Communications Elevated 2026
About this Event
Communications Elevated conference is designed to bring communicators together for learning, connection, and practical insight that elevates our work.
Why attend?
Communicators are navigating constant change, new tools, evolving expectations, and increasing demands for clarity and impact.
Communications Elevated is being built to help you:
- Strengthen your skills and confidence
- Learn from experienced practitioners
- Connect with peers across communications disciplines
- Walk away with insights you can immediately apply
Whether you work in internal communications, PR, marketing, or a related field, this conference is designed to meet you where you are and elevate your skills.
Proudly presented by:
Communications Elevated 2026 and are grateful for our sponsors!
Colorado Networking Reception Sponsor
Front Range Sponsors
Headshot Sponsors
Agenda at a Glance
🕑: 08:00 AM - 06:00 PM
Communications Elevated 2026
Host: ***subject to change***
Info: Full agenda: https://iabc-colorado.com/Events/Communications-Elevated#agenda
🕑: 08:00 AM - 08:45 AM
Registration/Breakfast
🕑: 08:45 AM - 09:45 AM
Keynote - Elevating Satisfaction
Host: Dr. Erika Michalski
Info: Learn what Mick Jagger and Keith Richards didn’t realize about satisfaction. Turns out you CAN get it…if you know how. In this keynote, Dr. Erika marries research from the fields of neuroscience, positive psychology, and emotional intelligence as it invites you to consider how you are cultivating your own sense of satisfaction in both your personal and professional life.
🕑: 10:00 AM - 10:45 AM
How to Get Better at Hard Conversations: Turning Tension into Trust
Host: Gabriel DeRita
🕑: 10:00 AM - 10:45 AM
How to Build an AI-Ready Social Strategy That Shows Up, Stands Out and Scales
Host: Brent Bowen
🕑: 10:00 AM - 10:45 AM
Nobody Wants to Read This: How to combine journalism, research, and change...
Host: Amanda Swennes
🕑: 10:45 AM - 11:30 AM
Networking Bingo + Headshots
🕑: 11:30 AM - 12:15 PM
Lunch Break + Headshots
🕑: 12:15 PM - 01:15 PM
Keynote - From Unknown to In-Demand
Host: Michael Ambrozewicz
Info: From Unknown to In-Demand: How strategic communication can build an employer brand, earn trust and drive business results.
What happens when a company needs to hire hundreds of experienced technology professionals in one of the world’s most competitive talent markets—but almost no one there knows who you are?
Rather than treating employer branding as a recruiting campaign, the team approached it as a strategic communications and reputation challenge—one that could not only attract talent, but also help define the culture and employee experience of a new organization. The result was an integrated program built on audience insight, distinctive positioning, visible leadership, authentic storytelling and measurable business outcomes—ultimately earning an IABC Gold Quill Award.
🕑: 01:45 PM - 02:30 PM
From Panic to Plan: Why Crisis Communications is Critical
Host: Patricia Billinger
🕑: 01:45 PM - 02:30 PM
The New Physics of Influence: Communicating in an AI-Mediated Reality
Host: Elizabeth Edwards
🕑: 01:45 PM - 02:30 PM
Invisible Labor, Visible Proof: Elevating the Work of Internal Communicators
Host: Alyssa Towns
🕑: 02:30 PM - 03:00 PM
Networking Break/Afternoon Snack
🕑: 03:00 PM - 03:45 PM
The Human Advantage: Communication When Everyone Has AI
Host: Susan Abbott
🕑: 03:00 PM - 03:45 PM
To Be Announced
Host: TBA
🕑: 03:00 PM - 03:45 PM
To Be Announced
Host: TBA
🕑: 03:45 PM - 04:15 PM
Closing Session
🕑: 04:30 PM - 06:00 PM
Networking Happy Hour
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
USD 75.00 to USD 245.00
