Strategies for Effective Communication with Frontline and Offline Teams
Brittney Hall Internal People Movement
Jason McCree Global Communications Executive
Laurel Dicus Communications Manager
Join us for the 2nd Annual Employee Engagement & Internal Communication Strategies Conference, where you’ll gain insights and strategies to overcome your biggest communications challenges. With a focus on engaging, connecting, and reimagining your dispersed workforce, this event is designed specifically for communication professionals seeking innovative solutions for their frontline, deskless, and offline employees.
Taking place from June 13-15, 2023 in vibrant Austin, TX, this conference will feature expert speakers, interactive workshops, and engaging networking opportunities. You’ll learn how to leverage technology and digital tools, craft compelling messages and content, and measure the impact of your communication strategies. Discover how to create a culture of transparency and open communication, and explore new tactics for engaging employees, such as gamification, personalization, and social media.
Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with peers, share best practices, and gain the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in today’s rapidly changing workplace. Register now for the 2nd Annual Employee Engagement & Internal Communication Strategies Conference and unlock the power of connection for your dispersed workforce!
As employee experience, employee well-being, and engagement all become more important for employee retention, as a communicator you need to make sure that all your employees are being reached.
Are you wondering how to re-engage, connect, & align your workforce? Hear from communications peers who can share tips and best practices, including:
Design and implement effective internal communication plans that resonate with frontline, deskless, and offline employees
Leverage technology and digital tools to enhance communication and engagement with dispersed workforces
Craft compelling messages and content that cut through the noise and capture employees’ attention
Adopt a data-driven approach to measure the impact of your communication strategies and continuously improve them
Overcome common communication challenges, such as language barriers, limited access to technology, and resistance to change
Develop and maintain a culture of transparency and open communication within your organization
Benchmark your communication strategies against industry best practices and emerging trends
Build strong relationships with stakeholders across the organization to align communication efforts with business objectives
Implement effective crisis communication protocols to handle emergencies and unexpected situations
Explore innovative communication tactics, such as gamification, personalization, and social media, to engage employees in new ways.
and more!
Benefits of the 3-Day All-Access Pass
Maximize your time by signing up for our Pre-Conference Workshops on Tuesday, June 20th
The interactive, small group workshops, led by thought leaders and experts on employer branding will prepare you for the 2-day conference, provide you with practical answers to questions that keep you up at night, and inspire you to creatively tackle your most pressing employer brand challenges.
We’ll wrap up Tuesday with an exclusive networking reception for workshop attendees and speakers hosted by ALI and a dutch treat dinner out on the town!
Featured Workshops
Coming soon!
Who Should Attend
Brand Communication
Internal Communications
Employee Engagement
Federal, State & Local Government & Nonprofits
Corporate Communications
Public Affairs
Employee Communications
Change Management
Intranet Communications
Digital Communications
Global Communications
Organizational Development
Human Resources
Strategic Planning
Public Relations
Employee Relations
Field Operations
Training & Development
Brand Reputation
Networking With Like-Minded Professionals
Looking to network and mingle with fellow professionals in the communications field? Join us for an exclusive after-hours conference networking event featuring an open bar! You’ll have the chance to connect with industry peers, share insights and ideas, and build meaningful relationships that can advance your career. Don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity to expand your network and enjoy a night of fun and connection. Register now and get ready to mix and mingle with the best and brightest in communications!
Need Leadership Approval?
Attending a conference, workshop, training or seminar is the perfect way to gain new knowledge, meet like-minded professionals, expand your skillset and expose yourself to new perspectives in your field. However, while you may see the benefits of attending an event, getting the “thumbs up” from management may take a bit of convincing. ALI is here to help. Click here to download a Justification template.
We also offer assistance in the form of:
Alumni Rate:
Past ALI conference attendees: Save $200 with promotion code “ALUM”
Team Discounts:
Attend this training with colleagues and save!
Team of 2: Save $200 each
Team of 3: Save $300 each
Team of 4: Register for 3 and get the 4th registration free
Nonprofit/Government Discount:
Nonprofit/government employees are eligible for a $200 discount.
The conference was a great exercise in networking and learning about the shared challenges and opportunities we have in internal communications from people who “get it”.
This is an excellent conference! Dynamic, diverse speakers; interesting, engaging sessions. I learned so much, made some great new connections, and really enjoyed the venue and food (three cheers for healthy snacks)!
I was expecting a giant conference room with 300 people and have been surprisingly pleased with the amount of real-life connections possible in a small group.
Start your day with a delicious continental breakfast, while mingling with fellow attendees and picking up your event materials. Don't forget to stop by and visit our sponsors for valuable resources and information. Enjoy complimentary coffee, tea, and breakfast items as you get energized and prepared for the day ahead.
8:30 am - 9:00 am
Chairperson's Welcome & Speed Networking
Cody Loveland, Digital & Culture Consultant
Welcome to ALI’s 2nd Annual Employee Engagement & Internal Communication Strategies For Frontline, Deskless & Offline Employees Conference.
In this fast-paced one-track conference, you'll get to know your fellow peers, their biggest communication challenges, and a few innovative tips!
