National Grassroots Conference
January 30 - February 2, 2012 - Eden Roc, A Renaissance Beach Resort & Spa - Miami Beach, Fla.
2012 AGENDA
Monday, January 30
3:00 p.m.
Proving the Value of Grassroots: Research from the Congressional Management Foundation
Are you looking for data to demonstrate that elected officials are affected by regular constituent communications? Grassroots conference favorite Brad Fitch, President and CEO of the Congressional Management Foundation, will share CMF's most recent research on trends in communicating with Congress.
Brad Fitch
President & CEO
Congressional Management Foundation
@congressfdn @bradfitch
4:30 p.m.
Meet Your Mentor
Is this your first National Grassroots Conference? Sign up to get connected to a mentor who can help you make the most of the conference AND your career.
5:00 p.m.
Welcome to Miami Beach Networking Reception
Get to know your fellow attendees - then explore Miami with the new friends you've made.
Generously Sponsored by: Edelman - Grassroots Enterprise
www.grassroots.com | @EdelmanPR
Tuesday, January 31
Conference Internet Access
Generously Sponsored by: Davies
www.daviespublicaffairs.com | @DaviesPA
7:30 a.m.
Registration/Networking Breakfast
Generously Sponsored by: DDC Advocacy
www.ddcadvocacy.com | @DDCAdvocacy
8:00 a.m.
General Session: Who Says There Are No Friends in Politics? How Facebook and Social Media are Reinventing Advocacy
One thing is guaranteed for the 2012 election cycle: online communication strategies will reinvent the way people participate in the democratic process. Get ahead of the game by hearing how a leading social media platform is empowering everyone to become an advocate.
Kathryn Harbath
Associate Manager for Policy
Facebook
@facebook @katieharbath
Generously sponsored by: Adfero Group
9:30 a.m.
Break
9:45 a.m.
Concurrent Workshops A
A1: Going Public: Identifying and Recruiting New Advocates Online (new)
Savvy organizations are willing to take their cause beyond employees and members. But where do you start? Hear how outreach through issue advertising and other online strategies can help you reach new, key constituencies including customers, community leaders and the general public.
Travis Gianchetta
Partner
Beekeeper Group
@BeekeeperGroup @travisjg
Nick Schaper
Executive Director, Digital Strategic Communications
U.S. Chamber of Commerce
A2: Planting the Seeds: Building a Successful Grassroots Program
Every grassroots program has to start (or restart) somewhere. Hear from fellow professionals who have built programs from scratch and how they determined strategies and tactics for success.
Laura C. Perrotta
Director, Government Relations
American Traffic Safety Services Association
@ATSSAHQ @lauraperrotta
Katherine O'Donnell Wright
Manager, Grassroots Advocacy & Communications
Medtronic, Inc.
A3: Reinventing Regulation: Fundamentals of Regulatory Advocacy (Part I)
Learn how the regulatory process works and how grassroots can have the greatest impact on the process.
Martin W. Fisher
Government Relations
Serlin Haley LLP
@Serlinhaley
11:00 a.m.
Break
11:15 a.m.
Concurrent Workshops B
B1: Facebook Forums 101 (special feature)
Have you ever wished you could have a Facebook pro teach you how to use Facebook for advocacy? Facebook's Katie Harbath will teach you all the basics - from creating a page and driving traffic to making the case internally for why social media is a worthwhile investment for advocacy.
Kathryn Harbath
Associate Manager for Policy
Facebook
@facebook @katieharbath
B2: We Are the Champions: What it Takes to Build Grassroots Leaders
The days of command and control grassroots are done. Today's advocacy is about empowering others to speak and lead on your behalf. From grasstops to key contacts, learn how you can build grassroots champions to further your cause.
Laura Fogelman
Public Affairs Manager
McKesson Corporation
@laurafogelman
Senior Associate, Member Advocacy
Society for Human Resource Management
@SHRMATeam
B3: Are You A Master Networker? (new) (Repeats)
Successful advocacy depends on relationships, but have you invested in the rights ones? Hear from a professional networking trainer on how to expand your network, enhance your reputation and use your time wisely, both online and off.
Jim Wylde
Associate
Contacts Count
@ContactsCount @JimWylde
12:30 p.m.
Luncheon Keynote Address: Business and Society (new)
We've conducted a new, landmark survey on public attitudes about business and government. The results demonstrate what people expect from companies and which messages resonate with the public.
