PIO Calendar

L0105 Public Information Basics
2026-03-31 00:00 - 2026-04-02 23:59 (America/New_York) | McCook, NE, McCook, NE, United States
To equip participants with the skills needed to be full or part-time PIOs, including oral and written communications; understanding and working with the media; and basic tools and techniques to perform effectively as a PIO, both in the proactive/ advocacy times and crisis/ emergency response.

MGT-467 Sport and Special Event Public Information and Emergency Notification
2026-03-31 00:00 - 2026-04-01 23:59 (America/New_York) | Bastrop, TX, Bastrop, TX, United States
The Sport and Special Event Public Information and Emergency Notification course brings planners, operators, public information professionals, government, public safety, and marketing professionals together in an effort to prepare and/or enhance venue and event communication programs. The course prescribes best practices to common communication pitfalls and provides flexible and scalable solutions to a wide-range of scenarios. The training leverages a combination of exercises, discussions, and activities to optimize participant experience.

L0105 Public Information Basics
2026-03-30 00:00 - 2026-04-01 23:59 (America/New_York) | Ouray, CO, Ouray, CO, United States

RPIE /Strategic Planning Training
2026-03-26 09:00 - 17:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | City of Roseville – Maidu Community Center, 1550 Maidu Drive, Roseville, CA, 95661, United States
Public-sector communicators are often expected to move quickly, respond to competing requests, and deliver tactics on tight timelines. In that environment, planning is frequently compressed or skipped altogether, making communication decisions harder to explain, defend, and evaluate.
This in-depth, in-person CAPIO regional workshop focuses exclusively on the RPIE framework, Research, Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation, a nationally recognized planning model and the gold standard used in the Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) process. Rather than treating RPIE as a template or academic exercise, this session emphasizes how the framework functions as a practical decision-making tool for real-world public-sector communications.

Advanced Public Information Strategies Workshop
2026-03-26 09:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | Snoqualmie City Hall Council Chambers, 38624 SE River Street, Snoqualmie, WA, 98065, United States
This hands-on training is designed for Public Information Officers and government communicators who want to elevate their organization’s communication strategy. This course focuses on leadership, coordination and message management in complex environments, not just the tactical work of writing news releases and conducting media interviews.
Students will leave with practical tools they can implement immediately, from templates and systems for managing media, leadership and external communications during critical events.
Topics include:

The evolving role of the Public Information Officer
Developing strategic messages to maintain clear, consistent communications during high-pressure incidents
Coordinating multi-jurisdictional messaging while working within a Joint Information Center (JIC)
Building systems to streamline response and reduce decision fatigue
Preparing spokespeople for media interviews
Includes a functional exercise that mirror real-world information challenges

NAGC Webinar: Preparing Government Communications for the New ADA Requirements
2026-03-25 13:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York) | https://piocalendar.com/event/nagc-webinar-preparing-government-communications-for-the-new-ada-requirements/
Government agencies play a critical role in ensuring that public information is accessible to all. With the updated ADA accessibility standards taking effect on April 24, government communicators are uniquely positioned to lead the way in implementing clear, inclusive, and compliant communication practices.
This webinar brings together two expert speakers with extensive experience in digital accessibility, ADA compliance, and public-sector communication strategy. They will provide a practical, government-focused overview of the new requirements and offer actionable guidance for integrating accessibility into daily communication workflows.
This session is designed for public information officers, digital communications teams, accessibility coordinators, and anyone responsible for ensuring that government information is accessible, equitable, and compliant.

Crisis Communications: Who Is Telling Your Story?
2026-03-25 10:00 - 11:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | https://piocalendar.com/event/crisis-communications-who-is-telling-your-story/
About The Course
When a crisis strikes, whether it’s a critical incident, large-scale emergency, public demonstration, or natural disaster, public safety agencies must be prepared to communicate quickly, clearly, and effectively. In today’s digital environment, information spreads instantly, and if agencies are not actively telling their story, someone else will.
This one-hour TOC Briefing explores the fundamentals of effective crisis communications for public safety and government agencies. Participants will learn how to prepare for high-stakes situations, manage messaging during rapidly evolving incidents, and communicate with transparency and professionalism when public attention is at its highest.
Drawing on real-world experience working with agencies across the country, this session will provide practical guidance on how to build a crisis communication framework before an incident occurs, strengthen relationships with media and community stakeholders, and avoid common mistakes that can undermine credibility during critical events.
Attendees will also gain insight into how timing, transparency, and consistency play a critical role in shaping public perception and maintaining trust during complex situations.
Whether you are a Public Information Officer, agency leader, communications professional, or command staff member, this briefing will provide actionable strategies to help your organization communicate more effectively when it matters most.
In this session, you’ll learn:
How to prepare a crisis communications framework before an incident occurs
The importance of timing, transparency, and message consistency during emergencies
Strategies for communicating with the media, community members, and stakeholders
How to maintain control of the narrative in a fast-moving information environment
Common mistakes agencies make during crisis communications and how to avoid them
Practical ways to strengthen community trust before, during, and after a crisis
By the end of the session, participants will leave with clear strategies for navigating crisis situations and ensuring their agency communicates with confidence, clarity, and credibility when it matters most.
*Webinar Access Link will be provided 3 days prior to the training date.

