
PUBLIC RELATIONS
AGENDA
The Vendor Meet and Greet will be held at the Hilton Omaha, Grand Central Ballroom, 2nd Floor. All other PDS sessions will be held at the CHI Health Convention Center at 455 North 10th St, Omaha, NE 68102
Monday, July 22
Noon - 3:45pm
Mega Millions Standard & Guidance Committee Meeting (CLOSED MEETING by Invite Only)
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2:00pm - 7:00pm
Registration Open
3:00pm – 5:30pm
MUSL Security Meeting (CLOSED MEETING by Invite Only)
​5:30pm – 8:30pm
Vendor Meet & Greet
Hilton Omaha, Grand Central Ballroom, 2nd Floor
Tuesday, July 23
9:00am – 9:15am
Conference Kickoff
Brian Rockey, Director, Nebraska Lottery
9:15am – 10:15am
General Session Keynote
Todd Simon, Chairman and Chief Steak Evangelist, Omaha Steaks
10:15am – 10:30am
Networking Break
10:45am – 11:15am
Meet & Greet and Roundtable Discussion ​
This session is your opportunity to connect with fellow PR professionals and set the stage for an engaging week ahead. Share your name, position, and how long you've been in your current role. Express your expectations for PDS and what you hope to gain from the experience, and let us know what topics you're eager to explore and discuss throughout the week.
11:15am - Noon
Voices of Impact: Collecting Stories From Lottery Beneficiaries
Jennifer Mullen, Director of Communications and Customer Relations, Virginia Lottery
Kym Gerlock, Director of Communications & Corporate Social Responsibility, Tennessee Education Lottery
Ewa Swope, Press Secretary, Pennsylvania Lottery
In this compelling session, we spotlight a variety of ways lotteries are raising awareness about the good causes they fund. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of how lottery proceeds transform lives and communities across various sectors. Join us as we discuss strategies for effectively communicating these stories to raise awareness, build support, and inspire continued investment in community welfare. This session will offer an enlightening journey into the transformative power of collective investment in public good.
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Noon – 1:30pm
LUNCH
Lunch sponsored by Allwyn and Aristocrat Interactive
1:45pm – 2:45pm
General Session – Lotteries in the Gaming Space
Helene Keeley, Director, Delaware Lottery
Matt Strawn, Chief Executive Officer, Iowa Lottery
Laurie Holman, Committee Counsel, Nebraska General Affairs Committee
Michael J. Pollock, Senior Policy Advisor, Spectrum Gaming Group, Executive Director, National Council of Legislators From Gaming States
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2:45pm – 3:00pm
Networking Break
3:15pm – 3:45pm
Roundtable Discussion – Responsible Gambling
John Hagerty, Senior Public Affairs Specialist, Virginia Lottery
Kym Gerlock, Director of Communications & Corporate Social Responsibility, Tennessee Education Lottery
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Responsible gambling is growing by leaps and bounds, and it’s more important than ever in our industry. These seasoned presenters will provide a brief overview of their lotteries’ RG programs, but the focus of this session will be on group discussion and Q&A. So come prepared to discuss!
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3:45pm – 4:30pm
Lottery Literacy Programs: Educating Players for Informed and Responsible Play
Jared Bond, Director of External Affairs, Hoosier Lottery
Seth Elkin, Managing Director of Communications, Maryland Lottery
Adam Owens, Communications Manager, North Carolina Education Lottery
Leigh Warren, Corporate Social Responsibility Manager, Brand Management & Communications, North Carolina Education Lottery
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This interactive session focuses on the development and implementation of successful lottery player literacy programs. Learn how to create engaging and informative content that addresses the most common questions players have about the lottery, including game mechanics and scratch-off odds. We will also explore effective strategies for promoting responsible gambling, ensuring that players are aware of gambling risks and equipping them with strategies to play responsibly. Join us for the insights and resources you need to cultivate a well-informed and healthy player community.
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4:45pm – 5:15pm
Powers Awards and Ott Brown Scholarship Presentation
Celebrate industry excellence with the annual Powers Awards and Ott Brown Scholarship!
The prestigious annual NASPL Powers Awards are presented in recognition of the significant contributions lottery and vendor employees have made through exceptional job performance. NASPL also awards one lottery professional the Ott Brown Scholarship each year, enabling the recipient to participate in the NASPL Lottery Leadership Institute at no cost.
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5:15pm – 6:15pm
Women In Lottery Leadership (WILL)
Rebecca Paul, President & CEO, Tennessee Education Lottery
Terri Rose, DED, Brand Management and Communications, North Carolina Education Lottery
Wednesday, July 24
9:00am – 10:15am
General Session Keynote – Leadership & Overcoming Obstacles for Pioneering Innovation
Jeff Koterba, Speaker, Author, and Creativity Coach
10:15am – 10:30am
Networking Break
10:45am – 11:15am
Powerball Jackpot Communications: Beyond the Boilerplate
Anna Domoto, Director of Communications, Multi-State Lottery Association
Thomas Nelson, Communications Specialist, Multi-State Lottery Association
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Why did the cash value drop? What state is the luckiest? Why have jackpots been so big lately? Why was the drawing delayed? They’re all questions that have hit our inbox before, so let’s lean into some of our latest Powerball jackpot FAQ’s. Along the way, we’ll cover a little MUSL 101 and share what else’s going on beyond the boilerplate.
