7th Annual Saskatchewan Communications Forum

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We are a dynamic marketing and communications firm with a myriad of experience and skills which combine to provide clients unparalleled service. Communication is at the root of who we are as a species; it is what sets us apart from all other creatures in this world and is the force that carries us from moment to moment.

Our goal is to offer a conference experience that will educate, inspire and enable professional communicators from various industries through an environment of professional networking to benefit both delegates and speakers alike.

We are excited to have you join us and hope you return year after year. Questions? please call 1.855.688.0189 or email forums@swanseacommunications.com.

Since 2014, SummersDirect and Swansea Communications have joined forces to present the Saskatchewan Communications Forum. Through SummersDirect’s past experience in creating relevant and engaging conferences and Swansea Communications’ current involvement in the communications field you’re sure to love the end product; an event with quality speakers, tools and techniques you can take away and use, case studies you can relate to and most of all VALUE.

Together we want to build a long-lasting relationship with you!

Venue

Delta Regina, 1919 Saskatchewan Dr, Regina, SK S4P 4H2

Rooms can be booked at a rate of $160/night, via this link: https://www.marriott.com/events/start.mi?id=1574282060678&key=GRP Book by May 6, 2020 for the guaranteed rate.

Sponsor

The International Association of Business Communicators Regina Chapter (IABC/Regina) proudly represents communications professionals based in Regina, Saskatchewan and surrounding area. We proudly hold more than 40 Accredited Business Communicators (ABC), internationally recognized leaders in our industry. Connecting through learning, networking and mentoring opportunities, our organization promotes ethical business communications standards, inspires a passion for learning and helps our members achieve communications excellence in their daily work.

Bang the Table

Monday, June 22, 2020

9:30 a.m.WELCOME AND OPENING REMARKS FROM THE CHAIR

9:30 – 12:15 p.m. 

1. OPENING KEYNOTE: Talk Triggers

Daniel Lemin, co-founder, EatID
Acclaimed global speaker, co-founder & CMO, Selectivor – California

Word of mouth is directly responsible for as much as 50% of all purchases, and influences as much as 90%. Every human on earth relies on word of mouth to make buying decisions. Why is it, then, that even today fewer than 1% of companies have an actual strategy for generating these crucial customer conversations? We can change that. Talk Triggers delivers a clear roadmap that can be put into practice immediately, by any business.

In this exciting session you will discover:

– Proprietary research about why and how customers talk

– Examples from companies that are using talk triggers successfully including Doubletree Hotels by Hilton and The Cheesecake Factory, plus a host of delightful small businesses

– The 4-5-6 learning system (the 4 requirements for a differentiator to be a talk trigger; the 5 types of talk triggers; and the 6-step process for creating talk triggers)

Consumers are wired to discuss what is different, and ignore what is average. Be dared to not only think different, but get the precise formula to do it!

2. We know, we know…then we heard: Lessons in Listening to Community

Joanne Kozlowski, Senior Communications Strategist, City of Regina
Leah Goodwin, Engagement Strategist, City of Regina

Shifting community from anger to support requires thoughtful, planned conversations, and a great deal of listening. How can a public sector organization rebuild community trust after proposing to close a 72-year old neighbourhood pool? Bringing together best practices in communications and engagement, the City set out to better understand the needs of the community and design a facility that will become the new neighbourhood hub.

In this session you will learn:

• The value of integrating communications and engagement planning from the get-go and throughout projects.
• The importance of understanding audiences before seeking their voices – demographics, variety of interests
• Respecting feedback as data, founded in the belief that residents are experts in their own lives

3. It’s Yammer Time! Transforming Culture Through Social Collaboration
Paul Newmarch, Senior Advisor, Digital Employee Communications, Suncor Energy

Yammer was Suncor’s first small, but mighty step in shifting its culture, the way it works, and building a community that is open to working and connecting differently. It’s about connecting an entire workforce to the business including non-wired field employees. Within a year, Suncor went from thinking about social collaboration to launching Yammer to its entire employee base around the globe. This presentation will explore how Suncor moved from education and awareness to adoption of this social collaboration tool, the successes and challenges and the mindsets that needed to shift and the change communications required to bring this to life.

