Nov. 28, 2011

6th Annual Municipal Communications Conference

Toronto, ON

Brian Lambie is pleased to once again Chair this year's Municipal Communications Conference, November 28, 29 & 30.

Over a dozen experts in municipal communications will come together to present at the "6th Annual Municipal Communications Conference," in Toronto on November 28, 29 & 30th, 2011.

Early bird ends September 23!

This conference is supported by CNW Group and Municipal Infonet. It's a must attend for municipal communications professionals.

Back by popular demand - INTERACTIVE BRAINSTORMING SESSIONS!

Topics and speakers include:

• HOW TO SUCCESSFULLY INCORPORATE SOCIAL MEDIA INTO A COMPREHENSIVE STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS PROGRAM USING A ‘GO SLOW APPROACH’
Andrea Montgomery, Halton Region
Anna Larson, Halton Region
Carleen Carroll, Halton Region

• CITY OF KELOWNA 2010 COMMUNICATIONS AUDIT
Glenna Cross, ABC, MC, Cross Wise Communications Ltd.

• THE SANDY LAKE EVACUATION STORY
Andrea Ravensdale, A.M.C.T., County of Wellington

• PUBLIC SAFETY, COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND NEIGHBOURHOOD RECLAIMING THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA
Sergeant Jay Turner, Hamilton Police Service

• GUELPH REMASTERED CAMPAIGN
Stacey Hare, City of Guelph

• CITIZEN ENGAGEMENT FOR SUSTAINABILITY PATH
Adam McMullin, Town of The Blue Mountains

• SAVE MONEY, MESSAGE MORE: MEDIA PARTNERSHIPS AND THE MUNICIPAL ADVANTAGE
Therese Greenwood, City of Kingston

• SOCIAL MEDIA FOR MUNICIPALITIES – REAPING THE REWARDS AND CONTROLLING THE HARMS
Daniel J. Michaluk, Hicks Morley Hamilton Stewart Storie LLP

• NEW SOLAR RECYCLING CONTAINERS
Claudia Marsales, Town of Markham

• CRISIS COMMUNICATIONS MANAGEMENT
Sam Bornstein, NATIONAL Public Relations

AND MORE!

Optional Post-Conference Workshop:

A. “KICK ASS” COMMUNICATION PLANNING VS WHAT YOU USUALLY DO!
GLENNA CROSS, ABC, MC, Cross Wise Communications Ltd.

B. BRANDING YOUR MUNICIPALITY
Ted Griffith, Vice President, NATIONAL Public Relations Inc.

Register now! Click here to download the brochure.

For further information, please call SummersDirect Conference and Events at 1-866-869-7969 or email renee.summers@summersdirect.com.

Nov. 25, 2011

1:30 pm - 2:30 pm

Ontario West Municipal Conference

London Convention Centre
300 York St.
London, Ontario

Local Government 2.0: How new technology and social media can change how municipalities communicate

With Brian Lambie, Principal of Redbrick Communications and Elaine Gamble, Director, Corporate Communications, City of London

Residents and businesses need information about local government services, and are used to getting information online, and quickly. Municipalities are working hard in the new economy to communicate how they are delivering those services more effectively. Learn about the City of London’s strategy to engage residents and businesses online and improve local service delivery.

To register, click here or email events@amo.on.ca

Sep. 22, 2011

9:10 am

Northwestern Ontario Regional Conference

Valhalla Inn
Thunder Bay, ON P7E 6J1
(807) 577-1121
Fax: (807) 475-4723
Toll Free: 1-800-964-1121

Great Communications Tips

This practical and humorous session will help prepare you for communications challenges, whether they are media inquiries, sensitive HR matters, briefing notes, or public meetings.

It will also help you to make better judgements about how to promote good news stories, how to deliver bad news when needed, and how to manage issues better.

