AGENDA
Wednesday, June 3
Schedule and speakers are subject to change. All events are at the hotel unless noted otherwise.
7:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Registration
Atrium Lobby Level
8:30 a.m. – Noon • Preconference Sessions
Beyond the Chatbot: Guardrails, Data Readiness, and Hands-On Building with AI
AI is rapidly changing how government communicators work—from drafting content to managing workflows—and this interactive workshop shows what’s possible right now with generative AI, embedded AI tools, and emerging agentic workflows. In plain English, we’ll explore how these technologies are transforming day-to-day communication work and what it takes to use them responsibly and effectively. You’ll also participate in a hands-on “vibe coding” lab where you’ll build a simple AI-powered workflow using natural-language prompts and leave with practical ideas you can apply immediately.
In this session, attendees will:
•Learn how to translate AI policy into operational governance, including how to define risk tiers, approve AI-related tools, and create oversight processes with audit-ready documentation.
•Identify what “AI-ready data” looks like in practice and walk away with a practical framework to prioritize improvements in data access, quality, integration, and security.
•Build a simple AI-powered workflow using natural-language prompts and leave with practical “vibe coding” techniques and a practical 6–12-month action checklist you can use in your organization.
Dustin Haisler, Chief AI Officer and U.S. General Manager, Darwin AI; Josh Levine, Founder, Thorian AI; Dr. Miha Vindis, Professor of Practice, Texas State University, and Director for the Texas Certified Public Manager Program
Room Assignment TBD
Behind the Scenes at Austin City Hall
This interactive tour will include the City Council Chambers, podcast studio, master control that includes seven control rooms, a news conference room/ studio that includes tracked robotic cameras and a video wall, and hands on access to the latest video production equipment.
Keith Reeves, Communications and Public Information Administrator, City of Austin; Burton Fitzsimmons, ATXN Station Manager
Austin City Hall – Transportation Provided
Digital Accessibility
Build practical skills to create accessible digital experiences and prepare your agency for new federal digital accessibility rules. This workshop covers ADA requirements, real-world disability navigation, and best practices for websites, documents, and PDFs to ensure inclusive, compliant, and user-friendly content for all people.
The session begins with an overview of digital accessibility and its real-world impact, including how people with disabilities interact with digital content. Participants will explore accessibility laws, standards, and measures, and gain a deeper understanding of different disabilities through guided discussion and a live demonstration of navigating digital platforms with a disability.
The second portion focuses on website accessibility, including the difference between accessibility overlays and true structural accessibility. Attendees will learn how to build accessible navigation, create inclusive visuals such as images and charts, design accessible forms and interactive elements, and utilize tools that support accessibility efforts.
The final portion covers accessible documents and PDFs. Participants will learn what makes a document inaccessible and how to create accessibility in native files using proper structure, hierarchy, alternative text, and color contrast. The session also includes practical tips for improving Excel-generated PDFs (such as agenda memos) and an introduction to proper tagging basics in Adobe PDFs.
Lynn Wehrman, Founder, President and CEO, Dane Dunham, Principal Accessibility Specialist, and Ellen DeCesare, Director of Accessibility Services, WeCo
Room Assignment TBD
1:00–1:15 p.m.
Welcome
TAMIO President Molly Fox, Director of Communications, City of Bedford
Grand Ballroom
1:15–2:15 p.m.
Opening Keynote: Digital Doppelgänger(s): How savvy teams are augmenting their unique talents using the magic of AI
Artificial Intelligence feels like magic.
Draft a smart prompt, and presto! ChatGPT crafts your press releases, composes your community newsletters, and develops your public engagement strategy. You can even commission Google’s Gemini to respond to complex citizen inquiries and council member questions!
AI is truly awe-inspiring.But most AI-generated municipal communications, public statements, and engagement strategies are generic at best – and nonsense at worst.
That is – until you start building your Digital Doppelgänger.
Your Digital Doppelgänger is your AI-powered civic communication collaborator. Your virtual twin. They’re your brainstorming partner, confidant, writing counterpart, and strategic advisor for navigating complex municipal messaging challenges.
Your Digital Doppelgänger isn’t just AI.They are IA – Intelligence Augmentation.They don’t replace your public information skills.They enhance your communication talents.(Of course, they have the power to destroy too.)
In this exhilarating session, Andrew Davis (and his Digital Doppelgänger) will show you how to build your very own AI-powered creative collaborators. He’ll show you the four-step iterative process one savvy marketer uses to augment their unique writing style, saving 39 valuable working hours. You’ll even witness AI’s power to destroy trust and learn the only way to avoid it.
Most importantly, Andrew will demonstrate why AI can make YOU more valuable than ever in creating meaningful connections between your municipality and its citizens.
So, are you ready to create your first Digital Doppelgänger?
Andrew Davis, Author | Keynote Speaker
Grand Ballroom
2:30-3:30 p.m. • Concurrent Sessions
Build Your Own Digital Doppelgänger
Were you inspired by the idea of Digital Doppelgängers? This hands-on session is where you’ll turn your ideas into action. Join keynote speaker Andrew Davis for a highly interactive workshop designed to help you immediately apply the concepts to your own work. Bring your own device and be ready to build, test and leave with practical tools you can use right away.
In this session, attendees will:
• Turn an “If only we could…” idea into a functioning AI-powered creative assistant in 30 minutes.
• Transform a current campaign, concept or content challenge into an AI-accelerated workflow.
• Create a repeatable workflow for developing and refining communications faster without losing strategic oversight.
#MiscSkills; #Intermediate, #Advanced, #SmallShop
Speakers: Andrew Davis, Author | Keynote Speaker
Moderated by: TBD
Room Assignment TBD
Content Kings
“Content Kings” shows how anyone can create impactful content by first identifying the “why” driving the story to be told. Jasmine and Joe walk through how to select the right gear, format, and approach for different communication needs, from polished high-produced PSAs to quick mobile reels. This session empowers attendees to create with clarity and confidence.
In this session, attendees will:
• Understand when to use long‑form storytelling versus short‑form, quick‑hit content.
• Gain practical guidance on saying “yes” or “no” to content requests based on purpose and capacity.
• Compare traditional videography techniques with modern, mobile‑first approaches.
#VisualComms, #Beginner #Intermediate, #Advanced
Speakers: Joe Calderon, Assistant Director of Communications, and Jasmine Infante, Social Media Coordinator, City of Pearland
Moderated by: TBD
Room Assignment TBD
Staying Ahead of The Story
In this session, attendees will learn how to become a “Source” for news in their communities, why that is so important, and how to stay ahead of the story so you’re not on the defensive. Plus, some tips on how to form relationships with your media partners, and learn what a VNR is and how to make one you can use.
In this session, attendees will:
• Learn how to make your Social Media a source for news in your community that citizens will rely on for important information.
• Learn why being a “source” is crucial for your citizens in this day and age of homemade podcasts and influencers who say whatever they want based on whatever they think.
•Learn how to build relationships with media partners or influencers that will help you help them tell the best story with the facts you give them.
#MediaRelations #SmallShop #Beginner, #Intermediate
Speakers: Chris Horgen, PIO, and Samantha Forester, Social Media and Marketing Specialist, City of Wichita Falls
Moderated by: TBD
Room Assignment TBD
PIO 101: Foundations of Municipal Communications
This session is designed for new communications professionals with little to no experience in government or municipal environments. Attendees will gain a foundational understanding of internal communications, external messaging, and crisis response through a dynamic panel discussion. Emphasis will be placed on building relationships across 3 cities of varying sizes and structures, fostering networking opportunities and strengthening allyship within the profession.
#MiscSkills #Beginner
Hosted by: Victor Reta, Director: Recreation, Events, Legislative Affairs, HPO, PIO, City of Socorro
Speakers: Jill Lind, Director of Communications & Marketing, City of Trophy Club, Maribel Lopez, Public Information Officer/Communications Specialist II, City of Watauga, and Rosealee Hoffman, Communications and Marketing Director, City of Willow Park
Room Assignment TBD
3:30 – 4:00 p.m.
