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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 â€‹

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 

  • Beneficiary messaging 

  • Highlighting retailer commissions 

  • Prepared b-roll  

  • 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 

  • Crafting a compelling and consistent style that resonates with your audience 

  • Identifying what works and what doesn't 

  • Finding the balance of what type of content performs best on what platform 

  • Utilizing agencies for social media management 

  • Exploring innovative approaches and new strategies in social media marketing 

  • 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 

  • Sales tax on lottery tickets 

  • Security breaches - reach out to Arizona 

  • PR tools/AI 

  • Managing PR for organizations with multi-channel offerings (sports betting, iLottery, etc.) tie in  

  • Couriers 

  • Crisis comms strategies/plans 

  • United voice for national stories 

  • 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. 

2024 NASPL PDS Logo_One_Color_White.png
Nebraska_Lottery_Logo.png

Hosted by the Nebraska Lottery

All PDS session will be held at the
CHI Health Convention Center at 455 North 10th St,
Omaha, NE 68102

NASPL Headquarters

7757 Auburn Rd.

Unit #7
Concord, OH 44077

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440-361-7962

info@nasplhq.org

www.naspl.org

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