Tuesday, June 23, 2020

9:30 – 12:00 p.m. 

1. Mac, the Six Million Dollar Moose

Craig Hemingway, Communications Manager, City of Moose Jaw 

What happens when your crisis is how to respond to unexpected “good” news? In January of 2019 social media influencers Justin and Greg challenged the Mayor of Moose Jaw to “do something” so Mac the Moose could reclaim the title of “World’s Largest Moose Statue” from Stor-Elvdal, Norway. We didn’t know what to do, except that we had to do something in an attempt to capitalize on the attention.

Through teamwork, the power of social media, community engagement, consistently “Canadian” messaging, Norwegian competitiveness and some good old fashioned moose puns, we turned a funny video dropped on a lazy, early January afternoon into a four-month, award-winning marketing journey worth over six million dollars – on a budget of $0

2. Moving your Public Consultation Online – COVID 19 and beyond
Anthea Robinson Shaw, Bang the Table

Hear what other municipalities have done and are doing during COVID -19 and what moving forward with their community engagement initiatives will look like.  Get real world ideas, tips and more.

4. Case Study: Video as a tool to Engage, Educate and Inspire your Community

4. How to Make a Personal Connection through Storytelling

Cynthia Lockrey, Lockrey Communications

We now have countless technologies and ways to share information. Yet the age-old tool of storytelling is still the best way to make a personal connection so people tune in to what you’re saying. Cynthia will break down the elements of a story, uncover what makes a good story, learn the importance of storytelling as well as how to use it in your social media, presentations, emails, social media and more.

Click here to Register Now

OPTIONAL POST-CONFERENCE WORKSHOPS:

Wednesday, June 24, 2020

9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Workshop A: Communications Audit – Taking the Pulse of Your Organization
Cynthia Lockrey, Lockrey Communications

A communications audit is used to take the pulse of an organization’s formal and informal communications processes, while measuring their effectiveness and identifying gaps. In this workshop we will look at the steps to prepare for an audit, the various audit tools available and how to create an audit report that will be read. You will leave this interactive workshop feeling better prepared and more confident so you can figure out what is working, what’s not working and where you can make meaningful improvements to communications processes in your organization.

Cynthia Lockrey is passionate about helping people find their voices so they can share their knowledge, stories and BE HEARD! Over her 20+ year career she has worked as a communications manager and stakeholder engagement advisor for corporate, government and non-profit organizations as well as a corporate trainer and post-secondary instructor. Cynthia is the founder of www.howtocommunications.com, a website dedicated to helping people hone their public relations skills. She is also the author of two patient advocacy books – Bed Rest Mom and Your Child’s Voice. Cynthia lives on Vancouver Island where she works as a consultant, patient advocate and corporate trainer.

Thursday, June 25, 2020

9:30 – 11:30 a.m.

WORKSHOP C: Getting The Message Out: How to Develop a Communications Strategy That Works

Colleen Collins, Communications Specialist, eSolutions Group

In this workshop you will learn how to create a communications strategy to fit any project or initiative that is effective, measurable and fits your budget.

• Establish goals and achieve them
• Meet the needs of your audience
• Save time and eliminate potential pain points / confusion
• Anticipate and prevent negative reactions
• Help your audience feel involved and informed

With more than 15 years of experience in municipal communication, Colleen’s strategic insights and passion for delivering high-quality customer service has helped her clients connect with their audiences.

Why she’s awesome: Her extensive knowledge of municipal services and strong understanding of residents’ needs allows her to deliver highly effective communications strategies and tactical execution that resonates with target audiences and drives citizen engagement.

Superpower: Understanding what matters most to people and developing content that capture the media’s attention. Colleen provides strategic communications advice, develops and executes communications plans, and leads content creation.

Click here to Register Now

REGISTER NOW