Douglas G. Pinkham
President
Public Affairs Council
@PACouncil
Generously Sponsored by: The RAP Index
www.therapindex.com | @RAP_Index
1:00 p.m.
Grassroots Resource Marketplace Opens
1:45 p.m.
Concurrent Workshops C
C1: Putting a Face to a Name: Why Video Advocacy Works (new)
In a sea of blast emails, an authentic face and voice via video stands out. In 30 seconds or less, organizations can harness the power of a personal story to improve both advocate engagement and political impact. Hear how you can achieve the same success.
Grassroots Coordinator
American Motorcyclist Association
Claire McDonough
Director of Online Advocacy
National Association of REALTORS
@realtoraction
C2: All Politics is Local: The Role of Townhall Meetings in Your Grassroots Plan (new)
Groups are hosting both in-person and virtual townhalls to connect legislators and candidates directly with the voters. If you're looking to call attention to an important issue in your community, this could prove to be a key strategy.
Ken Nickell
Senior Advisor, Advocacy Campaigns
AARP
@AARPadvocates @KenNickell
Brett Weisel
Advocacy Manager
Feeding America
@FeedingAmerica @brett_weisel
C3: Grassroots Goes Global (new)
Join a future-focused discussion on the evolution of grassroots as a global engagement strategy. We'll discuss what U.S. and international grassroots lobbying efforts have in common and how companies can find synergy with both programs.
Scott Allinson
Vice President, Public Affairs
Human Resources Professionals Association
@hrpa @JSAllinson
Michaela Mojzis-Boehm
Senior Consultant and Partner
Sprache am Markt, Inc.
@MichiMojzis
2:45 p.m.
Networking Break
Generously Sponsored by: SevenTwenty Strategies
www.seventwentystrategies.com | @720Strategies
3:15 p.m.
Sharpening Tools: Communications Roundtables
Join a facilitated discussion on key communications challenges and tools.
D1: Internal Communication Roundtables (new)
Exchange ideas for improving communication across functions, including government relations, PACs and public relations.
D2: External Communication Roundtables (new)
Discuss how your message translates to both traditional and social media and how that message comes across to advocates and elected officials.
D3: Communication Tools of the Trade Roundtables
See examples of what makes communication tools such as calls to action, newsletters and websites succeed or fail.
4:15 p.m.
Break
4:30 p.m.
Concurrent Workshops E
E1: Beyond Policy: Grassroots for Community Engagement (new)
Grassroots is no longer just a tool to advance your public policy agenda. Forward-thinking organizations integrate grassroots efforts with community outreach to foster long-term, public dialogue and build a positive reputation. Learn how you can make grassroots a broadly applied strategy for your organization.
Michael Joseph Capaldi
AVP, Civic Action & Social Networking
Sanofi US
@sanofiUSvoices @mikecapaldi
Monica Whalin del Rio
Community Affairs and Grassroots Specialist
Southwest Airlines
@SouthwestAir @MonicaWhalin
E2: I Voted! Key Issues for Grassroots in an Election Year
We'll share creative ideas you can use in your GOTV programs and discuss legal minefields associated with express advocacy, issue advertising and candidate forums.
Kenneth A. Gross
Partner
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom
@SkaddenArps
Colleen Vivori
Director, Public Affairs and Outreach
National Association of Manufacturers
@ShopfloorNAM @cvivori
E3: Are You A Master Networker? (new) (Repeat)
Successful advocacy depends on relationships, but have you invested in the right ones? Hear from a professional networking trainer on how to expand your network, enhance your reputation and use your time wisely - both online and off.
Jim Wylde
Associate
Contacts Count
@ContactsCount @JimWylde
5:30 p.m.
Resource Marketplace & Networking Reception
The only annual event where you can meet the industry's leading providers of technology and grassroots management services. Discover the latest and greatest advances that could boost your program's performance.
Participating Exhibitors Include:
Advocate Interactive
Aristotle International
Beekeeper Group
CQ Roll Call
DDC Advocacy
Executive Communications, Inc.
Labels & Lists
Moore & Van Allen
SevenTwenty Strategies
State & Federal Communications
Vocus
Voice Broadcasting
VoterVOICE
Wednesday, February 1
7:45 a.m.
Networking Breakfast
Generously Sponsored by: CQ Roll Call
www.cqrollcall.com | @rollcall
8:15 a.m.
