Four opinion editors shared insights on what they seek in academic opinion pieces. Participants learned practical tips for crafting compelling op-eds, including addressing emails effectively and making niche topics engaging. The session equipped communicators with tools to enhance clarity, timeliness, and accessibility in their faculty’s writings.

Attendees listened to peers from both campuses share tips and learnings on event promotion, managing hybrid events, logistics, scope creep, risk management, and mobilizing co-managers. The peer-led learning circle was followed by breakout rooms for further discussion. The session aimed to improve event organizing skills and foster new connections and support for planning small- to medium-sized events with limited budgets.

Matthew Ramsey and Thandi Fletcher from Media Relations discussed how to balance academic freedom and freedom of expression with the need for a safe and respectful environment. They shared examples from past issues, explored policies and concepts, and examined historical and escalating tensions in higher education. Participants also applied these learnings to relevant scenarios in guided breakout rooms.

Mark Pilon and Margo Yacheshyn shared their experiences with AI tools like Adobe Firefly, discussing successes, challenges, and lessons learned. They provided practical examples of using AI in visual production and explored future potential. Participants gained a basic understanding of AI tools in Photoshop and Canva, learned about challenges and opportunities, and received tips for scaling and touching up images with AI.

A panel of UBC communicators and staff discussed the opportunities and risks of using AI in communications work. Panelists included Aisha Sinclair, Yvonne Hopkins, Mark Montgomery, Erik Rolfsen, Thaïs Ramos, and Erika Brimacombe. Participants gained a basic understanding of generative AI, practical examples of ChatGPT usage, tips for effective prompts, and resources to learn more about AI in communications.

The Zoom session for solo communicators included facilitated breakout rooms discussing themes such as managing workload, career development, demonstrating value to leadership, and fostering collaboration. Participants shared experiences and solutions, aiming to build connections and find new ways to address common challenges. The event provided a supportive space for solo communicators to feel less isolated and more empowered in their roles.

Several UBC communicators demonstrated how their units use Asana for content planning, onboarding and offboarding staff, strategic plan execution, and requests and ticketing. Participants learned new applications for Asana, fundamental best practices, and how to connect with others for further insights. The session provided guidance for those new to Asana on integrating it into their units at UBC.

The session featured a facilitated panel discussion and Q&A with various communicators. Participants were encouraged to share their pain points and questions beforehand, which the panelists addressed. The discussion covered relationship-building, using data effectively, aligning work with strategic priorities, and demonstrating value under pressure. Attendees gained insights and practical tips to apply in their daily work.

Participants engaged in brief one-on-one conversations in rotating breakout rooms every five minutes. Armed with conversation prompts, attendees met randomly selected communicators to learn about their work and share experiences. The session aimed to foster new collaborations and enhance understanding of the UBC communications landscape.

Alexis Ronse, a UX designer with UBC Brand and Marketing, shared easy-to-implement techniques for improving web accessibility. Participants learned about the global importance of accessibility, strategies to enhance their websites, and the significant benefits of attracting and retaining more traffic. The session provided practical insights into creating a more inclusive online experience.

Emi Sasagawa and Valentina Ruiz Leotaud led the session, which began with a presentation on positionality and intersectionality. A panel of UBC communicators discussed their diverse perspectives and the implications for their roles, audiences, teammates, and story subjects. The session concluded with a Q&A and open discussion. Participants gained insights into unpacking assumptions, accounting for power dynamics, and making storytelling more reciprocal.

Presenters Emma Novotny, Matt Warburton, and Geoff D’Auria shared practical advice on creating professional graphics. Participants learned how to combine their communications expertise with basic design best practices, utilize UBC brand design elements, and use Canva to enhance their graphics work. The session aimed to help communicators produce compelling visuals despite limited design experience.

Ken Yong, web manager at UBC Sauder School of Business, explained key parts of the Google Analytics interface, how to find actionable data to achieve business goals, what an effective analytics plan looks like, and a simple tracking approach to try immediately. Participants gained practical insights to work smarter with Google Analytics.

Four university experts—Houston White, Peter Meiszner, Jessica Allen, and Robert Kwei—guided discussions in small breakout groups. Participants learned about sourcing social media assets, writing copy, sharing toolkits, and measuring success. The interactive session provided new ideas for creating effective social media toolkits and amplifying messages across channels.

Photographers Paul Joseph (UBC Brand & Marketing) and Clare Kiernan (Office of the VP, Research and Innovation) shared ideas for sourcing quality images. Participants learned how to maximize stock image libraries, improve smartphone photography, use DSLR cameras, and work with professional photographers. The session provided practical tips for planning and capturing images effectively.

The session aimed to reframe traditional views on strategic communications planning, emphasizing that strategic thinking can be applied in various forms regardless of experience. Participants explored different components of the strategic communications process, including stakeholder interviews, benchmarking, and playbooks. The interactive session provided specific ideas for applying strategic thinking in daily work and discussed what it means to be an effective strategic partner.

Communicators from the First Nations House of Learning, the Indigenous Research Support Initiative, and the Indian Residential School History and Dialogue Centre shared practices and considerations for storytelling involving Indigenous people and initiatives. The session included a facilitated discussion, allowing participants to ask questions and share experiences. Attendees left feeling more informed and empowered to share authentic Indigenous stories.

Valerie Casselton, managing editor at Vancouver Sun, and Demetre Eliopoulos, senior VP at Angus Reid, discussed the appropriateness of sharing non-COVID stories and positioning them effectively. Valerie shared newsroom insights, while Demetre presented research on Canadian perceptions. Participants gained a better understanding of audience expectations and how to navigate evolving situations.

The presentation and Q&A explored best practices, learnings, and processes applied by the UBC Media Relations team to manage various issues. Participants gained insights into the university’s approach to issues management, their roles within it, and tips for handling pressure. The session also provided an opportunity for communicators to share their experiences and network.