9:00 am - 9:35 am
The Experiences That Connect Us
Robin McCasland, SCMP, IABC Fellow, Senior Director, Corporate Communications | Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, Montana, New Mexico, Oklahoma & Texas
Join Robin McCasland, SCMP, IABC Fellow, and Senior Director of Corporate Communications
at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, Montana, New Mexico, Oklahoma & Texas, as she shares the importance of storytelling in employee engagement and communication.
In this session, you will learn
How to use genuine storytelling to reinforce organizational priorities;
Which channels work best with different audiences/personas; and
When it makes sense to go old-school (even in the digital age).
Additionally, you'll discover how the power of storytelling can be leveraged to effectively connect with deskless workers and bring their experiences to life."
9:35 am - 10:15 am
Leadership Communications IRL – Introducing Leaders to Frontline, Remote and All Employees with Purpose-full Visibility Plans
Jacqueline Mason, Program Director, Strategic Communications – Internal | The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
First impressions are powerful currency, especially for leaders joining organizations that have well-established internal cultures. Learn to help new leaders connect with their organization and convey their purpose through consultative visibility plans that promote listening and learning tours, quick wins to demonstrate commitment and preparation for positive change.
During this session, you’ll hear how to connect your leaders to your frontline employees by:
Starting with listening and learning (Listening tours)
Quick wins
Fitting in (resisting the urge to create dedicated new communications channels)
Preparing for changes (from a new leader)
Celebrating milestones
10:15 am - 10:30 am
Hear The Latest Ways Organizations Are Successfully Connecting And Engaging With Frontline And Deskless Employees
You’ll learn how a solid strategy, storytelling and focused attention via technology can be the secret weapon to create better communication among all workers, including those on the frontline and on deskless teams.
You’ll discover how to:
Drive communications for frontline, in-office and remote employees
Identify gaps in the employee experience and learn improvement tips
Understand your organization’s current state of communications and how to improve based on the assessment
Empower leaders to make an employee’s job less tedious, more efficient, and simpler
10:30 am - 11:10 am
Morning Refreshments, Networking Break + Visit Your Sponsors
Take a break and network with your peers over complimentary coffee, tea, and refreshments.
Make sure to visit our sponsors to explore the latest tools and innovations that can assist in internal communications.
11:10 am - 11:25 am
POLITEMAIL: How to Set Effective Benchmarks and Use Them to Increase Employee Engagement.
Steven Gregoire, Business Development Executive | PoliteMail Software
As a corporate communicator, your role is to have employees read the messages you send, a task harder than ever in the modern hybrid workplace. To achieve this, you need to use the most effective communication strategies that identify weak areas and suggest areas of improvement. Fortunately, benchmarking can help you identify those. Accurately sourced benchmarks ground all aspects of communication, including creation, delivery, and outcomes. But how do you identify which key areas to measure? What kind of benchmarks should you set and how will you monitor progress. In this session, we discuss how you can improve your communication using data. Learn how to use the ADDIE model to improve your metrics and come up with a plan to improve your communications no matter where your employees are reading them.
What are considered “good” internal communication metrics
How to identify and measure your organization’s unique KPIs
How to improve metrics using the ADDIE model
What a revised communication might look like (case study example)
How to implement and evaluate the data you collect
11:25 am - 12:00 pm
Building Impactful Employee Engagement With No Plan, No Time, And No Budget
Brandi Chionsini, Senior Manager of Communications | CSC Generation
When employees feel connected and engaged, they are more likely to take ownership of their tasks, demonstrate initiative, and contribute innovative ideas. Remote and deskless workers who are engaged are also more likely to stay with the organization for the long term, reducing turnover and the associated costs of recruiting and training new employees.
We all agree that building positive employee engagement is essential for any company’s culture. But how do you find success when your employees are remote, deskless or frontline workers and you have a small team, little support, and no budget?
Attendees will learn:
Brandi Chionsini's employee engagement journey
Tips to start taking small steps to improve your employee engagement, building something from what feels like nothing.
12:00 pm - 12:30 pm
Rebuilding Trust Through Shared Fate: The Power of Interpersonal Communication and Human Interaction
Brittney Hall, Internal People Movement | Cisco
In today's remote and hybrid work environment, many organizations are struggling to maintain a sense of trust and shared fate among their teams. In this session, Brittney Hall, Operations Manager for Talent Strategies and Internal People Movement at Cisco, will explore the power of interpersonal communication and human connection in rebuilding trust and team engagement within large organizations. She will discuss the concept of "propinquity" and how it was a critical component of collaboration in the pre-WFH era, and share strategies for recreating moments of propinquity in virtual environments. Participants will learn how to leverage the power of human interaction and communication to foster trust, build stronger relationships, and drive better outcomes for their teams and organizations. By the end of this session, attendees will have practical tools and techniques for creating a more collaborative, connected, and engaged remote and hybrid workforce.
12:30 pm - 2:00 pm
Lunch On Your Own, But Not Alone—Reservations Are Booked!
Reservations have been made at a number of local restaurants. Don't miss this opportunity to have lunch with your peers at a local Austin hot spot!
