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

Wednesday - September 6, 2023

Pre-Conference

8:00 a.m.

Pre-Conference Registration 

8:30 a.m.

Pre-Conference Sessions

  • Coming in early 2023

11:00 a.m.

Pre-Conference Luncheon 

General Conference

11:00 a.m.

General Conference Registration Begins 

12:00 p.m.

Gathering for First Timers 
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

12:30 p.m.

Opening Session 

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

  • TBD

3:15 p.m.

Networking Break 

3:45 p.m.

Concurrent Sessions

  • TBD

5:30 p.m.

Welcome Reception 

6:30 p.m.

Restaurant Romp

Thursday - September 7, 2023

7:30 a.m.

Breakfast 

8:45 a.m.

General Session - Innovation Forum

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 

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

11:00 a.m.

Concurrent Sessions

  • TBD
  • TBD
  • TBD
  • TBD

12:15 p.m.

Savvy Awards Luncheon 

2:00 p.m.

Concurrent Sessions

  • TBD

3:15 p.m.

Networking Break 

3:45 p.m.

Concurrent Sessions 

  • TBD

Friday - September 8, 2023

7:30 a.m.

Breakfast & 3CMA Business Meeting 

9:00 a.m.

Concurrent Sessions

  • TBD

10:15 a.m.

Networking Break

10:45 a.m.

Closing Session

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.

General Conference Adjourns