Accurate, timely and responsible communications from government to Australian citizens and other stakeholders 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 in service delivery and stay on top of significant challenges.
This two day event will highlight the various challenges facing those working in public service communications but also turnkey solutions and opportunities to perform well and above standard expectations. 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 media messaging, advanced use of data in monitoring, measuring and influencing behaviour, new government policy step by step planning and implementation, effective crisis communications, crafting sensitive and empathetically driven content, nurturing robust ecosystems and feedback
loops, 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 2023.
NETWORKING DRINKS SPONSORNetworking and registration
Opening remarks from Chair
RACHEL SIRR
Communications Manager, Winston Churchill Trust
• Reassessing communications in an age of fragmented multi-media channels, uncertainty, disruption,
unprecedented events and public discontent
• Recognising authentic, responsible and timely comms as
key drivers to success
• Building cohesive and committed comms teams working in hybrid and decentralised environments
• Advancements in IT, data and analytics to attract, engage
and retain stakeholders and influence behaviour
• Raising benchmarks and integrating standards for best
practice cross govt communications
PANELLISTS:
TANYA BOWES
Director of Corporate Affairs, CSIRO
KATE MIRANDA
NSW State Director, Australian Red Cross
MODERATOR:
MELANIE GIBBONS
Specialist Communicator and Adviser, Elm Communications
Communications practitioners provide significant value to any organisation but only if they have influence and their advice is sought after. They are regularly hindered by internal perceptions of what function they perform and
when they should be engaged on a project. Advice provided is often dismissed or discounted compared to advice given by an economist, policy officer or project manager. How can communicators demonstrate their value and get the long-awaited “seat at the table”? How can they control the perceptions of their profession to drive behaviour change in clients? How can they transition from a superfluously perceived corporate function to a strategic partner?
MELANIE GIBBONS
Specialist Communicator and Adviser
10:30 MORNING TEA
CSIRO is Australia’s national science agency with a 100-year history of innovation and invention. From Aeroguard to Wifi,
CSIRO science reaches into every facet of our lives. So how does CSIRO put its campaigns together, to communicate the
complex and wonderful world of science? Hear about how from CSIRO’s leader of all things communication and engagement, including:
• Getting clear on the message when there’s plenty to choose from
• Sharpening the audience target
• Picking the right channels
• Honing in on cracking creative
• Measuring the impact
TANYA BOWES
Director Of Corporative Affairs, CISRO
Objectives:
1) To provide attendees with greater understanding of the
power of media (and social media) when a critical incident hits, and how to protect their organisation’s reputation and
impression in the first few hours.
2) To give attendees an introduction to the internationally accepted crisis media holding statement structure. Some attendees will be given the opportunity to deliver their
drafted holding statement if desired.
Key Benefits: Understand where your organisation may have gaps in risk management and preparedness for a crisis; learn how to structure and deliver an effective
holding statement with all the right information included.
FACILITATOR:
DAVID TURNBULL
Executive Trainer, Media Manoeuvres
1:10 LUNCH AND NETWORKING
• Tailoring content for multi comms channels
• Customised comms that speaks to and resonates with different audiences
• Strategies to stay on-track with multi-level and rapid communication output and response capability
Stephen Michelson
Founder and Director, Michelson
and Alexander
Challenges encountered and lessons learnt during Victoria’s “Second Wave”, and how we can better serve
our diverse communities in the long-term
MANDY GRIFFITHS
Head of Stakeholder Engagement, and Innovation, Victorian Department of Families,
Fairness & Housing (DFFH)
15:30 AFTERNOON TEA AND NETWORKING
• Recognising the imperative for consistent, timely and reliable communications
• Engaging with the public/stakeholders at the outset to prevent delays of crucial information
• Using feedback and comprehensive reviews to improve and prepare for failsafe future communications
REEGAN KEY MANAGER
Operational Communications,
Emergency Management Victoria, EMA
• Is perfection your enemy when it comes to social media?
Finding the balance between functional and flawless.
• Where to start when it comes to measuring success and setting your organisation’s social media objectives.
• Making your social media strategy work for you.
• Testing the one-size-fits-all myth – efficient versus effective, can you have both?
