11:30 AM - 12:30 PM:  Wake Up Your Writing Style!

Kathy Nimmer, 2015 Indiana Teacher of the Year

Learn practical strategies to add a little spice and variety to your writing, from Kathy Nimmer, a career English and creative writing teacher who has authored two books and has written for countless publications and audiences. You'll enjoy some of the same exercises that Kathy's students undertook in her writing classes over three decades, and along the way, you'll find something (hopefully several somethings!) to inject a new energy into the writing you produce constantly in your role. 

11:30 AM - 12:30 PM: From Speech to Showcase: Reinventing Your State of the Schools Event 

Cristina Capretta, Dir. of Marketing & Community Relations, Berea City School District

Tired of low attendance and disengagement at your district’s State of the Schools event? Berea City School District was too—so they reimagined it. Discover how they transformed a traditional, one-way presentation into an interactive School Showcase that brought learning to life, increased attendance, and strengthened community connections, all while reinforcing their Portrait of a Graduate.

2:00 - 3:00 PM:  Why Does My District Have A Marketing Person Anyway?

Gillian Blessinger, Marketing & Communications Director, Greater Jasper Schools

As my district’s first Marketing and Communications Director, I was welcomed with skepticism. This session would show how I turned doubt into buy-in and made the case for school PR from the ground up. You’ll gain practical tips for building trust, breaking down barriers, and proving the real impact of communication. Whether you’re new to your role or seeking support, join us for real stories, actionable strategies, and tools to help your district see the value of your role. Walk away ready to turn even the toughest critics into your strongest allies!

2:00 - 3:00 PM:  Website Redesign & ADA Compliance

Emily Jones, Brand & Communications Specialist, Ft. Wayne Community Schools
Avery Johnson, Marketing & Communications, Ft. Wayne Community Schools

3:30 - 4:30 PM:  The Power of Parents: The Hidden Content Team You Already Have

Emily Worrell, Customer Service Manager, Class Intercom

The most trusted stories in your community come from parents. Imagine the impact when you invite them to tell those stories with you instead of about you.

Every school is filled with powerful stories—moments of triumph, teamwork, character, and connection—but communication teams can’t be everywhere at once. What if your most dedicated storytellers are already on the sidelines, in the stands, and cheering from the car line?

This session introduces a practical, repeatable Parent Ambassador model that empowers families to help tell your school’s story while strengthening trust and community. Learn how to recruit, train, and equip parents to capture authentic moments, share positive messaging, and support communication goals—without adding to staff workload.

You’ll leave inspired and equipped to activate your school’s most passionate advocates—the parents who already believe in your story.

3:30 - 4:30 PM:  On Brand: How To Create A Distinctive School Brand

Dr. Kent Pettet, Chief Communications and Public Relations Officer, Franklin Township Schools
Greg Turchetta, Strategic Communications Advisor, Apptegy

Simply put, your district’s brand is your reputation. It’s everything that comes to mind when families, students, and community members think about your schools. That means that every single experience people have with your district: from the user experience on your website to the first impression in the front office of your school, is a chance to build your brand. This session is a hands-on journey into all the elements of a successful branding campaign and how to differentiate your district in a new era of school choice.

6:00 PM: Networking Dinner Hosted by Apptegy
LOCATION: TBD

12:30 - 1:30 PM: Regional Lunch & Exhibitor Networking

1:30 - 2:30 PM: Crossing the Line to Align: How District & Foundation Partnerships Can Fund Excellence in Public Education

Lucha Ramey, Director of Communications, Penn-Harris-Madison Schools
Jennifer Turnblom, Executive Director, PHM Education Foundation

Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation’s Communications Department and the P-H-M Education Foundation have built a one-of-a-kind partnership that redefines how districts and foundations collaborate. With a shared mission to support P-H-M schools, the district actively promotes PHMEF events through storytelling and social media—driving record attendance, increased fundraising, and a total of $273,500 in classroom grants over five years. That’s a 56% increase thanks to strategic collaboration! In an era of shrinking state and federal funding, this aligned, innovative approach strengthens community pride, engagement, and business investment—showcasing how “thinking outside the lines” can turn communication into a catalyst for educational excellence.

1:30 - 2:30 PM: Showcasing Your Value While Working Behind The Scenes: Giving Main Character Energy


Brooke Orner, Director of Communications, Plainfield Schools

Communications pros are often the unsung heroes—supporting every department yet constantly proving their worth. This session helps you shift from reactive to strategic, demonstrating your impact on district success. Learn practical ways to showcase results, advocate for resources, and educate leaders on why communications is indispensable. Whether you’re a team of one or ten, you’ll leave with tools to elevate your visibility, articulate your value, and position your work as essential—not optional—in today’s educational landscape. It’s time to give your communications role the main character energy it deserves.

2:30 - 2:45 PM: Break / Exhibitor Networking

2:45 - 3:45 PM: Referendum Strategies & Tactics

Kevin Carr, Communications Coordinator, Avon Schools
Dr. Scott Wyndham, Superintendent, Avon Schools

Your school corporation is running a referendum, and everyone is looking to you for a winning plan. Do you have the air and ground game you need to win? Look at pages from Avon’s winning playbook to learn strategies and tactics that will improve your chances of success before the campaign, through election day, and beyond. Avon Schools ran a successful renewal of their 2018 operating referendum in November 2025, with the combination of deliberate high-level strategies and dynamic ground-level tactics. Superintendent Dr. Scott Wyndham and Communications Coordinator Kevin Carr are prepared to share pages from their playbook with you to help you build your own winning game plan.

2:45 - 3:45 PM: Editing Video With Adobe

Paul Weller, Director of Media Services, Central Indiana Educational Service Center

We’ll explore how mobile content creation can elevate your district's storytelling. Learn quick workflows for trimming, layering clips, adding animated captions, and designing content with built-in assets or AI-powered tools. Learn to make engaging, district-branded video content faster and smarter.