2022 Page Up Annual Conference

The New Mandate for Communications Leadership
Since we last met in person at the Page Up Annual Conference in 2019, there have been tremendous shifts in how our organizations operate. We have been rethinking brand and purpose in a world that increasingly expects businesses to speak out and take action on societal issues. Corporate culture has been redefined by remote work and an acceleration of digital capabilities. All of this amid increasing polarization, the lingering impacts of the pandemic and geopolitical conflict in Eastern Europe.
There are certainly positives to these transitions; the value of communications has only increased among the C-Suite because of how central our roles are to operating effectively in this new, multi-stakeholder world. But, looking ahead, our mandate will be dramatically different.
We are being called upon to not only drive messaging and communication strategy, but to serve as geopolitical strategists, social strategists, climate scientists, public health experts and change management gurus – all at the same time. In this environment, how do we discern what is truly important and impactful among so much noise, so that we can continue to lead our teams and achieve the results on which our organizations depend?
Our Annual Conference this October will help you reset your focus as we set a course forward, with the outstanding thought leadership and networking opportunities that only Page Up can provide. There will be an innovative hybrid format to the conference and an international focus to our discussions.
Conference Format
We’re thrilled to have the opportunity to reconvene in-person in Chicago. However, we recognize that many individuals will be unable to attend due to personal and organizational considerations. This year’s event will be hybrid, so we welcome you to join us for exciting opportunities to belong, connect, inspire and learn—either in-person or virtually.
Registration Fee and Cancellation Policy
The registration fee breakdown is tiered based on your membership type and how you will be joining us.
In-Person
- Corporate, Agency, Executive Search: $1,695
- Non-Profit or Government: $1,295
- Educator: $795
Virtual
- Corporate, Agency, Executive Search: $300
- Non-Profit, Government, Retiree: $225
- Educator: $150
Our policy is to refund 50% of the conference fee if canceled 31 days in advance of the scheduled start of the event (by Thursday, September 15, 2022). There will be no refunds, in whole or in part, for cancellations received within 30 days of the event (on or after Friday, September 15, 2022). Registration fees are non-transferable. Cancellations for COVID-19-related reasons will be eligible for full refunds. All other cancellations will follow our standard cancellation policy.
COVID-19 Code of Conduct
Page has and will review and revise this policy based on the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) and local jurisdiction guidance on COVID-19. Requirements will be updated accordingly.
As an attendee at the 2022 Page Up Annual Conference, you will:
Provide proof that you are fully vaccinated by uploading proof of your vaccination during the registration process or emailing it to safety@page.org prior to October 16. “Fully vaccinated,” for purposes of this event will follow CDC guidelines. Currently, this means that you received your single-dose or completed the second dose of a two-dose series of the COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days prior to October 16. Boosters are strongly recommended if it has been five months or more since you received your second dose in a two-dose series, such as Pfizer or Moderna. If you received a single-dose vaccination, such as with Johnson & Johnson, boosters are strongly recommended if it has been two months since you received your vaccine. Vaccines administered outside the United States may include AstraZeneca/SK Bioscience, Serum Institute of India/COVISHIELD and Vaxzevria, Sinopharm, or Sinovac. If your provider is not on this list, please email safety@page.org.
Agree that you will not attend if you feel ill, are symptomatic in any way, or have had any exposure to someone with COVID-19.
Agree that you will respect other participants and take all advisable precautions recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), including, but not limited to, engaging in appropriate physical distancing, participating in the frequent washing of hands, avoiding risky environments and behaviors and choosing not to shake hands except by expressed mutual consent.
Acknowledge that, due to the circumstances created by COVID-19, there is a heightened degree of personal risk and responsibility associated with attendance. You will not hold Page or the Renaissance Chicago Downtown Hotel, their officers, directors, employees or agents accountable, whether directly or indirectly, should you or your family contract illness arising out of your voluntary participation in the event.
Page will be taking the following precautions to encourage the health and safety of all attendees:
- All attendees and Page event staff are required to be fully vaccinated.
- We will follow all CDC and local guidelines in effect at the time.
- Page has asked the Renaissance Chicago Downtown Hotel to sanitize all event spaces, public areas, dining & bar locations and guest rooms.
- In keeping with CDC guidelines, masks are encouraged but not required.
Please be advised that all meals will be held inside.
