SCHEDULE DETAILS

Event Agenda

The agenda features keynote sessions from leading government communicators, practical case studies, and expert insights into crisis communications, digital engagement, internal influence, misinformation, and building public trust across government.

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Foundations of trust, clarity and preparedness across internal,external and digital communication.

7:00 AM Registration opens

8:40 AM Welcome to Country

8:50 AM Opening remarks from the Chair

9:00 AM Keynote: Messaging in an era of scepticism: being transparent while building trust

Framing honest messages that acknowledge risks and constraints while still highlighting progress and benefits
Applying techniques to frame messages in a way that reduces defensiveness and cynicism without obscuring key facts
Anticipating sceptical reactions and addressing them upfront to foster more constructive, trust‑building public conversations over time

9:30 AM Panel discussion: Doing more with less: high-impact communication using existing tools, teams and channels

Identifying cost-effective ways to craft clear, compelling messages that resonate with diverse government audiences
Designing creative approaches to stakeholder engagement and media relations without relying on large budgets
Maximising the value of the communication tools and channels you already have, improving efficiency and impact without additional investment

Moderator:

Panellists:

10:00 AM Partner Insight: Hello AI. Goodbye templates?

Building the business case for agentic document templates
Embedding plain language best practice at every stage
Keeping the human in the driver’s seat

10:30 AM International keynote: Under the spotlight: Springfield’s rapid response to a national misinformation storm

Developing a rapid-response communications strategy to counter fast-moving false narratives and protect public safety
Coordinating consistent, evidence-based messaging across channels to reinforce the source of truth and minimise escalation
Maintaining community trust during high-tension periods by communicating transparently with residents

11:00 AM Morning refreshments

Building engaged and future-ready internal communications teams

Chair:

11:30 AM Panel discussion: Building an internal communications function from the ground up (with limited resources)

Identifying immediate needs and priorities to focus your internal communications strategy
Leveraging cost-effective tools, channels, and activities to maximise impact with limited resources
Building support by demonstrating quick wins and aligning comms efforts with the needs of your employees and leadership

Panellists:

12:00 PM Partner Insight: Leveraging AI and emerging tech to streamline internal collaboration

Demonstrating how AI and digital tools can streamline internal communications and free up team capacity
Showcasing real-world applications that deliver personalised, timely messaging
Integrating new tools without overwhelming teams groups

12:30 PM Positioning comms as a strategic function and driving internal influence

Spotting what keeps comms stuck at the end of the process, and why teams struggle to be involved early in decisions.
Shifting from “doing the work” to shaping the conversation, so comms is seen as a trusted partner, not just a service.
Securing leadership buy-in and resources by demonstrating communications’ measurable organisational impact

1:00 PM Networking luncheon

2:00 PM Reaching remote, frontline and distributed teams with targeted communication

Understanding the communication challenges faced by frontline and dispersed workforce
Developing strategies to connect with dispersed, remote, and frontline teams
Reducing disconnect between office-based and field teams

2:30 PM Case study: The value of internal comms in the action: partnering to build trust and connection

Demonstrating the value of truly embedding Internal Communications during a time of significant change
Building trust and connection through real-time storytelling
Giving voice to staff to build true peer-to-peer communication and boost engagement

3:00 PM Afternoon refreshments

Afternoon Plenary

3:30 PM Roundtable discussions

1. AI use cases beyond ChatGPT

2. Community co-design & engagement tactics to build long-term trust

3. Balancing content volume vs quality in social strategy

4. Working effectively with agencies and creative partners

5. Building and developing resilient communications teams

6. Tools & techniques for high-engagement social content

4:10 PM Empowering leaders to speak with impact to amplify government messages

Recognising why leader visibility across channels builds trust and engagement

Applying user research to tailor communications for regulated businesses

Preparing leaders to engage confidently and authentically with stakeholders

4:40 PM Closing remarks from the Chair and end of day one

4:45 PM Networking drinks reception

Strengthening public trust and credibility through strategic external communications

Chair:

11:30 AM Achieving consistent, credible communication during declared emergencies

