10th Annual Strategic Internal Communications - West
10th Annual Strategic Internal Communications - West
New Strategic Internal Communications Strategies To Boost Culture, Employee Engagement, And Collaboration In 2023
January 31, 2023 - February 02, 2023 | San Francisco
Follow & Tweet #ALIComms
Join us in San Francisco in 2023!
Pre-Conference Workshops: Tuesday, January 31
General Sessions: Wednesday, February 1
Thursday, February 2
The #1 Top-Rated Conference For Internal Communications
Join Your Peers In The Bay Area To Reconnect, Share Stories And Hear The Latest Best Practices For Engaging Your Employees!
Shel Holtz, SCMP
Sr. Director Of Communications
Kelsey Stanczyk
Communications Manager
Stephen J Nelson
Accessibility/Diversity Program Manager
Susie Decker
Sr. Manager, Internal Communications & Women’s ERG Lead
In this 3-Day Conference, you will have the opportunity to catch up with your peers, learn about the challenges they’re facing—and the tactics they’re using to overcome them.
Internal Communication is at a turning point. How are you adapting to prepare for 2023? This conference will outline practical and tactical solutions to help you:
Tactics to rebalance relationships and address “The Great Resignation”
Identify new communications channels and technologies to deliver a more personalized employee experience
Put strategies and resources in place to communicate with a divided, blended and dispersed workforce
Integrate thinking models from change management, learning, and communications design
Draft a clear and informative internal communications strategy
Use the right communication tools and channels for your employees—keeping them simple and easy to adopt
How internal communications can champion diversity, equity and inclusion in your organization
Strategies to nurture culture & a sense of belonging
Personalize and prioritize messages to avoid communication overload
Make communications visual when possible—digital signage, videos, internal social networks, and more
Develop and provide consistent messaging across channels and departments to avoid any miscommunication
Keep communication open and transparent in order to build honest relationships
Benefits of the 3-Day Pass
Maximize your time by signing up for our Pre-Conference Workshops on Tuesday, January 31.
Interactive Pre-Conference Workshops are led by thought leaders and experts on strategic internal communications. Each small group session will prepare you for the conference the following day, provide you with practical answers to questions that keep you up at night, and inspire you to creatively tackle your most pressing internal communications challenges.
Who Should Attend
This Conference has been designed for Vice Presidents, Directors, Managers, Specialists, Officers, Leaders, and Consultants in:
Internal Communications
Employee Engagement
Brand Communication
Strategic Communications
Employee Communications
Training & Development
Employee Relations
Public Relations
Human Resources
Strategic Planning
Intranet Communications
Digital Communications
Global Communications
Organizational Development
Corporate Communications
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Employee Experience
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 strategic internal 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 strategic internal communications—and how they apply or can be applied in your work context.
Diamond Sponsor
Gold Sponsor
Partner
.
What People are Saying
“The speakers, the information presented, and overall structure of the conference was wonderful and impactful. I’m so glad I attended!”
2020 Strategic Internal Communications Attendee
“Great information that I can start to use when I get back to the office.”
2020 Strategic Internal Communications Attendee
“Love the real world, boots on the ground experience. Also good to have a meet your table mates component.”
2020 Strategic Internal Communications Attendee
“Funny, practical, valuable frameworks with examples. Great team dynamic as well.”
2020 Strategic Internal Communications Attendee
“This was phenomenal. I enjoyed this section the most, by far. Thanks for the practical tools and really appreciated the humor and examples.”
2020 Strategic Internal Communications Attendee
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! - 01/31/2023
8:30 am - 9:00 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 9:00!
9:00 am - 10:15 am
From Theory To Action: Building A Human-Centric Internal Communications Strategy
Preston Lewis, Founder + CEO | Intactic
As a communicator, you can produce more effective employee communications by developing a deeper and more emotional understanding of your audiences. In this interactive workshop, you will come away with a unique methodology to move from theory to action and build strategic communication campaigns that will engage stakeholders at all levels of your organization. You will learn how to harness the collective insight of your internal communication and design teams by using a collaborative mapping technique and human-centric approach to strategy development. This renowned technique has resulted in successful enterprise-wide programs for companies such as Gap Inc., GE, Starbucks, Oracle, and Genentech.
