Agenda
8:00 a.m., Registration check-in; continental breakfast available
8:45 a.m., NDPC Annual Business Meeting
9:00 a.m., Welcome, NDPC President Sarah Mudder
9:05 a.m., Keynote Speaker: “Leadership Through Storytelling,” Rachel Brewster
Great stories inspire action. The best storytellers craft narratives that empower and influence others.
In this keynote, you’ll learn how to use the SPAR method to structure your stories and communicate with clarity, confidence, and credibility. Whether you’re presenting to your board, motivating your team, or selling an idea, this proven framework will help you communicate with impact, ensuring your message is not only heard but remembered. Walk away with practical strategies to make your storytelling persuasive, polished, and powerful.
10:20 a.m., “Hold My Phone: Building Relationships with Gen Z,” Tammy Jo Taft, Hanna Weiland and Sarah Monilaws
Engaging the newest generation in the workforce is essential for every professional communicator. This interactive session will explore practical strategies for connecting with Gen Z, featuring hands-on activities, message development exercises, and insights from research and real-world examples. Discover how to craft compelling messages, understand the unique skills Gen Z brings to the workplace, and foster stronger relationships with emerging talent.
11:05 a.m., “Teaching, Talking & Teaming Up on the FM Area Diversion,” Tara Ekren and Amy Wieser Wilson, Ph.D.
The Fargo-Moorhead Area Diversion is making history—not just as a major infrastructure project but as the first water management public-private partnership (P3) in North America. With little regional memory of projects on this scale and no precedent for a P3 with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, public education has been critical.
While the project moves closer to delivering permanent flood protection, it has also impacted landowners—some losing land, others subject to flowage easements—creating challenges in messaging and public perception. Add in the complexity of an 11,500-page contract covering more than 30 years, and disputes are inevitable. How do communicators balance transparency, confidentiality, and collaboration in such a high-stakes environment?
12:00 p.m., NDPC awards luncheon
1:15 p.m., “From Message to Movement: Creating Brand Stories That Resonate,” Ashton Hauff
A strong brand story is more than just filler words or catchy sayings – it’s about genuine connection. In today’s crowded market, brands that stand out are those that communicate their purpose in a way that is authentic, compelling, and deeply resonant with their audience. Afterall, impactful brand stories are 22x more memorable and increase conversions by 33%.
In this session, Hauff will break down the process of crafting a brand story that captivates and converts. Attendees will learn a proven framework for defining their ideal audience, identifying their unique differentiator, and building their emotional "why" into a truly compelling narrative.
2:15 p.m., “Balancing the Narrative: How to Build Credibility and Trust with Your Audience,” Rob Port and Chad Oban
In a fast-paced media landscape, how can content creators ensure fairness, accuracy, and balance? Port, a columnist for the Forum Communications Company, and Oban, a long-time political consultant, bring their unique perspectives to this discussion. As the cohosts of Plain Talk, a podcast focused on North Dakota’s political news and current events, they navigate the challenges of presenting multiple viewpoints while maintaining credibility and public trust.
Port and Oban will explore the responsibilities of content creators in an era of increasing polarization. They’ll discuss their strategies for avoiding the pitfalls of cage match punditry and fostering meaningful dialogue. Expect an insightful conversation with real-world examples and practical takeaways.
NDPC reserves the right to modify session times, topics, and speakers as necessary to ensure the best experience for attendees.
Registration
Register by April 11, 2025, to secure the early-bird rate. After this date, the registration fees will increase. Registration closes at 5:00 p.m. on May 2, 2025, to allow NDPC time to finalize event preparations. The fee includes access to all sessions, meals, and light refreshments.
- Member registration: $120 early-bird, $140 late.
- Non-member registration: $155 early-bird, $175 late.
- NDPC awards luncheon only: $30 per person.
Sleeping rooms
Sleeping rooms are available at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites, 300 27th Ave SW, Minot, ND. The guest room rate is $89.00 per night. To reserve a room at the discounted rate, contact the Holiday Inn Express by phone, 701-837-1200, and ask for the “NDPC Conference” block. The rate will be offered until April 11, 2025, or until the block is full.
Special Accommodations
Persons with specific dietary needs are asked to submit their accommodation request when registering for the event to allow NDPC adequate time to honor the request.
Sponsors
Lou Richardson
