8:00 a.m.
Registration & Continental Breakfast

8:30 a.m.

Chairperson’s Welcome & Speed Networking

Bring a stack of business cards as you become acquainted with your fellow training attendees in this lightening round of speed networking!

Denise McKee, COO
ABOUTFACE MEDIA, INC.
Training Chairperson

9:15 a.m.

How To Share Success, Show Progress And Give (And Get) Credit Where Credit Is Due

Your Division, Agency or Department is doing great things. You’re meeting or exceeding goals, making inroads and adding significant value to the overall team. The problem is no one knows it, but you. How do you share your story in a way that does not come off as self-serving, lecturing, or – worst of all – boring?

This informative session will provide you with the need-to-know tools in order to showcase your success, inform others about your progress and how to credit others who are excelling, including:

• How to best frame your story to appeal to your target audience
• Getting the most “bang for your buck” – how to utilize your content across multiple distribution channels
• Processes to develop an ongoing content strategy that keeps your stories fresh and relevant

Denise McKee, COO
ABOUTFACE MEDIA, INC.

9:45 a.m.

How To Apply Traditional External Communication And Engagement Techniques To Internal Challenges To Foster Collaboration And Drive Change

The Smithsonian has been asking and answering questions about science, art, history and culture since 1846, sharing its knowledge with the world through its many museums, research centers and libraries, its vast collections and thousands of experts — inspiring the learning, creativity and curiosity in everyone.

Being part of a large and diverse mission-driven organization like the Smithsonian is a privilege, but it can also be a challenge. People are demanding more meaningful and more inspirational experiences from organizations like the Smithsonian. And in response, Smithsonian employees need to do more to meet the changing expectations of their audiences and of the world. This requires working together, crossing boundaries and sharing ideas like never before. But while they are competing in the 21st Century, many of their internal communications tools and approaches are leftover from a bygone era and need to be refreshed in order to meet today’s challenges.

Hear from the Smithsonian on how you too can integrate traditionally external techniques to improve your internal communications efforts.

Pherabe Kolb, Associate Director of Strategic Communications
SMITHSONIAN Institution

10:15 a.m.

Your Opportunity To Ask Questions

10:25 a.m.

Morning Refreshment & Networking Break

10:45 a.m.

Digest Session: Your Training Goals

This is your chance to discuss with fellow attendees and speakers what your most pressing internal communication concerns are and what solutions you hope to gain during this training.

11:15 a.m.

Engaging Your Employees To Drive Innovation, Transparency And Collaboration

A short time ago, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) ranked 214th out of 216 Federal agencies in “Best Places to Work” in government.  FAA leadership had clear indications that employees wanted to feel valued, they wanted to connect with each other and were eager to collaborate on solutions. It was also clear that they needed a place to submit their ideas to improve the FAA and have their ideas heard and acted upon.

How do you engage such a large and diverse workforce, as well as ensure everyone has a voice in how the agency is run, while building a safe and vibrant community? The answer - - IdeaHub: An Ideation platform that spans the entire Department of Transportation.  In its first year, IdeaHub engaged 25% of the FAA workforce, and had over 4,000 ideas submitted, over 55,000 ratings applied to those ideas, and over 12,500 comments Department-wide.

Learn how IdeaHub has quickly become an active source for ideas to improve the agency, how it helps drive innovation, transparency and active engagement, and how it’s changing the way management and leadership communicates with their employees.

• Structure your ideation platform
• Manage the idea lifecycle
• Leverage employee ideas for a better workplace
• Use “Facebook-like” features to enhance participation

Deb Green, IdeaHub Program Manager
FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION

11:45 a.m.

How To Engage Your Employees At All Levels By Connecting Them To Your Organization’s Goals And Strategic Plan For The Future

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has seen measurable results by implementing various social media platforms to connect employees across the department in an effort to bust communication silos while also making the most out of their talents and resources.

The results and benefits became obvious very quickly. Employees were able to put faces with names; conversations were now being shared in a place where others can chime in at any time; and new ideas were generated. As a result, HHS employees are now aware of each other's upcoming events and campaigns; each other's successes can now be celebrated; and helpful critiques can be given when needed.

In this session, you will gain tips and techniques on how to generate an online community, how to spread the word, and how to keep the momentum going, including:

• Gaining leadership buy-in
• Learning what social media platforms work for your organization’s goals and objectives
• Avoiding employees unknowingly duplicating their social media efforts
• Creating a Twitter account creating one central location to share social media news and information

Julie Weckerlein, Public Affairs Specialist
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

12:15 p.m.

