Communicate Stronger 2025: Empowering People in a Digital World

This year's conference brings together scholars, professionals and students to explore the evolving relationship between individuals and technology in shaping communication practices.

Keynote presentation with Justin Piehowski*

Curate: The Most Important Verb of the 21st Century

We are entering an era where AI not only generates content but also decides which voices get heard and which get buried. As communicators, we must recognize that content curation is no longer just an editorial decision—it’s an act of self-definition. What we choose to amplify, ignore, and engage with doesn’t just shape public discourse; it shapes who we are.

In this keynote, we’ll explore how curation helps us retain our humanity in an AI-driven media environment, why professional communicators must lead this shift, and how organizations can reclaim control over their narratives. If content is king, then curation is the kingdom’s defense system—ensuring that quality, integrity, and values remain at the center of digital communication.

Key takeaways for attendees:

• Understand the major difference between “creators” and “curators”
• Realize that “curation” is a skill that has been with humans for hundreds of years
• Interpret how AI-driven algorithms reshape perception, decision-making, and identity
• Learn strategies for content curation that reinforce trust, authenticity, and brand credibility
• Explore the ethics of curation: What happens when we outsource our filters to machines?

* This keynote will be interactive, delivered through a presentation app called “Mentimeter,” which will allow the audience to react in real time, vote in polls, and ask questions via their mobile device.

Keynote presenter Justin Piehowski is a journalist-turned-tech-media ecologist who explores the intersection of technology, communication, and human identity. With a degree in Professional Journalism from the University of Minnesota and a Master’s in Communication from Gonzaga University, he has spent a career at the frontlines of how media shapes public perception.

As a journalist, Justin worked at KSTP-TV, the Pioneer Press, and MinnPost.com, covering the evolving news landscape firsthand. He also played a leadership role building BringMeTheNews.com, a pioneering local news curation platform that reimagined how people discover relevant, high-quality journalism in the digital age. Transitioning into Big Tech, he spent five years working for Salesforce and currently serves as “Curator in Chief” at Salesforce Mojo, exploring how AI and human curation intersect with the modern business knowledge ecosystem. Justin regularly speaks in college classes at the University of Minnesota and the University of St. Thomas to help young people understand the importance of human curation in their media diets.

Conference breakout sessions include:

Behind the scenes of the next generation of communicators

School may be out for the summer, but as communicators we never stop learning and adapting to new technologies and trends. Hear from a panel of professors and students from the University of Mary Communications Department on what they are learning today to help the rest of prepare for working with and hiring the next generation of communicators.

Case Study: How GNDC transformed a basic newsletter into a strategic, high-impact tool

GNDC’s Dakota Digest is a 3 day a week newsletter that is read by business leaders across the state each morning and this wasn’t an accident. The session will cover how GNDC transformed a basic newsletter into a strategic, high-impact communication tool, covering the evolution of their approach, key metrics driving engagement, content repurposing strategies, and how they monetize and expand their reach. Learn how GNDC crafts messages that get opened, read, and engaged with—plus lessons learned along the way to keep stakeholders informed and coming back.

Increase your influence

Whether you’re leading a team, consulting with clients, or striving to make an impact in your organization, influence is key to success. We’ll dive into the core principles of influence, including building trust, mastering communication, and harnessing emotional intelligence. Panelists will share techniques they’ve used to engage others, create alignment around a common goal, overcome resistance with confidence, and be a more effective, persuasive leader.

The Curation Playbook – A Communicator’s Guide

In an age of infinite content, what we choose to curate defines us. This hands-on session will equip business communicators with practical strategies for curating content effectively, ensuring their message cuts through the noise, retains credibility, and reflects a brand’s true values. Attendees will analyze real-world case studies, experiment with different curation techniques, and develop a framework for human-centered curation in their brand or organization.