Enjoy complimentary coffee, tea and continental breakfast as you meet your fellow attendees.
Sign-in, pick up your materials and enjoy a continental breakfast before we start the day.
Be sure to stop by and visit your sponsors!

Welcome to Government Employee Engagement Training: Internal Communication Strategies for Hybrid Workforce Engagement, Digital Employee Experience Enhancement, and Maximum Mission Delivery.
In this fast-paced forum, you'll get to know your fellow peers and share your biggest internal communications challenges (along with a few fun facts!).

On January 6, 2021, a mob of thousands launched a violent assault at the United States Capitol in an attempt to halt the counting of electoral ballots. The group’s sustained assault at the Capitol precipitated an equally unprecedented response, with an urgent request for the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) to come defend one of our country’s most sacred traditions. Without hesitation, officers responded to the grounds to restore order. They were confronted by individuals engaged in heinous and destructive behavior with the intent of causing bodily harm. MPD did not retreat, and though outnumbered, were determined. 

Exhausted and injured, officers spent hours fending off violent acts aimed at them and endured this treatment without reluctance. They upheld their oath, to protect and to serve, in the face of adversity. Dustin Sternbeck served on MPD’s Executive Staff as their Chief Communications Officer during the events of January 6th and has a unique perspective on how law enforcement and communications teams worked together to manage and mitigate a crisis of unprecedented scale, allowing democracy to prevail. He will share invaluable lessons on internal communications strategies that were implemented during this historical event.

Learning objectives:

• Learn about the critical role of transparent and timely communication in maintaining employee trust during crises.
• Strategies for managing information flow amidst chaos, and the importance of coordinated response efforts between authorities and public relations teams to ensure accurate, consistent messaging.
• Valuable lessons for communications and PR professionals on the forefront of crisis management, underscoring the challenges and triumphs he experienced under the most extreme conditions.

Explore how public sector organizations can safely and ethically use AI to improve their communications and engagement strategies through real-world examples. Learn how the Washington State Department of Health (WSDOH) integrated AI across its public health communications strategies and get crucial insights into how communicators in public sector organizations and government agencies can use AI tools today and tomorrow. You’ll hear how WSDOH enhanced audience engagement, communicated complex public health topics (in multiple languages), aided in crisis management, and even refined executive talking points.

Learning Objectives:

• How to enhance communications efficiency, accessibility, and responsiveness across different divisions and scenarios through AI tools.
• Explore and understand the benefits of using AI to generate and disseminate important content quickly and effectively.
• Learn how WSDOH used sentiment analysis to tailor its social media and community care campaigns.

Enjoy complimentary coffee, tea, and other refreshments as you network with your peers.
Be sure to stop by and visit your sponsors and be sure to fill out your evaluation forms.

With the events of 2020, the Office of Environmental Management had to pivot from All-Hands meetings that were held in conference rooms and headquarters and field sites to a virtual environment. With the shift to hybrid meetings, there was once again a need to update practices to support our new normal. Our over 1,200 employees were spread between conference rooms and individual workspaces. This created the challenge of keeping employees engaged regardless of their locations. Discover how DOE-EM uses hybrid all-hands meetings for communication and collaboration as the agency manages the world’s largest environmental cleanup operation. 

Learning Objectives:

• Strategies for conducting effective hybrid All-Hands meetings.
• Do’s and Don’ts for creating dynamic meetings.
• Tools and tricks to make All-Hands meetings interactive for all employees.

• Mission: Tie the work people do to the reason (or purpose) your organization exists

• Message: Ensure leaders’ external messages are consistent with the organization’s internal value system

• Media: Use modern forms of technology to maximize opportunities to make authentic connections with staff

Reservations have been made at a number of local restaurants.
Don't miss this opportunity to have lunch with your peers at a local Reston, VA hot spot!


**Everyone is financially responsible for their own lunch.

At the beginning of the conference day, you shared your toughest challenges. The moderator will use those challenges to create breakout group discussions led entirely by the attendees, who will share the outcomes of their discussions with the conference.

In response to the challenges imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Washington State Legislature swiftly adapted its operations, transitioning to a fully online format to ensure continuity in governance and public service. This transformation catalyzed a profound cultural shift and accelerated technology integration within the legislative process. These insights not only underscored the legislative body's agility but also the potential for lasting improvements in governmental efficiency and accessibility through technology. During this session, you’ll hear a story of adaptability and resilience in navigating crises and maintaining governmental functions (especially when those functions are constitutionally required), understand the critical role of effective communication and collaboration tools in facilitating legislative operations remotely, and how imperative it is to prioritize accessibility and transparency in digital platforms to uphold democratic principles and public trust.

