2026 Northwest Communicators Conference
The High Ground: Reaching the summit of PR leadership
This Northwest Communicators Conference (NW CommCon) is built to elevate communications professionals at every stage of their career. Whether you’re looking to refine your skills, expand your strategic influence or gain a higher perspective, each session is designed to lift your thinking beyond the day-to-day. You’ll gain practical skills, real-world insights and actionable ideas that help you rise above routine tactics and position yourself for what’s next.
Elevation happens in community. This event brings together communicators from across the Pacific Northwest to connect, collaborate and elevate one another. From intentional networking opportunities to the conversations sparked between sessions, you’ll build relationships with peers, mentors and leaders who can help open doors, share hard-earned lessons and support your upward career movement.
Your ticket is an investment in professional growth. You’ll gain sharper skills, broader strategic insight and a clear understanding of how to position yourself as a leader who ensures that strategic communication starts at the top.
The 2026 NW CommCon offers three tracks: strategies, tactics, and crisis communications. This allows you to more easily identify the skills that you want to develop, whether that be new avenues to disseminate information, new ideas on how to position yourself in your organization, or a new understand of the ever-evolving world of crisis response.
Register today to elevate your career!
Conference Agenda:
DAY 1 - April 16, 2026
7:30–8:30 AM
Registration and Networking
8:15–9:00 AM
Welcome and Introduction
Matthew Marcial, CAE, APR, CEO, PRSA National
9:15–10:15 AM
Strategies Track
Filling Carts & Winning Hearts: Standing Out With Conviction in Consumer Packaged Goods
Jen Maxwell-Muir, Maxwell, Founder
Tactics Track
Realities of Media Relations in Today’s World
Jacque Coe, APR, Fellow PRSA, Jacque Coe Communications
Crisis Track
Mental Readiness for Crisis and Core Principles of Effective Crisis Communication
Katie Garcia, Logos Institute of Crisis Management & Executive Leadership, Senior Advisor and Chief of Staff
10:15–10:30 AM
Coffee and Networking Break
10:30–11:30 AM
Strategies Track
From Hybrid to Highly Engaged: Turning Employees into Authentic Advocates
Taraneh Fultz, APR
Tactics Track
Inclusive Communication and Lessons Learned: Meeting ADA Compliance for Local Governments
Anne Thwaits, Benton County, Public Information Officer
Carly Fredericks, Benton County, Communications Coordinator
Crisis Track
A Witness to Grief: Leadership Lessons from a Death Doula & Crisis Communicator
Jess Columbo, Social for Good
11:30 AM–12:00 PM
Lunch Buffet
12:00–1:00 PM
Keynote Session
Public Relations 3.0, AI and the New Trust Economy
Elizabeth Edwards, Volume PR & Engagement Science Lab, CEO
1:00–1:30 PM
Networking Break
1:30–2:30 PM
Strategies Track
Hiring & Getting Hired in Communications in 2026
Samantha Harmon, Senior Executive Recruiter, LHH Recruitment Solutions
Tactics Track
Hands-On AI Strategy Session: How To Build A Custom GPT
Langley Allbritton, AI Comms Consulting
Crisis Track
Influencing Leaders, Transforming Yourself into a Trusted Strategic Advisor
James Lukaszewski, APR, Fellow PRSA, The Lukaszewski Group | America’s Crisis Guru®
2:30–3:00 PM
Networking Break
3:00–4:00 PM
Headliner Session
Game Changers: Stories Behind Portland’s Women-Led Sports Revolution
Jenny Jeffries, Athletes Unlimited, Vice President Social & Content
Jenny Ngyuen, The Sports Bra, CEO & Founder
Kacie Van Stiphout, Portland Thorns, Social Media Director
Kimberley Veale, Portland Fire, Senior Vice President Marketing & Communications
