Robert Hill—Vice Chancellor for Public Affairs
University of Pittsburgh—Pittsburgh, Pa.
United States
Conferences & Training
Campaign Communications
Program

Day 1
Day 2

Day 1, Thursday, May 5

8:00-9:00 AM
Registration

9:00-9:30
Welcome & Introductions

9:30-10:30
Campaign Overview: Phases and Timelines

This session will provide an overview of the components, phases and timeline of a successful campaign to set the stage for our conversations about campaign communications.

10:45-11:45
Breakout Session

11:45 AM-1:00 PM
Lunch on your own

1:00-2:30
Message Testing and Communications Planning: Finding Your Sweet Spot and Driving it Home
Your university's brand and your campaign's brand. Target audiences and messaging. Strategies and tactics. These are all basic things to think about when putting your communications plan together. Learn about these general steps as well as ideas on how to customize for your campaign and your institution.

2:30-3:30
Building Your Campaign Communications Team

Your campaign is a go. The goal and themes have been decided. Now what? Before you build your campaign communications plan, it's important to build out your team and develop an infrastructure that allows for consensus, buy-in and coordinated implementation. Learn how to develop a system that utilizes your built-in partners to contribute to and maintain successful communications, especially in a decentralized organization.

3:45-5:15
Keeping Your Campaign Top-of-Mind Through Social Media
Are you trying to find the best way to connect with donors and prospects online? Learn tips on increasing your impact on Facebook, blogs, Twitter and other social media. We'll look at whether to create your own campaign Facebook page or stick with your university's page. See success stories from across the country, get inspired to create a video that's bound to go viral and walk away with the latest information on trends in social media.

5:15-6:30
Networking Reception

Bring your business cards and chat informally with faculty and participants. Complimentary hors d'oeuvres and cash bar.

6:30
Conference Adjourns for the Day
Dinner on your own

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Day 2, Friday, May 6

8:00-9:00 AM
Breakfast Roundtables
Participants may pose questions and topics for discussion; faculty members will facilitate discussions.

9:00-11:00
Campaign Events Designed to Inspire
Throw a party and they will come ... well, not necessarily. Presenters offer case studies from their institutions—Oregon State University, University of Missouri, University of Montana and the Johns Hopkins University. Words of wisdom and lots of show-and-tell are designed to inspire you to inspire others, whether it's a campaign kickoff, closing gala or regional event.

11:15 AM-12:30 PM
Panel Discussion: As We See It—Emerging Trends in Campaign Communications
Top practitioners in the field of development communications share their perspectives on what they see as the next great things for breathing life into your campaigns. Are case statements dead? Are campaign coffee table books a thing of the past? How are new tools, or new takes on old tools, transforming how we tell our stories?

12:30-1:45
Lunch on your own

1:45-2:45
Campaign Stewardship and Donor Relations: When "Thank You" is Just the Beginning
Campaigns are a great excuse "to get it right"—from donor clubs and black-tie recognition events to handwritten thank-you notes and individual dinners with the president. Take the time to put in place a thoughtful (and strategic) donor relations program and those who lead your institution's next campaign will be the ones saying thank you!

3:00-4:15
Case Study
This interactive exercise will help you bring together many of the ideas and themes discussed at the conference.

4:15-4:45
Faculty Firing Line

4:45
Conference Adjourns

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Day 1
Day 2

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