Coordinating messaging to ensure credibility and consistency under intense public and media scrutiny during emergencies
Responding in real time to public inquiries, misinformation, and evolving risks in natural disasters like bushfires
Applying practical decision-making frameworks to prioritise communications rapidly and effectively in fast-moving crisis situations

12:00 PM Partner Insight: Workflow automation for faster, clearer public responses

Identifying communications steps that can be safely automated

Implementing faster approvals and consistent output without losing nuance

Evaluating the impact of automation on staff productivity and strategic focus to optimise ongoing communication efforts

12:30 PM Panel discussion: Preparing for criticism: proactive strategies to reduce backlash before going public

Identifying potential challenges and concerns the public may raise regarding change, policy, or new initiatives
Building credible, clear messaging that pre-empts criticism and strengthens public trust from the outset
Equipping communication teams to respond confidently and consistently to pushback while maintaining transparency and authenticity
Learning how advance planning and proactive engagement mitigate reputational risks and support smoother message delivery

Moderator:

Panellists:

1:00 PM Networking luncheon

2:00 PM Rebuilding public trust after negative publicity

Developing strategies for restoring credibility and confidence following a crisis or negative publicity

Engaging stakeholders transparently to address concerns and demonstrate accountability

Planning phased communications to rebuild reputation and support long-term organisational resilience

2:30 PM Anticipating and neutralising misinformation during crises

Identifying early warning signs of misinformation and reputational risk

Applying tactical communications interventions to disrupt false or misleading stories early

Coordinating rapid, confident responses with media and stakeholders to prevent escalation

3:00 PM Afternoon refreshments

Afternoon Plenary

3:30 PM Roundtable discussions

1. AI use cases beyond ChatGPT

2. Community co-design & engagement tactics to build long-term trust

3. Balancing content volume vs quality in social strategy

4. Working effectively with agencies and creative partners

5. Building and developing resilient communications teams

6. Tools & techniques for high-engagement social content

4:10 PM Empowering leaders to speak with impact to amplify government messages

Recognising why leader visibility across channels builds trust and engagement

Applying user research to tailor communications for regulated businesses

Preparing leaders to engage confidently and authentically with stakeholders

4:40 PM Closing remarks from the Chair and end of day one

4:45 PM Networking drinks reception

Driving impact and engagement through digital tools, and social media

Chair:

11:30 AM Using data to demonstrate effectiveness of social media campaigns and support strategy

Interpreting social media analytics to identify meaningful performance insights beyond basic metrics

Applying data to assess the impact and effectiveness of digital campaigns and overall social media strategies

Communicating data-driven results compellingly to stakeholders to justify decisions and influence strategic planning

12:00 AM Partner Insight: Harnessing public sentiment to shape digital strategy

Analysing public sentiment and attitudes through social listening to better understand community perceptions

Using insight to anticipate community concerns

Adapting content in real time for relevance and trust

12:30 PM Communicating complex topics and language through social media

Balancing subject-matter accuracy with audience comprehension

Translating complex, policy-heavy or specialist language into clear, engaging social content

Using frameworks and collaborative processes to align researchers, policy teams and comms staff around audience-led messaging

1:00 PM Networking luncheon

2:00 PM Case Study: Building a single source of truth through social media during four major flood events

Understanding how to navigate and cut through overwhelming social media noise during major emergencies to maintain clear public communication

Applying strategies to streamline complex, community-generated social media updates into a reliable, single source of truth

Managing the flow of community updates and misinformation to direct audiences to authoritative information

2:30 PM Case study: Using research to understand community expectations for government social media

Using a traditional survey approach to understand what the community wants to see on government social media channels

Applying the findings to consolidate social media channels and improve content planning

Identifying which government accounts people know about, what they find useful and how they interact with them

3:00 PM Afternoon refreshments

Afternoon Plenary

3:30 PM Roundtable discussions

1. AI use cases beyond ChatGPT

2. Community co-design & engagement tactics to build long-term trust

3. Balancing content volume vs quality in social strategy

4. Working effectively with agencies and creative partners

5. Building and developing resilient communications teams

6. Tools & techniques for high-engagement social content

4:10 PM Empowering leaders to speak with impact to amplify government messages

Recognising why leader visibility across channels builds trust and engagement

Applying user research to tailor communications for regulated businesses

Preparing leaders to engage confidently and authentically with stakeholders

4:40 PM Closing remarks from the Chair and end of day one

4:45 PM Networking drinks reception

Alignment, inclusion andfuture capability across the full comms ecosystem.

