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 20.
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
Benefits of Attending This ALI Conference
Access to practical presentation with real examples and proven strategies from your peers at a variety of leading organizations
Networking list for attendees to continue the conversation after the conference
Interactive, hands-on breakout sessions allowing you to work with your employee communications peers
Certificate of attendance for CEUs
Opportunity to meet with peers face-to-face while remaining safe
Guaranteed extensive, how-to instruction that you can use immediately
Opportunity to have your most pressing questions on the topic answered in real-time
This isn’t a passive experience! You will be encouraged to engage throughout the entire event—through small group breakouts, networking breaks & more!
Leave with a thorough understanding of the latest best practices in employee communications and how they apply or can be applied in your work context.
Safe Gathering Protocols
Proof of vaccination and masks are generally NOT required in the Chicago area.
We know the communications community values in-person collaboration. We’re committed to creating a safe and comfortable environment for all attendees.
We will be following current CDC recommendations and local guidelines to ensure a great experience, along with putting in place measures to keep you safe during the ongoing pandemic.
If this shift in protocol impacts your decision to attend, we invite you to purchase the pre-recorded content pass.
For the most up-to-date requirements and updates, please visit the CDC website.
Thank you for your support and collaboration in making this an event you can attend safely and confidently!
Sponsored by
Click To Download This FREE Resource from Cerkl Broadcast:
Camden Robertson
Director, Corporate Communications Neiman Marcus Group
Stacie Barrett
Director, Internal Communication Domino’s
EVENT FACILITATOR
Preston Lewis
Founder & CEO Intact
What People are Saying
“Very nice to hear from people running into the same issues. Such good takeaways to bring home to my team”
Communications Coordinator
Magna International
“Best conference I have been to. Great speakers, great vibe and very well organized”
Director of Employee Communications
Qualcomm
“GREAT conference! I loved the format and am BLOWN AWAY at how well you were able to keep everything on track. Speakers were amazingly cooperative w/time limits. Very respectful, professional experience and FUN too! You did a great job!”
Internal Communications Manager
Capital Power
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! - 09/20/2022
8:00 am - 8:30 am
Continental Breakfast & Coffee
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 8:30!
8:30 am - 10:00 am
From Theory To Action: Building A Innovative Human-Centric Internal Communications Strategy
Preston Lewis, Founder + CEO | Intactic
Details coming soon...
10:00 am - 10:15 am
Morning Refreshments & Networking Break
Enjoy complimentary coffee, tea, and other refreshments as you network with your peers as we switch over to the next workshop.
10:15 am - 11:45 am
Creating The Future Of Internal Communications
Victoria Dew, SCMP, CEO | Dewpoint Communications
It’s easy to believe that the future is something that happens ‘to’ us, but in fact, internal communications professionals have the unique ability to help create a better future of work (and life.)
In this workshop participants will have the opportunity to roll up their sleeves and flex their own futurist muscles. We’ll learn core foresight skills, analyze and explore our assumptions about the present and where it’s leading us, analyze trends, and identify concrete, tangible ways that we can impact our organization, our industry, our communities, and the world.
Learning Objectives:
Understand key concepts needed to understand the present and influence the future.
Examine how internal communications can not only respond, but create the future of work
Re-imagine our own roles and organization as catalysts for change.
Identify pathways to creating a very different future of work that can make a meaningful difference in the world.
11:45 am - 1:15 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.
1:15 pm - 2:45 pm
The BEST Thing To Happen In Employee Communications!
There's little doubt that the past three years have shone a spotlight on our profession. From quarantine to hybrid workplaces, vaccinations to return to office, "The Great Resignation" to quiet quitting, the role of the employee communicator has been turned upside down and spun around. This workshop will help you realize your superpower and explore why this is a great time to be an employee communicator!
In this session, you'll learn practical advice about how to navigate your organization's communication in times of change. You'll learn strategies to pivot as sudden changes happen, and you'll learn how you can measure your results and demonstrate the often elusive value of employee communications.
After this session, you will:
- Identify anchor messaging to keep your team grounded;
- Measure the effectiveness of your work and reinforce the value of employee communications to business leaders;
- Create your own playbook that you can take back to your office and execute immediately.
2:45 pm - 3:00 pm
Close Of Workshops
4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Networking Reception For Workshop Attendees @ Midway Club Gleacher Center
Cheers to a great day full of content!
Join us at Midway Club for complimentary drinks and networking with your peers.
6:00 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 1: General Sessions - 09/21/2022
8:00 am - 8:30 am
Registration: Badges, Bagels, & 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!
8:30 am - 9:00 am
Chairperson's Welcome & Speed Networking
Preston Lewis, Founder + CEO | Intactic
Welcome to the Innovations In Employee Communications conference.