L0105 Public Information Basics
2026-03-25 00:00 - 2026-03-27 23:59 (America/New_York) | Bedford, TX, Bedford, TX, United States

L0105 Public Information Basics
2026-03-25 00:00 - 2026-03-27 23:59 (America/New_York) | Martinsville, IN, Martinsville, IN, United States

MGT-318 Public Information in an All-Hazards Incident
2026-03-25 00:00 - 2026-03-26 23:59 (America/New_York) | Jersey City, NJ, Jersey City, NJ, United States
This course examines the role of public information in all-hazards incident management and provides practical training in crisis communication techniques. In a major incident, it is of critical importance that community leaders, incident managers, and Public Information Officers (PIO) are prepared to communicate with the public through traditional and social media. This course focuses on the role of public information in all-hazards incident management; the information needs of the press and public in a crisis; and strategies for planning, conducting, and managing the public information effort during a crisis event.

ILEA: The Strategic PIO
2026-03-24 00:00 - 2026-03-27 23:59 (America/New_York) | ILEA Headquarters at The Center for American and International Law, 5201 Democracy Drive, Plano, TX, 75024, United States
Judy Pal, who has been on both sides of the media relations aisle, brings perspectives from real world experiences as a PIO and as a news reporter. Judy will deliver an impactful program designed to help you with planning your message to shape your community’s perception of your department; guide you through the foundation of media relations and the interview process. You will learn the difference and importance of communicating in crisis and how to effectively use social media to support your agency’s brand.

L0105 Public Information Basics
2026-03-24 00:00 - 2026-03-26 23:59 (America/New_York) | Laclede County Office of Emergency Management, 186 N. Adams, Lebanon, MO, 65536, United States

L0105 Public Information Basics
2026-03-24 00:00 - 2026-03-26 23:59 (America/New_York) | Winston-Salem, NC, Winston-Salem, NC, United States

L0105 Public Information Basics
2026-03-24 00:00 - 2026-03-26 23:59 (America/New_York) | Delaware, OH, Delaware, OH, United States

NESPRA: Lunch and Learn - Building Crisis Communication Plans that Inform, Reassure & Lead
2026-03-19 12:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | https://piocalendar.com/event/nesprsa-lunch-and-learn-building-crisis-communication-plans-that-inform-reassure-lead/
Building Crisis Communication Plans that Inform, Reassure & Lead
When a crisis affects a school community, communications professionals play a critical role in helping leaders inform families, reassure the public, and maintain trust during uncertain moments. In this session, Paul Raymond, Jr. will discuss how school districts can build crisis communication plans that align with their emergency operations plans and support leadership during high-consequence events.
Drawing on more than two decades of public safety leadership and crisis communications experience, Paul will share practical strategies for preparing for the critical early moments of an incident, clarifying communication roles, coordinating messaging with public safety partners, and developing adaptable message templates. Participants will leave with practical tools and ideas to strengthen crisis communication planning within their districts.

PER-343 Social Media Engagement Strategies
2026-03-18 14:00 - 2026-03-19 18:00 (America/New_York) | Virtual
This eight-hour performance-level course is designed to provide participants with knowledge and skills using social media tools to engage individuals and volunteer organizations for assistance during an emergency. Participants will learn about social media engagement techniques, individual and organizational roles in crisis communication, and Virtual Operations Support Teams (VOST).

EMEAA: Trust: Why It Breaks and How We Mend It with Christine Townsend
2026-03-18 12:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | https://piocalendar.com/event/emeaa-trust-why-it-breaks-and-how-we-mend-it-with-christine-townsend/
For EMEAA Members. To learn more about joining, click here.
Christine Townsend is a communications strategist, author, and international speaker who works with public safety organizations, government agencies, and leadership teams to strengthen trust, sharpen communication, and navigate complex challenges. Originally from the United Kingdom and now based in the United States, she has advised organizations across North America, the UK, and internationally on crisis communication, reputational risk, community engagement, and leadership messaging. She is also the founder of The PIO Toolkit, a widely used resource for public information officers and government communicators that she continues to lead today.
She is the author of several books on communication and leadership, including her latest release, Trust: Why It Breaks and How We Mend It. Through her writing, training, and speaking engagements, Christine helps communicators and leaders better understand how trust is built, why it breaks under pressure, and what it takes to rebuild it in today’s demanding information environment.