General Session: 2012 Grassroots Innovation Award Winners
Who will win this year's prestigious awards and be crowned industry leaders in Corporate Grassroots, Association Grassroots and Social Media Grassroots? Award-winners will share their strategies and the challenges they faced in creating innovative programs.
Generously Sponsored by: Resonate Networks
www.resonatenetworks.com | @resonatetweets
9:45 a.m.
Break
10:00 a.m.
Concurrent Workshops F
F1: Facebook Forums 202 (special feature)
Want to use the latest Facebook tools to drive your grassroots efforts? Facebook's Katie Harbath will be on hand to help you take advantage of all that Facebook has to offer.
Kathryn Harbath
Associate Manager for Policy
Facebook
@facebook @katieharbath
F2 and F3: Grassroots Management by Budget Size
Choose a corporate or association group in the room that best describes your current annual grassroots budget (excluding salaries). Participants will exchange insights on how to make strategic decisions based on available resources and how to build a budget to achieve your goals.
- F2: $0-$60,000
- F3: $60,000-$100,000+
11:00 a.m.
Networking Break
Generously Sponsored by: VoterVOICE
11:30 a.m.
Concurrent Workshops G
G1: Lead or Bleed: When Avoidance Is a Bad Media Strategy (new)
Avoidance is likely to do more harm than good in today's media environment. As public skepticism about lobbying increases, it's critical for organizations to engage in a proactive media strategy.
Tom Benjamin
Executive Vice President, Campaign Management
DDC Advocacy
@DDCAdvocacy
Craig J. Regelbrugge
Co-Chairman
Agriculture Coalition for Immigration Reform
G2: Beyond the Beltway: Grassroots in the States (new)
Members of Congress aren't the only elected officials listening more closely to constituents. Learn how organizations are taking their grassroots to state capitals and making a difference at all levels of government.
Justin Beland
Director, Advocacy Outreach
National Association of Children's Hospitals
@NACHRI @Speaknowforkids @JustinBeland
Yvette E. Williams
Manager, Political Programs
Johnson & Johnson
@JNJStories
G3: Strategies for Grassroots in the Regulatory Process (Part II)
In follow up to Tuesday's tutorial on the regulatory process, take a deeper dive and learn how grassroots advocacy can have a lasting impact.
Cody W. Lyon
Director, Grassroots & Policy Advocacy
American Farm Bureau Federation
Deryck Spooner
Senior Director of External Mobilization
American Petroleum Institute
12:45 p.m.
Boxed Lunch/Mentor Meet Up
Check in with your mentor to discuss new ideas and questions before enjoying a free afternoon.
Generously Sponsored by: Aristotle International
www.aristotle.com | @AristotleNews
5:30 p.m.
Beachfront Networking Reception
Reconvene with your colleagues for a networking reception before enjoying a free night to explore Miami.
Generously Sponsored by: Vocus
Thursday, February 2
8:30 a.m.
Networking Breakfast
9:00 a.m.
General Session: What Will 2012 Mean for Grassroots?
Generously Sponsored by: State and Federal Communications, Inc.
What does 2012 have in store for those who work in politics and advocacy? What issues will be the defining topics of the year and election? And how can an organization make a dent in the noise to bring their issue to the forefront of the debate?
Partner
DDC Advocacy
@DDCAdvocacy
Former Senior Aide and White House Political Director for President George W. Bush
www.stateandfed.com | @StateandFederal
10:00 a.m.
Break
10:15 a.m.
Concurrent Workshops H
H1: Telling Your Side of the Story
Storytelling is a key strategy for conveying your policy positions. Gain insights on becoming an effective storyteller and capturing the attention of your audience.
John Davies
Chairman & CEO
Davies
@DaviesPA
H2: Help Me! Corporate Grassroots Management Problem-Solving
Need some fresh ideas to fix a problem that's been plaguing you? Join a peer group of corporate grassroots professionals to share your challenge and collect advice on what others have done when faced with the same issue.
H3: Help Me! Association Grassroots Management Problem-Solving
Want to find out how other associations have engaged their members with success? Join a peer group of association grassroots professional and ask for ideas to address your toughest challenges.
11:15 a.m.
Concurrent Workshops I
I1: Reinventing You
You're a natural at training others to advocate for a cause but do you know how to advocate for yourself? Get a refresher on the most important skills you should be developing for your career and how you can demonstrate your value.
Lisa Ryan
Senior Vice President & Managing Director
Heyman Associates
12:00 p.m.
Adjournment
