11:00 am - 5:00 pm - Registration Desk Open Room: Century Ballroom Foyer
11:00 am - 2:00 pm - Advanced Certificate Session Former FBI hostage negotiator Chip Massey and crisis communications expert Adele Cehrs will help Advanced Certificate attendees discover how to apply the bureau's legendary negotiation techniques to any business situation. Knowing how to consistently influence others to act how you want them to is hard. It takes strategy and practice. Walk away with a tool kit to strategically tailor your approach to the person you need to engage with and lead them to agree with you. Learn how to boost your image as a communicator, negotiator, presenter, role model, and thought leader.
Speakers: Adele Cehrs and Chip Massey, Co-Founders of the Convincing Company Credit Competency: Media and Communications Room: Pat Morris Neff
2:30 - 3:30 pm - Opening General Session: "Future Proofing Yourself" The new normal of consistent change is leaving leaders concerned about being left behind. Instead of implementing half-baked, panic-driven ideas... it's time to identify the Easter eggs the future has left for us. In this talk, technology futurist Crystal Washington will show you and your team how to innovate, thrive, and enjoy the ride.
In this session, you will: - Understand the gifts the future really has to offer, allowing you to shape and manipulate for your ultimate outcomes. - Identify the most under-utilized Easter eggs of innovation... which you already have in your basket. - Create a framework to future-proof your career and organization... and avoid getting scrambled.
Speaker: Crystal Washington, Futurist and Author Credit Competency: Foundation of Lobbying Room: Century Ballroom
3:45 - 4:00 pm - Break. Room: Century Ballroom Foyer
4:00 - 5:00 pm - Concurrent Breakout Sessions (2) 1. Reading the Room - Understanding the Divide Have you ever pondered why some people you seem to click with instantly and others require more time to get along with? Discover the information you need to comprehend why, in addition to different personality / temperament styles, you react instinctively to the natural chemistry - or lack thereof. This session will quickly identify your communication style and that of others in a clear, practical, and enjoyable way.
Acquire the skill of observing and regulating your nonverbal cues to accomplish your objectives. - Grow nonverbal intelligence and apply it skillfully to everyday tasks; - The secrets of nonverbal conduct linked to specific personality types that facilitate effective negotiations will be revealed to your audience; - Recognize the variations in nonverbal communication between genders, generations, and cultures; and - Acquire an understanding of how other people's nonverbal cues affect us.
Speaker: Jan Hargrave, Behavioral Authority and Body Language Expert Credit Competency: Media and Communication Training Room: Grand Ballroom A
2. This is Ethics Jeopardy A valid activity and a crucial component of the democratic process is ethical lobbying. By assisting people and organizations in expressing their opinions to the government and opposition on issues of public interest, lobbyists can enhance outcomes for the community at large. Using an interactive format, this session will explore some of the common and not so common issues in SGR. Join us for this lobbying ethics refresher that promises to be entertaining in addition to helping you keep your organization out of ethical Jeopardy. Contestants Needed!
Speakers: Carol Laham, Wiley Rein; TBD - Maybe You! Credit Competency: State Lobbying Compliance Room: Grand Ballroom B
5:30 - 6:00 pm - First Time Attendee Reception Room: Governors Ballroom - 19th Floor
6:00 pm - Dine Arounds
Tuesday, April 16th
8:00 am - 5:00 pm - Registration Desk Open Room: Century Ballroom Foyer
8:00 - 9:00 am - Breakfast Available Room: Century Ballroom Foyer
8:45 - 9:45 am - General Session: Change as an Opportunity Journaling provided comfort to former AT&T executive and current CEO of the Dallas Mavericks Cynt Marshall during her ferocious 13-year struggle with colorectal cancer. She kept a journal of her thoughts and feelings during her twelve rounds of chemotherapy. Others who had overcome the odds later asked to read the journals as they faced their own struggles. Marshall was inspired to consider publishing them as a book as a result.
She became a different leader as a result of telling her story, emphasizing the significance of authenticity as a fundamental principle. In the wake of the pandemic, people are calling for authenticity and empathy, which coincides with the evolution. According to Marshall, "People have learned how to integrate their lives to prioritize their physical, mental, and spiritual health because everyone has gone through a lot. And it affects all of us, not just leaders. Each of us has been selected for a distinct role. It all comes down to supporting other people."
