2023 Annual Conference Schedule

Note: Session times and topics are subject to change.

Tuesday - September 5, 2023

4:00 p.m.

Board of Directors Meeting - Celebration 12 & 13

Wednesday - September 6, 2023

Pre-Conference

8:00 a.m.

Pre-Conference Registration - Regency Rotunda

8:30 a.m.

Pre-Conference Sessions

  • Making Inclusion Real at Work - Regency Ballroom T
  • Smartphone Video Lab: Creating Compelling Content with Smartphone Video and AI Apps - Regency Ballroom U
  • The Power of Sustainovation - Regency Ballroom V

11:00 a.m.

Pre-Conference Luncheon - Regency Ballroom S
Sponsored by FlashVote

General Conference

11:00 a.m.

General Conference Registration Begins - Regency Rotunda

12:00 p.m.

Gathering for First Timers - Regency Ballroom T
Presenters: Kathy Gilwit - Assistant to the City Manager/Communications Manager - President, 3CMA - City of New Rochelle, NY and Jennifer Bennerotte - Communications Director - President Elect, 3CMA - City of Edina, MN

3CMA CONNECT Mentorship Program Meet & Greet - Regency Ballroom U
Presenters: Tom Bryson, 3CMA Strategic Partner and Pam Solomon, Assistant Director of Communications, City of Weston, FL

12:30 p.m.

Opening Session - Regency Ballroom R

Transformations

“Transformations” can be both personal or professional, but it requires us to assess, acknowledge, and survive the change to actually achieve it. Nick will explore the no holds-barred truth about personal and professional change, why it is important, the psychology behind it, and how we can energize ourselves and our organizations by harnessing our passion to deliver exceptional results.
Speaker: Nick Kittle, Sustainovation

2:00 p.m.

Concurrent Sessions

  • Be Our Guest: 60 Ideas in 60 Minutes - Regency Ballroom R
  • It’s Up To You Save Democracy. Here’s How To Not Screw It Up. - Regency Ballroom T
  • The Force is With Your Brand (Be A Branding Jedi) - Regency Ballroom U
  • Expanding your Influence - How Communications Affects Organizations as a Whole and Advocating for More Staff - Regency Ballroom V

3:15 p.m.

Networking Break - Regency Rotunda

3:45 p.m.

Concurrent Sessions

  • For a Good Time, Call Your Local Government - Regency Ballroom R
  • “Cache” Me Outside: “Caching” in on Community Outreach - Regency Ballroom T
  • A New Era for Media Relations: How Greater Cooperation and Collaboration Builds Trust in Local Government, Local News, and the Community - Regency Ballroom U
  • Boosting Economic Development through Strategic Communications and Outreach - Regency Ballroom V

5:30 p.m.

Welcome Reception - Regency Rotunda
Sponsored by North Star Place Branding & Marketing

6:30 p.m.

Restaurant Romp

Thursday - September 7, 2023

7:30 a.m.

Breakfast and Family Feud - Regency Ballroom S
Join us on Thursday morning during breakfast at 8 am for an event that promises not only great conversation but also loads of laughter. This is your chance to showcase your quick thinking and wisdom in the ultimate showdown of wits. Whether you're a seasoned conference attendee or a first-timer, this is an opportunity to connect with fellow participants in a unique and entertaining way.


8:45 a.m.

General Session - Innovation Forum - Regency Ballroom R
Sponsored by Cablecast

Unlocking the Power of AI: How Communications Professionals Can Leverage Artificial Intelligence for Success

Artificial intelligence is transforming the communications industry, providing new opportunities for innovation and growth. In this keynote presentation, we will explore how communications professionals can leverage AI to improve their performance, enhance customer engagement, and achieve their goals. We will discuss the latest trends in AI for communications, showcase real-world examples, and offer practical advice on how to incorporate AI into your work. Join us for an insightful and engaging session that will help you unlock the power of AI for success.
Presenter: Josh Hirsch is the Director of Brand Strategy at Barlele and Digital Media Manager for The Fund Raising School at the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at Indiana University

9:45 a.m.

General Session - Regency Ballroom R

Responding to a Tragedy - Why Communications Matters

Are you prepared to respond and endure the short and long-term impacts of an unimaginable tragedy that strikes your community?  Hear from Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and Chief of Staff, Heather Fagan, about the role of communications in seeing the Orlando community through the Pulse Nightclub tragedy. They will share their personal experience and how the City of Orlando strategized its emergency response to keep the public informed while building community unity through love and compassion.
Presenters: Mayor Buddy Dyer and Chief of Staff, Heather Fagan - City of Orlando, FL

10:45 a.m.

Networking Break - Regency Rotunda

11:00 a.m.

Concurrent Sessions

  • Building a Centralized Communications Department - Successes & Learning Opportunities - Regency Ballroom R
  • You're Gonna Need a Bigger Boat, I Mean, a Plan - Regency Ballroom T
  • Measurements that Matter: Creating Reports that Communicate to Your Leadership - Regency Ballroom U
  • How to Host an Effective Brainstorming Session - Regency Ballroom V

12:15 p.m.

Savvy Awards Luncheon - Regency Ballroom S
Sponsored by Citibot

2:00 p.m.

Concurrent Sessions

  • Communications Is More Than Social Media - Regency Ballroom R
  • First 24 Hours after a Mass Shooting - Regency Ballroom T
  • Concerns and Capacity for AI: Top 5 Strategies for Assessing Risks and Reaping the Rewards of Communication Innovation - Regency Ballroom U
  • A Communicator's Playbook for Building Stronger Relationships with Community Based Organizations - Regency Ballroom V

3:15 p.m.

Networking Break - Regency Rotunda

3:45 p.m.

Concurrent Sessions 

  • Clear and Continuous Communication During a Crisis - Regency Ballroom R
  • Community Engagement & Interaction: Discovering Strategies to Stand Out & Thrive - Regency Ballroom T
  • Conquering the Inbox to Connect with City Residents - Regency Ballroom U
  • Media Mastery: Embracing Camera Confidence, Impactful Messaging, and Your Authentic Self - Regency Ballroom V

Friday - September 8, 2023

7:30 a.m.

Breakfast & 3CMA Business Meeting - Regency Ballroom S

9:00 a.m.

Concurrent Sessions

  • Fast, Free & Fabulous – Filling Your Toolbox with New, Effective Strategies - Regency Ballroom R
  • How To Win Public Support For Almost Anything - Regency Ballroom T
  • Auditing Your Audit: What a Communication Audit Will Get You and Why You Should be Conducting One - Regency Ballroom U
  • Harnessing the Power of Social Media for Effective Crisis Communications - Regency Ballroom V

10:15 a.m.

Networking Break - Regency Rotunda

10:45 a.m.

Closing Session - Regency Ballroom R
Sponsored by CASTUS

Quieting the Quarrels and Quibbles: Better Crisis Communications Outcomes Even When Lawyers and Politicians are in the Way

Arm wrestling with elected officials and lawyers is no fun. But this session WILL be fun! It’s light-hearted and informative overview of best practices when deciding who should form your message in a crisis and how to balance that messaging between the court of law and the court of public opinion. Our trainer – a 3CMA favorite -- begin his career as a city public information officer and later became Spokesman at the U.S. Department of Justice in Washington. He’ll show us how we can maintain trust with our residents as we respond to bad news or a crisis, bringing along the elected officials and lawyers as we do it.
Presenter: Mark Weaver, Communications Counsel, Inc.

12:00 p.m.

1:00 p.m.

General Conference Adjourns

Post-Conference Board Meeting