by Katrina Hook - The power of AI is infiltrating nearly every element of daily life. What does this mean for the communications industry?

Matt Russell, Principal Business Analyst at Mayo Clinic, advocates for riding the generative AI wave.  “Generative AI tools can help you work smarter, not harder, and if used correctly, can help you do your best possible work,” he says.

In today’s climate, DEI and ESG are not just strategic priorities but communication challenges. Amid rising political scrutiny and budget cuts, communicators are under pressure to prove the value of these efforts without always saying the words. So, how do you lead when the language shifts? How do you protect the integrity of your values without getting sidelined? In this energizing and practical session, Regine Nelson will share how Couchbase embeds DEI and ESG into its values, operations, and culture—even as external pressures mount. With humor, insight, and a few mic-drop moments, she’ll walk through a real-world blueprint to help you move beyond the buzzwords and into communications that stick.

What You'll Learn

• Why DEI and ESG are often misunderstood—and how to reframe them with clarity
• How to align these principles with your company’s purpose, products, and people
• 10 low-cost strategies to sustain inclusion and impact—no new budget required
• What to measure and share to reinforce trust and transparency
• Language swaps and storytelling tactics for when you “can’t say DEI or ESG” anymore

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About Regine Nelson

Regine Nelson is the Lead of Internal Communications and Employee Engagement at Couchbase, a global tech company where she drives culture, communications, and leadership messaging strategy. With 15+ years of global experience spanning both internal and external communications, she’s also a fierce advocate for inclusion, neurodiversity, and values-driven storytelling. She’s a mom of three, a keeper of 26 chickens, and a firm believer that a great comms strategy can change everything.

by Katrina Hook - Nancy Harhut started her career in a marketing agency. Working on campaigns for various companies got her thinking: What gets people to say yes? “I’ve had a long-term interest in why people do what they do, and how we can make the most of that influence,” she says. “When we sent something out into the world, we wanted people to read it and respond.” Years of research later, Nancy has five tips and tricks to maximize your influence on your audience.

by Katrina Hook - As the world changes, communicating effectively requires empathy and understanding. Communications strategist Arlene Amitirigala is a film believer that mindfulness, self-awareness, and listening are the keys to compassion.

In today's rapidly evolving workplace, AI isn't just another tech trend—it's a transformative force that can dramatically enhance productivity and innovation. But how do you move your organization from AI anxiety to enthusiastic adoption?

Join us as Shel Holtz shares Webcor's success story in introducing generative AI tools across Webcor. This engaging 45-minute session reveals the communication strategies that turned skeptical employees into confident AI users who now leverage these powerful tools in their daily work.

What you'll discover:

• Demystifying AI through storytelling – Craft internal communications that transform complex AI concepts into relatable, accessible narratives that resonate with employees at all technical levels
• Building momentum through strategic pilot programs – Learn how to identify and engage early adopters who can become your AI champions and help create organization-wide excitement
• The art of effective prompting – Master practical techniques for developing clear, powerful prompts that unlock AI's full capabilities and deliver meaningful results
• Navigating the human side of technological change – Discover proven approaches to address concerns, build trust, and align AI initiatives with both organizational goals and employee needs

Don't miss this opportunity to gain actionable insights that will position you as a strategic leader in your organization's AI journey. Leave equipped with the tools to transform how your colleagues perceive and utilize this game-changing technology.

About Shel Holtz

Shel Holtz is senior director of communications at Webcor, a commercial builder in California. He brings to the job more than 45 years of experience in employee communications, corporate public relations, crisis communications, media relations, financial communications, investor relations, marketing communications, and compensation and benefits communications.

In addition to integrating technology into communications strategies, his expertise includes strategic communications planning, change management, organizational culture, business initiatives, and communications research.

Before joining Webcor in 2017, he had consulted independently for more than 20 years as principal of Holtz Communication + Technology, working with organizations worldwide to employ technology in their communications, from email and intranets to social media.

Earlier in his career, Shel was director of corporate communications for Allergan and Mattel and spent time at two global human resources consulting firms. His first job in the organizational communication field was with energy company ARCO in Los Angeles as an internal communications representative.

He has written six communication-themed books and is co-host of the first and longest-running communication-focused podcast, “For Immediate Release,” which debuted in early January 2005. Shel is a certified Strategic Communication Management Professional and an Accredited Business Communicator.