Your Opportunity To Ask Questions

12:25 p.m.
Lunch On Your Own -- But Not Alone!

Join a group of your colleagues for a themed lunch with an informal discussion surrounding a specific internal communications hot topic! Take this opportunity to join others in a small, interactive group setting to network and brainstorm solutions to your most pressing internal communications concerns.

1:55 p.m.

Digest Session: Connect The Content

You’ve heard from a number of speakers, now we’d like to hear from you. Network and discuss with fellow training attendees and speakers what social media & traditional communication tools you’re using to communicate with your employees and where you have found the most success.

2:25 p.m.

You’ve Had Your Social Media Program Set Up And Launched For A Few Years, Where Do You Go From Here?

In February 2010, the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) launched its first social media program on Facebook. Employees in the agency total 26,000, but their audience also included their customers in the military services, Congressional representatives on defense committees, Department of Defense (DOD) leaders, business partners, vendors, and the public. DLA stepped into social media at a time that was considered “late” in comparison to many counterparts in DOD.

Two and a half years now into the social media game, they have a growing Facebook page, a Twitter account, a Flickr page, YouTube page and an internal blog written by the agency director. A new social media policy has been implemented, opening the door for subordinate DLA activities to run social media programs. As well as for the first time in the agency’s history, the director’s internal blog has established a true two-way conversation between leadership and the employees.

This session will answer the all too common question you may find yourself asking once your social media program has been launched and proven success, now what? You will leave this session with the confidence in knowing what next steps to take, including:

• Lessons learned in launching social media
• Getting senior leadership buy in
• Increasing and sustaining an audience
• Leveraging social media to engage all audiences

Christine Born, Strategic Communication Analyst
DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY

3:15 p.m.

Creating A Successful Communication Action Plan During Times Of Change: Research, Plan, Implement And Evaluate

For the first time in its 222-year history, the U.S. Coast Guard’s Headquarters elements will be occupying a building built specifically for it. With the move there are a number of challenges, all of which require effective communication with the workforce and other stakeholders. The many actions and activities required to move the 4,000+ employees and the seat of power for the Coast Guard require specific communication planning and execution.

To ensure a smooth move the Office of Integrated Communication Planning (CG 092x) developed a communication action plan, built specifically to address information gaps and workforce concerns identified through surveys, and, in support of command initiatives tied to the move. This session will give you the tools necessary to create a communication plan of your own when dealing with an organization-wide campaign to ensure that all employees are informed and included in the process, including how to:

• Develop multiple channels of communication to connect your workforce to resources and information
• Cut through the noise of “that won’t affect me” ensuring the workforce as a whole has all necessary information
• Apply the Research, Plan, Implement, and Evaluate (RPIE) model of communication planning to the development of your own communication action plan
• Set smart goals/objectives, using data gleaned from the RPIE process, that fully support your desired communication efforts
• Understand how communication planning is an element of effective change management

Christopher O’Neil, Commander
U.S. COAST GUARD

3:45 p.m.

If You Ask … They Will Tell: Using A New Type Of Employee Feedback Channel To Change The Workplace

At the beginning of 2012, the new Acting Public Printer of the U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO) said she wanted to know what was really on employees’ minds, especially those who were close to the work. The Office of Communications developed What’s on Your Mind? – a direct and confidential feedback channel straight to the Acting Public Printer. From the strategic to the tactical, you will hear:

• Strategic uses for this communication channel
• Practical tips on cost-effective implementation
• How to use the information gathered to change the work place
• How to follow-up and acknowledge employee feedback while honoring confidentiality
• How to measure effectiveness
• How and when to use this type of communication channel

Terri C. Ehrenfeld, Communications Specialist, Office of Communications
U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE

4:15 p.m.

Your Opportunity To Ask Questions

4:25 p.m.

Digest & Prepare

Need to dive deeper into specific topics? Want more details? Here's your chance!! Discuss with the group what topics you hope to hear more about tomorrow and what questions you have that are still unanswered. Use the expertise of your training speakers and fellow attendees to gain feedback and ideas for improvement of your internal communication plans.

4:45 p.m.

End of Day One

4:50 p.m.

Networking Reception: Please Join Us!

We invite you to join us for a drink as you relax with your peers. All conference attendees and speakers are welcome to join us for this special opportunity to continue networking. Don't miss this chance to benchmark new ideas over complimentary drinks!

Sign up during the day for dinner with a group. Take advantage of Washington, DC's fine dining while you continue to network with your colleagues.