In this comprehensive and hands-on workshop, you will leave with tools to help you:
Apply the basics of a human-centric communication planning methodology
Integrate thinking models from change management, learning, and communications design
Discover new ways to identify and meet the needs and preferences of your audiences and stakeholders
Select and integrate new technology into your organization’s culture, based on specific learning styles and audience preferences
Build multi-dimensional campaigns that sustain mindshare and momentum while aligning attitudes, behaviors and business objectives
10:15 am - 10:30 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.
10:30 am - 11:45 am
The New Important KPI: Keep People Imagining
AJ Sarcione, Facilitator & Strategist | Get Your Shine
With a background in vision-led communications and marketing, AJ provides workshops and strategic facilitation that support companies and C-suite leaders in activating themselves and their teams. Previously head of mojo and employee experience at Verizon and head of internal marketing at Yahoo, AJ has built and led global teams and in this workshop he will provide a framework for yours!
Create better team experiences and more effective plans by combining the power of the heart and the potential of the brain to drive imagination. This session will cover:
The importance of The Great Reimagination
Reimagining the Workplace & Employee Engagement
Unleashing Untapped Imagination in Employees to Build Strong Culture
Introduce The Imagination Method™
Provide examples used at Yahoo & Verizon, and how I use it now with other companies
Actionable takeaways for people to use it for their own internal comms
11:45 am - 1:30 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 San Francisco hot spot!
*Dutch treat—we'll ask for separate checks.
1:30 pm - 2:45 pm
The Digital Transformation: Change Management Communications Strategies For 2023!
Geoff Ables, Managing Partner | C5 Insight
The struggle is real: over 60% of digital workplace projects fail to achieve their adoption objectives.
Change is incredibly difficult - and a critical part of your digital transformation communications strategy.
In this session, you'll learn how to get ahead of change, communication strategies for the 5 stages of any change process, and unique considerations for intranets and other digital workplace transformations.
Take Aways
One simple rule for leading change in any organization
The stages of change, and how to adopt change faster
The 3 change personas, and how to identify each one
A 5 step model for engaging with your co-workers through times of change
Understand your role in leading, following and inspiring change
2:45 pm - 3:00 pm
Afternoon Refreshments & Stretch Break
Refresh your coffee and grab a sweet treat—you're in the home stretch!
3:00 pm - 4:15 pm
“How Was Your Weekend?” and Other Things You Should Say to Your CEO
Gary Ross, President | INSIDE COMMS
Topic: Becoming a Trusted Advisor
You have the communications expertise to handle anything, but you haven't yet cracked the code to be considered a trusted advisor for senior executives. Breaking into the inner circle can mean the difference between being at the table for important decisions or serving simply as an order taker. Veteran C-suite advisor, comms department head, and internal communications consultant Gary Ross, who has advised dozens of C-level executives throughout his 30-year career, will provide a detailed roadmap to distinguish yourself and grab executives' attention so they not only listen to you but also seek you out when the stakes are high.
Attendees will:
1) learn specific actions they can take to help them build relationships with senior executives
2) understand how to advance their career by distinguishing themselves from others in the minds of senior executives
3) define the role of a trusted advisor beyond communications expertise.
4:15 pm - 4:30 pm
Close Of Workshops
4:30 pm - 5:30 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 San Francisco
First time in San Francisco? 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 - 02/01/2023
8:00 am - 8:30 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!
8:30 am - 9:00 am
Chairperson's Welcome & Speed Networking
Preston Lewis, Founder + CEO | Intactic
Welcome to the 10th Annual Strategic Internal 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.
9:00 am - 9:35 am
Community Platform: Driving Engagement In Uncertain Times
Laurel Dzneladze, Employee Communications Digital Platforms Leader | LinkedIn
Details coming soon!
9:35 am - 10:15 am
Robot Communicators: Crafting Internal Communications with Artificial Intelligence
Shel Holtz, SCMP, Sr. Director of Communications | Webcor
"Generative AI" has infiltrated media newsrooms, marketing departments, and public relations offices. Why not internal communication? Can't find the image you need from your stock photo service? Create it from whole cloth using a graphics generator. Need to crank out a bunch of personnel announcements but don't have the time (or patience)? Let a text generator help. Soon you will even be able to produce video with nothing more than a text prompt. In this eye-opening session, communications technology evangelist Shel Holtz will demonstrate some of these tools and explain how they can augment your current communication efforts.
