Powerful, New Internal Communications Strategies To Engage And Connect Your Workforce And Drive Business Results
September 26, 2023 - September 28, 2023 | Chicago
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Join us in Chicago in 2023!
Pre-Conference Workshops: Tuesday, Sept 26
General Sessions: Wednesday, Sept 27
Thursday, Sept 28
GROUNDBREAKING INNOVATIONS FOR A NEW WORKFORCE
Internal Communicators Are Uniquely Positioned To Build A Culture Of Fearless Innovation. Join Your Peers For This 2-3 Day Conference To Learn Innovative Internal Communication Ideas To Enhance Future Progress At Your Organization.
Attend this conference to discover the unconventional communication strategies that motivate employees to not only think outside the box, but to embrace the fact that in today’s ever-changing business environment, there is no box. Learn how to:
Build an innovative human-centric internal communications strategy
Embrace new rules of employee experience
Outline a clear and informative internal communications strategy that includes WFH policies, time-off, and travel safety protocols
Prioritize mental health in the workplace
Utilize the right communication tools and channels for your employees—keep it simple and easy to adopt
Create communications for the creator economy
Engage your diverse global workforce
Adjust to the new normal and provide employees with grace during these challenging times
Ensure employees participate and stay engaged wherever they are
Personalize and prioritize messages to avoid communication overload
Make your communications visual when possible—digital signage, videos, internal social networks, and more
Put strategies and resources in place to communicate with a divided and dispersed workforce
Develop and provide consistent messaging across channels and departments to avoid any miscommunication
Keep communication open and transparent allowing you to build honest relationships
Reach employees at all levels
Maximize your time by signing up for our Pre-Conference Workshops on Tuesday, September 26.
The interactive, small group workshops, led by thought leaders and experts on corporate communications 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 employee communications challenges.
We’ll wrap up Tuesday with a networking reception hosted by ALI and a dutch treat dinner out on the town!
Who Should Attend
This Conference has been researched and designed for Vice Presidents, Directors, Managers, Specialists, Officers, Leaders, and Consultants involved in:
Internal Communications
Executive Communications
Speechwriting
Employee Engagement
Brand Communication
Strategic Communications
Employee Communications
Intranet Communications
Digital Communications
Organizational Development
Corporate Communications
Public Relations
Thank You To Our Sponsors & Supporters
Diamond Sponsor:
Conference Supporter:
FEATURED SPEAKERS
Kelly France Employee Communications Senior Manager II
LinkedIn
Rhonda Moret
Founder Elevated Diversity
Monique Fahlstedt
Senior Director
ESPN Communications
CONFERENCE FEATURES
HEAR FROM PAST ATTENDEES
ALI strives to bring high-quality speakers and content to its audience. Internal communicators benefit greatly from ALI because the experience fosters consistent collaboration and connection that is valuable for our industry.
Past Conference Attendee
For over 5 years ALI has been helping me to learn from the best in the business – now they’re making it happen in my home office. I wouldn’t be nearly as effective without their events.
Past Conference Attendee
The speakers were very diverse! Different industries, backgrounds, demographics – there was something for everyone!
Past Conference Attendee
Love the engagement and positivity surrounding the presentation Examples they shared were intriguing and I could use some of it in my office Good topics, great chances to network and learn, nice variety of food selections Meeting other people with a similar job to mine! It was great to see that everyone faces similar problems as myself.
Past Conference Attendee
What People are Saying
Learn more about ALI Conferences
Learn more about our services, conferences, trainings, and how you can connect with us.
Pre-Conference Workshops: Find Out Why ALI Workshops Are Consistently Rated As Valuable Time Spent! - 09/26/2023
9:00 am - 9:30 am
Continental Breakfast, Coffee & Registration
Enjoy complimentary coffee, tea and continental breakfast as you meet your workshop leader and fellow attendees. Stop by the registration desk to sign-in and pick up your materials for the next 3 days. We'll kick things off at 9:30!
9:30 am - 10:45 am
Workshop A: The Power Of Empathic Listening And Effective Communication
What happens when teams and employees fail to listen? Organizations experience missed opportunities and poor employee engagement.
In this workshop, Diana will share how empathic listening can help you cultivate stronger relationships with your teams, clients, and stakeholders.
