HR Communication Strategies: Full Schedule

HR Communication Strategies
March 19 - 21, 2019 | Chicago
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8:00am

Registration & Breakfast

Sign-in, pick up your workshop materials, and grab some coffee. Sessions will begin at 8:30.

Tuesday March 19, 2019 8:00am - 8:30am
Hyatt Regency Chicago 151 E Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60601, USA

8:30am

Workshop A: How to Maximize Employee Engagement and Build the Highest Performing Teams in 45 Minutes - led by Jason Treu Executive Coaching

Think about the best team you’ve ever been on. The team that was the most collaborative, connected, and productive. How did it feel to be connected to something bigger and lose yourself in that moment?

That feeling you just thought of is the most powerful business asset. Leaders stay awake at night trying to figure out how to create it.

Attendees will learn how to “dial in” to the right behaviors to maximize employee engagement and team performance. They’ll also play in small groups my team building game, Cards Against Mundanity, that more than 10,000 people have played in companies such as Amazon, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Southwest Airlines, E&Y, Google and many others.

Following this session attendees will learn:

“Secret" strategies for maximizing performance, innovation, communication, and engagement.
How to build high levels of trust both internally and externally with third-parties to build extraordinary relationships and maximize productivity
Tips and best practices on how to manage up, down and across much more effectively to maximize teamwork.

Jason Treu, Executive Coach
Jason Treu Executive Coaching

Speakers

Jason Treu

Executive Coach, Jason Treu Executive Coaching

Tuesday March 19, 2019 8:30am - 10:30am
Hyatt Regency Chicago 151 E Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60601, USA

Interactive Workshop

10:30am

Morning Refreshments & Networking Break

Tuesday March 19, 2019 10:30am - 10:45am
Hyatt Regency Chicago 151 E Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60601, USA

Networking

10:45am

Workshop B: How to Tackle IC Measurement Challenges and Ensure Achieving Business-Driven Goals - led by Miller Comms Inc.

Mary Miller, CEO and Performance Communications Strategist
Miller Comms Inc.

Speakers

Mary Miller

CEO and Performance Communications Strategist, Miller Comms Inc.

Mary S. Miller specializes in Performance Communications – a core internal communications system that drives measurable operating and financial performance improvements for a cost less than the gain. A member of the Institute for Public Relations’ Commission on Measurement and... Read More →

Tuesday March 19, 2019 10:45am - 12:45pm
Hyatt Regency Chicago 151 E Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60601, USA

Interactive Workshop

12:45pm

Lunch Break: On Your Own or with a Group

Stop by the registration table for a list of local restaurants near by. Feel free to dine with a group or go out on your own. *Lunch cost is on your own

Tuesday March 19, 2019 12:45pm - 2:00pm
Hyatt Regency Chicago 151 E Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60601, USA

Lunch & Dinner Break

2:00pm

Workshop C: How to Build an Effective Intranet and Communications Roadmap - led by Habanero Consulting Group

Do you have too many communications priorities and not enough time to execute on all of them? Are you constantly thwarted by urgent tasks and never getting to the important? Are your key stakeholders in alignment on what’s most important?

A great roadmap aligns your HR needs, your business strategy, and the needs your end users. It also should outline a plan that is both realistic and achievable. But how?

Join Meghan Armstrong and Brian Edwards as they walk you through Habanero’s approach for developing a roadmap for your intranet and HR communications initiatives. We will show you how a roadmap can build consensus across stakeholders and establish a common vision. The workshop will use a hands-on approach to practice techniques for prioritizing initiatives and build a roadmap that will increase ownership, adoption, and support within your organization.

In this interactive workshop, learn the activities necessary to build a roadmap that supports your intranet vision, including how to:

Build a shared and compelling design vision with stakeholders
Assess and prioritize your intranet’s features and functionality
Identify conditions and measures for success

Brian Edwards, Director, Product and Services
Habanero Consulting Group

Meghan Armstrong, Senior Experience Designer
Habanero Consulting Group

Speakers

Meghan Armstrong

Senior Experience Designer, Habanero Consulting

Brian Edwards

Director, Product and Services, Habanero Consulting Group

Tuesday March 19, 2019 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Hyatt Regency Chicago 151 E Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60601, USA

Interactive Workshop

4:00pm

End of Workshop Day & Networking Reception

Join us in the hotel lobby bar for complimentary drinks + networking with your peers.

