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Feb 10

2026 NIOA Regional 7 Winter Symposium

This symposium brings together experienced public information professionals from law enforcement, fire service, emergency management, and local government to share real-world strategies, lessons learned, and practical tools. Each session is designed to be immediately applicable, whether you are managing daily communications or navigating high-profile incidents.

Attendance is FREE!

Registration is open to NIOA members and non-members! Tell your friends!

Nebraska State Patrol Headquarters
4600 Innovation Dr Suite 120 , Lincoln, NE 68521
View on map

Feb 10, 2026 09:00am - Feb 11, 2026 04:00pm

Hotel Information

Graduate by Hilton - Lincoln

141 North 9th Street

Lincoln, NE 68508


Rate: $110 per night

Agenda

This agenda will be updated as presentations are accepted.

Monday, February 9

  • 7 pm: Early Arrivals Get-Together

Location: Tipsy Tina's Taco Cantina

800 Q. Street in Lincoln


Tuesday, February 10

  • 9 am: Kick-Off and Introductions


  • 9:30 am: Engaging Social Media Using Reels

Janet Wilwerding, City of Johnston, IA


  • 10:30 am: Break


  • 10:45 am: Changing the Narrative

Sal Del Cid, Kansas City, MO Police Department


  • 11:45 am: World Cup Briefing

Jake Becchina, Kansas City, MO Police Department


  • Noon: Lunch


  • 1:45 pm: Public Information and Collaboration: Building Resilient Communities

Claire Canaan, City of Belton, MO


  • 2:45 pm: Break


  • 3 pm: Show-and-Tell: Tools of the Trade

Hosted by Matt Coppin, Metro West Fire

All attendees are invited to share a tool that has made PIO-ing easier!


  • 6:30 pm: Networking Dinner

Location: HopCat Lincoln

601 P. Street in Lincoln


  • 7:45 pm: Networking Opportunity

Lincoln Exposed Music Festival


Wednesday, February 11

  • 9 am: Effective Interview Preparation for PIOs

Nebraska State Patrol Communications Team


  • 10:15 am: Break


  • 10:30 am: Media Panel & Training

Hosted by Mikayla Hall, Nebraska State Patrol


  • Noon: Lunch


  • 1:15 pm: Tribal Nations: Neighbors and Partners

Jessica Hitchcock, Ponca Tribe of Nebraska


  • 2:30 pm: Break


  • 2:45 pm: Responding to Internal Misconduct

Grant Bissell, Jefferson County Sheriff's Office


  • 7 pm: Post Symposium Dinner

Lazlo's Brewery & Grill

210 N. 7th Street in Lincoln


More to come! Keep checking back!

(Agenda subject to change.)