Through practical exercises, you will:
Gain insight into the importance of empathic listening in effective communication.
Acquire practical skills and coaching techniques to model empathic listening.
Learn how to deliver feedback with empowering and supportive dialogue.
10:45 am - 11:00 am
Morning Refreshments & Networking Break
11:00 am - 12:15 pm
Workshop B: User Testing for Internal Communicators: Enhancing Engagement and Effectiveness
Rachel Folz, Director of Product | Cerkl
User testing is a crucial process in the field of design and development but its power can be harnessed outside of product teams.
Internal communicators can benefit from understanding and applying user testing principles to improve their communication strategies and tools.
In this workshop, you will learn how to use testing to create a more informed and connected organization
12:15 pm - 1:45 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 Chicago hot spot!
1:45 pm - 3:00 pm
Workshop C: Expand Your Influence – Increase Your Impact: Leveling Up Your Comms Career
Victoria Dew, SCMP, CEO | Dewpoint Communications
Early in your career success is measured by how well you can execute tactics; write a newsletter, get engagement on an intranet article, wow executives with your Town Hall decks.
But there comes a point when that's no longer enough and achievement is about how you think, manage relationships, and build social capital. It's a big change for most comms pros!
In this workshop you'll learn key tips and strategies to help you:
Learn new, compelling ways of 'Telling the IC Story' that demystify your value and
expand your influence and impact.
Stop the cycle of overwhelm, burnout and the never-ending game of whac-a-mole.
Work smarter, not harder, be more effective, and love your comms career (again!)
3:00 pm - 3:15 pm
Afternoon Refreshments & Stretch Break
After a busy day of learning and networking at the Innovations In Employee Communications conference, take a break to refresh and recharge with our afternoon refreshments and stretch break.
Enjoy a selection of refreshing beverages and healthy snacks as you take a moment to stretch and unwind. This stretch break is designed to help you release tension, increase flexibility, and improve your overall well-being.
This is also a great opportunity to connect with other attendees, exchange ideas, and build relationships that can help you navigate the challenges of the rapidly evolving internal communications landscape. Use this time to share your experiences, ask questions, and learn from your peers in a relaxed and supportive environment.
So take a break from the sessions and join us for the afternoon refreshments and stretch break. You'll leave feeling refreshed, recharged, and ready to tackle the rest of the conference.
3:15 pm - 4:30 pm
Workshop D: How to Measure Employee Engagement with M365
Ed Senez, Head of tyGraph Sales | AvePoint
With hybrid work as the new normal, being able to understand how your workforce is engaging and how they are feeling can be a daunting task. Gone are the days when a manager can walk around the office and stay on top of the corporate pulse. As such, how can we maximize Microsoft 365 to glean insights, assess relevant signals and even predict future trends to facilitate optimal employee experience for your organization?
Join this session and learn practical tips on how you can measure employee engagement in Microsoft 365
4:30 pm - 4:45 pm
Close Of Workshops
5:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Networking Reception For Workshop Attendees, Speakers & Sponsors @ Venue Bar
Cheers to a great day full of content! Join us in the hotel lobby main bar for complimentary drinks and networking with your peers.
6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Dinner With A Group—Reservations Have Been Made To Take In The Sights Of Chicago
First time in Chicago? Want to get out of the hotel? Meet your peers in the lobby at 6:00. You'll be heading out to dinner at a local hot spot as you take in the sights of the city.
Day 2 - 09/27/2023
8:30 am - 9:00 am
Registration: Badges, Breakfast, & Beverages
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!
9:00 am - 9:30 am
Chairperson's Welcome & Speed Networking
Victoria Dew, SCMP, CEO | Dewpoint Communications
Welcome to the Innovations in Employee Communications Conference.
In this fast-paced forum, you'll get to know your fellow peers, their biggest internal communications challenges, and a few fun facts.
