In October 2024, I had the pleasure of attending The Communications Network’s ComNet conference in Kansas City, Missouri! The three-day annual event brings together over 1,000 communications professionals committed to advancing social good through strategic communications. The conference offered a range of inspiring keynotes, insightful Learning Labs, poster sessions, and plenty of networking opportunities. As I reflect on my experience, here are some key takeaways from my favorite Learning Labs:
Tangible Digital Tools by Sree Sreenivasan of Digimentors
This session provided valuable insights on optimizing LinkedIn, amplifying events, and integrating AI into daily work. My favorite advice from Sree is, “What’s common sense in real life is common sense in social media.” Check out Sree’s Top Digital Tips for more!
Communications in 2030 by Sam Jordan from the Future Today Institute
Sam Jordan discussed how emerging technologies, specifically AI, will shape communications by 2030. She highlighted key trends from the 2025 Tech Trend Report and discussed practical ways to integrate these technologies into our work today. My favorite activity was exploring the question: “Is AI creative?”. We took a creativity test to see if we ranked more or less creative than ChatGPT, which usually ranks in the top 1% of creativity tests. I ranked top 2%! Take the test yourself here to see if you’re more creative than ChatGPT.
The Power of Smart Brevity by Phil Dufresne from Axios HQ
Focused on concise communication in a world overloaded with information, this session underscored the importance of crafting clear and impactful messages. My favorite advice from Phil: “Length is fear, brevity is confidence.” This inspires me to refine my written and verbal communication for greater effectiveness. Check out this helpful guide from Phil Dufresne on How to Optimize Internal Communication.
Closing Reflections
The conference concluded with an inspiring closing ceremony, where The California Endowment received the Clarence B. Jones Impact Award for their outstanding work on #Health4All. Their efforts profoundly impacted health equity and strengthened communities across California.
Thanks to the Communications network for a transformative experience filled with actionable insights and inspiring conversations. I met so many like-minded folks and expanded my national network! I can’t wait for next year’s event!
Watch my Reels recap video from ComNet 24 here!