9th Annual Saskatchewan Communication Forum

Join your fellow communicators, in person in Regina or online, for two days of professional development, learning, workshops and networking at the 9th Annual Saskatchewan Communication Forum on June 12 & 13. Hear from communication professionals who will share their stories of struggles and success in a variety of communications areas.

Learn more and register now: https://lnkd.in/d6QMSrUw

Exclusive savings for IABC members, contact us!

Forum topics and speakers, include:

Emerging Trends in Crisis Communications
Benjamin Proulx, President
Catalyst Communications

Crisis communications efforts have had to change drastically in response to organizations’ numerous evolving internal and external pressures, including ever-changing societal expectations and demands. As such, companies and organizations are finding it harder and harder to survive a crisis unscathed, with reputational damage — real or perceived — having major impacts with immediate repercussions. This session will explore a minimum of three Canadian instances of crisis communications and management gone awry, as well as some successful initiatives that can teach us skills to use in our own crisis communications efforts. We will walk through real scenarios to determine what could have been done better, and what lessons can be taken from each case study to inform participants’ future crisis communications efforts.

Adjusting Communication Strategies in a Post-Covid World
Chad Engel, Manager of Brand & Communication Services
SaskPower

In this session Chad will discuss how the Covid pandemic impacted customer communication and how SaskPower has adjusted its communication styles, strategies, and approaches to adapt to evolving customers.

Learning outcomes:

• How customers have changed during the covid pandemic.
• How we see them continuing to evolve into the future.
• What tactics, strategies and channels we are having the most success with in our engagements.
• The unknowns from the future that we need to become comfortable with.

RACE-ing Towards Better Public Relations Plans
Julia Harvie Shemko, Founder/CEO
Red Thread Connections

The RACE formula helps you develop well thought out strategic public relations plans. A formula is just a formula, however, when understood and used properly, the RACE formula can help you organize your strategic discovery and thought into an action plan that meets organizational objectives.

Learn the importance and components of each letter in the R (research), A (analysis), C (communication) E (evaluation) formula and how to apply it to your projects and initiatives.

Breaking Barriers and Building Bridges: Creating Direct Communication Channels with Residents in the Digital Age
Kent Waugh, Managing Partner
The W Group

In this conference session, Kent will share insights on how to effectively communicate with residents in an era where community-based newspapers and media outlets are disappearing, social media algorithms are ever-changing, and bad actors are taking over online platforms. He will highlight the journey of a municipality that successfully established a direct communication channel with its residents, dispel common myths and barriers, and provide step-by-step guidance on building an effective e-newsletter program. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn how to overcome communication challenges and establish a strong connection with your community!

Elevating Communications to the CSuite
Candace Denison, Manager, Communications & Engagement
Rocky View County

Tired of feeling like your work is under-valued, under-resourced and under-appreciated? The irony is that as communications professionals, we do a poor job of telling our story to senior leadership teams. It’s time to prioritize and change that!
Candace will draw from her personal experience and award-winning success to outline the path to executive support and strategic placement of communications within the organization.

Elevate your position from order taker to strategic partner and become a valued and supported member of your organization’s senior leadership team. In this session you will enhance and expand your skillset by learning:

• What the CSuite wants. (Spoiler alert: it’s measurable results they can understand).
• Why it’s necessary to include research, analysis, and evaluation in your communication plans.
• How to practically implement effective communication evaluation through the Output, Outtake, and Outcome measurement model.
• When to showcase your work and the meaningful difference you’ve made towards organizational goals and successes.

Decolonizing Language
Robyn Ferguson, Communications Advisor
Cole Buhler, Communications Coordinator
pipikwan pêhtâkwan

Decolonizing language helps to raise the bar for inclusive conversations and spaces for Indigenous Peoples. In this presentation Shani will provide an introduction for professional communicators who want to learn more about how to write and speak with and about Indigenous Peoples without resorting to the use of harmful stereotypes and racialized caricatures.

Education on how language can cause harm leads to understanding, and understanding leads to respect. When we decolonize language we are pushing communications forward, opening up the power of language to help in ending oppression and racism.

Outcomes:

• Learn how to begin conversations with communities using appropriate language and references.
• Be aware of key language and protocol considerations when developing and implementing communications strategies that include Indigenous audiences.
• Gain an understanding of how you can be more effective in engaging Indigenous audiences and sharing their stories.
• Leave with tools and resources to continue learning how to decolonize their language and communication practices.