Welcome to CommNEXT, a conference for students and professionals in the fields of design, video, advertising, marketing, PR, and journalism! Presented by the American Advertising Federation of Shreveport-Bossier and the Shreveport Journalism Foundation, CommNEXT is an event where students and professionals have the opportunity to learn more about the communications and digital media fields from industry experts!

Topics at this year's event will include PR campaigns, fake news, freelancing, design thinking, social design, video campaigns, and more! CommNEXT brings together students and professionals for an inspirational educational experience like none other!

CommNEXT is going to be held at the LSUS University Center on Saturday, October 21, 2017. The cost is $25/person.

Lunch is provided and will include a choice of gourmet sandwich, chips, drink, and dessert.

SCHEDULE:

11:30 AM-12 Noon – Registration and Check-In

12:00-12:45 PM – Lunch and Opening Keynote

1:00-1:45 PM – Breakout Period #1 - 3 Breakout Sessions

2:00-2:45 PM – Breakout Period #2 - 3 Breakout Sessions

3:00-3:45 PM – Breakout Period #3 - 3 Breakout Sessions

4:00-5:00 PM – Closing Keynote and Remarks





KEYNOTE SPEAKERS // BREAKOUT SESSIONS:

// OPENING KEYNOTE: Guacomole Taught Me Everything I Know About Marketing

Come enjoy a top ten list of marketing lessons Tracey learned while building a brand, a category and a consumer following. From the importance of PR to how to excite consumers to social media mistakes, Tracey will share her marketing lessons. And you can't talk about guacamole without having any:) #BYOC #bringurownchips #marketingrocks

Speaker: Tracey Altman, Altman Consulting

Tracey Altman has over 25 years experience in branding, public relations and marketing. She has worked for Haggar Clothing Company, Nokia, Mannatech, and most recently, Wholly Guacamole. Tracey was Vice President of Marketing and Innovation for Wholly Guacamole. Her and her team developed the name, the brand and launched the brand in retail, club and food service. Wholly Guacamole continues to be the number one guacamole in the dip category for 10 years in the row.

// CLOSING KEYNOTE:

Speaker: Gregory Kallenberg, Louisiana Film Prize

Gregory Kallenberg has mastered the Zen art of bocci ball, been detained for protesting non-alcoholic tequila and is the founder of Louisiana Film Prize. He moved to Shreveport, LA from Austin, TX to make his last film “Haynesville.” Gregory not only decided to make Shreveport, LA his home, more importantly, he has taken on the task of building an indigenous film community in northwest Louisiana. To the Film Prize, Kallenberg is caring mother, stern father, needy uncle and eccentric aunt. Prior to filmmaking, he wrote for Esquire, The New York Times, Texas Monthly, Austin American Statesman’s XL magazine and other publications. Kallenberg attended the University of Texas and received a Bachelor of Science in film. Kallenberg also attended the film program at the University of Southern California. Prior to his breakout documentary Haynesville: A Nation’s Hunt for an Energy Future, Gregory directed Eating Levi, an internationally successful film about Levi Oliver and his quest for competitive eating fame.



// BREAKOUT SESSIONS: