The CONVERGENCE Summit debuted in 2015 from the need to get a larger look at the communication profession at a time when business communications practices, messages, channels and creators have morphed and changed over time. How do we make sense of this convergence?

IABC Minnesota and the Minnesota Journalism Center at the Hubbard School of Journalism & Mass Communication joined together to answer that question by connecting theory and reality in business communication.

The next Convergence Summit is April 23, 2026 at Donaldson Company in Bloomington. 

A partial list of our high-impact presentations and dynamic speakers for the 2026 event includes:

• JUST ADDED: “The Future of Healthcare is Still Human” – Erika Mayerle, Senior Account Manager, Marketing Operations & Creative Services,  Mayo Clinic and Erika Brask, Group Creative Director, Brand Design & Creative Strategy at Mayo Clinic
• “Go With the Flow: What a Decade of Hockey Hair Teaches Us About Creative Marketing” – John King, Co-founder of OWNER / Pulltab Sports
• “Leadership Case Study: How Thrivent Transformed its Communications Team to Support the Business” – Jenna Reck, Vice President, Enterprise Communications at Thrivent
• “From Challenge to Catalyst: How Purpose Brands Unified Communication Amid a Merger and Platform Change” – Tammy Nienaber, Director, Global Communications at Anytime Fitness
• “Your Influence is Bigger Than Your Title: A Communicator’s Guide to Leading Change” – Panel session led by Tonia Whitney, Operations Director of the MN Change Management Network
• “Engaging Polarized Audiences Through Storytelling” – Lynn Melling, Content Strategist and Video Storyteller
• “Why Your Personal Brand is Your Only AI-Proof Asset” – Cheryl Tan, Media Trainer, Show Launch Strategist and former TV News Anchor
• “Storytelling in a Sea of Sameness: Creating Human Connection in the Age of AI” – Ellen O’Brien, Hudsons Media Founder
• “Are Internal Communications Teams Becoming an Endangered Species?” – Chris Lee, Vice President, Employee Experience & Internal Communication Practice, Gallagher Communication

Full descriptions of the presentations will be available soon. Reserve your spot for a full day packed with inspiration, innovation, and connection today!