In this fast-paced forum, you'll get to know your fellow peers, their biggest communications challenges, and a few fun facts.
9:00 am - 9:35 am
How to Make Your Workplace the World’s Finest: Creating Community with a Hybrid Workforce
Hybrid teams require extraordinary communications in order for employees to feel engaged, included and important.
Join Raleigh Decker, leader of Employee Communications at World’s Finest Chocolate, to learn how this third-generation, family-owned company connects on-site and remote employee teams with fun & purpose. By promoting a digital community, combined with in-person collaboration from day one, WFC constantly finds meaningful ways to support the World’s Finest Workplace.
Hear the secrets behind this organization’s success in creating community within their hybrid workforce by focusing on:
Welcome to WFC: How you treat new hires before and after the first day matters. This includes recruiting, as well as enhancements to your orientation and onboarding programs to accommodate remote, hybrid and in-person employees.
Fun & Purpose: An employee communications calendar keeps everyone involved at the World’s Finest Workplace. This includes leadership access at the C-level.
WORLD’S FINEST WORKS: WFC’s employee communications app, WFWORKS, keeps team members connected to company news and others on Team WFC. Using recognition videos and gamification creates next level engagement.
Fourth Quarter Fun: Even at the busiest time of year, WFC’s engagement soars in-person & digitally through Pinktober, Thankvember & Holiday Spirit Weeks.
9:35 am - 10:15 am
New Solutions To Prioritize Your Mental Health In The Workplace
Zynara Ng, Team Lead, Video Operations | Google
An article was recently published about how managers are quitting their jobs at all-time high rates due to stress, burnout, and challenges with retention on their teams. Managers are often left to deal with these challenges without receiving the necessary tools or guidance on how to navigate these difficult situations.
In this session, you will learn the importance of recognizing the signs of burnout, identifying the root causes, and developing skills on how to take care of yourself and prioritize your mental health. Leave this session with best practice ideas from Google on how they are making sure their managers are focusing on their own well-being as well as their teams by:
Recognizing the signs of burnout
Acknowledging where you are and talking about it
Getting to the root of the issue
Prioritizing and taking care of yourself
Setting boundaries at work
Letting go of the expectations you have set for yourself
10:15 am - 10:30 am
Challenges In Internal Communications & How To Solve For Them
Internal communication has a direct impact on an organization’s success. When done well, it builds employee engagement, company culture, and trust in leaders. Part of any good strategy is being able to recognize and solve for some of IC’s biggest challenges. In this session, learn strategies, insights, and tactics for tackling some of IC’s biggest challenges
10:30 am - 10:50 am
Morning Refreshments, Networking Break + Visit Your Sponsors
Enjoy complimentary coffee, tea, and other refreshments as you network with your peers.
Visit your sponsors to check out some of the latest tools and innovations supporting internal communications.
10:50 am - 11:25 am
Interactive Group Breakout Session: *Trending Now* Dive Deep Into Relevant Topics And Modern Practices
Preston Lewis, Founder + CEO | Intactic
11:25 am - 12:00 pm
Creating Certainty: Managing Change In An Uncertain Environment
Howard N. Karesh, APR, Communications and Leadership Consulting | Former VP of Corporate Communications, Hillrom
The employee experience has increasingly been a hot topic over the last few years. From ping pong tables and free lunch to group bonding events and nap rooms, there have been many ways organizations have tried to bring the best experience to their people in the workplace. But, do these strategies work?
As we begin to reinvent the way we work, we need to embrace the uncertainty of today and leverage the learnings we've gained along the way.
In this session we will have a meaningful discussion around:
The critical elements that make up the employee experience;
New strategies for how to build a strong employee experience in your organization, taking into account where you are today and how your organization is growing; and
Key measurements of success to show ROI and establish the employee experience as a key business driver.
12:00 pm - 12:30 pm
Capturing The Authenticity Of Company Culture: Harness The Power Of Listening Early, Often & Effectively
Clifton Johnson, VP Staff Engagement & Experience | Teach For America
When Teach For America saw a gap between employee engagement survey responses and their 1500 staff members’ lived experiences, they recognized an opportunity that allowed them to double staff favorability about internal communications in 18 months.
Learn about how they harnessed the power of listening to improve employee communications:
Moving from annual engagement surveys to constant listening—How can we foster a deeper understanding of staff members’ lived experiences?
Building brand through employee partnership—How can we deepen collaboration with the people who most want/need stronger communications?
Fostering continuous learning and improvement within communications—How can we bring people into what we’re trying and learning every day?
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 Chicago hot spot!
Everyone is financially responsible for their own lunch.
