8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
West Foyer

Registration

9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Granada I

PR Boot Camp

Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in a special pre-seminar workshop chock full of challenging, hands-on training on subjects including crisis communications, deadline time management and managing the media. This won't be a typical classroom sit-and-listen format. You'll be given a stead stream of difficult, but meaningful assignments designed to hone your professional skills and increase your efficiency in the workplace. You'll crunch out work to beat tight deadlines, work in teams to solve real-world policy issues and work your way through public relations dilemmas.
Instructors: Various

10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Valencia VII

LINCS: What Is It, Where Did It Come From, and What Does It Mean?

This session is for international delegates only.

11:15 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Valencia VII

A Mini-Training Module on Media Relations

This session is for international delegates only.

LINCS Committee Meetings

Join colleagues from across the country to discuss important communications issues.

2:30 p.m. - 4:45 p.m.
Valencia III

Media Relations and Communication Planning Committee
Chair: Sheila McCant

3:45 p.m. - 4:45 p.m.
Valencia VII

Awards Committee
Chair: Mike Murphy

3:45 p.m. - 4:45 p.m.
Valencia IV-V

Fiscal Resources Committee
Chair: Bruce Smith

3:45 p.m. - 4:45 p.m.
Valencia VI

Member Outreach and Publicity Committee
Chair: Michelle Kibiger

4:45 p.m. - 5:45 p.m.
Valencia III

NCSL Focus Group
Selected LINCS Members

5:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Valencia VI

Civic Education and Publications Committee
Presiding Chair: Penny Silletti

6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Valencia IV -V

LINCS Executive Committee Meeting
Chair: Mitch McCartney

7:30 a.m.- 1:00 p.m.
Meet at 6:45 a.m. in hotel lobby.

Optional Activities: LINCS Golf Tournament

9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Meet at 8:45 a.m. in hotel lobby. Bus leaves promptly at 9:00 a.m.

Optional Activities: Tours of the Heard Museum and the City of Phoenix

1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
West Foyer

Registration

1:00 p.m.- 2:00 p.m.

The Management and Financing of LINCS

This session is for international delegates only.

1:30 p.m.- 2:00 p.m.
Valencia I and VII

Orientation Session for First-Time Attendees

First LINCS meeting? New to the LINCS organization? Get to know your colleagues in this engaging welcoming session. Find a mentor to guide you through the meeting and give you practical, professional and career advice.
Moderators: Barbara Fellencer, Communications Director, Pennsylvania House Committee on Appropriations;
Michelle Kibiger, Assistant Director/Editor, Minnesota House of Representatives

2:00 p.m.- 2:15 p.m.
Valencia III - VI

Welcome to the 2002 LINCS Professional Development Seminar

Introductions: Mitch McCartney, Director, Nebraska Unicameral Information Office;
Senator Randall Gnant, Arizona Senate President

2:15 p.m.- 3:30 p.m.
Valencia III - VI

Opening Plenary Session: Charles Layton

Layton is a former Philadelphia Inquirer editor, author of American's Journalism Review's "State of the American Newspaper" series on statehouse reporting, supervisor of three Pulitzer Press reporting projects and winner of the 2000 National Press Club Award for Press Criticism. Additionally, Layton is co-editor of the book "Leaving Readers Behind" referred to as the most comprehensive examination ever conducted of the U.S. newspaper industry.
Moderator: Sherri Baumeister, Broadcast Service Specialist, Missouri House of Representatives

Roundtables

3:45 p.m.- 5:00 p.m.
Valencia I and VII

I. Identifying and Developing your Customer Resources for the Web
Legislative Web sites are becoming more popular with the general public as state legislatures address the important issues of the day. Are legislatures taking advantage of the public thirst for knowledge about key issues? Learn how to identify important customer resources.
Moderator: David Martin, Webmaster, West Virginia Legislative Reference and Information Center

