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Conference Schedule

The 2026 PRSA Midwest District Conference—Bold Communicators in the Bold North—invites strategic communications professionals to embrace boldness in every sense. From breakthrough storytelling to leadership that inspires, this multi-day conference celebrates the power of PR to move organizations, communities and culture forward.


The conference will feature dynamic keynotes, thought-provoking general sessions and interactive discussions—all built around three high-level tracks known as the 3 Cs:


  • Community — Advancing inclusive, engaged and purpose-driven communication.
  • Connection — Building authentic relationships and leveraging tools, strategies and creative storytelling to foster collaboration and elevate the impact of our profession.
  • Change — Exploring innovative strategies and adaptive approaches that inspire transformation and move organizations and communities forward.


Here’s a look at what we have in store:

Bold Communicators in the Bold North

June 24-26, 2026

University of St. Thomas - Minneapolis Campus

1000 La Salle Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55403


Keep scrolling to view the full schedule and click below to read the speaker bios.

SPEAKER BIOS

Wednesday, June 24, 2026

06.24.2026

Check-in and networking with informal lunch

06.24.2026

Check-in and networking with informal lunch

Opening Keynote

06.24.2026

The Power of We for Inclusion. Leading When Your Community is Hurting

Event Details

06.24.2026

The Power of We for Inclusion. Leading When Your Community is Hurting

When communities face moments of pain or uncertainty, leadership rooted in inclusion becomes more important than ever. “The Power of We for ...

Event Details

Afternoon Breakout Sessions

06.24.2026

Community: Turning Your AI Investment into Impact: A Human Centered Approach to AI Adoption

Event Details

06.24.2026

Community: Turning Your AI Investment into Impact: A Human Centered Approach to AI Adoption

AI investment is accelerating across every sector, yet most organizations struggle to move beyond initial rollout. This session explores why...

Event Details

06.24.2026

Connection: A Town Hall Glow-up: Crafting an Experience People Actually Love

Event Details

06.24.2026

Connection: A Town Hall Glow-up: Crafting an Experience People Actually Love

In 2025, with only two months’ notice, our tiny team of non-event planners initiated a wild challenge: revive a town hall so dull only 50 of...

Event Details

06.24.2026

Change: Leading Through Volatility, Risk and Change

Event Details

06.24.2026

Change: Leading Through Volatility, Risk and Change

In Padilla’s annual C-Suite Perspectives Study™, we’re seeing leaders operating with a heightened sense of urgency – not because uncertainty...

Event Details

Optional evening activity!

06.24.2026

PRSA Midwest District Conference group outing to cheer on the Minnesota Twins vs Los Angeles Dodgers

Target Field

Event Details

06.24.2026

PRSA Midwest District Conference group outing to cheer on the Minnesota Twins vs Los Angeles Dodgers

This is an optional, ticketed event. Please add this $23 ticket (plus service fees) to your purchase when registering (or separately) before...

Event Details

Target Field

Thursday, June 25, 2026

06.25.2026

Breakfast and networking

06.25.2026

Breakfast and networking

Morning Keynote

06.25.2026

Kids First in a Crisis: Mission-driven Communication Response from Annunciation to Metro Surge

Event Details

06.25.2026

Kids First in a Crisis: Mission-driven Communication Response from Annunciation to Metro Surge

Children’s Minnesota, one of the largest freestanding pediatric health systems in the country, applied a mission‑driven, kids‑first approach...

Event Details

Morning Breakout Sessions - Part 1

06.25.2026

Community: Building Community Trust — Going Beyond Cookie Cutter Communications

Event Details

06.25.2026

Community: Building Community Trust — Going Beyond Cookie Cutter Communications

In 2026, studies show government entities are the least trusted organizations (media is a close second) worldwide – and, not surprisingly, d...

Event Details

06.25.2026

Connection: Connecting with Gen Z: What New Research Reveals About Loyalty and Trust

Event Details

06.25.2026

Connection: Connecting with Gen Z: What New Research Reveals About Loyalty and Trust

Gen Z isn’t unpredictable – they’re intentional. Drawing from Hiebing’s proprietary research, this session reveals what Gen Z values, how th...

Event Details

06.25.2026

Change: Connection Over Conversion: Trust-Driven Communication for Service-Based Organizations

Event Details

06.25.2026

Change: Connection Over Conversion: Trust-Driven Communication for Service-Based Organizations

Service-based organizations don’t sell products – they earn trust. Associations, nonprofits and B2B brands must communicate value through re...