Speaker: Cynthia Marshall, Chief Executive Officer of the Dallas Mavericks Credit Competency: Leading a State Government Affairs Department Room: Century Ballroom
9:45 - 10:00 am - Break Room: Century Ballroom Foyer
10:00 - 11:00 am - Concurrent Breakout Sessions (2) 1. Power Up Your Career: How Active Participation Can Impact Your Career Trajectory Speakers: Lauren Doroghazi, Sr. Vice President, MultiState; Tom Foulkes, Senior Director, State Government Affairs, Otsuka Pharmaceutical Companies; Dmitri Siegel, Director, State Government Affairs, Alliance Development at Bristol Myers Squibb; Angela Williams, Senior Director, Government & External Relations, Stride, Inc. Credit Competency: Leading a State Government Affairs Department Room: Grand Ballroom A
2. Tricks and Tips of the Trade: Leveraging Issue Associations Do you work for an issue association or rely on associations to support your advocacy agenda? Don't miss this conversation about working for and with trade / issue associations to better influence key policy priorities. Come learn about the diversity of types of associations and get ready to engage with our panel of experts on how to drive for results!
Speakers: Meredith Beeson, Sr. Director, State Government Affairs, Global Business Alliance; David Edmonson, Senior Vice President for State Policy and Government Relations, TechNet; Dan Felton, Executive Director, AMERIPEN; Kate Kulesher, Director, State Government Affairs, Sandoz Credit Competency: Grassroots and Grasstops Advocacy Room: Grand Ballroom B
11:00 - 11:15 am - Break Room: Century Ballroom Foyer
11:15 am - 12:15 pm - General Session: Adaptive Leadership and What it Means for the Future of Work: Are You Ready? Debra Hunter Johnson is not your typical executive; she's a powerhouse of wisdom and innovation, wielding over three decades of expertise in the realms of law, HR, and business strategy. As the founder of Reciprocity Consulting Group, Debra has made it her mission to revolutionize corporate cultures, seamlessly blending data-driven insights with the nuances of human behavior to supercharge leadership, productivity, and teamwork across industries ranging from energy, education, technology to retail. From navigating the choppy waters of workforce management to fostering inclusive environments that champion diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging, she's a driving force behind the transformational leadership journeys of both individuals and organizations.
Her recent focus has centered on the need to reskill and upskill employees, develop leaders to better navigate the five generations in the workforce, effectively manage teams in a hybrid work environment, address issues related to mergers and acquisitions / combining workforces, attract and retain top talent recruitment and model behaviors that promote welcoming cultures.
Speaker: Debra Hunter Johnson, Founder, President, Reciprocity Consulting Group Credit Competency: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Room: Century Ballroom
12:15 - 12:30 pm - SGAC Gives Back - Philanthropic Activity Speaker: Mita Havlick, Executive Director, Dallas Education Foundation Room: Century Ballroom
12:30 - 2:00 pm - SGAC Leaders' Policy Conference Committee Meeting (Lunch will be provided for attendees.) Room: Governors Ballroom - 19th Floor
2:30 - 3:30 pm - Concurrent Breakout Sessions (2) 1. Ballot Initiatives Speakers: Meghan Cox, Chief Executive Officer, Impact Advocacy Group; Pierce Haley, Founder, Serlin Haley; Bill Kramer, Vice President and Counsel, MultiState; Donna Laffey, Senior Associate at Ferrari Reeder Public Affairs; Eric Schuller, President, The Alliance for Responsible Consumer Legal Funding Credit Competency: Inside the Legislative Process Room: Grand Ballroom A
2. Demystifying the Machine: AI's Role in Government Affairs Since Chat GPT burst onto the scene in November 2022, artificial intelligence (AI) has been a hot topic of conversation, but its day-to-day adoption has been slow in many organization's functions. In this workshop, we will bring some of those technical conversations back down to planet Earth, or at least to the world of state government affairs, as we explore the opportunities and limitations of AI, how it can streamline and supercharge your team, and gain the fluency you need to talk about your company's use of AI with policymakers and other stakeholders.
