Celebrate excellence in communications at the MCOY Awards on April 29, 2026! Join colleagues from across Manitoba’s communications community for an evening of networking, conversation, and recognition.
Date: Wednesday, April 29, 2026
Time: 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Location: Qualico Family Centre, Assiniboine Park
Tickets: $55 (members), $65 (non-members), $35 (students)
The Manitoba Communicator of the Year (MCOY) Awards, presented by Canadian Public Relations Society (CPRS) Manitoba, recognize individuals and teams whose work demonstrates leadership, creativity, and impact in the communications profession.
This annual event brings together professionals from across the public, private, and non-profit sectors to celebrate achievement, reconnect with colleagues, and engage in thoughtful discussion about the evolving role of communication management.
2026 Panel Theme
AI, Public Trust, and the Future of Communication Management in Manitoba
Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming how organizations communicate, make decisions, and engage with the public. Yet while adoption is accelerating inside organizations, public attitudes toward AI remain cautious.
New research from Probe Research highlights significant public concerns about AI adoption, including fears about job loss, uncertainty about safeguards, and questions about whether the technology truly benefits society. At the same time, recent research conducted by Red River College Polytechnic and Blueprint Inc. suggests communications professionals are increasingly using generative AI in their work—often without clear policies, training, or ethical guidance.
This year’s keynote conversation will examine the growing gap between public skepticism and professional adoption, and the critical role communicators play in ensuring transparency, accountability, and trust in an AI-enabled environment.
Panelists will explore:
• What Manitobans really think about AI
• How organizations are currently using AI—and where they may be unprepared
• The ethical and strategic implications for communicators
• How communication management can help organizations navigate trust, transparency, and public interest in an AI-driven era
Moderator:
Mary Agnes Welch
Principal, Probe Research
Mary Agnes Welch joined Probe Research in 2016 following a career as an award-winning journalist covering politics and public policy for the Winnipeg Free Press. A graduate of Columbia University’s journalism program, she specializes in translating complex research into meaningful insights. Known for her engaging facilitation style, Mary Agnes regularly moderates focus groups and conversations that uncover what citizens truly think about complex issues.
Panelists:
Rose Regier
Strategic Operations and Experience, Blueprint Inc.
Rose Regier is a strategist with more than a decade of experience across government-funded organizations, small businesses, and post-secondary education. At Blueprint, she manages complex cross-sector projects while leading internal strategy on systems design and experience. She previously taught in the Creative Communications program at Red River College Polytechnic, where she led the Public Relations specialization. Earlier in her career, she led marketing and stakeholder initiatives for organizations including Manitoba Public Insurance, Travel Manitoba, Tourism Winnipeg, The Forks, and the 2017 Canada Summer Games.
Liz Cron
Senior Consultant & Marketing Lead, Blueprint Inc.
Liz Cron specializes in strategic planning, training, and communications that help organizations expand their reach and impact. With more than a decade of experience in marketing and program leadership, she has led major initiatives including a nationally recognized DEI program that has since expanded across Canada. Liz brings a strong focus on innovation, values-driven strategy, and community building to her work.
Matt Dirks
Managing Partner, Neralake
Matt Dirks is an operations leader with experience across both startups and corporate environments, including SkipTheDishes, where he was employee #4 and helped scale the platform from 300 to 70,000 users. He currently serves as Managing Partner at Neralake, leading the development of an AI-driven strategic planning platform designed for small businesses and non-profits. Matt’s work focuses on operational transformation, AI implementation, and practical applications of emerging technologies.
Don’t miss this celebration of excellence in communications. Get you tickets today!