AGENDA OVERVIEW

#SUNCON24

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Thursday, July 25

1:15pm: Opening Ceremony & Welcome Remarks (Location: Promenade East & West)

1:30 – 2:30pm: Opening Keynote – Disney’s Approach to Leadership Excellence presented by James Keenan, Engagement Manager, the Disney Institute (Location: Promenade East & West)

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2:30 – 2:45pm: Break  – Grab a snack and visit our exhibitors and sponsors (Location: Marvin Gardens)

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2:45-3:30pm: Breakout Sessions A

• Breakout 1: Modern-Day Employee Communication: Internal is External – Walt Disney World Communications & Public Affairs team panelists: Lori Besig, Senior Manager, Communications, Walt Disney World; Mallory Ledet, Public Relations Manager, Walt Disney World; Tristen Gell, Senior Manager, Communications, Walt Disney World (Location: Promenade East & West)
• Breakout 2: Space Comms: It’s Not Rocket Science…or Is It? – Anna Farrar, Vice President of Corporate Communications, Space Florida (Location: Salon IV-VI)
• Breakout 3:  (AI Generated) Content is King: Reimagining Authenticity – Alyssa Howard, Vice President, Golin (Location: Salon II-III)

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3:30 – 3:45pm: Break Grab a snack and visit our exhibitors and sponsors (Location: Marvin Gardens)

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3:45-4:30pm: Afternoon Keynote – The Strategic Storyteller: Mastering Crisis Communication in an Online World presented by Molly McPherson, APR, Author and Crisis Public Relations Manager (Location: Promenade East & West)

4:30pm: Geri Evans Award for Distinguished Service (Location: Promenade East & West)

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4:30-5pm: Exhibitor & Refreshment Room Open (Location: Marvin Gardens)

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5pm: Dinner on own

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7:45 – 9:30pm: Opening Night Reception* (Location: International Gateway of EPCOT, Italy Isola and West Plaza)
Enjoy an evening of networking with friends. The Walt Disney World Communications & Public Affairs team invites our eligible attendees* to celebrate together at an Opening Night Reception at EPCOT. Eligible attendees* will receive a wristband at conference check-in. Details on transportation and more will be emailed and also provided at check-in.

*This is LIMITED ATTENDANCE due to capacity and is not included with reduced-rate Student registrations. Wristbands will be distributed at conference check-in at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn.

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Friday, July 26

7 – 7:55am: Continental Breakfast, sponsored by AdventHealth (Location: Promenade Foyer)

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7:55- 8:50am: Morning Keynote – Erase the Lines: Embracing Equity and Overcoming Bias presented by Tekoa Pouerie, National Bias Trainer and Leadership Catalyst (Location: Promenade East & West)

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9– 9:50am: Breakout Sessions B

• Breakout 1: Pitching with Precision: Trends, Storytelling, and Interview Strategies for Media Success – Marcia Gomez, President, Blank Canvas Communications and Lecturer, University of Miami School of Communications; Cheryn Stone, host of Engage, Central Florida Public Media; Daniel Torchia, APR, Managing Director, Partner/Consultant, Torchia Communications, Inc.; Moderator –  Dan Ward, APR, CPRC, President, Curley & Pynn Public Relations Management (Location: Salon IV-VI)
• Breakout 2:  Tell Your Story – Alice Fairfax, Author and Story Coach (Location: Promenade East & West)
• Breakout 3:  Building Brand Trust from the Inside out Through Employee Advocacy – Bo Breuklander, Principal Consultant, Breuklander Comms (Location: Salon II-III)
• Breakout 4:  Advancing the Profession: Accreditation in Public Relations (APR): Why and How to Apply #APR #PRSA & College of Fellows: Preparing to Apply – #AspireHigher –  Jamie Floer, APR, CPRC, Fellow PRSA, Communications Manager, Toho Water Authority; Jennifer Trefelner, APR, CPRC, Director of Communications and Development, Diocese of Palm Beach (Location: Salon I)

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9:50 – 10am: Break – Grab a snack and visit our exhibitors and sponsors (Location: Marvin Gardens)

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10 – 10:50am: Breakout Sessions C

• Breakout 1:  Blueprint for Growth: Strategic Planning for PR Professionals – Patti Brownsord, Partner, Grounded with Data (Location: Salon IV-VI)
• Breakout 2: Behind the Looking Glass: Influencing Results Through Trauma-Informed Storytelling – Heather Morgan, APR, Vice President of Communications and Business Development, MHP Salud; Andrea McNally, Director of Public Relations and Communications, MHP Salud (Location: Promenade East & West)
• Breakout 3: Taking the Leap Out on Your Own – Wendy Kurtz, MBA, APR, CPRC, Fellow PRSA, President, Elizabeth Charles & Associates; Wendy J. Roundtree, APR, Founder, Lead Strategist, Jarel Communications; Kevin Bakewell, APR,  Principal, Bakewell Public Relations LLC; Moderator – Stu Opperman, APR, Founder & President, Impact Players (Location: Salon II-III)

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10:50-11am: Break – Grab a snack and visit our exhibitors and sponsors (Location: Marvin Gardens)

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11-11:50am: Breakout Sessions D

• Breakout 1: A Real Fairy Tale: Write the Happy Ending to Your Career Story – J.W. Arnold, APR, Fellow PRSA, principal of PRDC Public Relations; Kena Lewis, APR, Fellow PRSA, Assistant Vice President of Public Affairs and Media Relations for Orlando Health; Mickey Nall, APR, Fellow PRSA, Professional in Residence, Senior Lecturer, College of Journalism and Communications University of Florida (Location: Salon II-III)
• Breakout 2: Your Permacrisis Playbook: Leading with Strategic Communications When It Matters Most – Megan Paquin, APR, CPRC, Founder & CEO, Paquin Public Relations (Location: Salon IV-VI)
• Breakout 3: Elevate Your Brand Story Through Community Engagement and Visual Magic  –  Demorris Lee, PR Strategist, Hillsborough County Board of Commissioners; Cristina Calvet, MBA, APR, Founder & CEO, Wonderland; Julie Kostic, Founder & Creative Director, JK Creative; Moderator – Laura Kern, APR, Sr. Director of Web and Digital Strategy, Rollins College (Location: Promenade East & West)

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12 – 1:30pm: Lunch Buffet Service (Location: Promenade Foyer)

12 – 1:50pm: Radiance Awards Luncheon presented by Publix – Keynote Radiance Awards Speaker: Joseph Abreu, APR, CPRC (Location: Promenade East & West)
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1:50 – 2:15pm: Cool-Down Break – An assortment of ice cream novelties and fruit bars (Location: Marvin Gardens)

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2:15 – 2:55pm: Closing Keynote Speaker – The Transformative Power of Trust, Communication & Teamwork presented by Haley Carter, VP of Soccer Operations and General Manager, Orlando Pride (Location: Promenade East & West)

2:55-3pm: Closing Remarks & PRSA SunCon25 Teaser #SunCon24 Adjourns (Location: Promenade East & West)

3-3:30pm: Last Chance to Meet Exhibitors and Sponsors (Location: Marvin Gardens)

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Questions about #SunCon24? Email conference@prsasunshine.org.