3:45 p.m.- 5:00 p.m.
Valencia III

II. Jumping Through Civic Education Hurdles
We know we need more civic education and know the programs to help promote it. How do we overcome the internal and external obstacles that prevent us from reaching constituents?
Moderators: Penny Silletti, Program Manager, New Jersey Office of Legislative Services;
Randy Szyba, Publicist, Rhode Island Legislative Press Bureau

3:45 p.m.- 5:00 p.m.
Granada I and II

III. Digital Photography Workshop
Digital photography is in high demand as the media expect and request it and legislators want it. A professional photographer will help you decide what type of digital camera you should purchase, teach you how to use it and provide technical advice.
Moderator: Mike Sunseri, Director of Photography, Kentucky Legislative Research Commission

5:30 p.m.
Meet in hotel lobby at 5:15 p.m. Bus leaves promptly at 5:30 p.m.

Opening Dinner Reception at Pinnacle Peak Patio Steakhouse and Microbrewery
(Warning: Wear ties at your own risk!)

Join your LINCS colleagues for dinner at the Pinnacle Peak Patio, voted to have the "best cowboy steak" by The New York Times. The reception includes a choice of meals and non-alcoholic beverages. Additional alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase from the bar.

7:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
Corsia Board Room

LINCS Nominating Committee
Chair: Bruce Smith, Assistant Public Information Officer, Kentucky Legislative Research Commission

Breakfast Buffet Roundtables: Partisan and Nonpartisan Communication Strategies

A full breakfast buffet will be available from 7:45 a.m. to 9:15 a.m. in the Alicante Room.

8:00 a.m. - 9:45 a.m.
Valencia III

I. Republican Roundtable
Moderator: TBA

8:00 a.m. - 9:45 a.m.
Valencia IV-V

II. Democrat Roundtable
Moderator: TBA

8:00 a.m. - 9:45 a.m.
Granada I-II

III. Nonpartisan Roundtable
Moderator: Bill Thomas, Information Representative, West Virginia Legislative Reference Center

9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
Valencia VII

The Importance of Civic Education and Promoting Citizen Participation

This session is for international delegates only.

Concurrent Sessions

10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Valencia III

I. Reporters Roundtable
Reporters covering the Arizona legislature discuss their craft and provide insight on what they need from public information officers. Join Robbie Sherwood (Arizona Republic), Howie Fischer (Owner of Capitol Media), and John Hook (News anchor, KSAZ TV - FOX) for an insightful discussion on how to improve your relationship with the media.
Moderator: Barbara Fellencer, Communications Director, Pennsylvania House Committee on Appropriations

10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Valencia IV-V

II. Critique My Newsletter
Bring your publication and have experts and colleagues show you how to improve it. Learn how to perk up your newsletter simply by focusing on a visual and organizational elements essential to any newsletter.

Instructors: Michelle Kibiger, Assistant Director/Editor, Minnesota House of Representatives;
Ginger Sampson, NCSL Policy and Media Specialist

10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Granada I-II

III. International Exchange Programs
In the past, LINCS members have been asked to represent NCSL and the LINCS staff section abroad. Come listen to your colleagues as they share their experiences abroad and discuss how to get more involved in international exchange programs.
Instructors: Mitch McCartney, Director, Nebraska Unicameral Information Office;
Jeremy Meadows, NCSL Program Manager;
Bill Wyatt, NCSL Public Affairs Manager

11:45 a.m. - 1:15 p.m.
Valencia II

Keynote Lunch Address: How John McCain Captivates the Press

Dan Schnur, national Director of Communications for U.S. Senator John McCain's "Straight Talk Express" and 2000 presidential campaign, shares his strategies that made McCain one of the most quotable public figures of our time. A leading political and media strategist, Schnur's record includes work on four presidential and three gubernatorial campaigns. Schnur currently is a visiting instructor at the University of California at Berkeley's Institute of Governmental Studies, where he teaches courses in politics and campaigning.
Moderator: Mitch McCartney, Director, Nebraska Unicameral Information Office

The remaining afternoon sessions will be held in the Arizona State Capitol Building. Meet in the lobby at 1:20 p.m. Buses leave promptly for the Capitol at 1:30 p.m.