Networking Beverage Break with Sponsors
Atrium Lobby Level
4:00-5:00 p.m. • Concurrent Sessions
Turning Down the Temp: How Local Governments Can Battle Polarization
Public discourse is running hot — and local governments are feeling the burn. From explosive public meetings to the social media battlefield, partisan divides are undermining trust and slowing progress in our communities. This presentation will unpack the forces driving polarization and their effects on local decision-making and highlight strategies to counteract them.
In this session, attendees will learn how local governments are:
• Using transparency and civic engagement to rebuild trust
• Refocusing residents on shared goals
• Using organizational values to address bad actors
#CommunityEngagement #Beginner #Intermediate
Speakers: Rachel Reynolds, CPC, Communications & Public Engagement Manager, City of Keller
Moderated by: TBD
Room Assignment TBD
Fighting Anti-Growth Sentiment with Positive Marketing
This case study highlights how the City of Georgetown uses strategic, positive marketing to address anti-growth sentiment in a rapidly growing community. We will walk through real campaigns focused on humanizing city employees, meeting residents where they are, and building trust through inclusive storytelling. The session will also share how internal partnerships and subject matter expert collaboration help increase participation and close the feedback loop with residents.
In this session, you’ll learn:
• Identify common drivers of anti-growth sentiment and aligning communication strategies to address them.
• Discover campaigns that highlight staff, showcase community inclusivity, and strengthen trust through positive storytelling.
• Learn approaches to engaging internal teams and subject matter experts to remove participation barriers and build stronger collaboration.
• Explore methods used to close the feedback loop and demonstrate how resident input is reflected in outcomes.
#ExternalCommunications #Beginner #Intermediate #Advanced
Speakers: Mallory Tallas, Social Media and Marketing Coordinator, and Beth Wade, Social Media and Marketing Coordinator, City of Georgetown
Moderated by: TBD
Room Assignment TBD
Accessible Videos and Social Media
Learn how to make your multimedia and social content accessible to all. This session covers captioning basics, transcripts, and audio description, along with practical tips for accessible social media, including text, hashtags, images, infographics and video, so your content is clear, inclusive and easy to engage with.
#MiscSkills #Beginnner #Intermediate #Advanced
Speakers: Lynn Wehrman, Founder, President and CEO, Dane Dunham, Principal Accessibility Specialist, and Ellen DeCesare, Director of Accessibility Services, WeCo
Moderated by: TBD
Room Assignment TBD
First-Timers Orientation
Is this your first time attending the TAMIO Conference? Ours, too! Join our first-timers orientation session to gain the tools, tips and insights you need to make your TAMIO experience truly “Worth Writing Home About” from the very start.
#Beginnner #Intermediate #Advanced
Presented by TAMIO Region Directors
Room Assignment TBD
6:45 p.m.
TAMIO Region Restaurant Romp
Everyone will be able to sign-up by their TAMIO region and go to dinner together. We will even have a sign-up for first-time attendees if you prefer to go with other newbies.
9:00 – 11:30 p.m.
TAMIO City Limits, Sponsored by Digital Resources
Austin is the “Live Music Capital of the World”; so, get ready to sing your heart out in our most ambitious TAMIO After Hours event ever: Live-Band Karaoke! Take the stage and sing your favorite hits backed by a full live band, or sit back, relax, and enjoy the show as your fellow attendees bring the energy. Whether you’re a seasoned performer or just in it for fun, this is your chance to shine.
Bluebonnet Ballroom
Thursday, June 4
Schedule and speakers are subject to change. All events are at the hotel unless noted otherwise.
7:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Registration
Atrium Lobby Level
8:00 – 9:00 a.m.
Breakfast and Welcome
Grand Ballroom
9:00 – 10:00 a.m.
Morning Keynote: Space, Time and the Machine: Communicating in a Post-Human Landscape
From papyrus to printing presses, radio to television, social media to AI — humanity has always reinvented the way it communicates. Today, we find ourselves in a world where information is instant, automated and often consumed without a single click. What does this mean for city communicators, and how do we ensure our communities stay connected to truth, trust and one another? Join Brooks Bennett, City Manager of Round Rock, for a thought-provoking look at the future of communication and the role of municipal storytellers in shaping it.
