The serial crises of 2020 demolished the silos separating exec comms and internal comms.
Now, exec comms pros and internal comms pros urgently need to build the shared philosophy and the set of best practices required to move from tactical cooperation to strategic collaboration.
They’re getting together so they can get it together to help their C-suite execs and other top lieutenants communicate to their people strategically, credibly, regularly, meaningfully and sustainably.
They’re hearing from the very best thinkers on internal comms and executive comms—and they’re learning from some of the most innovative practitioners, at Walmart, Intel, Target, Edelman and more. And they’re exchanging their ideas with one another, in an intimately interactive virtual environment.
Join them to learn:
- How to integrate exec comms and internal comms strategies—and where to keep them separate.
- How to develop internal thought leadership: on pandemic response, economic recovery, social justice, and workplace of the future.
- How to help execs do more than appear to listen—but actually hear, and respond.
- And how to show executives the impact they’re having with employees, so they’re motivated to continue investing their time and their effort and their best selves.
Attend solo, or include some colleagues. From these two short days of well-spent sessions, you’ll come away with a shared philosophy for exec comms and internal comms, dozens of well-tested best practices, and new colleagues you can count on.
AGENDA
(All Times Eastern)
Day One: Philosophy and Strategy
11:30-12:00 • Let’s Level Set: What’s the State of Internal Exec Comms—and Where Do You Stand?
Executive Communication Council executive director David Murray welcomes you to the conference, and then hands it over to ECC researcher Ryan Williams, who will share exclusive insights from the results of a survey conducted specifically to inform this conference.
12:00-12:45 • Exec Comms and Internal Comms: Two Disciplines Merge, for Power
This panel will get you all the way up to speed: ECC chief David Murray has followed exec comms and internal comms for 30 years, and will give us a quick, provocative perspective on how each has evolved to this point. Maureen Kasper has run exec comms operations for 25 years, and she’ll tell you why right now is easily the most vital time to be doing this work. For more than two decades, Priya Bates has innovated in internal communication; she’ll tell you where exec comms fits in these days. And John Onoda was removing barriers between communications functions 30 years ago at Levi-Strauss and applied these innovations in C-level comms jobs at GM, Visa, and Charles Schwab.
12:45-1:00 • Break
1:00-1:45 • From Program to Purpose: How to Convert Your Exec Comms into an “Imperative Story”
Leadership guru Justina Chen calls it a “Vision Narrative,” and you know you need it, to express your leader’s Worthy Purpose: vision, mission, and thought leadership. To advance why we can trust the leader as well as the organization we are building, where we are heading, and how we will impact the world. Armed with a well-crafted Vision Narrative, leaders create clarity. They impart confidence in even the toughest missions, campaigns, and projects. And they unite a team around a Worthy Purpose. In this session, Justina will share her methodology for conceiving and crafting a Vision Narrative—the imperative story for all leaders to share today.
1:45-2:30 p.m. • Breakout Roundtables
In warm, candid virtual roundtable meetings, engage with speakers and colleagues in a discussion of all the issues we’ve covered today—and whatever’s on your mind.
2:30-2:45 • Wrap-Up and Preview of Tomorrow, with David Murray and Conference Co-chair Sharon McIntosh
Day 2: Best Practices
11-11:45 a.m. • Situation Report: In an ‘Information Bankruptcy,’ Employees Turn Their Lonely Eyes to Your CEO
According to the latest Edelman Trust Barometer, trust in leadership is an all-time low, as people battle information bankruptcy, questioning even the source of their news and information. Business has emerged as the last institution standing, with more than two-thirds of respondents saying that CEOs should step in when government does not fix societal problems. That leaves the communicators who support those CEOs with a dilemma: When to speak up and when to remain silent. Edelman Executive Vice President Tamara Rodman will offer insights to help CEOs and their communicators navigate this disorienting moment.
11:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m. • Walmart: Where Internal Exec Comms Is External, Too
How does Walmart communicate with more than 2 million associates worldwide? When a triumph or challenge impacts the company, a note to the team—rather than a speech to the public—might be the right way to mount a response or mark the occasion. Walmart exec comms director Jerry Wohletz will look at ways his company leaders use internal messaging as a tool to shape an external narrative, and show why speechwriters should view all internal comms as external.
12:15-12:45 p.m. • Another CEO Statement Was the Last Thing Employees Needed—So This Organization Gave Them the Opposite
In response to the murder of George Floyd, MetroHealth didn’t deliver an executive speech—instead, leadership listened to its employees with empathy. The raw experiences of racism that followed drew tears and opened hearts more than any speech ever could. Veteran storyteller Diane Suchetka will spend this session showcasing the powerful mini memoirs her organization created and help you learn from her experience and adapt this idea for your own teams.
12:45-1 p.m. • Break
1-1:30 p.m. • Communicating Care without a Word: How Companywide Listening Sessions Bring Target Leaders Closer to Employees in Crisis
Minneapolis-based Target was hosting company-wide employee listening sessions before COVID. But when George Floyd died at the hands of Minneapolis police, these sessions became even more critical, offering a platform for employees’ pain as they carried the weight of what was happening in the world. Throughout the difficult spring of 2020, Target had emphasized care and compassion in team and public communications. But the simple act of showing up to hear employees’ voices and their stories—to listen instead of present—provided powerful two-way communication in itself. You’ll hear from exec comms leader Tony Telschow about the company’s effort and its response to rising employee voices—sometimes passionate, sometimes critical—and all the lessons learned along the way.
1:30-2 p.m. • Intel: Positioning Your new CEO for Success … 100 Days at a Time
CEO transitions are on the rise, increasing as much as 30% post-pandemic, according to SpencerStuart. Introducing a new CEO to an organization is no easy task for the executive communication team. But when Pat Gelsinger became the eighth CEO in Intel’s 53-year history, exec comms director Kari Aakre and her team took it step by step. She’ll share how her 100-day communication plan focused on employees, along with lessons learned and how you can apply these to your leadership transitions, when they inevitably come.
1:45-2:30 p.m. • Breakout Roundtables
In warm, candid virtual roundtable meetings, engage speakers and colleagues in a discussion of all the issues we’ve covered today—and whatever’s on your mind.
2:30 – 2:45 p.m. • Wrap up, with David Murray and Sharon McIntosh
SPEAKERS
FAQ—How Does a Virtual Conference Work, Exactly?
What is a virtual conference?
The Executive Communication Council seeks to make this remote-learning conference as interactive and convivial as its beloved in-person events, which seek to convey professional knowledge participants need, and a feeling of belonging, too.
How do the networking sessions work, exactly?
Pretty much the way networking goes at the in-person conference. You walk into a virtual “room,” you see who’s sitting at virtual “tables,” you ascertain what the people at the tables are talking about, and you decide where to “sit.”

Can several people from my company login to the virtual conference at the same time?
No. This event is restricted to only one login, so only one computer can be connected to the webcast at any time. You can have multiple people in a room viewing the virtual conference, but not multiple people watching from their individual computers.
What if I miss a part of the conference?
Links to all sessions are available a day or two after the session, and viewable anytime between the conference and the end of the calendar year, 2021.
REGISTER
Cancellations Policy
No refunds on cancellations less than 30 days before the event. Within 30 days, your payment will be credited toward a future Executive Communication Council or Professional Speechwriters Association event.
$995 to register for the ECC's Employee Communication Summit, on June 22-23, 2021.
$1495 duo rate (you and one other team member - please enter team member name & email in the Order Notes so that they also receive credentials)
$1995 team rate (you and up to four team members - please enter team member names & emails in the Order Notes so that they also receive credentials)
Phone registrations please call 312-585-6383.
Credentials to access the event will be sent the week of June 14.
$995.00 – $1,995.00