Page Conversation Replay: Page Annual Conference Preview

During this Page Conversation, conference committee members Aaron Kwittken and Dana Holmes hosted a preview of the upcoming annual conference in Atlanta alongside Candace Steele Flippin, vice president of thought leadership and professional development at Page. The panel explored how CCOs can transition from managing near-term operational anxiety to executing long-term strategic action. The upcoming event offers a collaborative space for practitioners to share lessons, build professional networks and master the tools needed to lead future-state corporate functions.

What to Expect

• Engage with four agenda-spanning themes defining the future state of communications. 

Aaron outlined the core pillars of the Annual Conference as he sees them. 

• AI must be viewed as a tool for operational reinvention rather than employee replacement. 
• Communicators must serve as the primary architects of corporate trust. 
• Governance, risk and regulatory challenges have moved to the foreground amid geopolitical conflicts and U.S. midterms. 
• The media landscape continues to morph and meld with the rapid rise of owned and creator audiences.
• Explore the Page Navigator’s practical tools for benchmarking and function design. 

Kathryn Metcalfe, session presenter at the conference, previewed the upcoming launch of the Page Navigator. This member-built system contains a comprehensive Benchmark Trend Report, a Functional Framework, and specialized Affinity Groups, aligning with the Page Model of corporate character. The Functional Framework provides up-to-date organizational charts, capability roadmaps and skill set progressions. Navigator Benchmark data reveals that 90% of Page members have considered organizational redesigns this year, making purposeful design choices far more critical than seeking structural perfection. 

• Unlock personalized peer insights with the Benchmark Data Explorer. 

Candace previewed a new interactive Data Explorer tool built directly from the Benchmark Trend Report. This subscriber tool allows members to filter survey data by specific sector and peer groups, compare their performance against the broader sample and optionally purchase custom reports. This functionality gives communications executives the exact data needed to justify structural budgets and align their teams with corporate strategy.

• Drive business success through frontline manager activation and strategic AI partnerships. 

Dana highlighted a session co-led with her enterprise data science partner at Healthcare Service Corporation. The session will explore the ebb and flow of building cross-functional trust in heavily regulated sectors to capture AI business potential while managing risk. Additionally, Aaron previewed a session featuring Russ Dubner, Managing Director & Partner and Global CCO at BCG, and Allyson Park, CCO and SVP at Walmart, to examine how consulting firms and corporate departments are managing AI-driven service compression and establishing "fit for purpose" model portfolios.

• Redefine executive foresight with agentic teams and augmented boards. 

Marc Cloosterman, co-founder of the Scriptorium Initiative, described an optional CCO session scheduled for the second afternoon of the conference. The workshop will focus on the practical deployment of agentic teams and predictive AI enterprise foresight. It will also showcase newly developed augmented board models to help senior executives manage governance and inspire leadership teams.

What’s In It for You:

• Co-design your future organizational structure: Attending gives you hands-on access to the newly launched Page Navigator and Functional Framework. You can directly compare your team's current capabilities against peer org charts and capability roadmaps to guide your ongoing transition to an AI-assisted, outcome-driven structure.
• Access exclusive peer benchmarking data: By participating in person, you will learn how to navigate the new Benchmark Data Explorer. This subscriber tool lets you filter industry performance trends by your specific sector, providing you with the customized metrics needed to justify your budget to the chief financial officer.
• Master real-world AI deployment and risk management: Sessions featuring top communicators from companies like BCG and Healthcare Service Corporation will share practical insights on building cross-functional trust with technical partners. You will learn how to build "fit for purpose" model portfolios while managing the legal and operational risks of rapid technological transitions.
• Align your strategy with shifting expectations: Engaging with peer CCOs during the interactive breakout sessions will give you insight into the pressures your peers face today. This foresight will help you better advise your leadership team on complex geopolitical, social and regulatory issues.
• Trade notes on shared challenges and build durable relationships: The Annual Conference features dedicated "speed conversations" and networking blocks specifically designed to let you exchange real-world experiences. Attending in person helps you break through professional isolation and establish a network of trusted advisors.

Strategic Resources

• The Page Annual Conference Agenda: Exploring this official program provides communications executives with detailed descriptions of the key thematic tracks, speaker lineups and session timings.
• The Scriptorium Initiative: Reading this curated collection of research briefs helps CCOs navigate the transition to AI-native workflows, establish team guardrails and build predictive corporate foresight.