Sep. 21, 2011

12:30 pm

AMCTO Zone 9 Meeting and Conference

Nor’Wester Resort Hotel
2080 Hwy 61
Thunder Bay, ON P7J 1B8
Phone: (807) 473-9123
Fax: (807) 473-9600
Toll Free 1-888-473-2378

Plenary Session Speaker

Highlights:
• Practical tips that any municipality can use to improve media relations, public communication and advertising.
• Making the most of good news — and delivering bad news.
• Municipal use of social media.
• How to use pictures to tell your story.

Aug. 23, 2011

1:30 pm - 3:00 pm

Social Media - Risks and Rewards

2011 AMO Annual Conference
London Convention Centre and Hilton London

Social media is here to stay.

Your municipality is probably already being talked about on-line and there is growing demand to receive information and services through Facebook, Twitter and other forums. The potential risks and rewards are both great.

Daniel Michaluk of Hicks Morley LLP and Brian Lambie of Redbrick Communications chart this brave new world from a legal and public relations perspective.

Register here for the 2011 AMO Annual Conference.

Jul. 28, 2011

1:00 pm

Webinar: Media Relations in the Public Sector

BlackstoneSeminars.com & Redbrick Communications present "Media Relations in the Public Sector" - Webinar

Do you:
• Work in the public sector (federal, provincial, municipal, education, healthcare, social services, emergency services, etc.)?
• Contribute to decisions about media messages and strategies?
• Serve as or support a media spokesperson?
• Work with complex and/or contentious situations that could inspire media interest?
• Want to prepare yourself and your organization for the media spotlight?

You’ll Learn:
• What makes news in the public sector and why
• What you need to know about different types of media (print, radio, TV and on-line)
• Best practices related to taking public sector media inquiries
• Best practices related to managing public and media issues
• How to recognize and promote your success stories

You will:
• Avoid and / or manage issues better
• Build trust with stakeholders and public audiences
• Gain communications skills that support advancement
• Sleep more soundly

Investment: $127 plus HST. Group rates are available.
To Enroll: Visit Government Training at BlackstoneSeminars.com
Or call 905-503-1203 email: info@blackstonecanada.com.

Jun. 2, 2011

1:30 pm - 2:45 pm

Answers to Top 10 Questions that Municipal Managers ask Public Relations Consultants

HOCKLEY VALLEY RESORT
793522 Mono 3rd Line, R.R.#1
Orangeville, ON L9W 2Y8

This session is part of the 2011 Annual General Meeting and Professional Development Day. It's free for OMEX members and more information including registration can be found at: http://www.omex.org/_bin/aboutUs/AGM.cfm

May. 17, 2011

9:00 am - 4:00 pm, registration at 8:30 am

AMO Media & Communications Training

North Bay - Best Western
700 Lakeshore Drive
North Bay, ON P1A 2G4
(705) 474-5800

This full-day course will cover content such as:
* Communicate complex information in plain language
* Craft and deliver messages that stick
* Handle difficult conversations
* Pursue media relations more effectively (good news or bad)
* Hold practical, effective public consultations
* Manage communications better as a team
* Practical media relations objectives
* What makes news and why
* Understanding different types of media and reporters
* How best to manage issues and media inquiries (individually and organizationally)

May. 4, 2011

9:00 am - 4:00 pm, registration at 8:30 am

AMO Media & Communications Training

Thunder Bay - Valhalla Inn
1 Valhalla Inn Road
Thunder Bay, ON P7E 6J1
(807) 577-1121

This full-day course will cover content such as:

* Communicate complex information in plain language
* Craft and deliver messages that stick
* Handle difficult conversations
* Pursue media relations more effectively (good news or bad)
* Hold practical, effective public consultations
* Manage communications better as a team
* Practical media relations objectives
* What makes news and why
* Understanding different types of media and reporters
* How best to manage issues and media inquiries (individually and organizationally)

While this session is designed with municipalities in mind, the content is broadly applicable. AMO members are welcome to encourage other public agencies, or to invite local businesses or business associations to participate. Group rates are available for municipalities that want to use these sessions as community development opportunities.