Internal – Agenda | Internal Communications Europe Conference

A One Day Conference & Networking Exhibition | 21 November 2024 | Amsterdam

Embracing AI & Impacting Business Change, Engagement & Performance With Innovative & Strategic Internal Communications

08.15 Registration, Informal Networking & GIC Welcome

09.00 Morning Co-Chairs’ Opening Remarks

Stefanie Przybisch, Communications, PR & Influence Director, Room Mate Hotels

David Barrett, Internal Communications & Multimedia Manager, World Health Organization

Supporting & Driving Change Management

09.10 Equip Leaders & Staff With The Tools To Navigate An Ever-Changing World Supported By Effective Internal Comms Strategies That Champion Change, Prioritise Wellbeing & Manage Uncertainty

Highlight the increasing frequency and complexity of change in today’s dynamic environment, emphasising the importance of acknowledging and addressing this reality in internal communications strategies
Equip managers, leaders and employees with the tools and mindset to navigate constant change, incorporating the narrative that change is inevitable with practical examples to guide supportive implementation
Address the challenge of talent shortage exacerbated by widespread change, and discuss how internal communications can play a critical role in retaining and attracting talent amidst uncertainty
Combatting change fatigue: showcase the role of internal communications in supporting management through reorganisations and change initiatives, fostering resilience and motivation among employees

Krysia Sommers, Head of Communications, Bayer Vital (Germany)

Strategic AI, Automation & Digital - Panel & Q&A

09.30 Uncover The Transformative Power Of AI To Improve Efficiencies Within IC Whilst Addressing Fears & Maintaining A Human Approach To Drive Employee Engagement

Explore the new opportunities AI presents to reshape organisation cultures and redefine work habits and the pivotal role of IC in navigating this cultural evolution
The introduction of AI has reshaped the world permanently, so what can your organisation do to leverage this change and unleash its potential to drive internal communication efficiencies and propel business capabilities to new heights?
Managing fear and uncertainty around AI and automation can be challenging: address concerns about job displacement due to AI and demonstrate the strategic and critical role of internal comms to alleviate fears and encourage acceptance of AI within the workplace
Identify best practices and proven capabilities for leveraging AI in IC to enhance efficiencies and agility to revolutionise internal communication strategies and drive productivity, impact and adaptability in the digital age
Taking a human-centric AI approach: debate and discuss the importance of preserving human competencies and creativity in conjunction with AI, ensuring a balanced approach that maintains the humanity of internal comms whilst drawing on the strengths of digital solutions

Sören Weber, Senior AI Product Manager, Trivago N.V.

EVP & Employee Engagement

10.00 Elevate Employee Engagement With Internal Communication Strategies & Innovations That Prioritise Engagement & Highlight Your Unique Employee Value Proposition

Discover innovative approaches to leverage internal communications as a catalyst for ongoing employee engagement to keep employees informed, motivated, and connected
Explore new strategies to create a culture of engagement by prioritising transparent communication, meaningful recognition, and opportunities for personal and professional growth
Enhance the employee experience through strategic communication by effectively conveying company values, goals, and initiatives, thereby creating a sense of belonging and shared purpose among employees
Leverage internal communications to amplify the employee value proposition by showcasing the unique benefits and opportunities that set your organisation apart as an employer of choice to attract and retain the top talent

Rachel Fischer, Head of Corporate Communications, Allianz Services

10.20 Bonus Session: Reserved For Exclusive Conference Partner

10.50 Morning Refreshment Break With Informal Networking

Comms Strategy: Channels & Content Creation

11.20 Transform Your Existing Communication Channels To Meet The Needs Of All Stakeholders To Guarantee Engagement, Productivity & Teamwork

Address the need for modernising communication methods to reflect your diversifying workforce, transitioning from static newsletters and emails to dynamic, engaging channels that consider the needs of all stakeholders
Explore the shift towards collaborative and participative communication, providing employees with the tools and platforms needed to interact and engage with each other in real-time to encourage a culture of open dialogue and teamwork
Emphasise the importance of inclusivity in internal communication strategies, ensuring that communication efforts are not solely focused on desktop users but also cater to employees with varying access and technology preference
Optimising the intranet: discuss the role of the intranet as a central hub for information and updates, exploring best practices for designing and maintaining an intranet platform that is intuitive, user-friendly, and serves the needs of diverse employee groups effectively
Discuss the future of communication channels, including the continued rise of mobile communication apps, social media platforms, and collaboration tools, and explore how organisations can leverage these channels to deliver more personalised, interactive, and engaging communication experiences

