Government communications professionals are being asked to accomplish more than ever with fewer resources. Tight budgets, lean teams, and harder-to-reach audiences make it challenging to deliver messages that inform, engage, and inspire.
To help address these challenges, the MHQ team supported the National Association of Government Communicators (NAGC) in hosting its 2026 Virtual Fall Workshop on September 30.
While the sessions covered a variety of communications topics, three key themes emerged throughout the workshop:
- Great communication doesn’t require a big budget. Presenters repeatedly demonstrated how organizations can achieve meaningful results through creativity, strategic messaging, and smart use of available resources rather than large marketing budgets.
- Storytelling remains one of the most powerful engagement tools. Whether through podcasts, video, social media, or public information campaigns, successful communicators are finding new ways to make complex information more accessible, relevant, and memorable.
- Audiences expect authentic, digital-first engagement. From social media strategies to multimedia content, the workshop highlighted the growing importance of meeting audiences where they are and delivering information in formats that capture attention and build trust.
“The NAGC Fall Workshop brought together communications professionals who understand the realities of government communications because they live them every day,” said NAGC Professional Development Director Brookie Crawford, APIO. “Our award-winning speakers brought proven expertise, creativity, and a wealth of practical knowledge to the sessions. I am grateful that they generously shared their time, experiences, and insights to help fellow communicators learn and grow.”
The half-day event brought together more than 100 government communicators for practical strategies and peer learning focused on reaching further, spending smarter and communicating better.
“One of the things I value most about NAGC’s Fall Workshop is the opportunity to learn from others and gain fresh perspectives on the challenges and opportunities facing our industry,” said NAGC President Mick Bullock.
“Even in a virtual setting, the workshop provided a valuable space to share ideas, explore new approaches, and take away practical insights we can put to use in our organizations. As president, I’m proud to see NAGC continue to provide meaningful learning opportunities that support our members’ growth and success.”
Kudos to the MHQ staff whose behind-the-scenes efforts helped ensure a seamless event experience. From speaker coordination and registration management to virtual platform setup and attendee support, Executive Director Mike Swan, Events Manager Amy Sellheim, and Client Services Coordinator Will Shaughnessy played a key role in the workshop’s success!
About MHQ
Driven by the vision of a thriving, vibrant community, MHQ is a woman-owned, world-class management company that delivers customized services. Founded in 2013, MHQ has provided association management services since its inception, as well as infrastructure to organizations in a range of industries. We serve professional and trade associations, as well as government and public sector entities. For more about MHQ, visit https://www.management-hq.com/.
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