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

TRACK: PR ADVANCED

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

Susan Haynes, Communications Director

Mooresville Schools, Mooresville

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

11:00-12:00 PM: The Legal Side to School Notices &
Requests for Information
John Becker, Attorney, CCH+A

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

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

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 Director of Marketing and Community Relations, Berea City Schools

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

Josh Sauer, APR, Director of Solutions Engineering, Finalsite

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

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

5:30-7:30 PM: Networking Fiesta at El Toro Hosted by Apptegy
365 N Illinois St. Indianapolis IN 46204

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

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

TRACK: PR ADVANCED

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

Krista Stockman, Director of Communications

Fort Wayne Community Schools, Fort Wayne

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

1:45-2:30 PM: Legislative Update: Education Policy Review

We will cover key federal and state legislation affecting school funding, curriculum, staffing, and safety, with practical guidance on what these changes mean for your district.

Joel Hand, General Counsel & Lobbyist

Indiana Coalition for Public Education

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

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

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

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

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

NEWSLETTERS

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