Joanna Ceglowska, Director, Communications, AstraZeneca

Janusz Berger, Associate Director of Communications, AstraZeneca

The Strategic Role Of Internal Comms - Panel & Q&A

11.40 Showcase The Importance Of Internal Comms As A Strategic Business Function & Drive Corporate Initiatives By Establishing Cohesion & Engaging Staff Throughout Your Organisation

With an ever-growing and diversifying workforce, collaboration and cohesion is now more important than ever: demonstrate how IC unites teams from diverse markets, visions and countries to rally them towards shared objectives
Demonstrate the strategic role of IC to inform, influence, and engage staff across all levels of the organisation create a synergy that aligns all staff with key corporate priorities
Strengthen the influence of IC within leadership circles, emphasising the importance of coaching and managing upwards to ensure alignment with organisational goals and objectives

Iona Mackintosh, Head of Internal Engagement & Project Management, L’Oréal

Elisabeth Hesse, Vice President Internal Communications, Events & Sponsoring, METRO AG

Justine Rohée, Head of Communications & ESG, Rail Europe

Kim Fobe, Head of Internal Communications & Employee Branding, Montblanc

Julia Huhn, Head of Communications, Public Policy & Responsible, Santander Germany

Carolina Andrade, Head of Communications, Mercedes-Benz.io

Measurement & ROI

12.10 Demonstrate Your IC Achievements With Stringent Strategies & Quantifiable Metrics That Prove Value, ROI & Secure Deserved Recognition From Senior Leaders & Stakeholders

Prove the ROI of your internal communication efforts by demonstrating their contribution to corporate priorities such as increased productivity and reduced turnover
Quantifying change and impact: discuss new and improved methodologies for measuring change and accessing the impact of internal communication initiatives, leveraging metrics such as employee engagement surveys, feedback mechanisms and KPI’s aligned with organisational goals
Uncover insightful, real-world case studies and success stories illustrating the tangible impact of internal communication initiatives on business outcomes, showcasing examples of how organisations have effectively measured and demonstrated the value of their communication efforts
Highlight the importance of aligning measurement metrics with organisational objectives, ensuring that KPIs are relevant, actionable, and tied to desired outcomes, and discuss strategies for refining measurement frameworks to accurately reflect success

Anna Perrini, Global Employee Expert, ING

12.30 Lunch & Informal Networking For Speakers, Delegates & Partners

13.00 Peer-To-Peer Discussions

a) Crisis Comms

Justine Rohée, Head of Communications & ESG, Rail Europe

b) Employee Branding

Kim Fobe, Head of Internal Communications & Employee Branding, Montblanc

c) Storytelling

Judith Kaltschmitt, CMO, Marketing & Communications, Director, Moët Hennessy

d) Geopolitical Change & Uncertainty

Tino Fritsch, SVP Group, Communications & Public, Affairs, CLAAS

e) Internal & External Comms

Stijn Van De Vyver, Head of Office – Campaigns & Digital Communications, Europol

13.30 Afternoon Co-Chairs’ Opening Remarks

Hendrik de Wit, Group Director Communications, Refresco

James Bedford, Director of Internal Communications, Skyscanner

Geopolitical Change & Uncertainty

13.40 Ensure Effective Internal Communication In A Global Set Up Against The Background Of The Current Geopolitical Challenges

Highlight the need for a more concrete approach to crisis communication in light of current external scenarios, and explore strategies for developing robust crisis communication plans that ensure clarity, transparency, and consistency in messaging
Address the challenges of ensuring effective internal communication in a global setup against the backdrop of geopolitical challenges, and discuss best practices for sharing information and maintaining transparency while respecting cultural sensitivities and legal constraints
Navigating the VUCA world: Explore how the volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous external environment is impacting internal communications, and discuss strategies for helping employees navigate and adapt to these challenges

Olena Androshchuk, Head of Corporate Communications, Henkel Ukraine

Internal vs External Comms

14.00 Bridge The Gap Between Internal & External Communication Strategies With Better Collaboration For Enhanced Engagement & Effectiveness