Sunday, October 16th
5:00 – 6:00 p.m. CT | Registration |
6:00 – 9:00 p.m. CT | Networking Reception & Dinner |
Monday, October 17th
7:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. CT | Registration |
7:30 – 8:30 a.m. CT | Breakfast |
8:30 – 8:40 a.m. CT | Welcome from the Page Up Chair and Conference Co-Chairs |
8:40 – 9:25 a.m. CT | Keynote: A Global Perspective
Ambassador Thomas Shannon, Senior International Policy Advisor & Co-Chair of Global Law & Public Policy Practice, Arnold & Porter Regardless of where we’re located or the type of organization we work in, geopolitical and economic uncertainty is influencing both our communications strategies and day-to-day jobs like never before. From supply chain snarls to the war in Ukraine, and from inflation to deglobalization, we all are called on to communicate with stakeholders in a much more complicated landscape than when we last met at a Page Up conference. To kick off our program this year, Ambassador Thomas Shannon will join us to provide us his expert view on the state of geopolitics, including bright spots and emerging threats that businesses all over the world will be impacted by and/or reacting to in the year ahead. Ambassador Shannon has more than three decades of experience in government and diplomatic service, serving six presidents and 11 secretaries of state in the U.S. and at embassies in Guatemala, Brazil, South Africa and Venezuela. He was appointed U.S. Ambassador to Brazil and most recently served as Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs under Presidents Obama and Trump, where he oversaw U.S. relations with the Russian Federation, Iranian compliance with the nuclear deal, and UN directed peace process in Yemen and South Sudan. Holding the personal rank of Career Ambassador, he was the highest ranking member of the United States Foreign Service, the country’s professional diplomatic corps. He currently is Senior International Policy Advisor and co-chair of the Global Law & Public Policy practice at Arnold & Porter. He is also a Visiting Professor at Princeton University and co-director of Princeton’s History and the Practice of Diplomacy Program. |
9:25 – 10:25 a.m. CT | Making Tough Decisions a Little Easier
Maya Dillon, Head of Corporate Communications, M&T Bank; and Francesco Lagutaine, Chief Marketing Officer, M&T Bank There are a lot of tragic and unsettling things happening in the world today. It’s the job of the modern communications team to address issues confronting their communities, colleagues, customers and other stakeholders—with words and actions. These days, sitting on the sidelines isn’t an option. Some stakeholders expect—insist—that companies express a point of view on news-making events that impact all of us. Some are not convinced that companies should take a position, especially with the polarizing and divisive nature of many events affecting society today. Add to the mix, decisions to speak out could negatively impact the reputation of the company resulting in losses for shareholders, backlash from customers, and more. Today’s news environment has made the job of communications leaders that much harder. These are difficult conversations and the divisive nature of the news might have business impacts. We have all been there. Should we say something? What should we say? A communications team should consider developing a decision-making framework as a tool to help answer that vexing question—should we say something or anything? If so, how and to whom? In this session, Page Up member Maya Dillon, the head of corporate communications, and Page member Francesco Lagutaine, the chief marketing officer, for M&T Bank will discuss what they did to provide a tool that helps facilitate conversations and make these decisions just a little easier. |
10:25 – 10:45 a.m. CT | Networking Break |
10:45 – 11:00 | Understanding & Embracing Multicultural Terminology
Bryan Miller, Senior Director of Product & Content, Collage Group, & Victor Parades, Executive Director of Cultural Strategy, Collage Group Getting language and labels right is a key component of authentically engaging across diverse America. Unfortunately, it’s not always easy to know which terminology to use given shifting consumer priorities and broad cultural shifts. This presentation helps brands and organizations navigate this tricky linguistic situation by looking at Hispanic, Black, and Asian Americans’ preferences for specific terms like Hispanic, Latino, Latina, Latinx, Black, African American, Asian, Asian American, and BIPOC. It offers key findings and actions steps organizations and brands can use to signal empathy, understanding, and respect to multicultural audiences. |
11:00 — 11:55 a.m. CT | Communicating, Implementing and Executing DE&I
Moderated by Maria Tamburri, VP, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Dominion Energy (Moderator); and featuring Victoria Russell, Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer, Beam Suntory; Chandran Nair, CEO, Global Institute of Tomorrow; and Ivonne Azucena (Baez) Furneaux, Vice President, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Anywhere Businesses are moving quickly to implement diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) initiatives, but in some cases struggle to get it right, ensuring everyone is brought along. In this session, moderated by Maria Pia Tamburri, VP, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Dominion Energy a panel of corporate leaders will discuss key learnings from putting DE&I programs in place. They will offer best practices, cautionary tales – and address the following questions:
Come and see what insights you can bring back to your own company. |
11:55 a.m. —12:00 p.m. CT
12:00 – 1:00 p.m. CT |
Closing & Breakout Explanation
Networking Lunch |
1:00 – 3:00 p.m. CT | Page Up Annual…Unconference?