2:00 pm - 2:40 pm
Mini Workshop: Redefining Leadership for the Realities of Modern Work
Amanda Atkins, Founder & CEO | Atkins Leadership HQ
Communication leaders are critical advisors to the executives they support – so they must be equipped to empower and guide them in the right ways to work with today’s workforce and ever-changing trends, instead of against them.
This workshop will provide relevant, actionable guidance and frameworks that leaders can put into practice to see fast, meaningful results. Because whether an organization is going through good times or hard times, execs can succeed without compromising their integrity or becoming a villain – and you can help them get there.
You’ll learn…
The six non-negotiable leadership tenets for modern executives
The 10 realities of modern work that executives must know and understand
Common leadership tropes that have long expired (and what to do instead)
2:40 pm - 3:15 pm
Engaging your Hybrid Workforce: Connecting Team Members From The Frontline To The Office To Your Brand No Matter Where They Work
Stacie Barrett (she/her/hers), Director, Internal Communication | Domino's
Details coming soon...
3:15 pm - 3:55 pm
The Top Innovative Employee Communications Tool At Your Fingertips: Q&A, Demos & Refreshments
3:55 pm - 4:30 pm
Fire Sidechat: What It REALLY Took To Innovate IC In A 120,000 Person Organization
In this Q&A session, you will learn how CBRE modernized its internal communication to provide personalized content to each of its 100,000+ employees across the globe. You’ll learn:
Why move beyond email?
How to convince leadership and IT that it’s time to change
How to increase the reach of your content without spamming your people
How to connect your existing channels to provide a seamless experience
How to tie your existing channels together without creating more work for the comms team
In this no-pressure setting, you'll be able to ask your most pressing questions and receive honest feedback from your peers.
More panelists TBA!
5:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Close Of Day 1—Join Us For A Networking Reception @ Midway Club Gleacher Center
Don't stop the conversation!
Join us at Midway Club as you network with your peers and sponsors at the #ALI_IC reception.
Participate in raffles & sign-up for dinner with your peers.
6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Dinner With A Group—Reservations Have Been Made
Want to keep the conversation going? Join a group of attendees for dinner at a local Chicago hot spot.
Sign-up with an ALI team member to join a group at tonight's dine-around.
Reservations have been made.
Everyone is on their own financially.
Day 2: General Sessions - 09/22/2022
8:00 am - 8:30 am
Breakfast, Bagels, & Beverages & Visit Your Sponsors
Enjoy complimentary coffee, tea and continental breakfast as you network with fellow attendees on this final day.
8:30 am - 9:00 am
Day 2 Kick Off & Chairperson Address
Preston Lewis, Founder + CEO | Intactic
9:00 am - 9:35 am
Defined Quiet: A Counter reactive (and Maybe Counterintuitive) Approach to Digital Employee Communications
Lauren Patton, Director, Internal Communications and Engagement | Appspace
While remote and hybrid work models are popular with employees, they pose new and real challenges for internal communicators. Employees are everywhere, making it hard to reach them in real-time. The digital workplace is also noisy. Between multiple tools, endless notifications, and tons of competing (and often disconnected) information, critical messages can get drowned out. How can we keep all employees, no matter where they are, engaged and informed while also preventing sensory overload?
It’s time for us to reassess the tools we use (and the ways we use them) to connect employees to work, resources, leadership, and each other. During this session, we’ll:
Look at the pitfalls of the “everything all of the time”/breaking news approach to digital employee communications
Discuss (re)defining and building a communications strategy around use cases for your communications toolset
Demonstrate how simplifying tools and creating quieter communications benefit employees, communicators, and outcomes
Share three things you can do now to get started on building your tool-based strategy
9:35 am - 10:05 am
Be the Catalyst for Change in Your Organization
Agatha Newman, Director, Strategic Planning + Communications, Medical & Development | Astellas Pharma
Change can be daunting – but it doesn’t have to be. As communicators, we play a unique – and essential – role in moving the needle forward within organizations to meet strategic goals. By flexing our critical thinking muscles, we can move beyond basic communication tactics and sit at the proverbial table to lead efforts in times of transformation.
During this session, we’ll discuss:
Broadening your understanding of change management by adopting a growth mindset
Leading from the middle
Harmonizing your story to influence positive change that helps achieve the overall corporate vision
10:05 am - 10:25 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.
10:25 am - 11:00 am
Interactive Group Breakout Session
Preston Lewis, Founder + CEO | Intactic
11:00 am - 11:35 am
The Power of Internal Podcasting In The Digital & Remote Age
Hillary Kwiatek (She/Her), Communications Specialist | Lehigh University
Details coming soon...