2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Senate Hearing Room 1
(Note:Participants can rotate between these sessions which are offered twice.)

I. Hands-On Adobe Photoshop Workshop
Learn the essential beginner skills for using Adobe Photoshop, including how to scan, crop, resize, edit and add special effects to your pictures.
Note: Class size is limited. Sign up for this session upon checking in at the registration desk upon your arrival.
Instructor: Jean McCartney, Technology Specialist, Doane College

2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Senate Hearing Room 1

II. Arizona Capitol Tour
Join your colleagues for a guided tour of the beautiful and uniquely southwestern Arizona Capitol.
Tour given by State of Arizona capitol tour representatives.

2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Senate Hearing Room 1

III. NCSL Toolkit Review
Educating citizens about the value of representative democracy is not an easy task. NCSL is preparing a resource with helpful tips for state legislators as they communicate with their constituents. A draft of the resource will be available for LINCS members to review and offer suggestions on how to improve this unique product.
Instructor: Gene Rose, NCSL Public Affairs Director

3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Senate Hearing Room 1

I. Hands-On Adobe Photoshop Workshop
Learn the essential beginner skills for using Adobe Photoshop, including how to scan, crop, resize, edit and add special effects to your pictures.
Note: Class size is limited. Sign up for this session upon checking in at the registration desk upon your arrival.
Instructor: Jean McCartney, Technology Specialist, Doane College

3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Senate Hearing Room 1

II. Arizona Capitol Tour
Join your colleagues for a guided tour of the beautiful and uniquely southwestern Arizona Capitol.
Tour given by State of Arizona capitol tour representatives.

3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Senate Hearing Room 1

III. NCSL Toolkit Review
Educating citizens about the value of representative democracy is not
an easy task. NCSL is preparing a resource with helpful tips for
state legislators as they communicate with their constituents. A
draft of the resource will be available for LINCS members to review
and offer suggestions on how to improve this unique product.
Instructor: Gene Rose, NCSL Public Affairs Director

4:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Senate Hearing Room 1

LINCS Business Meeting
Presiding Chair: Mitch McCartney, Director, Nebraska Unicameral Information Office

9:00 p.m. - Midnight
Mezzaine

Dessert Reception

Join your colleagues for an opening night reception hosted by Alabama, host of the 2003 LINCS Professional Development Seminar to be located in coastal Alabama.

8:00 a.m. - 9:15 a.m.
Mezzanine

Buffet Breakfast
(Note: Coffee will be served until 10:00 a.m.)

8:30 a.m. - 9:45 a.m.
Valencia III-VI

Plenary Session: Jim Sabourin, Vice President of Public Affairs for America West Airlines

Moderator: Bruce Smith, Assistant Public Information Officer, Kentucky Legislative Research Commission

Breakout Sessions

10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Valencia III-VI

I. The Best of LINCS: Award Winning Projects

Learn from first-hand accounts about communication innovations from your colleagues in America's statehouses.
Moderator: Mike Murphy, Public Information Officer, Alabama Senate Information Office

10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Granada I-II

II. Crisis Communication Strategies

Like it or not, crisis communication is a part of everyday life for communication professionals. Every public information and partisan media relations officer needs a crisis communication plan. Come learn how you can prepare for and effectively tackle the many crisis that must be confronted during our jobs.
Moderator: Sheila McCant, Public Information Officer, Louisiana House of Representatives

11:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Valencia III-IV

Closing Remarks and Door Prize

Turn in your evaluation form and get a chance to win a book autographed by Pulitzer Prize winning author David Halberstam.
Moderators: Mitch McCartney, Director, Nebraska Unicameral Information Office

9:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Locations TBA

LINCS Committee Meetings
Chair: Various LINCS committee chairs