KENDALL MASTERS
Communications Manager, Victoria Police
Closing remarks from the Chair
17:20 END OF DAY ONE
Networking drinks
Networking and registration
Opening remarks from Chair
RACHEL SIRR
Communications Manager, Winston Churchill Trust
• Recognising the need for responsible and empathically driven content in today’s societal and equality empowered world
• Skills training in crafting appropriate language and content for both internal and external communications
• Developing standards in new communications approaches organisation-wide
• Utilising varying perspectives to develop well-rounded and balanced campaigns
STEVEN ASNICAR
Ceo, Diversity Partners
Diverse organisations, like diverse societies are loud, messy and disharmonious- filled with conflict. It is the role of leaders to establish the right frameworks and safeguards to ensure that healthy conflict and disagreement can act as an agent of innovation and success. To not do so can quickly undermine inclusion efforts and lead to backlash, poor behaviours or simply inefficient and ineffective business
practices.
In essence, effective D & I efforts are less about sitting around the campfire together and more about establishing the means through which we can robustly disagree and the best solutions can rise to the top. Joshua will address the need for “honest” communications in Diversity and Inclusion in his presentation.
JOSHUA GRIFFIN
Head of Inclusion & Talent Development, SBS
10.30 MORNING TEA AND NETWORKING
THE AUSTRALIAN NARRATIVE
As a country we offer so much more than beaches and babes, big spiders and crocodiles. Australia’s knowledge, expertise, innovation, cultures, democracy and financial systems make us a great place to work, study, live and do business with.
The Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade) works daily to engage global audiences and create trade and investment outcomes for Australia. Working with industry and business experts, Austrade has developed a cohesive narrative about Australia across business, industry and all tiers of Australian Government. Sarah will discuss Brand Australia and how it can cut through politics and business competition to collectively benefit Australian organisations.
SARAH HOLDER
Head of Communications, Australian Trade
and Investment Commission (Austrade)
• What does the new world of remote and decentralised workplaces mean for comms practitioners?
• How to fortify teams and maintain high productivity and commitment
• Leadership skills required to run remote teams
• How to retain staff and reduce churn
POLLYANNA LENKIC
Coach, Facilitator, Speaker and Author
DISTINGUISHED PROFESSOR, JIM MACNAMARA, DEPUTY DEAN
Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, UTS
13.10 LUNCH AND NETWORKING
The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) produces information and statistics to inform better health and wellbeing. In recent years, the AIHW has given greater focus to ensuring its products are accessible to a diverse audience, regardless of their level of data literacy. As part of this, Rebecca’s team has developed a program of work to build writing and communication capability around the
organisation by encouraging staff to use data to tell a story that can be understood by many audiences. This has involved
a new ‘Writing for the AIHW’ online resource, education modules, and writing workshops, as well as a program of guest speakers whose experiences and perspectives help our staff better understand the real-world implications of their work. Rebecca will share insights into how this work program was developed and how training capability was brought in-house to streamline the process, keep costs down, and
ensure AIHW staff have ongoing support.
REBECCA RICHTER
Head of Communications and Engagement, Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW)
Never has the number of platforms or pace we consume
information been greater. How do you cut through when
audiences flick, skim, scroll and swipe every second.
In this workshop, you’ll get tips and tools on how to reach, hold
and communicate effectively by telling the right story at the right time to the right person. Learn how to build a story drawer and pull out a great story for every occasion.
• Finding memorable stories
• Crafting compelling content
• Visual storytelling
• Creating storytellers and sharing stories
• Fighting the output urge: Volume vs impact
PANELLISTS:
KATE MIRANDA
NSW State Director, Australian Red Cross
15.30 Afternoon Tea & Networking
• Why brand reputation matters – inside and out your organisation
• How communications and engagement supports brand reputation in a meaningful and authentic way
• People and storytelling – talk about what matters most
• How to measure and track brand reputation, how your channels can provide proactive and reactive insights
• How to apply continuous improvement to exceed community and stakeholder expectations
CATHY HEYCOCK
Director Public Affairs, EPA, Victoria
• Outlining campaign objectives
• Defining target groups
• Allocating team tasks and roles
• Comms channels determined
• Comms content and materials developed and delivered
• Monitoring uptake and effectiveness
• Using data and analytics to review and reveal the effectiveness of the campaign
ELLIOTT FRANKS
Acting Head of Communications, Dept of Resources, QLD Govt
CLOSING REMARKS FROM THE CHAIR
17:20 END OF CONFERENCE
REGISTER & PAY FOR 3 DELEGATES WITH NORMAL RATE & GET UNLIMITED REGISTRATIONS* (*CAN ATTEND IN-PERSON OR VIRTUALLY)
REGISTER & PAY FOR 3 DELEGATES WITH NORMAL RATE & GET UNLIMITED REGISTRATIONS* (*CAN ONLY ATTEND VIRTUALLY)
Click on the button below and fill the form to confirm your registration.
CANBERRA REX HOTEL
ADDRESS: Level 6/150 Northbourne Ave, Braddon ACT 2612, Australia
