Conference
Annual PA&COMMS 2024Future Of Public Affairs & Communications In The Public Service 2024 Conference
29th-30th July 2024, Canberra
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About The Event:

Accurate, timely and responsible communications from government to Australian citizens and otherstakeholders has never been more critical. At a time of unprecedented events, societal change,economic uncertainty, heightened public scrutiny, misinformation and 24/7 multi-media accessibility,communications strategists and practitioners are under increased pressure to set new benchmarks inservice delivery and stay on top of significant challenges.
This two day event will highlight the various challenges facing those working in public servicecommunications but alsoturnkey solutions and opportunities to perform well and above standardexpectations.
Expert speakers will cover a range of issues central to achieving successful outcomes including several case studies across all levels of government. Among the solo and panel sessions include:

Effective communications campaigns aligned to strategic objectives, innovative social mediamessaging, advanced use of data in monitoring, measuring and influencing behaviour, newgovernment policy step by step planning and implementation, effective crisis communications,crafting sensitive and empathetically driven content, nurturing robust ecosystems and feedbackloops, building a strong brand reputation, diverse and inclusive communications, and working cohesively in decentralised office environments.

Attendees will have the opportunity to interact with speakers during session Q&A time and network during the breaks if attending in person.

Book today to save your place at this hybrid and invaluable event for 2024

Who Should Attend?

Federal, State and local Government department and agency personnel working in Public Affairs, Communications and Marketing. *Communications consultants *Social media specialists *Content creators *Customer Data analysts *Diversity and inclusion specialists *External stakeholders

2024 Sponsorship & Speaking Opportunities:

The Future of Public Affairs and Communication in the Public Service 2024 Forum offers sponsors anexcellent opportunity to demonstrate thought-leadership and leverage networking opportunities tobuild brand-value amongst your target audience. If you would like to know more about sponsorship,exhibition and business development opportunities please just get in touch with us – sponsorship@ibrc.com.au

PA&COMMS 2024 Speakers
Learn speakers of the PA&COMMS 2024 - Future Of Public Affairs And Communications In The Public Service 2024 Conference
Director, Communications & Media, Australian Sports Commission
Communications Director, Telco NSW Authority
Jessica Leo-Kelton Director, Communications, Department of the Premier and Cabinet, SA Govt
Stakeholder Engagement Specialist, Toowoomba Regional Council
Director of Communications, NSW Telco Authority
CEO Precision Public Affairs
Director, Strategy & Engagement, Queensland Reconstruction Authority
Communication Director, Macquarie City Council
Public Information Officer, NSW Dept Primary Industries
Senior Leader, Corporate Affairs and Brand Reputation, World Vision
CEO, MCM Strategic Communications
Director, Communication and Engagement, Homes Vic
Assoc Professor, of Communications, University of Canberra & Deputy Director, News and Media Research Centre
Senior Consultant, Centre for Strategic Communications Excellence
Communications and Engagement Manager, Kempsey Shire Council
Head of Digital and Insights, FTI Consulting
strategic design practice lead, Local People
Managing Director, Upstride
Get Involved
Interested to be a sponsorer/speaker for this event?
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PA&COMMS 2024 Schedule
Schedule, program and topics will be updated soon

• Stakeholder engagement is fast becoming a critical component of public affairs and govt policy development – could this intensive and time consuming consultation pose potential problems in the future?
• AI and Chat GPT – pros and cons for communicators now and in the future
• Thoughts on where is social media is heading
• How to keep transparency and integrity at the heart of communications

PANELLISTS:

RANIA WANNOUS
Chief Customer Officer, NSW Telco Authority,

SARAH CULLENS
CEO, Precision Public Affairs

Are you looking for a way to be more influential in your organisation? Are you frustrated that communication is not taken seriously or that your ideas are not being heard? Empower yourself with the skills and strategies needed to create a lasting impact in today's fast-paced, competitive business landscape. Unlock the mindset and techniques to excel as a communication leader and learn about what it takes to: influence and engage executive-level stakeholders communicate with maximum impact foster a culture of trust and innovation.

SIA PAPAGEORGIOU
Senior Consultant, Centre for Strategic Communications Excellence

Toowoomba has been undergoing major urban disruption by delivering major infrastructure in the city centre against
a backdrop of flood recovery, construction fatigue, economic downturn and pandemic. The regional council has focused on the benefits of inviting the community into a co-design approach, allowing stakeholders to influence the construction process (when and how works are completed to align with business and community interests) & strategies to minimise construction impacts while building stakeholder support. Kate will discuss progress to date.

Lana Nunn
Stakeholder Engagement Specialist,
Toowoomba Regional Council

11.10 MORNING TEA AND NETWORKING

Communications is one of the main levers available to government to not only inform its citizens but also to achieve change. But, in an increasingly fragmented media landscape, how do you achieve cut-through, leverage your common
narrative and share important information with the community?
In May 2023 the South Australian government launched We
Are.SA - a whole of government communications platform and
amplification strategy delivering first-class communications to South Australian citizens. Early results show this new approach is already paying dividends - both with an external audience
but, also, when it comes to instilling pride and driving engagement among South Australia's 110k-plus public sector
workforce. Hear from DPC SA’s Head of Strategic Communications Jessica Leo-Kelton about how We Are.SA came about, its customer-centric focus and what’s next

JESSICA LEO-KELTON
Director, Communications, Department of the Premier and Cabinet, SA Govt

• Digital Advocacy Platforms
• AI and Chatbots in Public Affairs
• Data-Driven Decision Making
• Social Media Innovations

LEIGH MEYRICK
Director, Communications & Media, Australian Sports Commission

13.00 LUNCH AND NETWORKING

• Challenges in Crisis Communication
• Strategies for Managing Public Perception
• Transparency in Communication
• Real-world examples of crisis communication in the public sector
• The Role of Social Media
• Ethical Considerations

GILES HARDIE
Communications and Engagement Manager, Kempsey Shire Council

ASHA OBEROI
Head of Digital and Insights, FTI Consulting

Other panel members TBA

Panel Member TBA

Kasey will talk about team building and stakeholder engagement especially in complex and volatile environments including natural disasters, leadership/building, uncertainty, disruption, and building programs from the ground up ie Get Ready Queensland that she was responsible for

KASEY DONALD
Director, Strategy & Engagement, Queensland Reconstruction Authority

What are the recurring global trends which today's reputation manager needs to understand and what are some important tools we need to help manage it?

RORY GRANT
Senior Leader, Corporate Affairs and Brand Reputation, World Vision

17:20 END OF DAY ONE

17:30 NETWORKING DRINKS

• Stakeholder identification – drilling down to who they really are ?
• Stakeholder messaging that aligns to govt objectives and vision
• Awareness of integrity and transparency when devising communications strategies

HAMISH ARTHUR
CEO, MCM Strategic Communications

• Power of story-telling
• Crisis communications
• The need for speed
• Pain points in coordinating responses
• Equity and inclusion
• The importance of partnerships
• Case studies

CHRISTOPHER HOPPER
Director of Communications, NSW Telco Authority

Cameron will talk through some of the process of “Launching Australia’s largest urban renewal project,” pushing housing delivery into the same ilk as major transport infrastructure using social licence methodology. The session will unpack his approach to key criticism territories ahead of announcement, research, multicultural and mobilising 200 staff to engage face to face with impacted public housing residents on the day of announcement.

CAMERON MOOR
Director, Communication and Engagement, Homes Vic

11.10 MORNING TEA AND NETWORKING

This session will be presented by Dr Fisher and the News and Media Research Centre’s recently released Digital News Report Australia 2024. The report will reveal trends in public consumption of news media and how it is relevant to media companies and journalists and their approach to reaching the public. These results will also be useful for government dept communications employees to engage better with the public on govt related news released through digital media channels.

PROF CAROLINE FISHER
Assoc Professor, of Communications, University of Canberra & Deputy Director, News and Media Research Centre

• Mindfulness towards ethical implications
• Pros and cons
• Will Communication team’s productivity rise?
• Use of personal assistants by public to engage with govt
• Automating repetitive tasks

13.00 LUNCH AND NETWORKING

• Data-Driven Profiling
• Segmentation for Precision
• Behavioral Insights
• Continuous Feedback Loop

• Using channels that align to your organisation’s campaign objectives and targeted audiences
• Tackling misinformation and safeguarding data through strict monitoring and cyber security procedures
• Adapting strategies to what works
• How to grow your presence

CLOSING REMARKS FROM THE CHAIR

17.20 END OF CONFERENCE

Registation Packages
IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE REGISTRATION - SUPER EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION:
Register before 28TH March
$2495 + GST
IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE REGISTRATION - EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION:
Register before 31ST March
$2695 + GST
IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE REGISTRATION - NORMAL RATE:
Register after 31ST March
$2895 + GST
IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE REGISTRATION - UNLIMITED GROUP TEAM REGISTRATION:
Register with Unlimited Group registration offer

GROUP TEAM REGISTRATION - Register & pay for 3 delegates & get unlimited registrations*
(*Can attend in-person or virtually )

VIRTUAL ATTENDANCE REGISTRATION - SUPER EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION:
Register before 28TH March
$1795 + GST
VIRTUAL ATTENDANCE REGISTRATION - EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION:
Register before 31st March
$1895 + GST
VIRTUAL ATTENDANCE REGISTRATION - NORMAL RATE:
Register after 31st March
$1995 + GST
VIRTUAL ATTENDANCE REGISTRATION - UNLIMITED GROUP TEAM REGISTRATION:
Register with Unlimited Group registration offer

GROUP TEAM REGISTRATION - Register & pay for 3 delegates & get unlimited registrations*
(*Can only attend virtually)

Click on the button below and fill the form to confirm your registration.

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