Summit delegates to be equipped with skills to communicate in a crisis

Effective communication in a crisis or emergency scenario is to be one of the key themes at the upcoming Leisure Industry Communication and Marketing Summit and Awards.

At some point every business or organisation is going to face a crisis or emergency, and being prepared with an effective communication strategy needs to be a key part of this planning.

Scenarios might include: 

• An accident or fatality
• A security incident
• Legal issues relating to operations or staff
• Dealing with scrutiny over performance or financial results
• A complaint or criticism from an unhappy member, patron or guest going viral on social media.

The last few years have seen countless examples of crises and emergencies where we have witnessed effective and not-so-effective media management: the fatal incident on Dreamworld’s Thunder River Rapids ride last October, the performance drugs scandal that focused on the Essendon Bombers and Cronulla Sharks, the death of cricketer Phil Hughes at the Sydney Cricket Ground, the mysterious pool pooper at Invercargill’s Splash Palace aquatic centre, ongoing issues of ticket scalping and bots at major events, concert and venue safety, the Waikato Chiefs stripper incident along with a range of drowning events at aquatic facilities.

Occurrences of this type can have a major impact on an organisation or business’ reputation and ongoing performance which can be reduced by effective communication. In addition, situations may also require a need to inform in emergency situations, to offer support and/or provide sympathy.

When faced with scrutiny, ‘no comment’ is not enough, and if even if you chose not to comment, social and other media may well be driving the agenda.

Being presented at Sydney’s ANZ Stadium on Thursday 24th August, the Leisure Industry Communication and Marketing Summit and Awards, will be setting out to equip businesses, organisations and professionals in communicating more effectively with their customers, clients and key markets.

Crisis and emergency communications sessions
Two keynote presentations and a panel of experts will address crisis and emergency communications sessions at the Summit.

Keynote - Carlie Holt, Partner, Sparke Helmore Lawyers
Carlie Holt (pictured)  is the first person many organisations call when a workplace incident occurs. Holt is frequently onsite immediately, giving clear advice about what steps to take in the first hours and subsequent days. 

She will be giving a legal view on Communication in a Crisis.

Keynote - Lyndall Milenkovic, Director, Riskworks and Liz McLaughlin, Managing Director, Horizon Communication Group 
Liz McLaughlin, who founded the Horizon Communication Group in 1992 and is a former President of the Public Relations Institute of Australia, has helped over 250 local and international organisations protect and sustain their organisations.

Lyndall Milenkovic has 25 years of experience in the Risk arena and is one of Australia’s most highly regarded specialists in Emergency Management. She is the founder and Chief Executive of The Riskworks Network.

She is particularly well known for her work with major venues and events including four Olympics, two Commonwealth Games in addition to Public Spaces and events around Australia.

Milenkovic and McLaughlin will deliver a joint keynote on Getting Your Crisis and Emergencies Communications Strategy in Place.

Panel - Lyndall Milenkovic; Edie Idik, Managing Director, Vital Pulse and Phil Heads, General Manager - Media, Communications and Government Relations, Sydney Cricket and Sports Ground Trust.
This Panel will present on Marketing and Communications through Crises and Emergencies, presenting case studies and experiences, to equip professionals to be prepared for crisis and emergencies. 

The Panel will also be joined by Carlie Holt to address questions from delegates.

Background and Registrations
The event is aimed at all leisure industry sectors - aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism and venues - sectors that deliver entertainment, enjoyment and improved quality of life to populations, consumers and members, and which have numerous great messages to share.

Equally, the event is highly relevant to communications, marketing and public relations professionals looking to do business in the industry along with managers who may have to deal with communications issues in the event of a crisis or emergency. 

Registrations cost $695 (plus GST).

Click here for more information and/or to register for the Leisure Industry Communication and Marketing Summit. 

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29th June 2017 - INDUSTRY SUMMIT TO EQUIP PROFESSIONALS WITH ESSENTIAL COMMUNICATION SKILLS 

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8th February 2017 - THE RISKWORKS NETWORK SHARES ADVICE ON KEEPING YOUTH SAFE AT MUSIC FESTIVALS

15th December 2016 - INAUGURAL LEISURE INDUSTRY COMMUNICATION AND MARKETING AWARDS 

27th October 2016 - ARDENT LEISURE IN TURMOIL AFTER DREAMWORLD RIDE TRAGEDY

5th August 2016 - CHIEFS HANDLING OF STRIPPER ALLEGATIONS SLAMMED AS PUBLIC RELATIONS DISASTER

5th August 2015 - HOW INVERCARGILL’S SPLASH PALACE HANDLED THE MEDIA DURING ITS ‘CODE BROWN’ CRISIS

26th June 2015 - AFL ANNOUNCES LIFE BAN FOR FORMER ESSENDON SPORTS SCIENTIST STEPHEN DANK

18th September 2013 - AUSTRALASIAN LEISURE MANAGEMENT TO MARK 100 ISSUES