Moderated by Shirell Hennessy, Portland Public Schools, Strategic Communications & Public Relations Manager
4:00–4:30 PM
Networking Break
4:30–5:30 PM
Afternoon Keynote
The State of Modern Media
Nigel Jaquiss, Oregon Journalism Project, Senior Investigative Reporter | 2005 Pulitzer Prize Winner for Investigative Reporting
Evening
6:00–8:00 PM
CommCon Thursday Night Communicators Social
The Sports Bra
2512 NE Broadway, Portland, OR 97232
Optional social event (additional fee; not included in conference registration)
DAY TWO - April 17, 2026
7:30–8:30 AM
Registration and Networking
8:30–9:00 AM
Welcome and Introduction to Day Two
9:00–10:00 AM
Strategies Track
Climb, Pivot, Rise: Designing a Career Without a Straight Line
Colby Reade, MPS, APR, M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust, Vice President, External Affairs and Strategy
Tactics Track
Elevate the Echo: Turning Earned Media Into Organization-Wide Impact
Amanda Staggenborg, Ed.D., Mount Angel Abbey, Director of Communications
Ethics Track
Ethics Superpower: A Tabletop Workshop
Rhonda Morin, APR, Oregon Health and Science University, Senior Communicator
10:00–10:30 AM
Coffee and Networking Break
10:30–11:30 AM
Strategies Track
The Event is the Message: Using Live and Virtual Gatherings to Drive Change
Sam Swaim, Swaim Strategies, Fundraising Event Consultant | Owner
Strategies Track
Embedding Multicultural Community Engagement into Strategic Communications
Salomé Chimuku, Multnomah County Democrats, Chair & Art By Esoko, Founder
Tactics Track
Ditch the Acronyms and Use Plain Language
Sally Ridenour, APR, Fellow PRSA, Oregon Department of Transportation, Chief Content Strategist
11:30 AM–12:00 PM
Lunch Buffet
12:00–1:00 PM
Keynote Session
What You Can Do to Reverse the Marginalization of the PR Profession
Katie Garcia, Logos Institute of Crisis Management & Executive Leadership, Senior Advisor and Chief of Staff
1:00–1:30 PM
Networking Break
1:30–2:30 PM
Strategies Track
From Strategy to Silver Anvil: The Award-Winning Efforts Behind Use Food Well Campaign
Greg Eppich, PRR, Senior Director Creative & Marketing
Leigh-Ann Eng, PRR, Media Director
Strategies Track
Winning A Seat at the Table: 10 Keys to Becoming A Trusted Advisor
Tom Unger, ABC, APR, Fellow PRSA
Crisis Track
When AI Gets It Wrong: How Communicators Can Shape Accurate AI Answers
Rashaad O'Neal, MA, Digital Media Strategist, Puyallup School District
2:30–3:00 PM
Networking Break
3:00–4:00 PM
Strategies Track
Meet Your Audience: Gen Z
University of Oregon Public Relations students Sam Rinaldi, Madison Price, Allie Geraci-Novy and Denali Williams
Moderated by Jonathan Yost, MA, APR, APIO, Racket Magazine
Tactics Track
Public Relations Power in Your Pocket!
Kelly Guenther, Guenther Group, Creative Director
Crisis Track
Crisis Proofing Your Organization
James Lukaszewski, APR, Fellow PRSA, The Lukaszewski Group | America’s Crisis Guru®
4:00–4:30 PM
Networking Break
4:30–5:30 PM
Closing Keynote
Leading with Empathy in the PR Profession
Mark Mohammadpour, APR, Fellow PRSA, Chasing the Sun
6:00–8:00 PM
CommCon Friday Night Communicators Social
McMenamins Kennedy School, Mina Parsons Room
5736 NE 33rd Avenue, Portland, OR 97211
Optional social event (additional fee; not included in conference registration)
Hotel Information
For any guests who would like to book shoulder dates (before or after the block dates), please book online with the link above then call or email the sales office. The Jupiter Hotel direct phone number is (503) 234-7767 and email is sales@jupiterhotel.com. You will need a confirmation code in order to extend your dates.
2026 NW Communicators Conference