In this session, you will: - Uncover what really is (and isn't) AI, distinguishing between its abilities in pattern recognition, prediction, and content generation versus its limitations in higher-level cognitive processes. - Discover practical examples of how AI can be integrated into public affairs and government relations departments, from automating routine tasks to facilitating strategic decision-making. - Navigate the potential pitfalls and ethics of using AI by gaining an understanding of responsible use and full consideration of security and privacy. - Gain insights into communicating effectively with legislators and stakeholders about AI, aligning your company's AI initiatives with broader societal and regulatory expectations.
Join us for this session and walk away ready to empower yourself and your team with the tools, knowledge, and comfort to properly utilize AI.
Speakers: Jeff Berkowitz, Founder and CEO, Delve; Dr. Vlad Eidelman, Chief Technology Officer & Chief Scientist, FiscalNote Credit Competency: Legislative Trends Room: Grand Ballroom B
3:30 - 3:45 pm - Break Room: Century Ballroom Foyer
3:45 - 4:45 pm - General Session - Convince Me - Training So Good It's Criminal What if you could easily get prospects and potential partners to see things your way and ultimately, give you what you want? How would that skill transform your life?
Former FBI hostage negotiator Chip Massey and crisis communications expert Adele Cehrs help audiences discover how to apply the bureau's legendary negotiation techniques to any situation. Learn how to convince others that your big idea is so good, they'll wish they'd thought of it themselves. Everyone will go home with the knowledge, insight, and ability to engage, convince, and influence others - in business and in life.
Speakers: Adele Cehrs and Chip Massey, Co-Founders of the Convincing Company Credit Competency: Media and Communication Training Room: Century Ballroom
5:30 - 6:30 pm - On Property Reception Room: Century Ballroom Foyer
8:00 - 10:00 pm - Rodeo Bar Meet Up
Wednesday, April 17th
8:00 - 8:45 am - Breakfast
8:45 - 9:45 am - Concurrent Breakout Sessions (2) 1. Political Engagement in an Election Year Politics is not the issue; policy is! One effective approach is to be active through political activity. This can take many different forms, such as voting, keeping up with political developments, joining business movements, starting and maintaining PACS, or promoting or canvassing on behalf of a cause or a candidate, just to name a few.
Return to the fundamentals with a stelar line up of speakers! Discover how to effectively engage and participate in political activities. Explore the effects that public policy issues have on your business or group.
Speakers: Amie Adams, President, Dunn and Associates; Merrill Davis, Vice President, Communications, Texas 2036; Rebekah Kay, Director, Federal and Political Affairs, Vistra Corp; Amber Yanez, PAC Manager, Home Depot Credit Competency: Political Action Committees Room: Grand Ballroom A
2. Transition Preparation: Are You Ready for a Change? Has your CEO changed? Does the state in which you operate have a recently elected governor? Do you find it difficult to maintain a relationship with the constantly shifting personnel and elected officials at the local level in order to get your issues resolved?
Develop the skills necessary to navigate the information maze and cultivate connections with the important players for future success. Discover what it takes to maintain a healthy work-life balance throughout a change and learn how the change agent affects you both with and without your input!
Speakers: Zeny Agullana, Regional Vice President, State Government Relations, TIAA; Tammy Minershagen, Frisco City Council Member; Scott Styles, Founder, Styles Strategies; Wandaliz Turner, Associate Director, Center for Women in Government Credit Competency: Leading a State Government Affairs Department Room: Grand Ballroom B
9:45 - 10:00 am - Break Room: Century Ballroom Foyer
10:00 - 11:00 am - General Session - Leveraging Miles, Strategy and Arbitrage for the Very Best Travel Gary Leff will speak about earning the most frequent flyer miles and travel perks from credit cards. For instance, which are the best cards? How do you earn the most miles? And how do you make sure that you can get the trip you want with those points each and every time? He'll discuss getting the best deals on flights (and other elements of travel to the extent the audience is interested), and using social engineering to get what you want from travel companies - the best service and most importantly help when things go wrong.
Speaker: Gary Leff, Co-founder of frequent flyer community InsideFlyer.com and foremost expert in the field of miles, points, and business travel Room: Century Ballroom