Shel has been a regular speaker globally on topics surrounding the application of online technology to strategic communication. He is a Fellow of the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC), a Senior Fellow of the Conference Board’s Marketing and Communication Center, and a Founding Research Fellow at the Team Flow Institute. He is a certified Strategic Communication Management Professional and an Accredited Business Communicator. Shel served six years on IABC’s international executive board and is a five-time winner of IABC’s Gold Quill award. He began his career as a newspaper reporter and editor after graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Journalism from California State University, Northridge. He lives with his wife and their dog in Concord, California.

For 26 years, Steve and Cindy Crescenzo of Crescenzo Communications have helped employee communicators move out of the role of “content order taker” and into their proper role as strategic communications counselors to the entire organization. They have learned a few things over the years and created this interactive workshop to discuss their five-step process for success and show examples of how it works.  

Gather your data . . . because you can’t do anything without data

• Learn proven tactics for gathering qualitative research: focus groups and interviews
• Of all the metrics available to you with new technology (and there are a lot) which ones do you need to pay attention to?
• How to combine metrics with what really matters: Behavior Change
• How to use data to tell your story to the people who matter

Fix your content . . . because you need to make the important interesting.

• Master the Four Cs of great content: Concise, Conversational, Compelling and Creative
• Learn how to nail the Big Three: Headlines, Leads and Quotes
• Harness the power of visual communication—including infographics
• Use quick, inexpensive multimedia to enhance your content

Build your plan . . . because you need a North Star to guide you

• Develop your Communication Manifesto: What is your overall goal?
• Learn a system for prioritizing your content, so you can “do less and do it better”
• Do a channel analysis, so you know which channels are good at which things

Get the right tools . . . because you need to reach a deskless, hybrid, younger workforce

• What technology do you need to get relevant information to the right audiences
• Learn how to build an interactive, online, mobile community
• Tame the Wild Wild West, aka the company’s e-mail

Measure your results . . . because you can’t assume anything in employee communications

• Use surveys, metrics, quick polls and other simple tactics to see what’s working and what’s not

About Steve Crescenzo Steve Crescenzo is a leading consultant, writer, and speaker who helps communicators worldwide ditch jargon and create engaging, creative corporate content. Known for blending creativity with strategic alignment, Steve has been voted the #1 speaker at IABC’s World Conference seven times. Alongside his wife and business partner, Cindy, he leads the highly acclaimed Employee Communication Master Class and Corporate Content Master Class. Steve has worked with top organizations like General Motors, Mayo Clinic, Target, and McDonalds, transforming their communication content and strategies.

About Cindy Crescenzo Cindy Crescenzo, President of Crescenzo Communications, has over 20 years of experience specializing in communication research, measurement, and strategic planning. Her expertise in data analysis and audience research helps communicators worldwide shift their approach to communication and create strategies that deliver measurable results. Cindy co-leads the acclaimed Employee Communication Master Class and Corporate Content Master Class with her husband and business partner, Steve Crescenzo. She has worked with top organizations like Mayo Clinic, Target, UC Health, and John Deere to transform their communication efforts and strengthen their communication strategies.

by Sophia Pasquariello - Meet Bill, a longtime member and leader within IABC Philadelphia, whose dedication to the organization has helped shape its success over the years. Whether serving as chapter president, mentoring fellow communicators, or contributing to key projects, Bill has been a key figure in ensuring the chapter remains a valuable resource for communication professionals.

By Diane Streleckis - Technology has transformed how people work from interacting more via video calls and chat (even when we’re in the same office) to having generative artificial intelligence (AI) as an assistant or even a co-worker. How has all this technology affected the human need to connect with others who can help us develop as professionals?

by Sophia Pasquariello -  Amy Ashmen, a dedicated IABC Philadelphia board member, currently serves as the national director of communications at Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health.

by Sophia Pasquariello - Everyone wants to deliver presentations that make an impact. However, even the most experienced speakers can find themselves questioning their effectiveness. Communication professionals face an additional challenge, as they’re often in the role of advising others on presenting rather than presenting themselves. Presentation expert Meridith Grundei, founder of Grundei Coaching, has insights on bridging the gap and turning good presentations into unforgettable ones.