11:35 am - 12:10 pm
Rapid-Fire Panel: Kick Start Innovation In 2022 & Beyond
Cherie Swientek (she/her/hers), Program Director, Stakeholder and Change Management Department of Communications | Northwestern Memorial HealthCare
Nicole M. Curtin, Director of Internal Communications | Entegris - CMC Materials
Carey Dearnley, Executive & Field / Sales Communications Leader | Local Wisdom/ The Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson
Astrid Greve-Spencer, Global Director, Corporate Affairs & Communications | Wolters Kluwer Enablon Business
Erika Callahan, Director, Corporate Communications | Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, Montana, New Mexico, Oklahoma & Texas
You've submitted your biggest 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.
More panelists TBA!
12:10 pm - 12:30 pm
Key Takeaways, Conference Wrap-Up
Thank you for joining us for the Innovations In Employee Communications Conference.
Be sure to share your thoughts and photos using #ALIcomms.
You will receive a link to OneDrive next week with copies of all presentations.
Speakers
Muriel Clauson Co-Founder & CEO | Anthill
Clifton Johnson VP Staff Engagement & Experience | Teach For America
Zynara Ng Team Lead, Video Operations | Google
Nicole M. Curtin Director of Internal Communications | Entegris - CMC Materials
Amanda Atkins Founder & CEO | Atkins Leadership HQ
Cherie Swientek (she/her/hers) Program Director, Stakeholder and Change Management Department of Communications | Northwestern Memorial HealthCare
Symone Lenoir Senior Manager, Employee Communications – Equity & Center for Global Impact | LinkedIn
Hillary Kwiatek (She/Her) Communications Specialist | Lehigh University
Stacie Barrett (she/her/hers) Director, Internal Communication | Domino's
Preston Lewis Founder + CEO | Intactic
Victoria Dew, SCMP CEO | Dewpoint Communications
Tarek Kamil CEO & Founder | Cerkl
What People are Saying
“Very nice to hear from people running into the same issues. Such good takeaways to bring home to my team”
Communications Coordinator
Magna International
“Best conference I have been to. Great speakers, great vibe and very well organized”
Director of Employee Communications
Qualcomm
“GREAT conference! I loved the format and am BLOWN AWAY at how well you were able to keep everything on track. Speakers were amazingly cooperative w/time limits. Very respectful, professional experience and FUN too! You did a great job!”
We connect your people, processes, and purpose to thrive in the hybrid and fast-moving world of work
LiveTiles workplace solutions and professional services help organizations to improve communications, inclusion and well-being that enhance employees’ engagement, performance and innovation.
Click To Download This FREE Resource from Livetiles:
Modern intranet software that simplifies employee communication
Simpplr is today’s modern employee intranet. Our software helps companies engage their workforce by streamlining internal communication and forging employee connections.
Click To Download This FREE Resource from Simpplr:
Award winning solutions for employees that don't sit at a desk
Anthill enables communications and 24/7 access to employee software for your deskless or frontline employees-all via text messaging.
Thank You To Our Supporters
IABC/Chicago links organizational and business communicators to a global network of professionals that develop, establish and adhere to the highest standards of quality and innovation in our field. We aim to be the association of choice for professionals in all communication disciplines, fostering understanding and respect toward integrating communication activities in organizations and businesses. Find out what great events are being hosted by visiting our website or following us on LinkedIn.
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450 Cityfront Plaza Dr.
Chicago, IL 60611
(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 Reservations
Hotels:
Each of the following is a 5-10 minute walk from the Gleacher Center:
· Interactive pre-conference workshop day – smaller group, focused topics, to set the foundation before the main, two-day conference
· Bonus networking reception for workshop attendees and speakers
· Contact list for future networking
· Link to presentations, resources, and content
· Certificate of completion for CEUs
· Breakout groups to talk with your peers
· Peer-led case studies and panels featuring best practices
· Networking breakouts
· Networking reception during the main conference
· Continental breakfast, coffee & refreshments
Included In Your 2-Day In-Person Pass:
· 2 days of content and networking during the main conference
· 20+ speakers
· Contact list for future networking
· Link to main conference presentations, resources and content
· Certificate of completion for CEUs
· Breakout groups to talk with your peers
· Peer-led case studies and panels featuring best practices
· Networking breakouts
· Networking reception
· Continental breakfast, coffee & refreshments
Included With Your 2-Day Conference Recording Pass:
. 11 hours of on-demand content and training
. 20+ speakers
. 10 recorded case studies featuring best practices
. 1 mini-workshop
. 2 thought leadership panels
. 1 top communications tools demo
. Certificate of completion for CEUs
. Link to presentations, resources, and content
Conference Recording Pass includes access to all recordings one week after the event concludes. All conference content will be available for you to access for 6 months following the event.
Additional Ways To Save:
Alumni Rate:
Past ALI conference attendees: Save $200 with promotion code "ALUM"
Questions? Contact us at 773-695-9400 or connect@aliconferences.com
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 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