Tuesday March 19, 2019 4:00pm - 5:30pm
Hyatt Regency Chicago 151 E Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60601, USA

Conference Format

TBA

Day 1, General Sessions

Wednesday March 20, 2019 TBA
Hyatt Regency Chicago 151 E Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60601, USA

Conference Format

8:00am

Registration: Badges, Bagels, & Beverages

Sign-in, pick up your materials and enjoy a continental breakfast before we start the day.

Wednesday March 20, 2019 8:00am - 8:30am
Hyatt Regency Chicago 151 E Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60601, USA

Networking

8:30am

Chairperson's Welcome & Speed Networking

Get to know your fellow peers, share your challenges in employee communications & HR and discover a few tips to help you deliver a successful employee experience.

CHAIRPERSON
Catherine Riedel, Marketing Director and Senior Consultant
ROC Group

Speakers

Catherine Riedel

Marketing Director and Senior Consultant, ROC Group

Wednesday March 20, 2019 8:30am - 8:50am
Hyatt Regency Chicago 151 E Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60601, USA

Networking

8:50am

Opening Note: “We’re In!” Getting to a Workforce that’s Informed, Inspired and Involved - ROC Group

The evolution of workforce engagement from knowledge to caring to behavior.

Jan Burnham, Founder and CEO
ROC Group

Speakers

Jan Burnham

Founder and CEO, ROC Group

Wednesday March 20, 2019 8:50am - 9:15am
Hyatt Regency Chicago 151 E Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60601, USA

General Session Case-Study

9:15am

How to Build Clear, Caring and Credible HR Communications That Drive an Emotional Connection, Engagement and Business Results - Loyola University Chicago

This highly informative and interactive session will assist you in identifying those ways in which you can develop HR-related communications that not only answer top-of-mind and tip-of-tongue questions but also drive an emotional connection. That connection will build engagement and credibility that drives the trust critical to an employer-employee relationship.

Too often, HR communications around major programs like Benefit Enrollment, Well Being, and Mergers & Acquisitions can be heavily procedural and transactional, and miss the opportunity to strengthen a relationship that is key to productivity, retention and, by extension, customer loyalty. Participants will also have the opportunity to talk through HR-related situations they’ve faced at work, and share best practices and lessons learned.

Following this discussion, you’ll be well-positioned to do the following:

Identify those key components that make HR Communications clear, caring and credible.
Demonstrate how to incorporate these components into the communications around your major HR initiatives, including key programs like Benefit Enrollment, Diversity and Inclusion, Well Being, M&A and the annual Compensation and Performance Management process.
List the top-of-mind HR questions you anticipate your audiences will have about your major initiatives, and develop answers that are both rationally and emotionally responsive.
Develop an approach to reviews that ensures your communications will be both caring and compliant.
Continually assess where your audiences are in understanding what’s happening related to HR initiatives, and modify your approach, as needed.
Identify and follow up on compelling, human stories that reinforce your organization’s brand and values, and incorporate them into your HR communications.
Take time after a major initiative has rolled out to discuss what was learned, measure how effectively you communicated, and apply lessons learned to prepare for the future.

James Warda, Adjunct Professor, School of Communications
Loyola University Chicago

Speakers

James Warda

Adjunct Professor, School of Communications, Loyola University Chicago

Wednesday March 20, 2019 9:15am - 9:50am
Hyatt Regency Chicago 151 E Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60601, USA

General Session Case-Study

9:50am

Don’t Jump to Tactics: Killer Comms Plans Start Here - Health Care Service Corporation

Before you draft the next email, before you write another newsletter article, take a step back and assess your plan. Your communications should be driven by strategy, not by tactics. Here’s how to take control of communications planning and shift your role from order taker to consultant:

Improve the odds of success by knowing what you need to accomplish and what success looks like.
Show value by aligning communications to organizational objectives
Really dig into audience differentiation.
Know how you will measure your results.

Connie Mayse, Senior Manager, HR Communications
Health Care Service Corporation

Speakers

Connie Mayse

Senior Manager, HR Communications, Health Care Service Corporation

Wednesday March 20, 2019 9:50am - 10:25am
Hyatt Regency Chicago 151 E Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60601, USA

General Session Case-Study

10:25am

Morning Refreshments & Networking Break

Enjoy complimentary coffee, tea, and other refreshments as you network with your peers.

Wednesday March 20, 2019 10:25am - 10:45am
Hyatt Regency Chicago 151 E Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60601, USA

Networking

10:45am

Networking to Effective Communications - Tips for Making a Decentralized Communications Model Work Better for Your Organization - Vanderbilt University Medical Center

This informative session will provide you with common sense tips on how to build a highly effective communication community that will help you overcome the disadvantages of having a decentralized communications model. Vanderbilt University Medical Center has managed to do this with communicators embedded in different departments throughout the 24,000-employee strong organization through a grassroots initiative.