8:00 AM Registration opens

8:50 AM Opening remarks from the Chair

9:00 AM How to communicate from the inside, out: aligning messaging during a crisis

Assessing why strong internal communications lay the essential foundation for credible and coordinated external crisis messaging

Applying strategies to build effective collaboration and real-time alignment between internal and external communications during rapidly evolving crises

Establishing protocols to ensure consistent, timely updates flow seamlessly between internal teams and external teams

9:30 AM Building a unified communications strategy across a decentralised organisation

Unifying communications across dispersed teams to ensure clear, consistent messaging and stronger collaboration at every level

Implementing practical frameworks and best practices to foster cross-departmental collaboration

Aligning internal and external messaging strategically to build organisational credibility, create seamless stakeholder experiences, and reinforce a unified voice

10:00 AM Partner Insight: Ethical AI in the public sector – what can (and can’t) be done responsibly?

Examining the ethical and governance considerations of using AI in public sector communications

Developing strategies for applying AI tools without compromising transparency, accountability, or public trust

Integrating AI tools that amplify the authentic government voice

10:30 AM International Case Study: When every message matters: what Buncombe County learned from Hurricane Helene

Delivering clear, timely, and life-saving information during infrastructure and communications outages

Reaching vulnerable and disconnected residents through multi-channel, low-tech, community-based methods

Applying five practical crisis-communications actions to strengthen preparedness and build community resilience

11:00 AM Morning refreshments

Building engaged and future-ready internal communications teams

Chair:

11:30 AM Case Study: Uplifting internal communication at Services Australia

Designing and implementing a research program to understand staff communication needs, preferences and pain points

Influencing executive and leadership communication to build trust and engagement

Optimising the use of communication channels – including email, intranet and Viva Engage

12:00 PM Partner insight: Enhancing employee engagement and encouraging advocacy with tech

Exploring digital platforms and tools that enable employees to actively engage

Using insights to personalise internal messages

Measuring impact to strengthen organisational culture and boost internal engagement

12:30 PM Making mandatory communications engaging: cutting through information overload and fatigue

Capturing employee attention for dry and mandatory messaging while reducing communication fatigue

Designing engaging, accessible content that encourages attention

Testing and refining messaging for maximum attention

1:00 PM Networking luncheon

2:00 PM Effectively communicating organisational change to support employee wellbeing and engagement

Navigating communication challenges inherent in continuous organisational change

Developing frameworks to engage and support employees during periods of change

Applying tactics to maintain transparency and build trust

2:30 PM Panel discussion: Enhancing wellbeing and resilience: Internal communications for a healthier public sector workforce

Recognising signs of stress and burnout by fostering open, ongoing staff dialogue

Building psychological safety through inclusive, empathetic communication practices

Reinforcing access to supports by actively connecting employees with wellbeing resources and programs

Moderator:

Panellists:

3:00 PM Afternoon refreshments

Afternoon Plenary

3:30 PM Panel discussion: Building high-performing communications teams to adapt and thrive under pressure

Prioritising and streamlining team efforts to respond swiftly and effectively to changing priorities and emerging challenges

Building a culture of continuous learning and empowerment by developing new skills and giving team members ownership and autonomy

Leading and nurturing resilience within the team to sustain high performance and adaptability in resource-constrained environments

Moderator:

Panellists:

4:00 PM Protecting trust and neutrality as a government comms team

Remaining a trusted, neutral source of information for the community

Maintaining clear, factual communication that keeps the focus on evidence, policy intent and public impact rather than political contest

Using practical frameworks and guardrails in your team to stay aligned, consistent and calm when priorities, narratives or ministerial directions shift

4:30 PM Closing remarks from the Chair and end of conference

Strengthening public trust and credibility through strategic external communications

Chair:

11:30 AM Panel discussion: Building constructive media relationships in a high-scrutiny environment

Structuring approaches to engage media proactively and foster mutual trust

Navigating high-scrutiny situations to maintain credibility and control over messaging