You will learn:
The scope of tools available and what they are capable of
How these tools work and why they don't violate the IP rights of artists or authors
How to craft a text prompt that will produce just what you're looking for
Why you should not view the advance of generative AI as a threat to your job (or the jobs of any of your suppliers)
10:15 am - 10:30 am
Workforce Communications Made Easy
Nate Lee, Senior Account Executive | Anthill
While you enjoy complimentary coffee, tea, and other refreshments our sponsor will present to you a bonus session. Solutions for employees that don't sit at a desk.
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. Be sure to stop by and visit your sponsors and be sure to fill out your evaluation forms.
10:50 am - 11:25 am
Connect & Engage All Employees: How Sleep Number Migrated & Launched A New Modern Intranet
Brian Edwards, Digital Workplace, Principal Consultant | Habanero Consulting Gorup
Kelsey Stanczyk, Communications Manager | Sleep Number Corporation
In this session, Sleep Number Communications Manager Kelsey Stanczyk and Habanero Director, Products and Services, Brian Edwards will share how Sleep Number migrated complex content to a new platform and launched a modern intranet that serves and connects all employees.
You’ll learn:
Why and how to engage teams across the organization to ensure success
Tips for modernizing and migrating content from a classic intranet to modern SharePoint
How targeted navigation and content personalization can help you reach more employees and deliver the information they need
Anthea Pang, Senior Director, Global Communications Strategy | VMware
Tarek Kamil, CEO & Founder | Cerkl
In this Q&A session you will learn how VMWare modernized its internal communication to provide personalized content to each employee.
You’ll learn:
Why move beyond email?
How to convince leadership and IT that it’s time to change
What a truly personalized Intranet REALLY looks like
How to tie your existing channels together without creating more work for the comms team
12:00 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 San Francisco hot spot!
*Everyone is financially responsible for their own lunch.
2:00 pm - 2:30 pm
Interactive Group Breakout: Using Social Media for Employee Advocacy to Empower Employees and Amplify Key Messages
Sabrina Rose Merritt, CEO & Founder | October Social Media
In this session participants will learn:
How organizations use social media to impact internal communications
How to start an employee advocacy program in your organization
What key factors make an employee advocacy program successful
How to socialize your employee advocacy program with leadership and throughout the organization
2:30 pm - 3:05 pm
Internal Podcasts: The Curious Case of Creating Compelling Content
In a business environment where companies are fighting for talent and to retain employees, company culture is a critical factor. Using a newly-launched po Insurance is giving employees a voice to share their stories in an ever-changing world. In this session, you’ll learn Nationwide’s strategy to creating podcas intimacy, authenticity and the ability to create connections and walk away with some inspiration on where to start your podcast journey.
In this session, you’ll learn:
Who you should bring on board as internal stakeholders
How to find the right platform to meet your distribution strategy
The type of content that will appeal to listeners
The contract podcast creators should sign before producing their first episode
The tools you’ll need to record, produce, and edit
Methods for gaining adoption for the platform and the content
3:05 pm - 3:35 pm
The Top Digital Workplace Communications Tools At Your Fingertips: Q&A, Demos & Refreshments
Enjoy complimentary coffee, tea, and other refreshments as you network with your peers. Be sure to stop by and visit your sponsors!
With the variety of tools available it's hard to navigate and choose the one that is best for your organization.
In this fast-paced session you'll have the opportunity to see demonstrations of top digital workplace and communications tools of your choice.
We'll alert you when it's time to switch—grab a sweet treat on your way.
3:35 pm - 4:10 pm
Curating the Employee Experience in a Hybrid Work World
Employee Experience has changed drastically since 2020 as has the technology implemented by organizations to facilitate the future of work. Join this session to unlock your employee's potential with the latest digital tools and strategies to build employee engagement.
4:10 pm - 5:00 pm
Interactive Thought Leadership Panel: Best Advice and Communications Solutions
Stephen J Nelson, Accessibility/Diversity Program Manager | Alaska Airlines
Emilia Shapiro, Senior Internal Communications Manager, People | Cruise
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 @ Venue Bar
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!
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 San Francisco 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.
Day 2: General Sessions - 02/02/2023
8:00 am - 8:30 am
Badges Breakfast, 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
With a day, or two if you joined us in the workshops, under your belt you might be feeling a bit overwhelmed. Together we will recap yesterday's top takeaways and set the stage for this final day of learning.
9:00 am - 9:35 am
Employee Hierarchy Of Communication Needs
Patrick Holmes, Executive Director of Communications & Marketing | UC Berkeley
Internal-communications-focused adaptation of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs and use it to illustrate the importance of having an audience-first approach to internal communications. Using this model as a framework, you will be walked through a series of case studies with tips you can apply to your work.