Following this discussion, you'll gain an understanding on how to successfully:

Leverage existing communication tools and channels throughout the organization to create a mix of communication activities to deliver important information and results
Leverage embedded communicator's knowledge of their individual audiences to deliver engaging content that employees can't ignore
Build a communication community that mimics a centralized communications model that helps you align communication strategy and priorities throughout your organization
Build a communication community that provides a professional home to share best practices and solve enterprise-wide communication problems

Marsha Burton, Director, HR Communications
Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Speakers

Marsha Burton

Director, HR Communications, Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Wednesday March 20, 2019 10:45am - 11:20am
Hyatt Regency Chicago 151 E Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60601, USA

General Session Case-Study

11:20am

Interactive Session: Two Critical Questions that Will Skyrocket Your Relationships - led by Jason Treu Executive Coaching

You let us know your biggest leadership & executive communication challenges and as a group, all participants will be asked to provide their own solutions, tips, and tricks.

Jason Treu, Executive Coach
Jason Treu Executive Coaching

Speakers

Jason Treu

Executive Coach, Jason Treu Executive Coaching

Wednesday March 20, 2019 11:20am - 12:00pm
Hyatt Regency Chicago 151 E Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60601, USA

Interactive Session

12:00pm

Lunch Break: On Your Own or with a Group

Reservations have been made at a number of local restaurants. Don't miss this opportunity to have lunch with your peers.

**Everyone is financially responsible for their own lunch.

Wednesday March 20, 2019 12:00pm - 1:30pm
Hyatt Regency Chicago 151 E Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60601, USA

Lunch & Dinner Break

1:30pm

It’s a Personal Thing: How to Engage Frontline Staff Through Compelling Internal Communications - UAB Medicine

Who owns internal communications – the Corporate Communications team or HR? The answer is both.

With visibility into every part of the operations, and a direct line to current and future employees, Corporate Communications and HR teams are in a unique position to shape the messages and model the behaviors that keep employees informed and engaged.

This session will explore how your communication & HR teams can effectively work together to engage employees -- from recruiting, to on boarding, and across the entire employee life-cycle, including how to:

Identify priority areas for alignment
Develop creative and compelling content
Effectively leverage shared channels
Connect leadership and employees to build trust
Measure impact and discover bottom-line results

Dawn Williams, Internal Communications Manager
UAB Medicine

Speakers

Dawn Williams

Internal Communications Manager, UAB Medicine

Wednesday March 20, 2019 1:30pm - 2:15pm
Hyatt Regency Chicago 151 E Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60601, USA

General Session Case-Study

2:15pm

Your World in 30 Seconds: How a Daily Newsletter Can Keep Your Employees Better Informed and Engaged - DePaul University

Information overload. That’s what happens when you receive too many official communications from multiple departments at your organization. Chances are, your employees are missing important information as a result.

Over the past year, DePaul’s Office of Public Relations and Communications reinvented internal communications at the university. We streamlined our messaging and created one channel to deliver timely information to our faculty, staff and students. The new daily newsletter provides faculty, staff and students with everything they need to know each day, by 6 a.m. every morning. Six months after the launch, readership remains strong and feedback is positive. We’re communicating what matters most to the people who matter most, in 30 seconds or less a day.

In this session, you will gain an understanding on how to successfully:

Shift the way communications has always been done at your organization
Secure buy-in from leadership as well as your employees to make a change
Implement editorial and technical procedures to get the newsletter out the door every morning
Measure how effectively a daily newsletter can keep your employees informed and engaged

Elizabeth Clements, Executive Director, Internal and Executive Communications
DePaul University

Speakers

Elizabeth Clements

Executive Director, Internal and Executive Communications, DePaul University

Wednesday March 20, 2019 2:15pm - 2:50pm
Hyatt Regency Chicago 151 E Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60601, USA

General Session Case-Study

2:50pm

Afternoon Refreshments & Networking Break

Enjoy complimentary coffee, tea, and other refreshments as you network with your peers.

Wednesday March 20, 2019 2:50pm - 3:10pm
Hyatt Regency Chicago 151 E Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60601, USA

Networking

3:10pm

Interactive Session: Part 1 - Establishing and Developing a Video Content Strategy to Tell Your Organization's Stories - Electric Campfire Story Sessions

A key component in communicating with your audiences is telling your organization’s story: your history, culture, accomplishments, and strategies for the future. The concept of “Digital Storytelling” is everywhere these days, but what goes into creating truly compelling, engaging and effective story-based video content? And how can you increase your opportunities to cut through the clutter to initiate and maintain that all-important personal connection?