Wait, I thought we were having a conference…now we’re having an unconference? Yep, you read that right. The unconference addresses our perennial desire for more time mixing it up with — and learning from — one another. The idea is simple — the attendees (that’s us) — are the content for the Page Up Annual (un)Conference just as much as the speakers on the stage. We’ll reserve some blocks of time and space to convene around topics you’re most interested in. No presentations, just people with experience, curiosity, and ideas. You don’t have to be an expert to suggest a topic — just come with an idea you’d like to discuss with your peers. There are a limited number of time slots available and a dedicated space in which each group will meet up (physically and virtually). As a participant, you can suggest a topic, graze, attend multiple topics, stay put, or even invent other ways to connect (maybe we finally get to use the metaverse?) Like much of Page Up, you will only get out what you put in. But given this powerful network of motivated world-changers, it promises to be a dynamic and powerful way to gain insights and forge real connections with communicators you admire and respect. And keep your eyes peeled for the blinking lights at the welcome reception! |
3:00 – 3:30 p.m. CT | Networking Break |
3:30 – 4:30 p.m. CT | Emerging Practices of Stakeholder Capitalism: The CEO View
Jon Iwata, Former Chief Brand Officer, IBM; Executive Fellow, Yale School of Management; and Founding Executive Director, Data & Trust Alliance Managing the dynamics at the intersection of multiple stakeholders is high on the CEO agenda. The CCO can play a pivotal role in helping develop and execute a stakeholder strategy, one that is grounded in authenticity and competitive differentiation. Learn how to determine the materiality of issues and design solutions using an emergent form of design: stakeholder-centric design. |
4:30 – 4:50 p.m. CT
4:50-5:00 p.m. CT |
Annual Business Session
Closing/Adjourn for the Day Laurie Bischel, 2022 Page Up Annual Conference Co-Chair, Managing Director, Corporate Communications, CME Group |
5:30 – 7:00 p.m. CT | Virtual Escape Room |
6:30 – 10:00 p.m. CT | Offsite Experience at the Museum of Science & Industry |
Tuesday, October 18th
7:30 – 8:30 a.m. CT | Networking Breakfast |
8:30 – 8:35 a.m. CT | Welcome from Page Up Annual Conference Co-Chairs
Laurie Bischel, 2022 Page Up Annual Conference Co-Chair, Managing Director, Corporate Communications, CME Group Patrick Humphris, 2022 Page Up Annual Conference Co-Chair, Managing Director, Head of Corporate Affairs, CVC Capital Partners (Virtual) |
8:35 – 9:35 a.m. CT | A Leadership Reset Post-Pandemic
David Albritton, Former President, General Motors Defense, & Founder and Chief Executive, Nineteen88 Strategies The COVID-19 pandemic has altered life as we know it. It’s impacted us physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. It’s strained our employees and it’s changed us as leaders. We experienced many of the same, human emotions and challenges during the worst of times, and we did so while simultaneously caring for our teams. Needless to say, we’re exhausted and in desperate need of a re-set. As the world continues the difficult process of learning how to stay open safely, businesses and communities are looking to us, as leaders, to be even more adept at change, communicate even more effectively and to put an even greater value on emotional intelligence to manage successfully the complex world we’re living in. This interactive, one-hour discussion will include practical tips for how to reclaim ourselves as leaders through self-reflection so that we emerge as confident, compassionate and equipped to seize the opportunity that lies ahead. |
9:35 – 9:50 a.m. CT | Innovation Award |
9:50 – 10:20 a.m. CT | Networking Break |
10:20 – 11:20 a.m. CT | The New Employee Contract: Engaging Internal Stakeholders in the New Normal
Ethan McCarty, CEO, Integral Rob Jekielek, Managing Director, The Harris Poll We’re all experiencing a seismic transformation in the workplace. Huge shifts in technology, demographics, the labor market, and the very nature of work itself have reshaped the employer–employee relationship and our own relationship with work itself. In this interactive session, we’ll explore five key trends impacting the way we engage employees. The eroded distinction between internal and external contributes to new expectations beyond stable, long-term employment. The multigenerational workforce’s desires have shifted to focus on belonging to an organization with personalized career paths, highly customized employee experiences, and a clear purpose that aligns with the employee’s own values. The divide between managers and non-managers is a steady undercurrent demanding new tactics and modalities of communication. How will employers engage their most important public — their own people — in the new normal? |
11:20 – 11:30 a.m. CT | Audience Takeaways & Closing Remarks
Laurie Bischel, 2022 Page Up Annual Conference Co-Chair, Managing Director, Corporate Communications, CME Group Patrick Humphris, 2022 Page Up Annual Conference Co-Chair, Managing Director, Head of Corporate Affairs, CVC Capital Partners (Virtual) |
11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. CT | Networking Lunch |
WHEN October 16-18, 2022
TIME 5:00pm-12:30pm
LOCATION Renaissance Chicago Downtown Hotel | 1 West Upper Wacker Dr Chicago IL, 60601