You’ll learn how to improve your editorial planning process, use FEMA’s planning cycles to improve your emergency and crisis communications strategy and use your role in communications to drive organizational change that improves communications outcomes.
9:35 am - 10:10 am
Internal Communications & HR: The Listening Partners
Elizabeth Schilling, Corporate Communications Manager | Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, Inc.
As Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, Inc., a not-for-profit electric utility, took on the challenge of transforming into a more flexible, continuous-improvement organization, HR and Internal Communications knew the voice of employees would be a crucial piece of the transformation’s success. By leveraging employee surveys, working groups, and an ongoing listening strategy, the organization heard directly from employees about what was working well, and where they needed to address challenges.
During this session, attendees will:
Hear about the advantages and disadvantages of different listening techniques
Learn about the cross-functional groups that helped break down silos
Recognize the need for action plans as a result of employee feedback
10:10 am - 10:30 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.
10:30 am - 11:00 am
Interactive Group Breakout Session: Spotlight IC Coaching
Victoria Dew, SCMP, CEO | Dewpoint Communications
11:00 am - 11:35 am
Moderating Internal Communication Content to Enhance Reception | Tik Tok Killed the YouTube Star—Why Bite Sized Content Wins
David Orzolek, VP of Employee Relations | Driveline Retail Merchandising
E-Learning videos accounted for 86% of all online video consumption in 2021. This happened to coincide with TikTok’s February 2021 launch of the #LearnOnTikTok campaign that has reached over 426 billion views.
Video engagement statistics show that 66% of learners will choose a video learning option when there is an option.
Learner’s focus steadily declines after 3 minutes.
Providing a concise training library of topics allows learners to watch, pause, and rewatch a video until they have mastered the objective. Instead of a single 15-minute video, try breaking complex topics into five 3-minute videos that target specific elements of the course material.
11:35 am - 12:10 pm
Architecting the Acquisition Experience: A Comprehensive Communications Playbook for Acquisitions
Alyssa Summers, Director, Global Internal Communications | Vertafore
Takeaways:
How to be the advisor and advocate to make people the #1 priority
How to integrate and inspire your teams with curated cross-functional communications
Tips to develop a comprehensive communications playbook for acquisitions
12:10 pm - 12:45 pm
Rapid-Fire Panel: Get Your Biggest Communications Questions Answered
Jessica Bauer, Head of Internal Communications | Brex
Marissa Lundstrom, Senior Communications Manager, Design to Delivery | Danone
Laney Erokan, Head of Internal Communications | Palmetto
Amanda Atkins, Founder & CEO | Atkins Leadership HQ
You've submitted your biggest internal 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.
Moderator: Amanda Atkins, Founder & CEO Atkins Leadership HQ
More panelists TBA!
12:45 pm - 1:00 pm
Key Takeaways, Conference Wrap-Up
Thank you for joining us for the 10th Annual Strategic Internal 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.
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.
An entire suite built for internal communicators
From beautifully designed email to an employee mobile app, the Broadcast Suite offers plans that fit every company.
Modern intranet software that simplifies employee communication
Simpplris today’s modern employee intranet. Our software helps companies engage their workforce by streamlining internal communication and forging employee connections.
GOLD SPONSOR
Internal communications email software that integrates seamlessly with Outlook & Gmail
ContactMonkeyhelps communicators improve their internal communications and employee engagement in the workplace from Outlook and Gmail. Get Started Today!
The Most Advanced Corporate Communications Analytics Platform Inside the Modern Office 365 Architecture
PoliteMail Softwareoffers a comprehensive internal communications platform which simply plugs into your Microsoft Outlook, Exchange and Office 365 infrastructure.
Interested in becoming a Sponsor?
Introduce your brand, product, or services to key decision makers
555 North Point St
San Francisco, CA 94133
(415) 563-1234
Fisherman’s Wharf, on the northern waterfront, is one of the city's most popular areas. Souvenir shops and stalls selling crab and clam chowder in sourdough bread bowls appear at every turn, as do postcard views of the bay, Golden Gate, and Alcatraz. There’s also a colony of sea lions to see and historic ships to tour.
To receive your discounted rate of $299/night, be sure to mention the 10th Annual Strategic Internal Communications - West/Advanced Learning Institute group rate. Booking deadline 1/1/2023.
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
.