11:15am – Noon
Roundtable Discussion – Making the Most of the Big Jackpot Games
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Beneficiary messaging
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Highlighting retailer commissions
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Prepared b-roll
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Sneak peek into the process
Noon – 1:30pm
LUNCH
1:45pm – 2:30pm
Lottery Outreach and Community Engagement
Stacey Beardsley, Communications Manager, Virginia Lottery
Jared Bond, Director of External Affairs, Hoosier Lottery
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Discover how the Virginia Lottery successfully established their new employee volunteer program, including their ongoing recruitment and management, communication opportunities, and strategies for cultivating champions! And find out more about the community service initiatives of the Hoosier Lottery, highlighting the diverse volunteer efforts of their staff – from cleaning up sidewalks and volunteering at animal shelters to donating canned goods and supporting the U.S. Olympic swim trials. Additionally, learn how to leverage these sponsorships to include responsible gambling and beneficiary messaging, amplifying their positive impact on the community.
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2:30pm – 3:00pm
Roundtable Discussion – Maximizing Your Impact: Effective Social Media Strategies for Marketing and PR
Dave Klemencic, Chief Operating Officer, Smith Kroeger
Ewa Swope, Press Secretary, Pennsylvania Lottery
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In this dynamic session, we'll delve into the intricacies of leveraging social media to amplify your marketing and public relations efforts. Our expert panel will explore various topics including:
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Establishing the right cadence for posting on social media platforms
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Crafting a compelling and consistent style that resonates with your audience
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Identifying what works and what doesn't
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Finding the balance of what type of content performs best on what platform
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Utilizing agencies for social media management
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Exploring innovative approaches and new strategies in social media marketing
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Distinguishing between using social media as a PR tool versus a marketing tool
Combined session with Marketing
3:00pm – 3:15pm
Networking Break
3:30pm – 4:45pm
Swag Swap and Roundtable Discussion
This much-loved tradition is a great way to see what promotional items other lotteries are using to entertain and excite their players. So pack your coolest t-shirts and tote bags, caps and koozies and other rad promotional goodies and get ready to share the fun with your PR colleagues.
Then we’ll wrap up the day with an open roundtable discussion. This session is interactive, so be prepared to participate! Potential topics include:
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In-person events
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Sales tax on lottery tickets
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Security breaches - reach out to Arizona
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PR tools/AI
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Managing PR for organizations with multi-channel offerings (sports betting, iLottery, etc.) tie in
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Couriers
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Crisis comms strategies/plans
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United voice for national stories
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Handling bad press
5:30pm – 7:30pm
NASPL Networking Reception
The Durham Museum
Thursday, July 25
9:00am – 9:15am
Closing Remarks From Our Host
Brian Rockey, Director, Nebraska Lottery
9:15am – 10:15am
General Session Keynote – Integrity Aligns Destiny
Willie Miller, BSN, RN
10:15am – 10:30am
Networking Break
10:30am – 11:15am
General Session – Identifying and Mitigating Points of Failure: Building a Business Resiliency Program
Cathleen Atchison, Business Continuity Program Manager, Oregon Lottery
11:30am – Noon
Nonprofit Journalism From a Nebraska Perspective
Cate Folsom, Editor-in-Chief, Nebraska Examiner
Matthew Hansen, Editor, Flatwater Free Press
Neil Watson, Marketing and Communications Specialist, Nebraska Lottery
The business of journalism is constantly changing. As mainstream media outlets experience declining revenue and reduced staffing, nonprofit journalism has developed as an alternative. In this panel discussion, editors from the Flatwater Free Press and the Nebraska Examiner will share how their outlets approach journalism in Nebraska using the nonprofit model, and the role of independent media in holding government programs accountable to the communities they serve.
Noon – 1:30pm
LUNCH
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1:45pm – 2:30pm
Capturing the Essence: Collecting Stories from Lottery Winners
John Hagerty, Senior Public Affairs Specialist, Virginia Lottery
Seth Elkin, Managing Director of Communications, Maryland Lottery
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In this session, participants will learn effective strategies and ethical considerations for collecting and sharing compelling stories from lottery winners. We will explore the art of interviewing and building rapport with winners to uncover authentic narratives that resonate with audiences. We will also delve into practical techniques for eliciting meaningful insights and emotions. This session offers valuable tools and perspectives for responsibly capturing and sharing the unique journeys of lottery winners. Join us to explore the power of storytelling and its impact on both individuals and communities.
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2:30pm – 3:00pm
Final Roundtable Discussion
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3:00pm – 3:30pm
Final Networking Break
The connections made at PDS lead to new ideas, friendships and business successes. Spend this dedicated time mingling, establishing new professional relationships, and strengthening existing ones. Share a beverage, exchange contact information and connect with others before departing.