About Buzz
The most valuable industry learning happens when like-minded advocacy professionals gather to share their experiences, collaborate to overcome common obstacles, and strive to elevate the practice of modern public affairs.
Unlike a typical conference, our approach is for the best in the industry to teach the best in the industry. This is why all invitees are asked to participate as a presenter, roundtable facilitator, or session moderator.
Hannah Levy, who is remembered here, jointly developed and led the Buzz Advocacy Summit since its inception. We dedicate this year’s event and all future Summits in her honor.
Agenda
Come in one night early on July 30th to beat the morning traffic and/or join other early arrivals for a casual reception with food and drinks.
Day 1 of the Summit begins with check-ins and a light breakfast that starts at 8:30 AM. The opening keynote starts at 9:50 AM. and the programming concludes at 5:30 PM with a networking reception and dine-around dinners at local Annapolis restaurants to follow.
Day 2 of the Summit begins with a hot breakfast that starts at 8:00 AM followed by programming from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Participants can explore Annapolis during the free afternoon from 3:00 PM. to 6:30 PM. Attendees will enjoy a Crab Feast Thursday evening.
Day 3 of the Summit begins with a hot breakfast that starts at 8:00 AM followed by programming from 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM. This half-day of programming allows participants to beat the traffic back home.
Registration
Please purchase your tickets early to get discounted pricing.
The Summit fee includes 2 nights of accommodations, commencing on July 31st, 2024. To ease your morning arrival, our first session will commence at 9:50 AM, with registration opening at 8:30 AM. Welcome refreshments will be provided.
Please note that ALL ticket options include not only programming but also the cost of accommodations, receptions, meals, snacks/drinks, and professional notes from the program.
If you would like to pay for your ticket by credit card, please visit the Eventbrite registration page (fees apply). To avoid the Eventbrite fees, please contact us at buzzadvocacy@gmail.com and we can send you an invoice (payable by ACH or check).
If purchased before
April 19th, 2024
Refund Info
Early Bird tickets are 100% refundable before April 19th and 50% refundable* before June 30th, 2023.
If purchased before
June 30th, 2024.
Refund Info
Our Standard Price ticket is eligible for a 50% refund* anytime before June 30th, 2024.
If purchased after
July 1st, 2024.
Refund info
Last Minute tickets are not refundable.*
Optional Add-On
More info
For out of town guests, and those who want to get a jump-start on the first day of the Summit, we have an optional add-on available where you can come in on October 1, 2023 (the evening before the Summit). All early arriving guests are invited to a reception that evening at a local bar.
Hosts & Sponsors
You won’t see booths or hear sales pitches at the Buzz Advocacy Summit but you will meet with a curated selection of sponsors who understand that knowledge sharing and listening to practitioners is essential to create superior advocacy tools and services.
Location
Situated in Historic Annapolis, a hidden gem located less than 35 miles from the Washington, DC Metro Area, Buzz Advocacy Summit is far enough for a retreat-style getaway, yet close enough to travel to without much hassle.
The summit takes place in the beautiful and historic Governor Calvert House, 58 State Circle Annapolis, MD 21401. The Governor Calvert House is centrally located directly across from the Maryland State House, and a 5-minute walk to the Waterfront.
Testimonials
The amount of fun I had was only outpaced by the amount I learned in each session. It was truly a valuable and unique professional experience. I was blown away by the format, the knowledge on display, and the planning of each detail. I left amazed by the team at Beekeeper Group. Looking forward to attending next year!
- Sean Brown, Federation of American Hospitals
This is one of those events that I look forward to every year. I always take away a few nuggets of gold and use them here at the REALTORS, plus the conversations with other professionals are always enlightening and informative.
- Jim MacGregor, National Association of Realtors
If you want a conference that isn’t traditional, where everybody is participating, and you’re always learning from someone else, and not just from the people on stage, then this is the conference to go to.
- Ory Rinat, The Heritage Foundation
It was a very productive conference and we have already begun to implement some of the takeaways I brought back to DC. Glad to have attended, participated, and shared.
