The Art and Science of Public Affairs, 2014

08:30 – Registration/Breakfast
Sponsor: Borden Ladner Gervais LLP

09:15
SESSION 1: The Permanent Campaign: Implications for the Public Affairs Professional
In public affairs and politics the permanent campaign is more than a meme – it’s the way of doing business. Explore what the shift from “campaign” to program means for you and your public affairs planning. (Dr. Darrel Bricker, Chief Executive Officer, Ipsos Global Public Affairs; Brian Topp, Partner, KoolTopp&Guy Public Affairs)

10:30 – Refreshment Break
Sponsor: Borden Ladner Gervais LLP

10:45
SESSION 2: Citizen or Tax Payer: Framing the Public Affairs Discourse
An important part of the permanent campaign is how we talk about government, understand stakeholders and develop our message. Where once the “citizen” ruled, today it is the “tax payer”. How does this frame affect the way we talk and think about public affairs? (Joseph Ragusa, Principal, Sussex Strategy Group; Brad Lavigne, Vice-President, Hill and Knowlton Canada, former NDP National Campaign Director and Principal Secretary to the Hon. Jack Layton; Mark Towhey, Former Chief of Staff to Mayor Rob Ford and Radio Host on NewsTalk 1010; Michelle Wasylyshen, Manager, Government and Stakeholder Relations, Enbridge)

Noon
LUNCHEON
Sponsor: Insurance Bureau of Canada

1:15
SESSION 3: Data Mining and CRM: What to Do and How to Do It
A little bit of knowledge can be a dangerous thing, but a lot can be, well hard to manage. Learn how the professionals use data mining to get the information and employ CRM to manage it. Your public affairs program will thank you! (Matt Smith, Senior Director, Research & Engagement, Strategic Communications)

2:30
SESSION 4: Selling Your Story: Essentials of an Effective Media Buy
You have the data, a great message and you’ve identified your target audience, great. But how to you get the message to them. An effective media buy doesn’t just happen. Learn how, where and why from some of the best in the business. (Ted Griffith, Chief Strategist, The Fixers Communications Group Inc.)

3:45 – Refreshment Break
Sponsor: Borden Ladner Gervais LLP

4:00
SESSION 5: Federal Pundit Panel
We bring together a panel of the best to share with you their thoughts and insights about today and tomorrow in Canadian politics. (Tim Harper, National Affairs Columnist, Toronto Star; Warren Kinsella, lawyer, author, consultant and Sun News Columnist; David Akin, National Bureau Chief, Sun Media)

5:30
PRESIDENTS’ RECEPTION
Co-Sponsors: Borden Ladner Gervais LLP and Andrew Hanna & Sons