New to the field of public-sector communications? Whether you’ve recently started your career, transitioned from a different profession or just need a refresher, this full-day workshop is for you! During this boot camp, you’ll learn core strategies, tools and techniques to level-up your communications skills.

Key takeaways from this webinar include information on:

• Thriving in today’s media environment
• Developing key messages for important agency issues and programs
• Preparing for in-person and virtual on-camera interviews
• Creating a Writing and Brand Style Guide to cohesively share your organization’s story
• Channeling your inner journalist to write for maximum engagement
• Crafting impactful news releases and content that resonates across multiple mediums, including print, digital and video
• Understanding and using Federal Plain Language Standards, AP Style and more

Speakers:

Scott Summerfield
Principal
SAE Communications

Jon Horn
Community Relations Manager
Communication & Engagement
City of Carlsbad

Tom Mallory
Staff Writer
Communication & Engagement
City of Carlsbad

Sarah Lemons
Senior Program Manager
Communication & Engagement
City of Carlsbad

Date: May 15, 2025
Time: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Location: City of Newport Beach
Marina Park Community Center
1600 W. Balboa Blvd., Newport Beach

Parking for CAPIO attendees is free.

Lunch and light refreshments are included.

Cost: $95 – CAPIO Members/$160 – Non Members

Register

BIOS

Scott Summerfield

Scott is a principal of SAE Communications. SAE has provided communications counsel, media relations, and Joint Information Center management for many of California’s most challenging recent crises, including the 2023 winter storms, 2020 Coronavirus response, 2019 Conception dive boat tragedy, 2018 Montecito mudslide, 2017 Thomas fire, 2016 Sherpa fire, 2015 Refugio Beach oil spill, 2014 Isla Vista shootings, 2011 Seal Beach massacre, and numerous crises of confidence. SAE was recently part of a team examining the 2015 San Bernardino County terrorist attack response and recovery. Scott also advises on emerging issues such as cyberattacks, Public Records Act, and First Amendment videography.

Scott’s work includes strategic communications, key message development/training, and crisis communications for a wide range of organizations including Port of Long Beach, California State Lottery, League of California Cities, California State Association of Counties, City of San Francisco, City of San Jose, City of Palo Alto, City of Santa Clara, City of Beverly Hills, City of Carlsbad, Fairfield Police Department, Bechtel Corporation, Calpine Corporation, Intel Corporation, and many others. SAE’s educational clients include University of California – Davis, San Jose State University, Long Beach City College, Santa Barbara City College, and several local school districts.

Scott is a Dean of Instruction at the California Specialized Training Institute (CSTI), past president and lifetime member of the California Association of Public Information Officials (CAPIO), CAPIO Paul Clark Award winner in recognition of outstanding service, grants chair of the Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame, past executive board member of the City-County Communications and Marketing Association (3CMA), past board member of the Bay Area Cable Excellence Awards, and guest lecturer at the University of Southern California’s Annenberg School of Communication. Scott is a graduate of the Telecommunications and Film program at San Diego State University and is a member of its Alumni Association Board of Advisors.

Jon Horn

Jon Horn is a Community Relations Manager for the City of Carlsbad, where he creates multimedia content for the city’s social and cable channels and writes and edits employee and external newsletters. Before moving into government, Jon worked as a news reporter for San Diego’s ABC Station, where he covered politics, government, the economy and breaking news. Jon also covered local government and the economy as a print journalist for The San Diego Union-Tribune. He holds a master’s degree in journalism from the Annenberg School at the University of Southern California.

Tom Mallory

As the City of Carlsbad’s first staff writer, Tom works with city staff members to make sure City Council staff reports are clear, accurate and effective. He also writes and edits staff responses to inquiries to the City Council and other communications intended for community members. Tom was a longtime news editor in Los Angeles and then San Diego. He led the coverage of public safety news and oversaw the website at The San Diego Union-Tribune, with previous jobs overseeing the investigative team, border coverage and the weekend reports. Tom also creates fictitious period news articles and pages and other written materials for movie props. (This includes a ridiculous 22 pages of pirate rules for the Pirates Codex book that Keith Richards read from in “Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End.”)

Sarah Lemons

Bio coming soon!