I’ve been invited to speak!

In a few weeks I will be a panelist at Capitol Communicator’s annual conference in Washington D.C., Friday, June 10, 2016 at the NAHB Conference Center. I’ll be co-leading a session on an important topic: “Media Training: How to Simplify Complex Messages.”

Over the past month, I posted a series of articles about what to think about when you’ve been invited to speak: audience, logistics and format. Check, check, check. I’m ready to rock and roll.

The topic of simplifying complex messages is one that is near to my heart as a former TV reporter. When a reporter interviews someone on a complex topic, the one job of the interviewee is to clarify and explain, versus create more confusion. Getting too into the weeds on a topic is a common challenge with most subject matter experts, they are experts after all; so they have a tendency to bypass the basics and get into the grit of the topic. Not only have they confused the reporter even more, but they have also just lost the reporter’s attention.

That is why I am so excited to be participating in this workshop! I’m putting on my old reporters hat and providing PR professionals with techniques for streamlining intricate messages for their spokespeople.

The Capitol Communicator’s PR Summit is an annual, one-day conference for PR and communication professionals in the Mid-Atlantic Region. If you are in the area and would like to attend, you can register at http://www.prsummitdc.com/tickets. It promises to be a day filled with useful insights and information for PR pros at any level.

The specific details of my session are as follows:

• Workshop – Media Training: How to Simplify Complex Messages
• When – Friday, June 10,2016,  2:45 – 3:30 p.m.
• Where – Auditorium,  NAHB Conference Center, 1201 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20005.
• Who – Carmie McCook, President, Carmie McCook & Associates, and Karen Addis, Senior Vice President, Van Eperen

Based in Washington, DC, Carmie McCook is a nationally respected, award winning executive communications expert, who has taught thousands of high-profile professionals, from CEOs of global 500 companies to small start-ups, how to become more powerful and credible communicators for media interview, B2B presentation, or public speaking event. For a full list of training services offered by Carmie McCook of Carmie McCook & Associates visitcarmie.com.