INDSPRA - Conference Schedule

CONFERENCE SCHEDULE

PRE-REGISTRATION: WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26

4:00-6:00 PM: Registration
Hilton Lobby

6:30-8:30 PM: Dinner at Vicino Hosted by ParentSquare & Qualtrics
350 Massachusetts Avenue, Suite 150, Indianapolis IN 46204

DAY ONE: THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27

8:00-8:30 AM: Continental Breakfast Sponsored by ISBA
Registration and Exhibitor Networking

8:30-8:40 AM: Welcome / Introduction

8:40-9:40 AM: Leadership Lessons from the Frontlines of School Communications
Barbara Hunter, APR, Executive Director, National School Public Relations Association

9:40-9:50 AM: BREAK: Exhibitor Networking

TRACK: PR FOUNDATIONS

9:50-10:50 AM: Story'telling' vs Story'yelling'
Janet Mann, Director of Communications, Zionsville Community Schools, Zionsville
LOCATION: Circle City 3

TRACK: PR ADVANCED

9:50-10:50 AM: WE NEED A CRISIS STATEMENT!

Susan Haynes, Communications Director, Mooresville Schools, Mooresville
LOCATION: Indy Ballroom

10:50-11:00 AM: BREAK: Exhibitor Networking

11:00-12:00 PM: Creative & Affordable PR Strategies
Brooke Orner, Director of Communications, Plainfield Community Schools, Plainfield
LOCATION: Indy Ballroom

11:00-12:00 PM: The Legal Side to School Notices & Requests for Information
John Becker, Attorney, Church Church Hittle + Antrim
LOCATION: Circle City 3

12:00-1:30 PM: LUNCH sponsored by Edlio; Member Panel & Exhibitor Networking

MEMBER PANEL DISCUSSION
The Shifting Educational Landscape: Navigating Federal Policy Changes and Their Impact on Schools
Join fellow members for a timely discussion of how recent White House policy shifts are impacting our schools. From funding changes to immigration policies, our panel will address the most pressing developments affecting our school communities as they unfold, offering practical guidance for educators and administrators.

Moderator: Sue Scott, Coordinator of Communications, Tippecanoe School Corporation

Panelists:

Dr. Dana Altemeyer, Director of Communications, MSD of Lawrence Township
Jon Becker, Partner, Church Church Hittle + Antrim
Gillian Blessinger, Marketing and Communications Director, Greater Jasper Consolidated Schools
Andy Klotz, APR, Chief Communications Officer, Muncie Community Schools
Krista Stockman, APR, Director of Communication & Marketing, Fort Wayne Community Schools

1:30-2:50 PM: The Ultimate Social Media Strategy

Dr. Jill Johnson, President, Class Intercom
Cristina Capretta, APR, Director of Marketing and Community Relations, Berea City Schools
LOCATION: Indy Ballroom

1:30-2:50 PM: Crafting a Clear Comms Plan

Josh Sauer, APR, Director of Solutions Engineering, Finalsite
LOCATION: Circle City 3

2:50-3:00 PM: BREAK: Exhibitor Networking

3:00-4:00 PM: Working Smarter with AI
Erin Meyer, Director of Communications, LaPorte Community Schools, LaPorte
LOCATION: Circle City 3

3:00-4:00 PM: Creating Community Connections
Mary Kay Smethers, Marketing Manager;
Emily Jones, Brand Specialist; Fort Wayne Community Schools, Fort Wayne
LOCATION: Indy Ballroom

5:30-7:30 PM: Networking Fiesta at El Toro Hosted by Apptegy
LOCATION: 365 N. Illinois St. Indianapolis

DAY TWO: FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28

8:00-8:30 AM: Continental Breakfast sponsored by Teachers' Treasures and Exhibitor Networking

8:30-8:40 AM: Welcome

8:40-9:40 AM: Your Story is Your Superpower

Dirk Tedmon, APR, NSPRA School Communicator of the Year

9:40-9:50 AM: BREAK: Exhibitor Networking

9:50-11:15 AM: GOLD MINE SESSIONS
Sit at a table featuring a topic of interest. Listen for the ideas and share your own experiences.

There will be four rounds and you will join a new table after each 12 minute round.

APR Journey: Krista Stockman, APR, Director of Communication & Marketing, Fort Wayne Community Schools
Alignment Between the Communications Team & Central Office: Dr. Chad Briggs, Superintendent, Silver Creek School Corp.
Your Website is Your Superpower: Dirk Tedmon, Executive Director of Marketing and Communications, Eden Prairie Schools
My Mentor is a Bot: How AI Helps Me Refine and Redefine My Skillset: Cristina Capretta, Director of Marketing & Community Relations, Berea City School District
Chaos to Clarity: Organizing Your School’s Social Media: Dr. Jill Johnson, President, ClassIntercom
Ten in Ten: Top Ten Things Your Website Needs to Engage Your Community: Edlio
Reimagining School Marketing: The Power of Collective Authorship: Apptegy
Board Whispers: What Your Community Really Asks: Terry Spradlin, Executive Director, ISBA

11:15-11:30 AM: BREAK: Exhibitor Networking

TRACK: PR FOUNDATIONS

11:30-12:30 PM: Unleashing the JOY Playbook

Lamara Finley, Communications Coordinator, MSD of Warren Township, Indianapolis

LOCATION: Circle City

TRACK: PR ADVANCED

11:30-12:30 PM: Running Referendum Campaigns

Krista Stockman, Director of Communications, Fort Wayne Community Schools, Fort Wayne

LOCATION: Indy Ballroom

12:30-1:45 PM: LUNCH, sponsored by TeacherLists, Annual Meeting & Exhibitor Networking

1:45-2:30 PM: Legislative Update: Education Policy Review
Joel Hand, General Counsel & Lobbyist, Indiana Coalition for Public Education
LOCATION: Indy Ballroom

2:30-2:40 PM: BREAK: Exhibitor Networking

2:40-3:40 PM: More Than Merch

Marnie Cooke, Ex. Dir. of Marketing & Communications, Noblesville Schools, Noblesville

LOCATION: Circle City 3

2:40-3:40 PM: Attracting Top Talent

Maria Bond, Director of Community Relations, Mt. Vernon Community Schools, Fortville;

Josh Burnett, Director of Communications, Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation

LOCATION: Indy Ballroom

3:40-4:00 PM: Exhibitor Awards & Closing

NEWSLETTERS

PO Box 862 | Brownsburg, IN 46112 | 317.723.0485 | Email