Directing challenging media interactions to turn potential risks into opportunities for transparency

Moderator:

Panellists:

12:00 PM Partner insight: Translating policy to plain language to better interact with your communities

Translating complex policy and technical language into plain English to improve public understanding

Crafting messages that reflect the public voice

Simplifying communication content to build trust and increase engagement

12:30 PM Case Study: Young Aboriginal Leaders Program: reaching First Nations audiences through inclusive campaigns

Crafting campaigns that are culturally sensitive and resonate with diverse communities

Applying engagement strategies tailored to multicultural and First Nations audiences

Evaluating campaign effectiveness to ensure inclusivity, accessibility, and meaningful community connection

1:00 PM Networking luncheon

2:00 PM Communicating at scale: reaching dispersed audiences across a large geographical remit

Evaluating diverse, scalable communication methods for large and dispersed audiences

Designing low-cost, high-impact campaigns using a mix of digital and traditional tools

Measuring and refining outreach approaches to boost inclusivity and engagement

2:30 PM Case study: A research-based approach to shape effective messaging and connect with audiences

Analysing climate and energy discourses and language

Applying research to bridge communication gap

Creating a messaging framework to reach audiences

3:00 PM Afternoon refreshments

Afternoon Plenary

3:30 PM Panel discussion: Building high-performing communications teams to adapt and thrive under pressure

Prioritising and streamlining team efforts to respond swiftly and effectively to changing priorities and emerging challenges

Building a culture of continuous learning and empowerment by developing new skills and giving team members ownership and autonomy

Leading and nurturing resilience within the team to sustain high performance and adaptability in resource-constrained environments

Moderator:

Panellists:

4:00 PM Protecting trust and neutrality as a government comms team

Remaining a trusted, neutral source of information for the community

Maintaining clear, factual communication that keeps the focus on evidence, policy intent and public impact rather than political contest

Using practical frameworks and guardrails in your team to stay aligned, consistent and calm when priorities, narratives or ministerial directions shift

4:30 PM Closing remarks from the Chair and end of conference

Driving impact and engagement through digital tools,and social media

Chair:

11:30 AM Creating accessible and inclusive social media content for diverse audiences

Designing social media content that meets accessibility standards

Applying community-driven strategies to engage underrepresented groups

Leveraging social media platforms’ accessibility features to broaden reach and foster equitable engagement

12:00 AM Partner insight: Maximising social media impact through scheduling and automation

Planning and delivering consistent, timely content across platforms using scheduling tools

Improving responsiveness to emerging opportunities or issues through automation

Streamlining workflows to free up time and resources

12:30 PM Panel discussion: Selecting social media channels to engage and connect with diverse age groups

Understanding how different age brackets discover, consume and interact with content across major social platforms

Selecting the right mix of channels and formats

Adjusting your content and posting approach to build trust and engagement across generations

Moderator:

Panellists:

1:00 PM Networking luncheon

2:00 PM Creative social media in government: how to strike the right balance

Understanding the balance between the need for creative, trend-responsive social content and maintaining government voice

Hearing from social media teams that are pushing the boundaries of government content

Enhancing engagement and public trust by blending creativity with clear, authoritative messaging in government social media

2:30 PM Case study: Adapting to recent social media algorithm changes to maintain community engagement and trust

The importance of a strategy that can adapt to sudden algorithm changes that will affect your social media channels effectiveness

Steps to build new forms of content such as storytelling carousels, reels and polls to engage the community within existing resources

Continually using data insights and benchmarking to analyse current strategies and content type performance

3:00 PM Afternoon refreshments

Afternoon Plenary

3:30 PM Panel discussion: Building high-performing communications teams to adapt and thrive under pressure

Prioritising and streamlining team efforts to respond swiftly and effectively to changing priorities and emerging challenges

Building a culture of continuous learning and empowerment by developing new skills and giving team members ownership and autonomy

Leading and nurturing resilience within the team to sustain high performance and adaptability in resource-constrained environments

Moderator:

Panellists:

4:00 PM Protecting trust and neutrality as a government comms team

Remaining a trusted, neutral source of information for the community

Maintaining clear, factual communication that keeps the focus on evidence, policy intent and public impact rather than political contest