Event Details

Morning Breakout Sessions - Part 2

06.25.2026

Community: Why Reddit Works: Community-Led Social Media Strategies That Drive Results

Event Details

06.25.2026

Community: Why Reddit Works: Community-Led Social Media Strategies That Drive Results

Does your social media feel stuck on autopilot? Discover how intentional community-building can unlock brand relevance and real impact to br...

Event Details

06.25.2026

Connection: From Numbers to Narratives: Making Data Resonate With Real Audiences

Event Details

06.25.2026

Connection: From Numbers to Narratives: Making Data Resonate With Real Audiences

Data drives action – but it's only the first step in a successful campaign. When data is presented without context and connection to its imp...

Event Details

06.25.2026

Change: The Real Cost of Invisible Work

Event Details

06.25.2026

Change: The Real Cost of Invisible Work

Strategic communicators often carry responsibility without authority, finishing thoughts, absorbing ambiguity and protecting reputations, wh...

Event Details

06.25.2026

Lunch and networking

06.25.2026

Lunch and networking

Afternoon Keynote

06.25.2026

Community. Connection. Change. The Future of Journalism is Local.

Event Details

06.25.2026

Community. Connection. Change. The Future of Journalism is Local.

The Minnesota Star Tribune’s ongoing transformation offers important lessons for communications professionals navigating a rapidly changing ...

Event Details

Afternoon Breakout Sessions

06.25.2026

Community: Bold, Brave and Effective Actions in Unprecedented Times

Event Details

06.25.2026

Community: Bold, Brave and Effective Actions in Unprecedented Times

A Conversation with D. Parke Gibson Pioneer Award Recipients

 

Communicators play a vital role in building trust and clarity in times of uncer...

Event Details

06.25.2026

Connection: From Safe to Sassy: How to Fire Up Your Community with a Bold Social Media Strategy

Event Details

06.25.2026

Connection: From Safe to Sassy: How to Fire Up Your Community with a Bold Social Media Strategy

In a digital era where audiences crave authenticity, entertainment and connection, “safe” social media content isn’t going to cut it. Whethe...

Event Details

06.25.2026

Change: When Communication Is the Change Strategy

Event Details

06.25.2026

Change: When Communication Is the Change Strategy

Change initiatives rarely fail because of bad ideas. They fail because leaders lack the clarity and confidence to sustain change. This sessi...

Event Details

Afternoon Keynote

06.25.2026

A Return to Civility: Leading the Way for More Thoughtful and Respectful Discourse

Event Details

06.25.2026

A Return to Civility: Leading the Way for More Thoughtful and Respectful Discourse

A dramatic shift in public discourse – fueled by social media algorithms – has made public discourse increasingly combative. Clients now fac...

Event Details

Friday, June 26, 2026

06.26.2026

Breakfast and networking

06.26.2026

Breakfast and networking

06.26.2026

PRSA Midwest Awards Presentation

06.26.2026

PRSA Midwest Awards Presentation

Morning Keynote

06.26.2026

Water Over Nickel: Centering Indigenous Voices Through Strategic Communication

Event Details

06.26.2026

Water Over Nickel: Centering Indigenous Voices Through Strategic Communication

When a proposed nickel mine was planned just 1.3 miles from the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe community, the potential impacts extended far beyo...

Event Details

Morning Breakout Sessions

06.26.2026

Community: Beyond Performative Inclusion

Event Details

06.26.2026

Community: Beyond Performative Inclusion

How Communicators Build Trust, Belonging and Credibility Across Difference


As organizations navigate increasing complexity, scrutiny and pola...

Event Details

06.26.2026

Connection: How CMOs Build Believable Brand Communities

Event Details

06.26.2026

Connection: How CMOs Build Believable Brand Communities

Chief marketing officers are under pressure to spearhead innovative, meaningful initiatives at brands worldwide — three of them are here to ...

Event Details

06.26.2026

Change: Harnessing AI to Optimize Earned and Owned Media

Event Details

06.26.2026

Change: Harnessing AI to Optimize Earned and Owned Media

How does AI view your organization?


As AI-generated summaries replace traditional searches, referral traffic is declining. Many users now sta...

Event Details

Closing Keynote

06.26.2026

Building the Home Team: How Sports Strengthen Fan and Community Bonds

Event Details

06.26.2026

Building the Home Team: How Sports Strengthen Fan and Community Bonds

From newly launched franchises to legacy organizations, Minnesota’s professional sports teams are navigating rapid change while deepening co...

Event Details

Pro Tip!

Bookmark this page. The conference committee will be updating this schedule with more details.

Questions?

Contact us at info@minnesotaprsa.org.

Schedule is subject to change.

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