Dive into the potential synergies between external communication practices and internal communication strategies and the value of collaboration between teams for sharing lessons learned, KPI’s and best practices to inspire internal communication efforts
Explore the integrations of internal and external comms to support hybrid roles and how aligning messaging and strategies can optimise communication effectiveness and facilitate engagement with diverse stakeholders
Consider how concepts and strategies from external comms can be adapted and applied to IC strategies and initiatives for greater effectiveness and engagement with staff

Edward Verheij, Country Communication Manager, IKEA

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion - Making IC More Inclusive

14.20 Drive Practical Action By Embedding Diversity & Inclusion At The Core Of Your IC Strategies To Reflect The Diverse Perspectives, Backgrounds & Experiences Of All Employees

Building bridges across differences: delve into the transformative role of IC in bridging cultural gaps, fostering empathy, and cultivating a sense of belonging among diverse teams
Explore how IC serves as a key component for ensuring a culture where diversity isn’t just acknowledged, but celebrated and integrated into every aspect of organisational life
Discuss strategies for navigating sensitive topics related to diversity and inclusion in internal communications, encouraging open dialogue, and building understanding among colleagues
Inspire leaders to lead with authenticity and vulnerability in their communications, setting the tone for an inclusive and empathetic organisational culture

14.20 Alexander Jansen, Communications Manager, TikTok

14.40 Maite Piera, Culture, Engagement & Communications Director, GBfoods

15.00 Bonus Session: Reserved For Exclusive Conference Partner

15.30 Afternoon Refreshment Break With Informal Networking

Engaging Leadership

16.00 Enhance The Relationship Between Leaders & Internal Comms To Ensure Leaders Are Unified In The Mission & Vital Role Of IC In Adapting To & Supporting An Evolving Organisational Landscape

Convince C-Suite leaders that IC is worth the continued investment by presenting compelling evidence showcasing how strategic investment in IC yields tangible returns, from improved employee engagement and retention to enhanced innovation
Building trust through leadership communication: recognise leaders as one of the most trusted communication channels within organisations and explore strategies for working strategically with leaders to build trust and align organisational goals
Emphasise the importance of adopting a gentle leadership approach, where leaders adapt their language and communication style to resonate with employees on a human level, balancing business objectives with empathy and understanding
Empower leaders as internal communicators: provide leaders with the tools, training, and support they need to effectively communicate with their teams, empowering them to deliver clear, consistent and inspiring messages that resonate with all employees

Austin Langlois, Head of Communications, Personal Health, Philips

Hybrid, Remote & Hard-To-Reach Engagement - Double Perspective

16.20 Establish Effective Working Models & Comms Strategies Which Ensures A Connected & Productive Workforce Across Locations, Underpinned By Successful & Engaging IC Strategies

Examine the new challenges faced by organisations in adapting to hybrid working models and establish the pivotal role of internal communications in maintaining employee engagement and cohesion, regardless of location
Dive into the evolving landscape of employee engagement and workplace culture in a hybrid environment, shedding light on the crucial role of internal communications in advancing connection and collaboration among remote and onsite teams
Discuss new strategies for effectively engaging remote and hard-to-reach employees, emphasising the importance of tailoring communication approaches which meet the unique needs, preferences and availability of remote workers
Inspire internal communications professionals to become champions of engagement and connection, equipping them with the skills and strategies needed to navigate this new frontier and drive organisational success

16.20: Perspective 1

Mayra Alcántara, Director of Comms & Publicity, Warner Bros. Discovery

16.40: Perspective 2

Paul Thomas, Director, Global Communications, Cargill

Michael Orr, Director, Corporate Communications, Cargill

Future Trends & Industry Benchmarking Advisory Board - Panel & Q&A

17.00 Establish Effective Working Models & Comms Strategies Which Ensures A Connected & Productive Workforce Across Locations, Underpinned By Successful & Engaging IC Strategies

Examine the new challenges faced by organisations in adapting to hybrid working models and establish the pivotal role of internal communications in maintaining employee engagement and cohesion, regardless of location
Dive into the evolving landscape of employee engagement and workplace culture in a hybrid environment, shedding light on the crucial role of internal communications in advancing connection and collaboration among remote and onsite teams
Discuss new strategies for effectively engaging remote and hard-to-reach employees, emphasising the importance of tailoring communication approaches which meet the unique needs, preferences and availability of remote workers
Inspire internal communications professionals to become champions of engagement and connection, equipping them with the skills and strategies needed to navigate this new frontier and drive organisational success