L0105 Public Information Basics
2026-03-18 00:00 - 2026-03-20 23:59 (America/New_York) | Berkshire (MA) Innovation Center, 45 Woodland Ave, Pittsfield, MA, 01201, United States

2026 IPR Bridge Conference
2026-03-18 00:00 - 2026-03-19 23:59 (America/New_York) | The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 104 Airport Dr, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599-5023, United States
The IPR Bridge Conference fosters dynamic interactions between communication leaders and leading scholars in an intimate setting, creating opportunities to discuss cutting-edge research and actionable insights. Practitioners gain direct access to the latest advancements shaping the future of the profession, while academics showcase the latest research.

MGT-318 Public Information in an All-Hazards Incident
2026-03-18 00:00 - 2026-03-19 23:59 (America/New_York) | Wheaton, IL, Wheaton, IL, United States

L0105 Public Information Basics
2026-03-17 00:00 - 2026-03-19 23:59 (America/New_York) | Calgary, Canada, Calgary, Canada

MGT-467 Sport and Special Event Public Information and Emergency Notification
2026-03-17 00:00 - 2026-03-18 23:59 (America/New_York) | Villanova, PA, Villanova, PA, United States

MGT-318 Public Information in an All-Hazards Incident
2026-03-17 00:00 - 2026-03-18 23:59 (America/New_York) | Houston, TX, Houston, TX, United States

E/L0952 NIMS ICS All-Hazards Public Information Officer
2026-03-16 00:00 - 2026-03-20 23:59 (America/New_York) | Fresno, CA, Fresno, CA, United States
This course is designed for a Public Information Officer (PIO) assigned to an incident as a member of an All-Hazards Incident Management Team (AHIMT) and local IMTs, as well as for the PIO assigned to an incident as an Assistant PIO in a variety of capacities.

E/L0952 NIMS ICS All-Hazards Public Information Officer
2026-03-16 00:00 - 2026-03-20 23:59 (America/New_York) | Raleigh, NC, Raleigh, NC, United States

FBI-LEEDA Media and Public Relations (MPR)
2026-03-16 00:00 - 2026-03-20 23:59 (America/New_York) | Watertown, Massachusetts, Watertown, MA, United States
The FBI-LEEDA Media and Public Relations (MPR) course is a 4 ½-day intense curriculum developed to assist law enforcement in communication with not only the media, but the communities they serve. The course is suitable for chiefs and commanders who may deal with the media on a regular or ad hoc basis and full-time/part-time Public Information Officers (PIOs). This class provides proven strategies and best-practices for media relations, crisis communications and social media. Students will learn to prepare and deliver messages. The session features numerous desktop and on-camera exercises. Participants are asked to bring a laptop or tablet to class.

L0105 Public Information Basics
2026-03-16 00:00 - 2026-03-18 23:59 (America/New_York) | Conway, SC, Conway, SC, United States

FBI-LEEDA Media and Public Relations
2026-03-16 00:00 - 23:59 (America/New_York) | Youngsville (NC) Town Hall, 134 US 1A S, Youngsville, NC, 27596, United States
The FBI-LEEDA Media and Public Relations (MPR) course is a 4 ½-day intense curriculum developed to assist law enforcement in communication with not only the media, but the communities they serve. The course is suitable for chiefs and commanders who may deal with the media on a regular or ad hoc basis and full-time/part-time Public Information Officers (PIOs). This class provides proven strategies and best-practices for media relations, crisis communications and social media. Students will learn to prepare and deliver messages. The session features numerous desktop and on-camera exercises. Participants are asked to bring a laptop or tablet to class.
Imported Details
Registration: https://fbileeda.org/events/EventDetails.aspx?id=1973887 | Location: MPR – Youngsville, NC

AWR-209 Working with the Media: A Course for Rural First Responders
2026-03-14 00:00 - 23:59 (America/New_York) | Perrysburg, OH, Perrysburg, OH, United States
Adapted from FEMA’s IG-290 curriculum, this 8-hour course provides rural first responders with skills needed to communicate with the public through the media. Examines roles of the media and the rural first responder/public information officer. Participants learn how to give print/electronic media interviews, write news releases, provide information at the scene, and how they fit into the joint information system.
Imported Details
Registration: https://studentportal.ruraltraining.org/courses/display/440 | Location: A Course for Rural First Responders in Perrysburg, OH

Utah PIO Association Lunch & Learn
2026-03-12 11:30 - 13:00 (America/Denver) | Utah Department of Natural Resources, 1594 W. North Temple, Salt Lake City, UT, 84116, United States
We’re excited to announce a special bonus session on America250, happening March 12 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., graciously hosted by the Utah Department of Natural Resources at 1594 W. North Temple in Salt Lake City. Park in the visitor spots in front of the building — it will be in the DNR auditorium on the first floor (check in with security in the front lobby.)
America250 is a timely and meaningful topic that will impact government communicators at every level, and this session should spark ideas you can use throughout the year as we celebrate the 250th birthday of our nation. Keep an eye out for more details and what you can expect from this exciting added session! Put it in your calendar now!
Learn more about America250 in Utah