Using practical frameworks and guardrails in your team to stay aligned, consistent and calm when priorities, narratives or ministerial directions shift

4:30 PM Closing remarks from the Chair and end of conference

9:00 AM - 12:00 PM AI in government comms: when it helps, when it harms, and how to decide

AI tools are already in your team’s workflows, whether you’ve endorsed them or not. Using AI poorly can waste time, damage trust, create risk, or undermine the authenticity your audience expects. This workshop focuses on helping communications practitioners and leaders make clear, defensible decisions about if, when and how AI should be used in communications. It will address practical questions teams are already dealing with related to AI, risk and accountability so you can make decisions informed by evidence, not anxiety.
The session will draw on real examples, peer discussion and shared experience. Participants will hear from others who are experimenting with AI, those who have decided to limit its use, and those working through governance and capability questions.

By attending the workshop, you will gain:

A clearer understanding of where AI may and may not be appropriate in communications

Practical ways to assess risk, ethics and trust considerations

Examples of effective and problematic AI use in communications

Insight into the governance and capability issues teams are navigating

12:00 PM Lunch Break

1:00 PM - 4:00 PM Workshop: Going beyond ‘one-size-fits-all' messaging to engage your full audience

In today’s diverse society, one-size-fits-all messaging no longer works for effective government communication. This workshop will explore practical strategies to tailor messages and select channels that resonate with different population segments, including regional versus city residents, multiple generations, multicultural communities, First Nations peoples, and those with limited or no digital access. Participants will learn how to combine traditional and modern communication tools to ensure inclusivity, relevance, and trust.

By attending the workshop, you’ll learn:

Mapping and segmenting diverse audiences to understand differing needs, values, and communication preferences

Crafting plain English, culturally sensitive messages that genuinely reflect community voices and priorities

Designing multi-channel communication plans blending offline, digital, and community-based outreach to maximize reach and impact

SCHEDULE DETAILS

Event Agenda

Foundations of trust, clarity and preparedness across internal,external and digital communication.

7:00 AM Registration opens

8:40 AM Welcome to Country

Annabelle Hudson

Natalie Gibson

Moderator:

Annabelle Hudson

Panellists:

Belinda Merhab

Leni VU

Rachel Lee

Lucy Benjamin

Rachel Bastow

Bryan Heck

11:00 AM Morning refreshments

Building engaged and future-ready internal communications teams

Chair:

Michele Barry

Panellists:

Alison Errey

Dijanna Ratajkoski

Louise Excell

Belinda Merhab

Melanie Gibbons

Melissa Martin

1:00 PM Networking luncheon

Carolyn Altan

Allan Hobbs

Tayla Blewitt-Gray

3:00 PM Afternoon refreshments

Afternoon Plenary

1. AI use cases beyond ChatGPT

Bonnie Johnson

2. Community co-design & engagement tactics to build long-term trust

Katie Russell

3. Balancing content volume vs quality in social strategy

Shannon Eurell

4. Working effectively with agencies and creative partners

Lisa Ranson

5. Building and developing resilient communications teams

Averill Deans

6. Tools & techniques for high-engagement social content

Nick Plunkett

Rochelle Hurst

4:40 PM Closing remarks from the Chair and end of day one

Strengthening public trust and credibility through strategic external communications

Chair:

Annabelle Hudson

Laura White

Moderator:

Annabelle Hudson

Panellists:

Carolyn Altan

Blair Speedy

Bronwyn Pollock

Paul Smitheram

1:00 PM Networking luncheon

Alison Errey

Blair Speedy

3:00 PM Afternoon refreshments

Afternoon Plenary

1. AI use cases beyond ChatGPT

Bonnie Johnson

2. Community co-design & engagement tactics to build long-term trust

Katie Russell

3. Balancing content volume vs quality in social strategy

Shannon Eurell

4. Working effectively with agencies and creative partners

5. Building and developing resilient communications teams

Averill Deans

6. Tools & techniques for high-engagement social content

Donna Elkins

Rochelle Hurst

4:40 PM Closing remarks from the Chair and end of day one

Driving impact and engagement through digital tools, and social media

Chair:

Donna Elkins

Nick Plunkett