Learning Objectives:

• Learn how a traditionally in-person and bureaucratic institution like a state legislature successfully adapted to a fully online format, and gain valuable insights into crisis management strategies and the importance of organizational flexibility and preparedness in times of disruption.
• Understand the transformative potential of digital tools to enhance operational efficiency and effectiveness through the rapid adoption of technology by the Washington State Legislature. Explore how technology was leveraged to maintain communication channels, collaborate remotely, and ensure continuity of legislative processes.
• Get valuable lessons for future preparedness and continuity planning. Learn strategies to maintain engagement among legislators, staff, and the public during remote operations, as well as considerations for balancing transparency, accessibility, and security in digital platforms.

Enjoy complimentary coffee, tea, and other refreshments as you network with your peers.
Be sure to stop by and visit your sponsors!

Explore how effective internal communications and employee engagement can rebuild public trust in government. Leading government communicators will share strategies for enhancing transparency, fostering engagement, and aligning communications with agency missions and public expectations. Attendees will gain actionable insights and practical takeaways to improve internal communication practices and rebuild trust in government.

Learning objectives:

• Understand how to enhance transparency and accountability through internal communications.
• Learn strategies to foster employee engagement within your agency.
• Discover best practices for aligning internal communications with agency missions and public expectations.

Don't stop the conversation!

Join us at the lobby bar as you network with your peers and sponsors in the adjacent at the #ALIcomms
Participate in raffles & sign-up for dinner with your peers!

Want to keep the conversation going? Join a group of attendees for dinner at a local Reston, VA hot spot.


Sign-up at the registration desk or during the networking reception to join a group at tonight's dine-around. Reservations have been made.

**Dutch treat.

Enjoy complimentary coffee, tea and continental breakfast as you network with fellow attendees on this final day.

Together we will recap yesterday's top takeaways and set the stage for this final day of learning.

Learn how sharing employee stories can help break down barriers, reduce unconscious bias, and help employees understand one another and work better together to meet the needs of your agency’s mission. 

The WE Project expands the Naval Nuclear Laboratory’s diversity and inclusion journey. Loosely based on the Human Library, the WE Project offers agency employees a safe space to share their unique backgrounds and life experiences and how they relate to their work. The WE Project ensures diverse voices are heard, sparks important conversations within the agency around identity, and helps forge new connections within the agency based on a mutual understanding of being human beyond a single identity.

Learning Objectives:

• How to source and deliver compelling personal stories that connect your audience to your mission.
• How to connect personal storytelling to your diversity and inclusion initiatives.
• How to evolve your agency’s internal storytelling strategy through a “Beneath the Surface” persona-based podcast.

Explore how the City of Raleigh uses innovative internal communication strategies to engage employees in hybrid work settings. Learn how a weekly podcast, newsletter, diverse communication channels, and virtual town halls work together to foster transparency and trust. Discover how virtual team-building activities, recognition programs, and strong leadership nurture motivation, productivity, and alignment with organizational goals.

Learning Objectives:

• Learn how the City’s approach to multichannel communication (using social media, podcasts, email, and newsletters) ensures all employees receive timely and relevant information, promoting transparency and alignment within the organization.
• Strategies to foster a sense of community and commitment among hybrid workforces, enhancing productivity and job satisfaction.
• Ways to enhance leadership and support in hybrid work settings by prioritizing regular communication, open dialogue, and inclusivity, ensuring productivity and morale are maintained across diverse work environments.

Enjoy complimentary coffee, tea, and other refreshments as you network with your peers.
Be sure to stop by and visit your sponsors and be sure to fill out your evaluation forms.

At the beginning of the conference, you shared your toughest challenges. The moderator will use those challenges to create breakout group discussions led entirely by the attendees, who will share the outcomes of their discussions with the conference.

As government agencies adapt to hybrid work models, your engagement strategies are more crucial than ever to employee retention and performance. Hear from a panel of public sector communicators, who will share tips, tricks, and best practices for engaging hybrid employees in alignment with agency goals.

Learning Objectives:

• Hear about effective strategies for engaging a hybrid workforce in government agencies.
• Discover the tools and techniques for maintaining consistent communication and strong connections among in-office and remote employees.
• Learn best practices for fostering a cohesive and motivated culture in a hybrid work environment.