NMITE Monthly Meeting - March 7, 2024 - Engaging Audiences and Effective Communication

Join us for a presentation led by Horrocks and City of Albuquerque’s Office of Neighborhood Coordination, where we'll delve into the art of engaging audiences and effectively communicating engineering concepts to the general public. In today's world, bridging the gap between technical jargon and layman's terms is crucial for project success and public understanding. 

We understand that effective communication in engineering projects extends beyond technical expertise; it requires the ability to connect with people. Our session will provide practical insights on:

• Crafting outreach strategies tailored to diverse communities. 
• Crafting language for presentations and materials that resonate with various audiences.
• Fostering partnerships with recognized neighborhood associations to ensure inclusive engagement. 

  
Whether you're working in urban development, infrastructure projects, or community initiatives, this presentation offers invaluable tips and strategies for fostering meaningful connections and driving positive change. Don't miss this opportunity to enhance your public engagement skills and build stronger relationships with the communities you serve. 

Vanessa Baca is the Manager of the City’s Office of Neighborhood Coordination (ONC) in the City Council Department. She has over 23 years of professional experience in public relations, community outreach, marketing, digital and social media outreach, government administration, and communications. Most recently, her initiative on Neighborhood Walks was featured in Albuquerque The Magazine’s December/January “Best of Albuquerque” issue as part of her work on multimodality and walkable safe neighborhoods. She started her career at the New Mexico Department of Transportation as a Public Relations Specialist as part of the Big I Reconstruction Project. As well, she worked for several years at URS Corporation (currently AECOM) on marketing transportation projects, and served as the Marketing Manager for the City’s Transit Department where her work in helping develop and market the City’s first transit app paved the way for her to lead a panel discussion and presentation at the 2016 National Transportation Research Board conference in Washington, DC. 
 
Francine Pacheco is a seasoned Public Engagement Specialist at Horrocks with over a decade of experience spanning city planning, public health research, and civil engineering. Throughout her career, she has fostered deep community connections, leading initiatives that prioritize meaningful dialogue and collaboration. From sustainable urban development to addressing community health concerns, Francine’s commitment to inclusive engagement has been evident. In her current role, she continues to champion the importance of community input, as demonstrated in her work on local projects such as Bridge Boulevard Reconstruction Project in Bernalillo County and the NMDOT’s I-25 S-Curve Area Study. Ms. Pacheco’s unwavering dedication to bridging the gap between stakeholders and project development underscores her role as a trusted advocate for effective public involvement in shaping impactful solutions for our communities.