A Note from Paul
Good Monday morning!
I hope everyone had a restful weekend. For those who were working, I hope you were able to get the right information to the right people at the right time, so they could make the right and informed decisions.
I’m in Los Angeles this week teaching a FEMA Advanced Public Information Officer course in coordination with Cal OES/CSTI. It’s the first delivery supporting preparations for the 2028 Summer Olympics. With the Games still more than 20 months away, it’s a great reminder that effective communication starts with preparation, sometimes years in advance.
Speaking of preparation, The PIO Calendar features nearly 300 upcoming training and professional development opportunities, many free or virtual.
Beyond events, you’ll find our Organizations Directory, Resources Directory, Bookshelf, and the newly launched PIO Perspective, where communicators can share experiences and learn from colleagues. Two surveys are currently open, with more coming soon!
Have a great week!
Founder, The PIO Calendar
This week’s PIO Calendar Weekly Digest features 296 upcoming PIO training and professional development opportunities, including FEMA courses, crisis communication training, emergency management classes, conferences, webinars, and other communications training from across the United States and internationally.
Seven new events were added this week, with Emergency Management emerging as the leading topic, followed by Crisis Communication and Public Information Officer Training. This edition also features 12 free or no-cost professional development opportunities, along with virtual and in-person training options.
Beyond training, explore the newly launched PIO Perspective, where public information officers and communicators can share their experiences and learn from colleagues across the profession.
PIO Training Opportunities: This Week by the Numbers
- 296 upcoming events currently listed
- 7 new events added in the last 7 days
- 6 virtual opportunities in this digest
- 13 in-person or location-based options in this digest
- Top topic: Emergency Management
Trending PIO Training & Communication Topics
- Emergency Management
- Crisis Communication
- Public Information Officer Training
Featured PIO Training Spotlight
VeriLocal Lunch & Learn PIO Demo 🆓
Oct 27, 2026 | Virtual | Free
Cut through the social media noise during a crisis.
When a critical incident occurs, social media can quickly become overwhelmed with posts, comments, photos, and videos from people far outside the affected community.
But what are people closest to the incident actually seeing and saying?
Join this free, interactive Lunch & Learn for a demonstration of VeriLocal, a platform designed to help identify geographically relevant social media content.
Why this matters to PIOs: Understanding what people in the affected community are seeing, hearing, and asking can help communicators identify emerging concerns, address misinformation, and deliver more relevant public information. This session offers an opportunity to explore how VeriLocal could support that work.
Share your training with the PIO community
Hosting a webinar, course, conference, or professional development opportunity? Add it to The PIO Calendar so public information officers and communicators can find it. |
Featured PIO Training & FEMA Courses
- VeriLocal Lunch & Learn PIO Demo [Webinar · Featured] 🆓 — Oct 27, 2026 — Virtual
Join us for an interactive Lunch & Learn featuring a demonstration of VeriLocal and its potential applications for public information… - FEMA E/L0388 Advanced Public Information Officer [Training · Featured] 🆓 — Nov 16, 2026 — Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency Region II Headquarters | Franklin, MA
The National Response Framework (NRF) and the National Incident Management System (NIMS) devote significant attention to the importance o… - E/L0952 NIMS ICS All-Hazards Public Information Officer [Training · Featured] 🆓 — Nov 30, 2026 — Palm Beach County Emergency Operations Center | West Palm Beach, FL
This course is designed for a Public Information Officer (PIO) assigned to an incident as a member of an All-Hazards Incident Management … - FEMA E/L0388 Advanced Public Information Officer [Training · Featured] 🆓 — Dec 14, 2026
The National Response Framework (NRF) and the National Incident Management System (NIMS) devote significant attention to the importance o…
|
Presented by EPIO Alumni Directory
Executive Public Information Officer Alumni Network
Are you a FEMA Executive Public Information Officer? If so, join the EPIO Alumni Directory. Connecting Executive PIO alumni through continuing education, research, collaboration, and mentorship. |
Newly Added PIO Training & Communications Events
- Minutes Matter: Visual Communication for Emergency Response [Webinar · User Submitted] 🆓 — Oct 19, 2026 — Virtual
- Writing for the Web: Help People Succeed on Your Website [Training · User Submitted] — Oct 28, 2026 — Virtual
Discount available: 15% off with code w4tw102026 · group discounts available - 3CMA Webinar: Game of Engagement: Rethinking Gamification to Build Audience Buy-In [Webinar · New] 🆓 — Nov 4, 2026 — Virtual
- Skill Building Training in Plain Language [Training · User Submitted] — Nov 10, 2026 — Virtual
Discount available: 15% off with code pl112026 · group discounts available - Visual Communications & Infographics 2026 Virtual Summit [Conference · New] — Nov 12, 2026 — Virtual
Discount available: group discounts available - GAPIO 3-Day Public Information Officer Training Course [Training · New] — Dec 7, 2026 — Marietta Police Department | Marietta, GA
- 2027 CPSE Excellence Conference [Conference · New] — Mar 16, 2027 — Caribe Royale Orlando | Orlando, FL
Upcoming PIO Training in the Next 14 Days
- L0105 Public Information Basics [Training] 🆓 — Oct 20, 2026
- L0105 Public Information Basics [Training · Featured] 🆓 — Oct 20, 2026
- On-Camera Training In Person – Southern CA [Sold Out · Members Only] 🆓 — Oct 20, 2026 — City of Newport Beach | Newport Beach, CA
- MGT-467 Sport and Special Event Public Information and Emergency Notification [Training] 🆓 — Oct 21, 2026
- L0105 Public Information Basics [Training] 🆓 — Oct 21, 2026
- Social Media In Law Enforcement SMILECON 2026 [Conference · Featured] — Oct 21, 2026 — Embassy Suites by Hilton Orlando Downtown | Orlando, FL + Virtual
- MGT-318 Public Information in an All-Hazards Incident [Training] 🆓 — Oct 21, 2026
Most Viewed Training Opportunities
These upcoming opportunities drew the most reader interest over the last 30 days.
