Registration for this training has closed.
Communicating the Value of Transit to Diverse Audiences: 10 AM to 12:30 PM
Combined Lunch: 12:30 to 1 PM
Crisis Communications: 1 to 4 PM
These are challenging and exciting times in transportation, which means there are messaging opportunities all around us. In fact, every day provides multiple opportunities to tell transit's story, be it through a community event, a catastrophe, or even a casual conversation.
This course is divided into two independent sections:
- Communicating the Value of Transit to Diverse Audiences from 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM, and
- Crisis Communications from 1:00 to 4:00 PM.
Registrants may attend both, or either classes depending on their interests and needs.
Cost: $25 per session (PPTA Cancellation Policy applies)
In addition to covering key concepts and principles related to success in communications, we will discuss and analyze national and regional best practices as part of this series. Interactive exercises and case studies will also allow participants to leave with new skills and ideas, as well as thoughts on how to utilize communications to enhance transit delivery, information sharing, and community relations back home.
Who Should Attend: This coursework can be considered timely for all transportation professionals. Content will include information especially relevant for transit executives and senior leadership, marketing and communications professionals, and other management and professional positions that interact with external stakeholders, community and funding partners, and the public.
These courses will be taught by Shawna Russell, who we all know as PPTA’s Executive Director. Prior to her time in PA, Shawna worked with elected officials, public sector agencies, and national clients on strategic messaging and advocacy, government relations, marketing and media relations, and crisis communications for more than two decades. Her graduate thesis examined public perception of transportation. Shawna’s expertise in strategic messaging and crisis communications has grown out of her service in a number of communications and policy assignments including: Professional staff for the Texas Transportation Commission; TxDOT’s Northwest Texas Director of Communications; Senior Advisor to the Texas Secretary of State; and Senior Vice President of Public Engagement for the transit agency serving the 7th largest city in the U.S. Suffice it to say when it comes to “talking transportation,” she's seen a lot and said a lot!
We hope you will join us in Harrisburg for what promises to be an interactive series on this crucial, yet often overlooked function within our industry!
Parking: Parking is available in the Walnut Street Parking Garage attached to the Hilton, at a rate of $10/night added to your hotel bill, or $5 for up to 10 hours with a ticket validated at the Hilton gift shop. Valet parking is also available for $24/night.
Lodging: PennTRAIN has secured a block of rooms at the Hilton Harrisburg for the nights of December 2 & 3 at a discounted rate of $139/night plus taxes and fees. Click here to book online, or call 1-888-370-0980 to book over the phone using group code PUBLIC. The room block will be released on November 22.
Meals: Lunch, snacks, and assorted beverages will be provided. Please inform Sara Bowden at sara@ppta.net of any dietary restrictions at least one week in advance.
Attire: Casual. Because it can be a challenge to keep the meeting room at a temperature that accommodates everyone, we recommend bringing a sweater or jacket to stay comfortable.
Available Seats: TBD
