Simpplr Employee Comms & Experience Virtual Summit 2026 for internal communications and EX leaders

A half-day gathering for internal communications and EX leaders focused on how work… actually works.

This year, the conversation centered on the work behind the work: the business impact of internal communications, how AI is showing up day to day (not just in decks), and what’s shifting in the role of the communicator as expectations and complexity continue to rise.

At the center of it all, we noticed a shared challenge: how can we deliver clear, credible communication at scale without losing the human side of the work?

Across sessions, we explored

What new data revealed about the state of the IC profession, including career longevity, influence, and impact
How AI is showing up inside comms teams today, where it’s genuinely helping, and where human judgment still matters most
Real stories from leaders navigating change, credibility, and scale across global organizations
How communicators can partner more effectively with IT and other stakeholders, without losing ownership

Real insights from real leaders at

Rewind from the sessions

What the data says about IC’s impact, influence, and future

IC finally has the spotlight, but bigger visibility also means bigger questions.

Carolyn Clark headshot: VP of Corporate Communications & Employee Experience at Simpplr
Corporate Communications Leader at Vera Therapeutics
Enterprise Communications Manager at Ascentek
Sr. Director of Corporate Communications at MasterControl

In this session, leaders from Ascentek, MasterControl, Vera Therapeutics, and Simpplr dig into what communicators are really experiencing today, based on the State of Internal Communications 2026. They discuss where IC is gaining influence, whether AI is helping or adding noise and whether they would choose the IC role again.

Watch for an honest, data-backed look at where IC stands now and where the profession may be headed next.

How AI Is showing up in real IC work

AI is everywhere in IC conversations, but the reality is more nuanced than the hype.

Sr. Internal Communications Manager at Coursera

In this session, Coursera shares how AI is showing up in day-to-day IC work, including what changed when the team adopted AI-powered tools and how those tools helped reduce cognitive load.

The conversation also gets candid about where guardrails are needed and why human judgment still matters.

Watch for a practical, honest look at how communicators can use AI to work faster and more intentionally without losing the context, care, and strategy that make IC effective.

Why it’s not a messaging problem — It’s a design problem session

Reaching employees is not about sending more messages. It is about building communication systems that actually fit the way people work.

CEO of Dewpoint Communications
Internal Communications Coordinator at INTRUST Bank
Senior Communications + Marketing Specialist at L+M
Senior Director of Communications + Marketing at L+M

In this session, Dewpoint Communications leads a conversation with Intrust Bank and L+M Development Partners on why even strong messages can miss the mark across desk-based, frontline, and distributed teams.

Watch for a practical look at how communicators can move beyond broadcast tactics and design smarter communication systems. Our speakers cover how to set clearer priorities, choose the right channels and partner across HR, IT, and operations.

Fragmented tools create fragmented experiences

When communication lives in too many places, the employee experience starts to fall apart.

Miriam Connaughton headshot: Chief People & Experience Officer at Simpplr
VP of Communications at Pikeville Medical Center

In this session, Pikeville Medical Center and Simpplr discuss why tech consolidation matters to communicators, not just as a technology decision, but as a vital part of effective communication and a stronger employee experience.

Watch to hear how fragmented systems make it harder to deliver relevant updates, recognize employees, listen at scale, and understand what is working. But most importantly, how to fix it.

From activity to impact: Proving the value of IC

IC teams are under more pressure to prove their impact, but better measurement does not happen overnight.

Communications & Marketing Lead
Director of Corporate Communications at Sunrun

In this session, Sunrun and Simpplr discuss how communicators can prove value even without perfect data. From clarifying priorities to partnering more closely with HR and IT, and setting clearer expectations with leadership.

Watch to hear how Sunrun shifted its IC team away from reactive, request-driven work and toward a more intentional operating model.

Surviving and thriving in internal communications

Internal communications can be meaningful, energizing work, but it can also take a toll.

Internal Communications Lead at Simpplr
Internal Communications & Employee Engagement Leader at Couchbase

In this session, Couchbase and Simpplr share candid perspectives on what it takes to build a sustainable career in IC. From knowing your value and setting boundaries to making more intentional choices about where to spend your time and energy.

Watch to learn how communicators deliver real impact while building ways of work that are both effective and sustainable.