In this two-part session, find out how you can achieve success by harnessing the power of storytelling. The first of two sessions will break the room into groups to explore information that is essential to developing successful story-based content including:

Know the questions you should be asking before you start
Learn about current trends in video viewership
Leverage video content for multiple distribution channels and uses

Denise Roberts McKee, Story Strategist
Electric Campfire Story Sessions

Speakers

Denise Roberts McKee

Story Strategist, Electric Campfire Story Sessions

Wednesday March 20, 2019 3:10pm - 3:55pm
Hyatt Regency Chicago 151 E Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60601, USA

Interactive Session

3:55pm

Techniques for Communicating Successfully With a Non-Desk, Dispersed Workforce - Northwestern Memorial HealthCare

At Northwestern Medicine, there are over 25,000 employees working at over 100 locations, in a 24/7 work environment. Clinical staff are working with patients during their shift, not always in front of a computer. Many non-clinical staff do not access a computer during their shift, and recent integrations have expanded Northwestern Medicine to seven hospitals across the Chicagoland area with different legacy communication practices. So, how do they successfully communicate to all of their dispersed employees?

Following this session, you will gain an understanding of how you too can connect and engage with your non-desk staff, including how to:

Integrate an interactive intranet
Create a new email distribution list approach powered by PeopleSoft
Add Everbridge crisis communication system used across the organization
Establish strong executive support for internal communication function

Heather Cunningham, Director, Internal Communications
Northwestern Medicine

Speakers

Heather Cunningham

Director of Communications, Northwestern Memorial HealthCare

Wednesday March 20, 2019 3:55pm - 4:30pm
Hyatt Regency Chicago 151 E Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60601, USA

General Session Case-Study

4:30pm

Interactive Speaker Panel: HR Professionals Share Insights Into Achieving Results Together

Still have questions? Get them answered now. Dive into topics you want to hear more about and insight from an expert panel of HR pros and communicators.

Moderators

Denise Roberts McKee

Story Strategist, Electric Campfire Story Sessions

Speakers

Dawn Williams

Internal Communications Manager, UAB Medicine

Connie Mayse

Senior Manager, HR Communications, Health Care Service Corporation

Wednesday March 20, 2019 4:30pm - 5:00pm
Hyatt Regency Chicago 151 E Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60601, USA

Interactive Session

5:00pm

Close of Day One - Networking Reception

Enjoy drinks on us as you continue the conversation with your peers.
**Please wear your name badges.

Wednesday March 20, 2019 5:00pm - 6:30pm
Hyatt Regency Chicago 151 E Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60601, USA

Networking

7:00pm

Dinner with a Group - Reservations Have Been Made

Want to keep the conversation going? Join a group of attendees for dinner at a local Chicago hot spot.

Sign-up with an ALI team member to join a group at tonight's dine-around. Reservations have been made.

**Everyone is on their own financially.

Wednesday March 20, 2019 7:00pm - 9:00pm
Hyatt Regency Chicago 151 E Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60601, USA

Networking

7:00am

Day 2, General Sessions

Thursday March 21, 2019 7:00am - 8:00am
Hyatt Regency Chicago 151 E Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60601, USA

Conference Format

8:00am

Breakfast, Bagels, & Beverages

Coffee and continental breakfast will be ready at 8:00 a.m.

Thursday March 21, 2019 8:00am - 8:30am
Hyatt Regency Chicago 151 E Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60601, USA

Networking

8:30am

Day 2 Kick off and Chairperson Address - ROC Group

Let's discuss some topics that you're interested in learning more about today, and hear a word from our chair!

Can there be anything more personally critical than employee benefits – and more at risk to be under-appreciated and misunderstood? We don’t think so. Benefits deserve the full force of marketing, education and behavior engagement. Whether in sickness or health, wealth or struggle, thriving or striving, learn how to guide employees and their families to understand how to take full advantage of this huge part of their total pay.

Catherine Riedel, Marketing Director and Senior Consultant
ROC Group

Speakers

Catherine Riedel

Marketing Director and Senior Consultant, ROC Group

Thursday March 21, 2019 8:30am - 9:15am
Hyatt Regency Chicago 151 E Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60601, USA

General Session Case-Study

9:15am

How to Achieve a Winning Culture Inclusive of Your Office-Based, Remote and Mobile Workforce - Motus

Learn best practices and lessons learned on how Motus achieved a winning culture!

