REGISTRATION CLOSES MONDAY, APRIL 20 AT NOON

Join us for the 10th Annual Spring Communications Conference on Tuesday, April 21, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Pikesville Volunteer Fire Company.

This power-packed, full-day event is your chance to network with fellow PR and marketing professionals in the Baltimore region, hear from news media professionals and learn a few takeaways that you can use immediately in your daily work!

Register by April 7  for your chance to win two (2) tickets to see “A Beautiful Noise” at the Hippodrome on Tuesday, June 23 at 7:30 p.m.!*

*Must attend the conference to claim tickets; valid for Tuesday, June 23 performance only. All attendees registered prior to April 7 are eligible to win. Tickets courtesy of the France-Merrick Performing Arts Center’s Hippodrome Broadway Series.

Program Schedule:

8:30-9:00 a.m. – Continental Breakfast & Networking
Start the day with coffee, connections and conversation with fellow PR and marketing pros.

9:00-9:15 a.m. – Opening Remarks
Kick off the day with a warm welcome and a preview of the game-changing insights ahead.

9:15-10:00 a.m. – Quickfire Networking
Make meaningful connections with other public relations professionals in this fast-paced session.

10:10-11:00 a.m. – Reimagining Your Website to be Accessible and Useful for All with Rachel London, executive director,  Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council and Lilly Madigan, senior director of user experience and service design, Maryland Department of Information Technology
Websites have a lot of information – with text, images, videos, links, and many layers of content. Learn about why they should be accessible to all, including how and why to use plain language.

11:00-11:15 a.m. – Break

11:15 a.m.-12:00 p.m. – A Gold Medal, A Baltimore Icon and the Tweet Heard Around the World with John Minadakis, CEO, Jimmy’s Famous Seafood
During the buzz surrounding the 2026 Winter Olympics, a spontaneous interaction on social media around the success of the United States men’s ice hockey team quickly turned into a viral moment that reached millions online. What began as a lighthearted challenge and playful engagement with Olympic athletes evolved into a national conversation — culminating in an offer of free crab cakes for life from Jimmy’s Famous Seafood to players from both the men’s and women’s U.S. hockey teams. An iconic Baltimore seafood restaurant suddenly found itself participating in the cultural energy of the Olympics, proving that brands don’t need a massive media budget to be part of the biggest global moments. For public relations professionals, the experience highlights several lessons we’ll explore during this discussion, including how authentic voice is important, how speed matters in the social media space, how community and storytelling drive public relations efforts and how companies can seize on national opportunities to increase revenue and business exposure. Jimmy’s Famous Seafood executives will share how it’s critical to be real, be ready, and when the moment comes — don’t hesitate to swing.

12:00-12:30 p.m. – Break & Lunch Distribution
*Choose your lunch when registering: Turkey & Cheddar, Grilled Chicken & Avocado BLT, Cranberry Walnut Chicken Salad or Mediterranean Veggie. Lunch includes chips and a cookie.

12:30-1:30 p.m. – Lunch Keynote: AI in the Newsroom with Jeff Herman, WMAR assistant news director and Mallory Sofastaii, WMAR investigative reporter

1:30-2:15 p.m. – When Everything Is Urgent: Mental Health Strategies for Communications Professionals with Dr. La Keita Carter
Learn practical strategies to help public relations professionals manage stress, set healthy boundaries and maintain strong mental well-being in a fast-paced communications environment.

2:15-3:00 p.m. – The Changing Social Media Landscape in 2026 with Jason Unger, founder, Digital Ink

DATE & TIME: Tuesday, April 21, 2026, 8:30 – 9:00 a.m. – Continental Breakfast & Networking; 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. – Program

LOCATION: Pikesville Volunteer Fire Company, 40 E. Sudbrook Lane, Pikesville, MD 21208
Enter via the museum/community room entrance.

FEE: $60 Members; $90 Future Members. Early Bird Registration is $5 off – must register by April 7. (Cancellations after Friday, April 17, will not be refunded.)