P2 Training For Municipalities

  • May 10, 2023
  • (EDT)
  • May 18, 2023
  • (EDT)
  • 4 sessions
  • May 10, 2023, 1:00 PM 4:00 PM (EDT)
  • May 11, 2023, 1:00 PM 4:00 PM (EDT)
  • May 17, 2023, 1:00 PM 4:00 PM (EDT)
  • May 18, 2023, 1:00 PM 4:00 PM (EDT)
  • Online
  • 28

Registration

  • Please forward proof of AICP membership to info@iap2usa.com for registration code
  • Please contact info@iap2usa.org to verify your membership with another region of IAP2
  • Members must be logged in to access this discounted rate

Register

May 10, 11, 17 & 18, 2023

1:00 - 4:00 pm Eastern   

This four day course covers 5 crucial aspects for effective public participation for municipalities. 

Why Municipalities Need Effective Marketing & Communications Strategies

Traditionally, marketing has been most often associated as a private-sector tool, with a primary objective of driving sales and business growth.  

But for municipalities navigating the challenges of diverse priorities, projects, and communities, the public sector is increasingly recognizing the need for effective marketing strategies to help communities achieve their most important goals.  

Crafting and executing compelling marketing strategies offers municipalities a range of tools, and municipal governments can no longer afford to ignore the role their communications plans play in effective change management, citizen engagement, or even dealing with an emergency. 

In this section, you’ll learn about:

  • Managing change
  • Community engagement & public participation
  • Crisis communications
  • Creating community champions

Communications Planning for Municipalities

Unfortunately, as with any business in the private sector, it's becoming increasingly difficult for municipalities to anticipate when or where they might face a crisis.  

Whether it be a dangerous natural disaster, a political scandal or a contentious development project, every municipality needs to be prepared to conduct urgent and effective communications to rise to the challenges a crisis will inevitably bring. 

When you factor in our increasingly interconnected world, it's become clear that traditional approaches to crisis communications will no longer be enough to protect people and property and keep communities united in the midst of growing societal polarization. 

In this section, you’ll learn how to:

  • Keep your lines of communication open
  • Acquire the tools and resources needed
  • Not speak – just listen
  • Be prepared to speak to the media 
  • Craft key messages

Municipal Media Training

Every organization needs to be prepared to speak to the media in order to promote themselves, manage a crisis or respond to a newsworthy event. Attendees will learn the basics of how to be prepared to speak to the media in multiple environments and you will also be provided with:

  • Review of current media climate, different media opportunities, in TV, digital radio, etc.
  • Preparation for live, pre-recorded, split-screen, and audio interviews, reviewing angles of stories with journalists, and what to wear
  • How to control messaging
  • Case studies of crisis communications in traditional and social media
Building Trust in Municipalities 

Some think highly of their municipal governments. However, many people believe that their local governments are not concerned about ordinary residents. Only 1/3 of Canadians and less than 1/5 of Americans don’t think that their voices matter. 

With anti-government feelings on the rise, and the ease with which disengaged residents can share and spread their dissatisfaction, responsive and forward-thinking municipal governments have an opportunity to connect with their residents. 

In this section, you’ll learn how to:

  • Show honesty and integrity within your community
  • Improve communications
  • Share expertise
  • Maintain consistent messaging
  • Communicate with transparency & clarity

Overcoming Disinformation for Municipalities

Overcoming disinformation is hard. And for small municipalities navigating significant changes through major municipal projects, the spread of disinformation can make managing change even more difficult.

Whenever you are introducing a new project or policy that will impact day-to-day life in a community, you need to be thinking about a strategy for change management - the planning, processes and tools you will use to help residents understand, contribute and adapt. 

For any major change to be successful, an effective communications strategy is essential. In fact, most change management failure can be traced back to a lack of good communication.

In this section, you’ll learn how to:

  • Identify personas and needs of residents
  • Clarify your messaging
  • Provide resources and access
  • Plan for ongoing communication

Cost: $530 member, $710 nonmember, $275 student member

*You must be logged in to iap2usa.org to receive the member rate.

International IAP2 members require a code to register. Please contact info@iap2usa.org to obtain it.

 — Cancellation and Substitution policy —

Trainer: Kathryn Kolaczek

Kathryn’s diverse background in media, PR, and digital marketing has developed into a deep commitment to crisis management and communications. Formerly the founder and editor of a national publication for entrepreneurs, Kathryn has written a book for entrepreneurial women, speaks to entrepreneurial groups, and built Alchemy Communications Inc. on her strong relationships with the media across North America. She specializes in crisis management and crisis communications, public relations, business and product launches, digital marketing strategy, and brand integration.


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