Communicators gear up to push messages at NATO summit
From the Secret Service to Boeing, organizations are preparing to get out their side of the story at the massive gathering in Chicago.
And wherever the press gathers, communicators are not far behind, whether they are U.S. Secret Service officials discussing security or Occupy Chicago protesters seeking to seize an international stage.
Boeing—whose Chicago headquarters protesters are vowing to shut down—is fielding media calls and communicating internally with employees. The Federal Aviation Administration is spreading the word online and at airports about flight restrictions.
“As a group of public affairs professionals who deal with events like this, the point is to have the news of the event really be the news,” said an FAA spokeswoman who asked not to be identified. “We’re not trying to make the security surrounding the event the news story.”
Still, such stories are inevitable, given the way a major summit disrupts city life, shuts down commuter train lines, and brings out demonstrators. Some 18,500 visitors are expected this weekend.
Bull’s-eye on Boeing
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