Employee comms summit

A must-attend virtual meet-up for passionate internal communicators, HR leaders, and IT professionals.
WHAT TO EXPECT:
The Employee Comms and Experience Virtual Summit brings together industry visionaries and practitioners to share cutting-edge strategies and real-world success stories. From unlocking the power of AI to amplifying employee engagement and collaboration, you’ll gain actionable insights to drive innovation in your organization.
Fresh-off-the-press insights from Simpplr Research that’ll have you rethinking everything you thought you knew about modern intranets
Game-changing sessions with leaders who’ve turned their digital workplaces from good to revolutionary
A front-row seat to how AI is reshaping our field (and no, it’s not taking our jobs – it’s making us better at them)
Speakers

Carolyn Clark
VP Communications & EX at Simpplr

Christy Schoon
Strategy & value consulting at Simpplr

Lisa Colella
Managing Director, Strategic Communications & Leadership at CRA | Admired Leadership

Scott Ashen
Vice President, Digital Workplace at Integral

Lilly McEneaney
Digital Workplace and AI Transformation at Lead Simply, a Gallagher Company

Shaun Randol
Founder of Mister Editorial Editor-in-chief of Digital Publications at Lam Research

Kerilynn Pajer
VP, HR Business Partnerships and Change Initiatives, Agero

Jill van der Poel
Director of Corporate Affairs at Moderna
Agenda
09:45 AM
Inside Internal Comms: The State of Intranets Today
Ready for real talk about what’s actually working in internal communications and intranets?
We’re kicking things off with fresh insights from our latest research – the trends you need to know and the data that matters.
Then, we’re getting real with a power panel featuring industry experts and practitioners who are in the trenches making it happen.
No fluff, no theory – just honest conversation about what’s working, what isn’t, and what’s coming next. You’ll walk away with practical strategies you can actually use to evolve your internal communications and intranet.
10:30 AM
5 AI Tools That Actually Deliver Results for Internal Communications
The buzz around AI is deafening—but which tools actually move the needle for internal communications?
This session will cut through the noise and spotlight five AI tools that are genuinely transforming IC strategies. These aren’t just trendy names—we’ve tested them, trust them, and seen real results.
Join us to see AI in action and unlock its full potential for driving impactful, measurable results in internal communications.
11:15 AM
Elevate Employee Experience with HR & IC
Great HR programs become unstoppable when paired with strategic communications and the right technology.
This session will provide a dynamic conversation on how HR and Internal Communications teams can work together to create employee experiences that truly make a difference.
We’ll share real success stories, show how modern intranets take HR initiatives to the next level, and give you practical ways to break down silos and build stronger partnerships.
If you’re an HR or Communications leader looking to drive real impact, this is one session you won’t want to miss!
12:00 PM
Driving EX, Productivity & Efficiency in 2025
With mounting pressure to streamline operations, cut costs, and improve security, IT leaders are accelerating tech consolidation. By 2026, 75% of organizations will pursue vendor consolidation to boost efficiency and reduce costs (Gartner).
But consolidation isn’t just an IT initiative—it’s key to enhancing employee experience (EX) and productivity. A fragmented EX stack leads to inefficiencies, disengagement, and rising costs.
This session will explore what’s driving this shift, the hidden costs of fragmentation, and how a unified platform—combining intranet, AI-powered search, and extensibility—boosts communication, productivity, and engagement. Plus, hear a Simpplr customer’s firsthand experience.
09:45 AM
Expert Panel: The Future of Employee Experience
Employee experience is evolving faster than ever, with AI, automation, and consumer-grade workplace tech reshaping how organizations engage and connect with their people. As HR and internal communications become more intertwined, what trends actually matter—and how can you stay ahead?
Join our expert panel for a candid conversation on the future of employee experience, the new rules of engagement and workplace culture, and the must-have skills every HR and IC leader needs to thrive in this rapidly changing landscape.
10:30 AM
Heart + Machine: When AI Meets EQ and IC
AI is revolutionizing content creation—but can it truly capture human connection?
This session explores how to balance AI’s efficiency with the empathy and nuance that only people can bring to internal communications. It’s not just about speed; it’s about making every message resonate.
We’ll dive into when to leverage AI, where it enhances or falls short on emotional impact, and practical strategies to integrate AI without losing the human touch. AI can’t read the room, but used wisely, it can help communicators move faster while keeping messages authentic and meaningful.
11:15 AM
Making IT Champions of IC Initiatives
Successful internal communications programs depend on technology that enables agility, personalization, and data-driven decision-making. But to implement best-in-class tools like intranets, newsletters, and surveys, having an IT champion is essential.
Join this session to learn what IT cares about, how to gather the insights they need, and how to collaborate effectively to drive a seamless digital employee experience.
Through real-world case studies, we’ll explore how IC and IT teams can work together to identify, select, and implement the right technology to maximize impact.
12:00 PM
Making Intranet Investment a No-Brainer
Let’s talk money, metrics, and making your case. In this practical session, we’ll show you how to position a modern intranet as a strategic, must-have investment that leadership can’t ignore.
Discover real ROI metrics from organizations that have seen measurable success, learn how to calculate the hidden costs of fragmented tools and poor communication, and get actionable strategies to align your intranet investment with key business objectives.
With proven templates, frameworks, and real-world success stories, you’ll leave with the insights and confidence to build a business case that drives executive buy-in and delivers real impact.
Registration
A must-attend virtual meet-up for passionate internal communicators, HR leaders, and IT professionals.