- E/L0952 NIMS ICS All-Hazards Public Information Officer
- VeriLocal Lunch & Learn PIO Demo
- Global PR Summit Canada
- ICA Annual Conference 2027
- International Mental Health Conference 2026 (Hybrid Event)
Recent PIO Calendar Updates
Selected announcements, community posts, news, partnerships, platform updates, and tips.
- Introducing PIO Perspective: Your Questions. The Profession’s Perspectives. (Oct 14, 2026)
The PIO Calendar introduces PIO Perspective, a new platform where public information officers can participate in surveys, share experiences, and learn from…
PIO Perspective: Share Your Experience
Open surveys inviting public information officers and communicators to share their experience with the profession.
What Email Distribution Platforms Are PIOs Using?
Public information officers and communications professionals rely on email distribution services to share news releases, media advisories, newsletters, public announcements, and other important information. But which platforms are being used, and how well are they meeting the needs of communications professionals? This PIO Perspective survey explores the email distribution services currently used by public information officers and communications professionals, including their strengths, limitations, and cybersecurity or procurement considerations. This survey is intended for PIOs and communications professionals who currently use an email distribution service as part of their professional responsibilities. This includes dedicated platforms such as Constant Contact, Mailchimp, and GovDelivery, […]
4-minute survey · Closes November 5, 2026
Social Media Post Length
How Long Should Agency Social Media Posts Be? Social media plays an important role in how government agencies and public information officers communicate with their communities. But when it comes to post length, how much is too much? Some agencies emphasize short, attention-grabbing messages, while others prioritize providing complete information, particularly during emergencies when clarity and context are essential. Does your agency have a policy or recommended character limit for social media posts? Does that guidance vary by platform or type of message? This PIO Perspective survey explores how public information officers and social media account managers approach post length across […]
3-minute survey · Closes November 8, 2026
Have a question for the PIO community?
PIO Perspective gives public information officers and communicators an opportunity to share experiences, compare practices, and learn from colleagues across the profession. Participate in an open survey or submit a question you’d like the community to explore.
From The PIO Calendar Bookshelf
Books and practical resources for public information professionals.
 |
The Communications Golden HourBy Doug Levy In moments of crisis, clear and effective communication can make the difference between chaos and control. “The Communications Golden Hour” is your essential guide… |
 |
Crisis Communications and Emergency ManagementBy Dan Stoneking Reader Review available Disasters do not unfold in neat lines of authority. They unfold in chaos, urgency, uncertainty, and public scrutiny. In those moments, two roles become… |
Platform Snapshot
The PIO Calendar continues to grow as a resource for public information officers, communicators, emergency managers, public affairs professionals, and public safety leaders. This week the platform includes:
- 296 upcoming PIO training, communications, and professional development events.
- 7 new events added in the last 7 days.
- 2,266 site visits in the last 7 days.
- 42,955 total site visits.
Snapshot counts help track momentum and growth week over week.
Quick Actions
- Browse events: Find upcoming PIO training, FEMA training, webinars, and conferences
- Submit an event: Add a training, webinar, or conference
- Explore organizations: Visit the Organizations Directory
- Find resources: Visit the Resources Directory
- Explore the Bookshelf: Discover books for public information professionals
- Share with a colleague: Forward this digest or share The PIO Calendar with your team
Feature your event on The PIO Calendar
Get your training, conference, or webinar in front of public information officers, communicators, and public safety professionals actively looking for professional development opportunities. |
Note: Portions of this digest, including summary insights and trend observations, are automatically generated based on event metadata, platform analytics, and rule-based analysis. All content is reviewed before publication.