network with other attendees while getting a chance to know our sponsors in a relaxed environment.

Explore how Nationwide’s Digital Workplace Technology team keeps employee experiences and insights at the center of everything they do – from the products and services they deliver to the ways they encourage adoption.

Attendees will learn how to:

• Develop and leverage methods to ensure ongoing employee input and feedback

• Influence products, services, and communications by incorporating employee experience and behavior scores

• Spearhead a network of Champions and Influencers that offers insights and delivers personalized messages

As the landscape of internal communications continues to evolve at a rapid pace, it's essential for communicators to future-proof their strategies. This panel will bring together industry experts to share their insights on how to navigate change and create effective communication strategies that can stand the test of time.

Topics that will be discussed include the latest trends in internal communications, the impact of technology on employee engagement, the role of social media in the workplace, and more. Attendees will learn valuable insights and practical tips for future-proofing their communication strategies and staying ahead of the curve.

After a full day of learning and making new connections, it's time to unwind and relax at our open bar networking reception. Join us at the hotel bar to continue conversations with your fellow attendees, speakers, and sponsors. This is the perfect opportunity to further build your professional network in a casual and relaxed atmosphere. So grab a drink, raise a glass, and cheers to making meaningful connections!

Join fellow attendees for a culinary adventure through Boston's vibrant dining scene! Reservations have been made at some of the city's hottest restaurants for an unforgettable dining experience. Explore the local cuisine and soak up the city's lively atmosphere while networking with peers. Whether you're in the mood for fresh seafood, savory Italian, or innovative American cuisine, there's something for everyone. Please note that this is a pay-on-own or Dutch treat event, and reservations are on a first-come, first-served basis.

Join us for a night of karaoke hosted by Local Wisdom in partnership with the Advanced Learning Institute. Sing your heart out in a private karaoke room at Kings Dining & Entertainment – Back Bay venue and network with fellow attendees in a fun and relaxed setting. The first few rounds are on Local Wisdom! This is an optional event, but don’t miss out on this opportunity to make new connections and create lasting memories!

The event will take place from 8:30PM – 11:30PM. The address is 50 Dalton St, Boston, MA 02115 – just a five-minute walk from the conference hotel!