- Michael Lewan, The Recording Academy
The Buzz Advocacy Summit has the most engaging and interactive format beyond the typical and tired conference structure.
- Katherine Merullo, American Dental Association
Inviting a small group to the discussion of high-level advocacy strategies, from a variety of perspectives and approaches, was a brilliant idea that was executed seamlessly.
- Jessica Cooper, National Federation of Independent Businesses
Meet the Advisory Committee
Our Advisory Committee is comprised entirely of industry practitioners who have a demonstrated passion for public affairs and advocacy. The Advisory Committee will be tasked to challenge traditional thinking, to recommend topics and presenters that are at the leading edge of innovative advocacy, and to find featured speakers from outside our industry who can offer new and unique perspectives.
FAQs
The Buzz Advocacy Summit includes:
- two nights hotel accommodation at The Historic Inns of Annapolis
- welcome refreshments on the first morning (assorted breakfast treats)
- two hot breakfasts
- two lunches
- two dinners
- two evening cocktail receptions
- wifi
- coffee and snacks
- professional notes from each session
While the Summit may be close to home for most participants, this is intended as a convenience so invitees may avoid extensive travel to a far-flung destination. We want to preserve a retreat-style feeling to promote networking, shared experience, and to allow for an ongoing and informed discussion about the future direction of our industry. This is why hotel accommodations are included within the Summit fee, to encourage us to stay on-site together throughout the Summit. This also helps defray some of the costs of the event as meeting room space is included in the hotel room block.
Of course, if you would prefer not to stay on-site overnight, we just ask that you commit to attend each day of Summit sessions. Unfortunately, no refund is available for unused hotel accommodations.
When planning the inaugural Buzz Advocacy Summit we wanted a destination that would be far enough away from DC to encourage a retreat-style atmosphere, yet close enough for an easily commutable end-of-the-week event. You don’t need to hop on a plane to get to this summer destination! We also had the opportunity to secure a beautiful hotel in the center of Historic Annapolis, MD that is easy walking distance to the waterfront.
We believe that something important changes when you become an active participant in an event. When you aren’t just learning from others, but are also sharing your thoughts and ideas. There are numerous excellent industry conferences that offer attendees a chance to soak in knowledge without necessarily joining in. However, we want this Summit to be different. We want the best in the industry to teach the best in the industry, and your involvement is essential to that goal.
For those less comfortable with the spotlight, there are a number of opportunities to participate in a smaller group setting including as a roundtable facilitator or networking session moderator. Please let the host know your preference and we will try to accommodate your request.
Panelists will present at moderator led keynote or breakout sessions. Topics will be determined in advance and some preparation may be required including providing slides or other materials. Panel moderators will coordinate with panelists ahead of the event.
Roundtable facilitators will conduct a roundtable discussion on selected topics during our roundtable breakout session. Roundtable facilitators will assist with preparing materials on their selected topic as well as a discussion guide for their session.
Networking session moderators, will coordinate our networking speed dating session. They will host each networking group and will encourage interaction among participants.
Our only emphasis is on advanced advocacy learning among peers. Plan to bring your creativity, but leave the suits at home!
We have attendee accommodations booked in two of the Historic Inns of Annapolis- the Governor Calvert House and the newly renovated Robert Johnson House. Both are on State House Circle and very easy walking distance from each other.
We chose Annapolis because it is within easy driving distance for most attendees. If you’d like to participate in a carpool, please let us know and we will happily help coordinate it – please just reply to this email.
For those driving themselves, there is valet parking at the hotel, but other parking options include the Noah Hillman Parking Garage (150 Gorman Street) and South Street Parking Lot (101-199 South Street).
You can also Uber from DC for approximately $45 with UberX.
If you know of someone from your organization – or another organization – that you think would be a great contributor to the Summit, please send along their information so that we can send them an invitation. Our programming is the best fit for advanced practitioners in advocacy and communications roles.
There is always a lot of interest in the Summit, so we limit attendance to a maximum of two individuals from an organization. This also keeps our content fresh and diverse.
Learn More
Interested in becoming sponsor or joining the advisory committee? Still have questions about attending? Reach out here!