Ragan Future of Communications Conference 2024 | Ragan Communications and PR Daily | 13 November 2024 | Hyatt Regency Austin, 208 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78704, USA

Hundreds of comms leaders and professionals will assemble to learn, connect, innovate and strategize as we chart the future of the communications discipline. The most innovative minds spanning industries including healthcare, technology, manufacturing, retail and financial services will dive deep into urgent challenges, emerging opportunities and rising trends that will pave the road ahead.

This event, which will be held during the 10th annual Communications Week, is where groundbreaking ideas are put to the test, strategic insights are exchanged and lifelong connections are formed. Tailored for internal communicators, PR professionals and marketing experts, the Future of Communications Conference stands out as a must-attend industry gathering.

Engage with captivating speakers representing leading brands and organizations as they explore topics such as storytelling, manager comms, employer branding, social media marketing, media relations and the complexities of AI, ESG and DE&I. Be prepared for inspiring narratives, in-depth case studies, lively debates, engaging panel discussions and opportunities to share knowledge with peers.

What You'll Learn
• The Comms Team of the Future: How to build a comms function that supports a fast growing business—and the new talent, roles, skills, and titles that may be needed.
• AI Tools, Techniques and Practical Strategies: How you can build a better content strategy with AI as your assistant — plus actionable tactics for safe integration into sensitive workflows
• Managing Employees in Crisis: Frameworks on when, where and how to speak up when grappling with employee activism, dissent and labor actions — all without stripping your comms of authenticity and empathy.
• Fresh Insights on the Communicator’s Role: You’ll be among the first to hear the findings from the Ragan/HarrisX CEO/CCO Perception Survey and other data dives to position you for success.
• Executive Storytelling Strategies: Learn how to build relationships, create trust, and develop personalized stories that meet the moment with clear, consistent and inclusive messaging.
• Tracking, Managing and Measuring Reputation: How to master the art of creating a communications measurement and evaluation strategy — including the headlines you’re not in.
• The Shifting Socialverse: A deep dive into the upsets at Twitter/X, Instagram and TikTok — plus, the new features and changes that may reshape their future.
• Conquer Issue Fatigue: Craft comms that connect with internal and external audiences and deliver on your organization’s goals and mission.

Who Should Attend
You should attend if you spend at least a quarter of your time in any of these areas:
• Public Relations
• Brand Management
• Internal Communications
• Public Affairs
• Executive Communications
• Reputation Management
• Crisis Communications
• Issues Management
• Social Media
• Storytelling
• Media Relations

2024 Speakers

Patrice Smith, APR
Lecturer, Journalism & Public Relations Department, California State University, Long Beach

Linda Thomas Brooks
Chief Executive Officer, PRSA

Mary C. Buhay
Chief Growth Officer and Head of Council, Ragan Communications

Allison Carter
Editor-in-Chief, Ragan Communications and PR Daily

Celine Chai
Co-Founder / CEO, NinetyEight

Amanda Coffee
Communications Leader

Levar Cooper
Communications Director, Lake County Government

Neeha Curtis
Adjunct Professor of Mass Communication, Syracuse University

Nicole Dye-Anderson
SVP, Head of Media Relations, Experiential & Influencer Strategy, Wells Fargo

Margot Edelman
GM for the NY Office and Co-Lead of the US Tech Sector, Edelman

Ashley Forrester
Director, Strategic Communications, Samsung Electronics America

Christina Frantom
Internal Communications Lead, Mercedes-Benz U.S. International

Danielle Grossman
Director of Strategic Communications, Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo

Bill Hicks
Associate Education Director, ADL

Aubrey Jackson
Corporate Communications Manager, United Airlines

Justin Joffe
Editorial Director and Editor-in-Chief, Ragan Communications

Leah Johns
Founder of Bain’s Global Consumer Lab, Bain

Justin Ángel Knighten
Associate Administrator, Office of External Affairs, FEMA

Katie LaFranchi
HR Consultant, Amplēo

Kate LaVail
Managing Director of Research and Analytics, Ketchum

Alise Marshall
Senior Director of Corporate Affairs and Impact, Pinterest

Eleanor McManus
Co-founder and Partner, Trident DMG

Laura Miller
Managing Editor, Metropolitan State University of Denver

Kenny Mintz
Communications, Gamefam

Elizabeth Monteleone
Chief Legal Officer, Bumble

Melissa Moody
Director, Corporate Communications, Merck

Mandy Mooney
Director, Internal Communications, Prologis

Andres ‘Dre’ Muñiz
Associate Director – Global Manufacturing & Quality Communications, Eli Lilly and Company

Joanna Piacenza
Vice President of Thought Leadership, Gravity Research

Tod Plotkin
CEO/Founder, Green Buzz Agency

Scott Radcliffe
Global Director of Cybersecurity, FleishmanHillard

Judy Rader
Senior Vice President, Corporate Affairs and Chief Communications Officer, Constellation

Michael Ramsey
Senior Vice President, Communications and Marketing, Scouting America

Ashley Richardson
Senior Communications Leader, Capital One

Auva Saghafi
Content Marketing Specialist, SXSW EDU

Kyra Seay
Chief of Staff, Third Wave Systems

Liz Stein
Managing Director, One Strategy Group

Emily Teitelbaum
Chief Communications Officer, Libra Group

Dan Thomas
Chief, Communications & Strategic Events, United Nations Global Compact

Paul Wendel
Senior Director, Purpose Communications & Strategic Engagements, Cisco

Yumi Wilson
Professor, Broadcast and Electronic Communication Arts, San Francisco State University

Jim Ylisela
Co-Founder and Senior Partner, RCG

2024 Sponsors

TITANIUM SPONSOR:
• Axios HQ

PLATINUM SPONSORS:
• Prophet
• PlayPlay
• Wotkvivo
• Appspace
• Blink
• Caliber
• Cision
• Communications Leadership Council
• Interact
• Kite Hill
• Lumapps
• MangoApps
• Muck Rack
• Newsmatics
• Notified
• Pendulum
• PoliteMail
• PR Daily Awards
• Prowly
• RCG
• Resolver
• Signal AI
• Simpplr
• Social Edge
• Staffbase
• Swoop
• Workshop