Speakers: Brooks Bennett, City Manager, City of Round Rock
Grand Ballroom
10:00 – 10:45 a.m.
Networking Break with Sponsors
Atrium Lobby Level
10:45 – 11:45 a.m. • Concurrent Sessions
AI in Action: Tools Worth Writing Home About
Still trying to keep up with the pace of AI or skeptical of its benefits? In 2026, the question isn’t if you’ll use AI, but how well. This session is your fast-track to harnessing practical applications of AI to supplement your productivity and creativity in the world of government communications. Through a rapid-fire sharing of tips and tools, you’ll discover real-world strategies and walk away with actionable tools to take time back from your day and reimagine what’s possible in your role.
#MiscSkills #Beginner #Intermediate
Speakers: Sara Bustilloz, Communications Director, Brooks Bennett, City Manager, City of Round Rock
Moderated by: TBD
Room Assignment TBD
You Don’t Have to Build Your Website Alone: How to Create a Coalition of Supportive Subject-Matter Experts
Managing a website without a dedicated web team is a challenge familiar to many communications professionals, but it doesn’t have to be a solo effort. Attendees will learn practical strategies for building relationships and templates so subject-matter experts can build and maintain web content. This presentation focuses on building process, not how to create web content, and attendees will leave with ready-to-use templates and tools they can apply immediately.
In this session, attendees will:
• Learn how to build a Single Point of Contact (SPOC) process with non-communications staff to help maintain accuracy of website content
• Discover how the Austin Development Services’ communications team uses Power Automate to automate routine communications.
• Take away lessons learned from three years of implementing a SPOC web update process, through significant changes like departmental realignment, a new website, and digital accessibility.
#ExternalCommunications #Intermediate #Advanced
Speakers: Maggie Holman, Public Information & Marketing Program Manager, and Jennifer Mach, Content Strategist, Austin Development Services
Moderated by: TBD
Room Assignment TBD
First Bond? Ours, too!
Are you prepared for your first bond election? Hear two small-shop case studies of May 2025 bond elections and the work behind them. A candid look at the pros, cons, behind-the-scene drama, and how to navigate educating voters without campaigning.
In this session, attendees will:
• Leave equipped with an outline of communication strategies used in today’s bond elections
• Learn the do’s and don’ts of what cities are allowed to say (we’re not lawyers – still consult your bond counsel!)
• Learn how to maximize your budget and resources
#CommunityEngagement #SmallShop #Beginner #Intermediate #Advanced
Speakers: Megan Nelson, CPC, Communications and Community Engagement Director, City of Canyon, and Bianca Cuccerre, Communications Manager, City of West University Place
Moderated by: TBD
Room Assignment TBD
Noon – 12:45 p.m.
Lunch and Membership Business Meeting
Grand Ballroom
12:45–1:45 p.m.
Lunch Keynote– What Advertising’s Great Minds Can Bring to Your Municipality
Whatever you’re communicating about can be thought of as a branding exercise all its own. The creative process behind some of advertising’s biggest ideas can help take your messaging to the next level.
Speakers: Dr. Glenn Griffin, Professor of Practice, UT Austin, Moody College of Communication
Grand Ballroom
2:00 – 3:00 p.m. • Concurrent Sessions
Collaboration Unlocked: Cracking the Code of Interdepartmental Communication
As government communicators, getting the right information at the right time can be one of the toughest parts of the job. This session breaks down the most common “locks” that stall collaboration with other city departments—from late information to total communication breakdowns—and introduces practical “keys” you can use to keep things moving. Through real-life examples and hands-on exercises, you’ll discover ways to connect departments, streamline communication, and deliver clearer, more effective messaging for your residents.
In this session, attendees will:
• Identify the most common “locks” slowing down communication in your organization and pinpoint where they show up in your day-to-day work
• Discover simple “keys” to open communication paths and keep information moving
• Build a strategy to turn scattered input from departments into clear, timely communication that serves your residents
#InternalCommunications #Beginner #Intermediate
Speakers: Ashley Donde, Senior Communications Manager, City of League City
Moderated by: TBD
Room Assignment TBD
Comments On or Off? Making the Right Call for Risk, Trust, and Engagements
Some agencies are turning comments off and seeing fewer headaches. Others are keeping them on and building engaging online communities. This session explores both approaches, helping communicators understand the tradeoffs and how to guide leadership toward the right decision for their organization. Through real examples, including Hurricane Helene, we’ll break down when engagement builds credibility, when limitations may make sense, and how to use data and strategy to support either path.