**Everyone is financially responsible for their own lunch.
2:00 pm - 2:40 pm
Collaborate with your Peers Interactive Group Exercise
Join a conference breakout session on employee engagement and internal communications for frontline and deskless teams, where you'll have the opportunity to collaborate and share insights with peers. Through small group discussions focused on trending topics of interest, you'll gain fresh perspectives, uncover innovative solutions, and leave with a wealth of practical ideas to enhance engagement and communication within your unique workforce.
2:40 pm - 3:15 pm
People Like People: Humanizing Your Communications Will Bring Them to Life
Cody Loveland, Digital & Culture Consultant
As former Head of Social Media at Alcon, Cody Loveland understands the importance of connecting with people on a human level. In this workshop, he will share insights and strategies for elevating your communications by creating "people-centered" content that engages, inspires, and connects with your employees and customers.
The pandemic and social issues have forced companies to re-evaluate their approach to communication and messaging. Employees want to feel heard, valued, and inspired in their work. This workshop will provide actionable steps for transforming your communication strategy and creating a more inclusive culture that engages associates across a range of working environments.
Join Cody as he showcases examples of how to create "people-centered" content for both internal and external communications. You'll learn how to shift your mindset from owning a channel and content to becoming a channel that shares meaningful stories. By elevating diverse voices, you can create more inclusive cultures and engaged associates.
Case studies will include examples from LinkedIn, Yammer, video, and corporate websites. Whether you're in a digital community or face-to-face environment, this workshop will provide practical insights and actionable takeaways for re-engaging your workforce and creating human stories that connect with your audience.
3:15 pm - 3:45 pm
Effective Strategies, Tools, & Tips To Connect With All Employees, No Matter Where They Work: Q&A, Demos & Refreshments
Join us for a fast-paced session where you can see demonstrations of the top digital workplace and communication tools available in the market today. With so many options to choose from, it can be challenging to decide which tool is the best fit for your organization. Take advantage of this opportunity to explore and compare the tools that interest you the most. We'll also provide sweet treats to enjoy as you move between demonstrations.
3:45 pm - 4:20 pm
Fostering Inclusive Employee Experience through Mobile-First Communications
Hannah Bolte, Marketing and Communications | Lozier Corporation
As an organization, how do you onboard and engage with a new office employee? Is that different than how you onboard an engage with a deskless employee? If those two experiences are different, you’re not alone, and the reason is likely due to a technical gap between job types.
When that gap drives a divide in your workforce, creating an unintended hierarchy or silo that’s nonconductive to a productive team – it’s time for a new approach.
In this session, hear from the largest manufacturer of products used in stores and warehouses around the world – Lozier Corporation’s Hannah Bolte - about how a mobile-first communications strategy fosters an inclusive employee experience, connecting its more than 2,000 manufacturing and office employees across five states; and gain valuable insight into how to apply similar strategies to your deskless workforce.
4:20 pm - 5:00 pm
Panel Discussion: Strategies That Connect Your Employees Despite Their Location
Jacqueline Mason, Program Director, Strategic Communications – Internal | The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
Ashley Lin, Communications Specialist | Cisco
Jason McCree, Global Communications Executive | Merck
In this "no-pressure" setting, you'll be able to ask your most pressing questions and receive honest feedback from your peers.
As remote work and distributed teams become more prevalent, connecting employees across locations and time zones is increasingly important. In this panel discussion, experts will share strategies for fostering a sense of community and collaboration among geographically dispersed employees. From leveraging technology to creating inclusive communication channels, attendees will learn practical tips for overcoming the challenges of distance and building a strong organizational culture. Panelists will draw from their own experiences and case studies to provide actionable insights for attendees to implement in their own organizations. Whether you're managing a hybrid team or fully remote workforce, this panel will provide valuable insights for creating a cohesive and engaged team despite physical distance.
5:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Close Of Day 1—Join Us For A Networking Reception @ Venue Bar
Join us for an evening of continued networking and conversation at the lobby bar for the #ALIcomms reception. Mingle with your peers and sponsors while enjoying drinks, and participate in raffles for a chance to win exciting prizes. Plus, sign up for a group dinner to continue building relationships with your colleagues. Don't miss out on this opportunity to connect and unwind after a successful day of learning and collaboration..
6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Dinner With A Group—Reservations Have Been Made
Keep the conversations and networking alive! Join a group of attendees for dinner at a popular Austin restaurant. Reservations have been made, so sign up with an ALI team member to secure your spot for tonight's dine-around. Please note that everyone is responsible for their own expenses
Robin McCasland, SCMP, IABC Fellow Senior Director, Corporate Communications | Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, Montana, New Mexico, Oklahoma & Texas
What People are Saying
The conference was a great exercise in networking and learning about the shared challenges and opportunities we have in internal communications from people who “get it”.
This is an excellent conference! Dynamic, diverse speakers; interesting, engaging sessions. I learned so much, made some great new connections, and really enjoyed the venue and food (three cheers for healthy snacks)!
I was expecting a giant conference room with 300 people and have been surprisingly pleased with the amount of real-life connections possible in a small group.