FutureCon 2026 to Examine AI and Media Disruption and the Future of Communications

Industry leaders to gather May 14 at the Edison Ballroom for a one-day summit

on the next era of public relations and corporate communications

NEW YORK, March 19, 2026 - PRSA, the nation's leading professional organization serving the communications community, today announced FutureCon 2026, a one-day summit designed to examine how artificial intelligence, media disruption and evolving stakeholder expectations are reshaping the communications industry. The event is proudly sponsored by Agility PR Solutions, a leading provider of media monitoring and PR measurement technology.

Ahead of the evening's Anvil Awards ceremony - recognizing the most effective and innovative strategic communications campaigns and tactics of the past year - the event will bring together senior executives, strategists and innovators to explore the forces redefining public relations, corporate communications and agency leadership.

"FutureCon brings together some of the most forward-thinking voices in communications to explore how our profession must evolve in the age of AI, shifting media dynamics and rising expectations for transparency," said PRSA CEO Matthew Marcial, CAE, APR. "Our goal is to equip communicators with the perspective and practical insights they need not just to navigate change, but to lead it."

FutureCon 2026 will open with a keynote on "AI and the Future of Communications" delivered by Tejas Totade, chief technology officer at Ruder Finn, who is leading Ruder Finn's AI initiatives. His keynote will explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping brand visibility in generative search, accelerating the spread of misinformation, and creating new governance and leadership responsibilities for communications teams.

The agenda features a series of forward-looking sessions addressing the strategic, technological and cultural shifts transforming the profession, with additional updates and program enhancements to be announced in the coming weeks. Highlights from the program include:

• The Next Decade: What Corporate Communications Must Become to Meet What's Coming: A fireside discussion led by Felicia Joy, founder of Highjump and adjunct faculty member at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, featuring Dr. Rochelle Ford, APR, CEO of the Arthur W. Page Society, and Michael Patino, CEO of Patino Associates. The conversation will examine how corporate communications must evolve amid political polarization, demographic shifts and accelerating technological change.
• Earned Media in the Social Media Era: Why New Media Matters: Elsa Rainey and Jocelyn Ocampo of GPS Influence will discuss how independent digital outlets, newsletters, podcasts and creator-led platforms are transforming earned media strategies and influencing visibility in AI-powered search tools.
• What's Next for Comms Agencies?: Barby K. Siegel, global CEO of Zeno Group, and Jeff Wilson, APR, vice president of workplace culture at Padilla, will explore how agencies are adapting to AI, changing client expectations and a more data-driven communications environment.
• The Vulnerability Advantage: Why Real Is the (New?) PR Superpower: Steph Porter, founder of ink & iron PR, will examine how authenticity, empathy and transparency are becoming strategic assets for organizations seeking to build trust in an era of skepticism and media fragmentation.
• Flip Your Script on Digital Leadership: Kristi Piehl, Founder + CEO, Media Minefield - Today's executives can influence brand reputation and business performance more than celebrity influencers. As employees, customers and investors increasingly turn to AI platforms like ChatGPT to learn about leaders and companies, a strong digital presence has become essential. In this session, Piehl will show how leaders can become Social CEOs and AI-empowered executives, building trust, credibility and authority across social media, search and AI-driven platforms through authentic, courageous storytelling.

In addition to the keynote and general sessions, the summit will include networking opportunities and industry discussions designed to help communications professionals prepare for the next decade.

About FutureCon

FutureCon will run from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on May 14 and is open to communications professionals from the industry seeking to stay ahead of the curve. The summit offers a comprehensive exploration of the evolving dynamics of the communications profession and provides participants with actionable insights to guide their organizations into the future. Register for FutureCon 2026 here.

About PRSA

PRSA is the leading professional organization serving the communications community through a network of more than 400 professional and student chapters in the U.S., Argentina, Colombia, Mexico, Peru and Puerto Rico. Guided by its Code of Ethics, PRSA empowers its members to succeed at every stage of their careers through a wide breadth of premium professional development programs, exclusive networking events and leadership opportunities. Signature events include the Anvil Awards and ICON, the premier annual gathering for communications professionals and students. For more information, visit www.prsa.org.

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Media Contact:
Linda Beltran

[email protected]