9:30 am - 10:05 am
Develop And Provide Consistent Messaging Across Channels And Departments To Avoid Any Miscommunication
Tony Richardson, CEO | Capital Catalyst Group
This interactive session will provide easy-to-understand insights on:
Balancing the challenges facing today’s work environment and how to align communication and actions to overcome common challenges such as the talent crunch and closing skills gaps
Adapting mindsets to embrace change, optimize processes to accommodate new technologies, and foster a culture that encourages collaboration between people and technology
Communicating workplace experience, workplace culture, market competition, and social impact
Shifting organizational/corporate mindset culture and becoming a ‘learning organization’ to drive better business results
10:05 am - 10:40 am
Using an Intranet for Communications in a Decentralized Global Organization
David Lee, Knowledge Management Operations Manager | Alvarez & Marsal
In this case study, learn about how Alvarez & Marsal’s knowledge management team uses their global intranet to drive communications and the steps we have taken to address the challenges that come with supporting a complex, decentralized organization.
10:40 am - 11:10 am
Morning Refreshments, Networking Break + Visit Your Sponsors
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.
11:10 am - 11:45 am
Fireside Chat: Internal Email Best Practices
Steve Neruda, Operations Lead, Internal and External Communications | Motorola Solutions
Tarek Kamil, CEO & Founder | Cerkl
While you enjoy complimentary coffee, tea, and other refreshments Cerkl will present to you a bonus session.
In this Q&A session you will learn how Motorola Solutions modernized its approach to internal email to deliver modern looking email with real-time analytics. You’ll learn:
The pros and cons of a large comms team
How to effectively measure and understand email analytics
Best practices for evaluating and procuring new internal comms tools and technologies
11:45 am - 12:20 pm
Innovative Tips and Tricks to Creating Communications that Engage Your Coworkers
David Kligman, Communications Principal | Pacific Gas & Electric Co.
From social media to online content, there’s an incredible number of media competing for the attention of our coworkers — yes, even during work hours — so employee communications must be every bit as compelling. In this session, learn how to be savvy when creating your content and strategies:
Use storytelling and the power of your coworkers to develop your content and amplify your broader messages.
Know which platform your coworkers prefer and adapt accordingly.
Consolidate your messages to prevent communications overload.
Package your content and borrow tricks from mainstream media.
12:20 pm - 2:15 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 Chicago hot spot!
**Everyone is financially responsible for their own lunch.
2:15 pm - 2:50 pm
Interactive Group Breakout Session- Five Ways to Re-energize your Communication Strategy and Deliver Results
Cindy Crescenzo, President | Crescenzo Communications
Steve Crescenzo, CEO | Crescenzo Communications
Don’t let your communication strategy get stale, robotic and old. Stiff, formulaic, generic communications simply don’t work anymore. Internally or externally.
Your audiences are demanding better communications . . . and in this session, communication experts Steve and Cindy Crescenzo will walk through the five latest industry trends you need to reenergize your communications.
In this fun, interactive session, you’ll learn:
How to reach and engage your workforce, wherever they are
How to take the corporate out of “corporate” communications and replace it with “creative.”
How to integrate your internal and external communications to drive engagement, build your brand, and turn employees into ambassadors for the organization.
How to use the power of communication research and measurement to better understand your audiences
A sure-fire way to get leadership buy-in to communicate effectively in this brave (and exciting) new world
2:50 pm - 3:25 pm
Creating Brand Ambassadors and Buy-In
Monique Fahlstedt, Senior Director | ESPN Communications
3:25 pm - 4:05 pm
Afternoon Refreshments, Networking Break + Visit Your Sponsors
Enjoy complimentary coffee, tea, and other refreshments as you network with your peers.
Be sure to stop by and visit your sponsors!
4:05 pm - 4:45 pm
Interactive Thought Leadership Panel: Rapid Fire Best Advice and Solutions For Innovations in Employee Communication in 2023!
Stefani Quarles, Director, Azure Go-to-Market | Microsoft
Matthew Tiefenbrun, Senior Manager, Marketing Readiness | U.S. Cellular
Refreshed our EVP based on evolving talent needs and key business requirements
Identified key personas to make the EVP real and focused
Identified and implemented the EVP across moments that matter
Partnered with comms to make the work real.
10:05 am - 10:40 am
Charting Your Course with AI as Your Partner
Carolina Mata, Former Head of Employee Communications | IBM and Activision Blizzard
As technology progresses, being able to quickly adapt to the changes and integrate new tools into communication practices will be essential to providing employees with meaningful experiences and demonstrating the strategic agility of an internal communications team.
