Virtual Public Communications Spring Issues Mini Roundtables

May 23 (1:00-3:00 p.m. ET)

1:00-1:15 – Introductions

1:15-1:30 – APPA Advocacy Update

• Hear the latest on what’s happening inside the Beltway pertaining to public power and its advocacy priorities.

1:30-2:00 – Media Relations in Your Community

• The media landscape is likely changing in your community. Reporters are stretched thin across a variety of beats and are assigned stories with limited background information. In this environment, how do you work to adequately satisfy inquiries while proactively making sure that your key messages get out on influential platforms? What role do bloggers and other non-traditional “reporters” play in your community? How do you work with them?

2:00-2:30 – Social Media Wins and Losses

• Leveraging social media platforms for messaging to community stakeholder continues to be a moving target. Let’s talk about our “wins and losses” over the last year or so. Where did you see success? What was the source of your headaches?

2:30-3:00 – Open discussion/Wild card topics

• You’re in a safe space. Join your fellow public power communicators for an open discussion on what’s keeping you up at night… or anything else that may be on your mind.

June 6 (1:00-3:00 p.m. ET)

1:00-1:15 – Intros

1:15-1:30 – APPA Advocacy Update

• Hear the latest on what’s happening inside the Beltway pertaining to public power and its advocacy priorities.

1:30-2:00 – Reporting Your Communications Successes and Using Data to Step up Your Game

• As communicators, we are perpetually in the position of justifying and validating our efforts in an attempt to show our worth and maintain (or boost) our budgets. How do you quantify your work (using a mix of data and subjective reporting) to your leadership? How does this measurement inform your efforts moving forward?

2:00-2:30 – Advertising and sponsorships

• Public power prides itself on being close to the community. Many utilities have to walk a careful line when advertising their offerings, promoting their brand, and sponsoring worthy causes. Attendees are encouraged to come to the roundtable prepared to share the creative ways they handle advertising and/or sponsoring causes that support their communities.

2:30-3:00 – Open discussion/Wild card topics

• You’re in a safe space. Join your fellow public power communicators for an open discussion on what’s keeping you up at night… or anything else that may be on your mind.