JD Miller, Chief Revenue Officer
Motus

Speakers

JD Miller

Chief Revenue Officer, Motus

Thursday March 21, 2019 9:15am - 9:50am
Hyatt Regency Chicago 151 E Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60601, USA

General Session Case-Study

9:50am

Morning Refreshments & Networking Break

Enjoy complimentary coffee, tea, and other refreshments as you network with your peers.

Thursday March 21, 2019 9:50am - 10:10am
Hyatt Regency Chicago 151 E Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60601, USA

Networking

10:10am

Interactive Session: Part 2 - Creating and Leveraging Video Content to Tell Your Oganization's Stories - Electric Campfire Story Sessions

Working off of day one, we’ll review your findings, utilizing them as a content filter as we focus on exploring potential stories. This interactive session will dive deeper into what makes for a compelling story and approaches to surfacing potential stories about your organization, including:

Understand the makeup of engaging and compelling stories
Integrate story-based content as a successful development strategy to engage your audience
Apply these approaches to your specific content needs.

Denise McKee, Story Strategist
Electric Campfire Story Sessions

Speakers

Denise Roberts McKee

Story Strategist, Electric Campfire Story Sessions

Thursday March 21, 2019 10:10am - 10:35am
Hyatt Regency Chicago 151 E Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60601, USA

Interactive Session

10:35am

How HR and Marketing Can Work Together To Build Culture and Employee Engagement - LaSalle Network

In this session, discover practical tips to help you:

Identifying areas where marketing and HR should work together to promote company culture
Creating messages that stick with employees (where to communicate, when to communicate with staff, different communication tactics to use)
Case studies of different company culture initiatives LaSalle Network implemented that came from a collaboration between HR and Marketing (corporate philanthropy, wellness program, "ReBirthdays" or work anniversary celebrations, etc.)

Jessica Schaeffer, Senior Director, Marketing & Communications
LaSalle Network

Speakers

Jessica Schaeffer

Senior Director, Marketing & Communications, LaSalle Network

Jessica Schaeffer is Senior Director, Marketing & Communications at LaSalle Network, a national staffing, recruiting and culture firm honored with more than 100 culture and revenue-based awards. Since joining LaSalle nearly seven years ago, Schaeffer has been an integral in the development... Read More →

Thursday March 21, 2019 10:35am - 11:10am
Hyatt Regency Chicago 151 E Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60601, USA

General Session Case-Study

11:10am

Lunch Break: On Your Own or with a Group

Don't miss your chance to network & discuss ideas over a casual lunch in Chicago! Reservations have been made at a number of local restaurants. Please sign-up at the registration table if you are interested in dining out with a group.

**Everyone is financially responsible for their own lunch.

Thursday March 21, 2019 11:10am - 12:45pm
Hyatt Regency Chicago 151 E Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60601, USA

Lunch & Dinner Break

12:45pm

Love It and Launch It: Leveraging HR Communications to Kick-Start Awesome Programs - Atrium Health

You’ve done the research, picked the best program, and have worked out the kinks in usability. Now what? Learn from Atrium Health and discuss how to leverage HR Communications to get the program off the ground and into the hands of employees in a way that excites them and keeps them coming back for more.

Following this discussion, you'll learn how to:

Gain executive buy-in for new projects
Get employees onboard
Engage employees on new platforms and programs

Kevin Logan, HR Communications Consultant
Atrium Health

Speakers

Kevin Logan

HR Communications Consultant, Atrium Health

Thursday March 21, 2019 12:45pm - 1:30pm
Hyatt Regency Chicago 151 E Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60601, USA

General Session Case-Study

1:30pm

Best Practices for HR Communication Strategies - Chicago Beyond

Katie Hickey, Director of Communications
Chicago Beyond

Speakers

Katie Hickey

Director of Communications, Chicago Beyond

Thursday March 21, 2019 1:30pm - 2:05pm
Hyatt Regency Chicago 151 E Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60601, USA

General Session Case-Study

2:05pm

Action Plan For Returning to Your Office: HR Communication Strategies Wrap-Up & Key Takeaways

As a group share your 'golden nuggets' and what you plan to do first when you return to your office.

Thursday March 21, 2019 2:05pm - 2:30pm
Hyatt Regency Chicago 151 E Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60601, USA

Interactive Session

2:30pm

Close of Conference

Thank you for joining us at the HR Communication Strategies conference. Be sure to check Dropbox for presentations and a contact list to keep in touch with your peers!

Thursday March 21, 2019 2:30pm - 2:30pm
Hyatt Regency Chicago 151 E Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60601, USA

Conference Format