In this session, we will review:
A repeatable model for effectively integrating communication skills and new technology
Best practices for partnering with AI to build content strategies
Measurement opportunities that highlight progress and value
10:40 am - 11:10 am
Morning Refreshments, Networking Break + Visit Your Sponsors
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.
11:10 am - 11:45 am
Interactive Group Breakout
Victoria Dew, SCMP, CEO | Dewpoint Communications
11:45 am - 12:30 pm
Rapid-Fire Panel: Get Your Biggest Communications Questions Answered
Katie Kircik, Local Brand Marketing Manager |U.S. Cellular
Kelly France, Employee Communications Senior Manager | LinkedIn
Cherie Swientek (she/her/hers), Program Director, External Communications | Northwestern Memorial HealthCare
Chris Close, Senior Director of Corporate Communications | CF Industries
Victoria Dew, SCMP, CEO | Dewpoint Communications
You've submitted your biggest communication challenges, you've continued to submit questions over the past 24 hours, and this is your opportunity to get answers to those questions. With an expert speaker panel with a variety of experience levels—you're bound to takeaway practical ideas that will immediately enhance your internal communications strategies.
12:30 pm - 12:45 pm
Key Takeaways, Conference Wrap-Up
Speakers
Monique Fahlstedt Senior Director | ESPN Communications
Katie Kircik Local Brand Marketing Manager |U.S. Cellular
Stefani Quarles Director, Azure Go-to-Market | Microsoft
Matthew Tiefenbrun Senior Manager, Marketing Readiness | U.S. Cellular
450 Cityfront Plaza Dr
Chicago, IL 60611
Tel: 312.464.8787
Built to meet the demanding requirements of the top-ranked University of Chicago Booth School of Business, the Gleacher Center offers an outstanding learning environment, just steps from North Michigan Avenue.
You will find all that Chicago has to offer right outside the doors of the Gleacher Center. This includes boat tours on the river; world-class shopping on Chicago's famed Michigan Avenue; museums; dining options that range from a casual drink at a nearby tavern to a four-course meal at one of many fine dining establishments; and much more.
Make Your Hotel Reservations
There are several hotel options within a short, 5-minute walk:
Nonprofit/government employees are eligible for a $200 discount. Contact us at 773-695-9400 or connect@aliconferences.comto receive your promotion code.
Vendor Rates:
Non-sponsoring vendors are required to pay a registration fee for the 2-day conference of $3,495. Contact us connect@aliconferences.com for the vendor registration link.
Terms & Conditions Of Your Registration:
PAYMENT
Payment is due two weeks prior to the event. If payment has not been received two weeks before the event, a credit-card hold, training form, or purchase order will be taken to ensure your space.
CANCELLATION POLICY
You may make substitutions at any time; please notify us as soon as possible. If you cancel (in writing) more than two weeks prior to the conference a refund will be provided less a $295 administration fee. Registered delegates who do not attend or who cancel two weeks prior to the conference or less will be issued a credit memo. Credit memos will be valid for one year from date of issuance and can be used by anyone in your organization.
PROGRAM CHANGES
Advanced Learning Institute, Inc. reserves the right to make changes in programs and speakers, or to cancel programs if enrollment criteria are not met or when conditions beyond its control prevail. Every effort will be made to contact each enrollee if a program is canceled. If a program is not held for any reason, A.L.I.’s liability is limited to the refund of the program fee only.
Testimonials
"You all really pulled together an impressive group of folks. I loved speaking with the Salesforce and Amazon communication teams. I always feel that I take more than I give at these meetings, thank you for making it time well spent."—Vice President, Organizational Communications, American Cancer Society
"This is the conference where innovators of our industry will convene & shape the blueprint for the modern communications function in the age of digital. This is the conference for you if you dare to challenge the status quo."—Senior Vice President, Corporate & Digital Communications Group, Mastercard
"I loved the conference! I think the line-up was terrific and representative of all sizes of businesses which I think makes it useful for everyone and helps broaden the talking points & open up different scenarios on the overarching topic."—Manager, Corporate Communications, Scripps Network Interactive