AGENDA
TUESDAY, MAY 5, 2026
Mount Tabor Conference Room
Noon
Coffee/beverages, settling in, meet and greet –all members
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1 p.m.
Conference Kickoff
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Introductions
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Icebreaker
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2:15 p.m.
President’s Welcome
Elizabeth Edwards, Volume PR and Engagement Science Lab; PRC, Denver, CO
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2:20 p.m.
Directional Compass Session
All - 2026 Committees meet; break
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3 p.m.
Trust Amid Insularity: Rebuilding Connection in a Fragmented World
Troy McCombs, Managing Director; U.S. Technology Co-Lead, Edelman Worldwide
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4 p.m.
Future Watch 2026: Major Trends and Events that PR Pros Should Have on Their Radar Screen – and What PR Consultants Should do to Prepare
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What foresight do we need; what trends are we watching
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Sensemaking workshop
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Group share
​Stephen Dupont, APR, Futurist; Principal, Dupont Foresight
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5:30 p.m.
Rooftop reception
The Hampton Inn & Suites Portland Pearl
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6:45 p.m.
Depart for Dine-Arounds (Sign Up Here)
WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 2026
Mount Tabor Conference Room
8 a.m.​
The Trust Tax, Leading Clients Beyond the AI Hype and the $4.4 Trillion Question: Why Your Clients’ AI Rush Could Cost Them Everything
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Roundtable sessions on leading the AI conversation, identifying hidden AI risks, implementing governance-ready assessments and more
Janet Johnson, Founder; AI Governance Group
9:30 a.m.
Part 1: Authenticity and Authority Tech Tools Workshop: The Modern AI Stack for PR Agencies
Part 2: Roundtables/Strategy Sessions: The Learning Lab – Applied AI for Agency Leaders
Elizabeth Edwards, President, Volume PR and Engagement Science Lab; PRC, Denver, CO (live)​
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11:45 a.m
Lunch/Break/Tech Check
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12:30 p.m.
Meet The Influencers /Lifestyle Media- Unfiltered: Pitching Stories that Feel Human in an AI World
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Allison Kaplan, Writer/Editor/Speaker, Minnesota Star Tribune
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Panhia Yang, Executive Producer, FOX 9 Minneapolis
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Stephanie Hansen, Host of Taste Buds with Stephanie and The Weekly Dish, Twin Cities
Moderators: Katie Welch Len and Kristen Karpinsky, Newsworthy Communications; PRCs, Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN
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1:15 p.m.
Meet The Media Part 1: How We Create Value Together with National Sector Journalists and Editors (virtual)
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Robert Klara, Senior Editor of Brands, Adweek
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Alex Kantrowitz, Founder of Big Technology Newsletter and Podcaster/CNBC Contributor
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Courtney Blackann, Reporter at Ragan Communications and PR Daily
Moderator, Judy Kalvin, Kalvin PR; PRC, New York City, NY
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2:10 p.m.
Field Trip!
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2:30 p.m.
Meet The Media Part 2: Big and Mid-Market Business Editors - How Content Packaging is King
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Vandana Singh, Regional Editor, American City Business Journals (Market: U.S.)
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Becky Troyer, Editor, Triangle Business Journal (Market: North Carolina)
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Craig Douglas, Senior Director of News, American City Business Journals (+ Markets: Atlanta and Houston)
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Candace Beeke, Publisher, Portland Business Journal
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Suzanne Stevens, Editor, Portland Business Journal; Panelist/Moderator
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4 p.m.
How to Make More and Keep More, Conduct Strategic Business Development and Model Industry Profitability Best Practices
Ken Jacobs (virtual), Principal, Jacobs Consulting and Executive Coaching
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5:15 p.m.
Break – Get Those Kicks Ready!
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6-9 p.m.
The Ultimate House Party
Bodecker House, Helm’s Deep
THURSDAY, MAY 7, 2026
Mount Tabor Conference Room
8:30 a.m.
Part 1: The Agency of the Future is AI Infused
Part 2: Building Agency Brand via Thought Leadership Content Strategies
Kent Lewis, Founder, Anvil Media Inc. and Executive Director, Next Northwest
10 a.m.
Pop Ups and Lightning Rounds
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Part 1: Why Media Relations Matters More Than Ever in the Age of AI - Jennifer Regen Bisbee, APR, Fellow PRSA, Bisbee and Company: PRC, Orlando, FL
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Part 1: Growing a Boutique Agency and Redefining Agency Culture in a Hybrid World - Denver Peacock, JD, APR, The Peacock Group; PRC in Little Rock, AR
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11 a.m.
All About the Business - Roundtables
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Getting the Most Out of Your PRC Membership - Steve Bumgarner, Capture Public Relations & Marketing; PRC, Winston/Salem/Charlotte, NC
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Building the Business: New Revenue Streams – Self directed
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Crisis Comms in the World of AI – Self directed
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Part 2: Why Media Relations Matters More Than Ever in the Age of AI - Jennifer Regen Bisbee, APR, Fellow PRSA, Bisbee and Company: PRC, Orlando, FL
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Part 2: Growing a Boutique Agency and Redefining Agency Culture in a Hybrid World - Denver Peacock, JD, APR, The Peacock Group; PRCs in Little Rock, AR
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12 p.m.
Wrap up and 2027: Milwaukee, here we come!