Ragan Communications is set to host hundreds of communications professionals in Austin, Texas, from Nov. 11-13 for the 2026 Future of Communications Conference, one of the centerpiece events of Communications Week.

The three-day gathering will be held at the Hyatt Regency Austin and will bring together professionals and senior leaders working in internal communications, public relations, corporate communications, marketing, employee communications, public affairs and other related fields. The event will focus on the trends transforming the communications industry and the strategies professionals will need as they prepare for 2027.

The 2026 conference comes as the communications profession undergoes significant change. Artificial intelligence is quickly becoming part of routine business operations rather than remaining primarily an experimental technology. At the same time, organizations are dealing with shifting workforce expectations, a rapidly changing media landscape, growing reputational threats, economic challenges and greater demands to prove the measurable business impact of communications.

The Future of Communications Conference aims to equip professionals with the knowledge and practical approaches needed to turn these developments into opportunities for leadership and growth.

The agenda features more than 30 sessions spanning keynote presentations, workshops, case studies, fireside conversations, panel discussions and peer-to-peer exchanges. Topics will include responsible AI implementation and governance, executive communications, corporate reputation, crisis response, employee engagement, organizational transformation, Generative Engine Optimization (GEO), Answer Engine Optimization (AEO), communications measurement and strategic communications.

More than 50 experienced communications executives, industry specialists and senior leaders are expected to share their insights. Attendees will also have opportunities to network with hundreds of professionals who are confronting similar challenges within their own organizations.

New AI Strategy Summit
One of the key additions to this year's conference is the Center for AI Strategy Summit, scheduled for Nov. 11. Professionals who choose the AI Summit as their pre-conference program will participate in open discussions about how organizations can advance AI adoption in a responsible and effective manner.

The summit will examine the current state of AI adoption, the obstacles limiting wider implementation and the challenges surrounding trust. Participants will explore how communications teams can transition from isolated AI experiments to consistent, scalable workflows.

The program will also feature real-world AI workflows and applications, along with discussions about governance, brand safety and emerging concerns involving agentic AI, synthetic content and legal exposure. A central theme will be determining where human oversight and professional judgment remain essential as AI becomes more deeply integrated into communications.

Those attending the Center for AI Strategy Summit will also receive a complimentary one-year membership in Ragan's Center for AI Strategy.

Hands-on Workshop Option
Professionals who instead select Ragan's conference workshop program on Nov. 11 will have access to practical sessions covering subjects such as deepfakes and synthetic media, crisis readiness, AI-driven search, GEO and AEO, building AI-capable communications teams and preserving credible, authentic content as artificial intelligence speeds up content creation.

The main conference program will continue on Nov. 12 and 13, featuring separate tracks for internal and external communications, general sessions, interactive conversations, networking opportunities and discussions with speakers and fellow participants.

The Future of Communications Conference forms a central part of Communications Week, which runs Nov. 9-13. The annual event brings together communications professionals, organizations and industry leaders for educational sessions, networking and discussions focused on the direction of the communications field.

For professionals planning for the communications landscape of 2027, the Austin event provides an opportunity to step away from everyday responsibilities, learn from the experiences of other organizations, expand professional networks and return to their workplaces with strategies that can be put into practice immediately.

The next registration pricing deadline is Sept. 4.

Readers of 3BL Media can receive an additional $500 discount on registration by using the code 3BL.

Click here to know more.

At Mary Kay, leadership has always meant leaving behind a meaningful and lasting legacy. For over six decades, the company has focused on empowering women, nurturing purpose-driven leaders, and partnering with institutions that shape the civic and social fabric of communities. Among those partners is the Texas Lyceum, a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to developing the next generation of leaders by encouraging civic engagement and fostering dialogue around Texas policy issues across both public and private sectors.

Mary Kay Inc. has stood alongside the Texas Lyceum for more than 40 years, sharing in its mission of cultivating informed, ethical, and collaborative leadership. That tradition continues with Michelle Erbeyi, a government relations and public affairs leader at Mary Kay, who was recently named a Director of the Texas Lyceum.

In her role at Mary Kay, Michelle advocates for policies that strengthen opportunities for the company’s independent beauty consultants around the globe. Her work connects corporate purpose with public policy, community impact, and long-term growth—all rooted in the guiding values of the organization. As she celebrates 10 years with Mary Kay and begins her new chapter with the Texas Lyceum, Michelle reflects on what leadership and service mean to her.

Q1: Michelle, you’re stepping into your role with the Texas Lyceum while celebrating a decade at Mary Kay. How do these moments align for you?
It truly feels like things have come full circle. Mary Kay has shaped who I am as a professional and as a person over the past 10 years. It’s an organization that leads with intention and prioritizes lifting others along the way. I’ve had the honor of advocating for our independent beauty consultants, who are the very core of our business.

Joining the Texas Lyceum as a Director feels like a natural extension of that work. The Lyceum is about uniting people from diverse perspectives to influence Texas’ future. It’s about leadership through service, listening, and making a long-term difference—the same lessons I’ve carried from Mary Kay.

Q2: What leadership lessons from Mary Kay will you take into your Lyceum role?
At Mary Kay, I’ve learned that leadership begins with service. We often talk about the “Go-Give” spirit—leading with empathy, generosity, and purpose. Our founder, Mary Kay Ash, built this company on the principle that success comes from helping others succeed, and that belief remains at the heart of everything we do.

Over the years, I’ve partnered with leaders in both the public and private sectors to champion women’s economic empowerment, sustainability, and equal access to opportunity. Whether advocating for independent consultants or representing Mary Kay in policy forums, the guiding question has always been: Are we creating opportunities for others? That spirit of bridge-building and showing up for people is what I’ll carry with me to the Lyceum.

Q3: You’ve often emphasized mentorship and representation. How will these values influence your contributions to the Lyceum?
Mentorship has been essential in my own journey. I didn’t have a clear path to follow, so I leaned on mentors who believed in me before I believed in myself.

Now, I strive to offer that same support to others. As a Lyceum Director, I want to broaden access to leadership spaces, ensuring the next generation of leaders not only has a seat at the table but also feels confident in using their voice once they are there.

Q4: Outside of work, you’re very active in your community. What motivates that involvement?
Meaningful change starts locally. I’ve served on my son’s school PTA board and worked with nonprofits such as the Hispanic Scholarship Fund and the DFW Hispanic 100. For me, leadership doesn’t always have to be loud—it can be steady, intentional, and rooted in showing up consistently. As a mom, I want my son to see that leadership begins with caring about your community enough to get involved.

Q5: What excites you most about joining the Texas Lyceum, and where do you see yourself in the next decade?
I’m excited about collaborating with leaders across Texas who care deeply about critical issues like education, workforce development, and civic engagement. The Lyceum provides a forum for civil, respectful conversations that spark solutions.

As a Director, I’ll contribute to statewide initiatives that bring these topics forward, while also offering insights from the corporate world, especially around women’s economic empowerment.

On a personal note, I’ve also started pursuing my J.D. at St. Mary’s University School of Law—something I’ve long wanted to do. It’s a chance to strengthen my expertise in government relations while continuing my work at Mary Kay. Much like the Lyceum, law school allows me to refine the tools I use to connect policy with people’s lives and expand opportunities for others.

Looking ahead, I want to keep advocating for women entrepreneurs, fostering inclusive leadership, and contributing to a Texas—and a world—that ensures opportunity for all.
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