Learning Objectives:
• Evaluate the risks and benefits of keeping comments on vs. turning them off, and identify which approach aligns with their agency’s goals and risk tolerance.
• Learn how to educate leadership using analytics, performance data, and real-world examples to support and defend their social media strategy.
• Apply practical frameworks for managing engagement, misinformation, and public feedback, whether comments are open, limited, or disabled.
#ExternalCommunications #Intermediate #Advanced
Speakers: Frances La Rue, Social Media Specialist, Julie Parker Communications
Moderated by: TBD
Room Assignment TBD
Welcome to Halloween, Texas
What began as a conversation in Fall 2023 about Christmas decorations quickly transformed into an ambitious goal: to make Denton the Halloween Capital of Texas. This session will show how the City of Denton built the Halloween Capital of Texas from the ground up in a single year by taking a progress-over-perfection mindset, forming authentic partnerships, and executing a bold, multi-platform marketing strategy that reached audiences far beyond city limits.
Learning Points:
• Gain insight into the planning essentials (timeline, staffing, and funding) behind initiatives of this scale
• Learn how to confidently navigate the pursuit of progress over perfection
• Understand how to build a marketing strategy that engages locals and attracts visitors
#CommunityEngagement #Intermediate #Advanced
Speakers: Kayla Herrod, Deputy Director of Marketing and Communications, and David Baker, Marketing Specialist, City of Denton
Moderated by: TBD
Room Assignment TBD
Who Owns the Message in a Crisis? Aligning PIOs, Leadership, and Partner Agencies
This session explores what operational leaders, media, and emergency management partners actually expect from municipal PIOs during a live incident, and where those expectations don’t always align. Drawing on cross-sector perspectives, we examine how authority, access, and communication roles shape outcomes under pressure. Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of potential gaps and practical ways to strengthen coordination before the next crisis.
In this session, attendees will:
• Recognize where misalignment in authority, access, and expectations impacts communication during an incident
• Identify gaps between their current role and what partners expect under pressure
• Apply practical approaches to improve coordination and message alignment across agencies
#SmallShop #Intermediate #Advanced
Speakers: Risa King, Strategic Advisor, Infrastructure, Governance & Crisis Coordination, T2 Professional Consulting LLC
Moderated by: TBD
Room Assignment TBD
3:00 – 3:30 p.m.
Networking Break with Sponsors
Atrium Lobby Level
3:30 – 4:30 p.m. • Concurrent Sessions
Enter Flow State
Learn more about the flow state and how you can utilize this frame of mind to increase productivity, harness potential, and find joy in work. In a time when distractions are abundant and work demands are increasing, learn how to overcome those challenges with the tools you have available. This hands-on session has tips everyone can use from newcomers looking to get a hold on all the work to seasoned veterans hoping to rediscover their passion. In this session, attendees will understand what the flow state is and how to access it for increased productivity, learn about how to improve their physical and mental work environment to achieve work zen, and the importance of being absorbed, finding wonder and discovering the process beauty of our work.
#MiscSkills #SmallShop #Beginner, #Intermediate, #Advanced
Speakers: Dustin Dangli, Communications & Public Affairs Manager, City of Mansfield
Moderated by: TBD
Room Assignment TBD
From Clicks to Crowds – Digital Advertising That Drives Attendance
Participants will hear a case study about how the Bee Cave Comms team saved money and increased clicks with a DIY digital advertising campaign. Presenters will deconstruct effective Google Ad and Meta campaigns, explaining audiences, campaign types, messaging, keywords, images, and video that drive measurable results. Participants are encouraged to bring a laptop so they can sign into Meta and Google Ads to follow along.
In this session, attendees will learn how to:
• Create cost-effective, in-house digital advertising campaigns to market their event and increase attendance on a budget.
• Structure and optimize Google Ads and Meta Ads campaigns, including selecting the right campaign types, keywords, and audiences.
• create high-performing messaging and visuals (images and video)
#ExternalCommunications #SmallShop #Beginner #Intermediate
Speakers: Crystal Cotti, Director of Communications, City of Bee Cave
Moderated by: TBD
Room Assignment TBD
The Horizon Watch: Anticipating and Pivoting Through Local Government Crises
In an era of instant digital feedback, a minor issue can escalate into a full-scale emergency before morning coffee. This session equips local government communicators with the tools to identify “smoldering” crises through proactive monitoring and strategic scanning. Additionally, attendees will learn how to maintain organizational agility, transitioning from standard operating procedures to rapid-response pivoting when the unexpected strikes your community.
#CrisisCommunications #Intermediate #Advanced
Speakers: Tom Bryson, Vice President, Public Sector Practice Leader, Cooksey Communications
Moderated by: TBD
Room Assignment TBD
When Systems Go Dark: Communicating through a Municipal Cyberattack
Cyberattacks on cities are increasing, disrupting essential services and testing how governments communicate under pressure. This session brings together municipal leaders who have experienced real-world cyber incidents to share lessons learned in managing public messaging, maintaining services, and balancing transparency with security during an active crisis. Participants will gain practical insights into communicating service disruptions, navigating legal and investigative constraints, managing elected officials and media expectations, and adapting messaging as incidents evolve from initial response through recovery.
#MiscSkills #Beginner #Intermediate #Advanced
Speakers: Kelli Lewis, Director of Marketing, City of Carrollton, Lacey Rose, Director, Communications & Public Engagement, City of Lubbock, Greg Sowell, Communications Director, City of Richardson
Moderated by: TBD
Room Assignment TBD
6:00 p.m.
TAMI Awards Networking Hour
No need to sit in your room waiting for the TAMI Award Banquet to start. Join us for complimentary drinks and more networking at the TAMI Awards Networking Hour.
Atrium Lobby Level
6:30 – 9:00 p.m.
TAMI Awards Banquet
The TAMI Awards will be presented at a dinner on Thursday, June 4, and is included in the conference registration. You will be emailed a few weeks in advance to R.S.V.P. for the Awards Dinner. Your R.S.V.P. is required to be guaranteed a seat at the Awards Dinner. Additional tickets for guests to attend the dinner may be purchased for $100 each. Tickets must be purchased by Friday, May 31. No tickets will be sold at the conference.
Grand Ballroom
9:00 – 10:00 p.m.
TAMIO After Hours – Trivia Night, Sponsored by Open Point
Once the awards are given out and the pictures are all taken, join us for Trivia and let the real competition begin!
Bluebonnet Ballroom
Friday, June 5
Schedule and speakers are subject to change. All events are at the hotel unless noted otherwise.
8:00 – 8:45 a.m.
Breakfast and Welcome
Grand Ballroom
8:45 – 10:00 a.m.
Film Fest
Back by popular demand, the TAMIO Film Fest returns to wrap up the annual conference with a fun, fast-paced showcase of standout municipal videos from across Texas. You’ll see a little bit of everything in this hour, from big cities to small towns and all kinds of stories in between. And all of them have something worth stealing (in the best way).
Hosted by Blaine Beyer, Communications & Marketing Manager, City of Abilene
Grand Ballroom
10:15 – 11:15 a.m.
Closing Keynote: Solving the Yogurt Case Murder: Telling Our Story of One of Austin’s Most Notorious Cases
For 35 years, and after countless dead ends and controversial wrong turns, the most notorious crime in Austin’s history had remained unsolved. Until it wasn’t. New technology led to answers to the city’s most haunting questions. And it was up to us to tell the story quickly, completely and compassionately.
Speakers: Jenny LaCoste-Caputo, Deputy Chief Communications Director, City of Austin, Keith Reeves, Communications Administrator, City of Austin, and Anna Sabana, Strategic Communications Manager, Austin Police Department
Grand Ballroom
TAMI AWARDS SPONSOR
CONFERENCE APP SPONSOR
TAMI AWARDS DINNER SPONSOR