Top Takeaways from Communicate: New York

Communicate: New York was all about connection, not only among the enthusiastic internal comms leaders in attendance, but also with the ideas shaping the future of the field.

Held in the heart of Manhattan, the latest rendition of Interact Software’s popular seminar series brought together professionals across industries to swap stories, share wins and dig into the tools and strategies that make a real impact. From standout sessions led by brands like Bloomberg, Dow Jones and Houston Methodist to impromptu hallway conversations and peer roundtables, the day struck a balance between strategy and authenticity. Attendees closed out the day with drinks and light bites on the thirty-fifth floor of The Moxy, where the conversation continued against the backdrop of the New York City skyline.

The tone for the day was set early by Diane Schwartz, CEO of Ragan Communications, who opened the event with a clear message: internal comms is no longer a support function — it’s central to business success.

Highlights from Communicate: New York

• The shift to people-first communication is here.
  Across case studies and conversations, a clear theme emerged: comms teams are rethinking their role, increasingly seeing themselves not just as messengers, but as builders of employee experience. Modern internal communication is less about pushing content and more about creating spaces for engagement.
• Intranets are getting personal.
  From Houston Methodist’s “Digital Front Door” to customized content and targeted messaging, comms leaders shared how their platforms are evolving to be more relevant, mobile and truly employee-focused.
• AI is already making a practical impact.
  The seminar’s AI roundtable tackled real use cases like automating FAQs, surfacing sentiment data and improving personalization. The takeaway? AI isn’t about replacing people. It’s about making internal comms smarter and more responsive.
• The best moments didn’t always happen on stage.
  Roundtable discussions, breakout groups and the Headshot Café created space for honest, peer-to-peer exchanges. Attendees dove into real challenges and traded practical ideas — exactly what so many said they came for.
• Real stories matter.
  Whether it was Jillian from Denver Water talking about empowering internal authors, or a group of panelists reflecting on the realities of scaling comms across global teams, the sessions leaned into what’s real: the wins, the bumps and everything in between.

Featured Sessions Included:

• The IC Leader’s Roadmap: Diane Schwartz, Ragan
• Culture-Driven Digital Workplaces: Houston Methodist
• Data-Driven, People-First Comms: Bloomberg
• Expert Panel: Dow Jones, Shutterfly, Quest Diagnostics and Ragan
• From Curiosity to Strategic Value: AI Roundtable

What People Said

“I loved everything about the event — the speakers, the chance to network, the headshot opportunity. It was great!”
— Helena, Bancroft

“Meeting peers who shared real-life solutions was the most valuable part. Jill’s session was amazing and insightful.”
— Yokasta, Coach USA

“It allowed for more intimate, genuine conversations. It wasn’t just surface-level content.”
— Tracy, Tronox

“Diane Schwartz was incredible. The morning sessions really landed.”
— Amanda, Alera Group

Watch the Full Event Replay

Couldn’t make it? Check out the photos and session recordings below to explore the ideas shared at Communicate: New York.

Communicate: New York event photosHouston Methodist’s Journey to a Culture-Driven Digital Workplace

Bloomberg: Data-Driven, People-First Comms

Denver Water: Turning Experts into Authors: A Blueprint for Intranet Success

Expert Panel: Communicate with Purpose — Reaching Every Employee Where They Are

Ready to Elevate Your Internal Comms?

See how Interact’s data-driven, people-first platform helps you reach, engage and inspire every employee — wherever they are.
Book a demo