Course

Communicating Employee Benefits

A common challenge in employee benefits is effectively communicating the benefits in place for participants. With more channels than ever for relaying information, clear communication requires knowledge and skills in strategies and measurements. This course will explore best practices and new strategies in communicating benefits to plan participants and measuring the plan for success. Take a deep dive into communication budgets, new technology, measuring results and more! Gather with your peers and experts in the field for two days of learning these strategies, what has worked for others and how to implement these ideas into your own plans. Gain confidence that your plan communication is on the right track, and find new ways to improve through networking and learning from experts when you attend this course!

Topics Covered

  • Strategically planning communications
  • Identify learning styles and diversity needs
  • Effective communication methods
  • Biggest blunders in employee benefits communication planning
  • Technology, vendor partnerships, outsourcing
  • Year-round communications
  • Developing goals
  • Creative communications
  • Measuring outcomes
  • Workplace trends and predictions
  • Case studies

Course Outline

View course outline

Day 1

  1. Strategically Planning Communications
    1. Engagement
    2. Retention/recruitment
    3. Cost savings
    4. Compliance
    5. Productivity
    6. Support brand
    7. Continuous feedback
  2. Identify Learning Styles and Diversity Needs
    1. Learning styles
    2. Diversity needs
    3. Generations
    4. What works and doesn't work?
    5. How to work through these various styles and needs
  3. Effective Communication Methods
    1. How we communicate—methods of communication—written, oral, email, paper mail, other
    2. Group activity—Channels of communication
    3. When we communicate frequently
    4. What we communicate—Open enrollment, benefit changes (new and old)
    5. Group activity—Create a communication plan
  4. Biggest Blunders in Employee Benefits Communications Planning
    1. What trips us up
    2. How to stop tripping
  5. Technology, Vendor Partnerships, Outsourcing
    1. What is available
    2. What have you used and how did it work?
    3. Outsourcing
    4. Budgeting
    5. AI in communication

Day 2

  1. Year-Round Communications
    1. Why is it needed?
    2. Are there benefits? Is there a downside?
    3. Individual activity—Creative brainstorming
  2. Develop Communication Goals
    1. Comprehension
    2. Outcomes
    3. Engagement
  3. Measurable Outcomes
    1. S.M.A.R.T goals
    2. The feedback loop
    3. What to do with your feedback exercise
    4. Engagement
    5. Group activity—Survey building
  4. Workplace Trends and Predictions
    1. What does the future look like?
  5. Case Study
    The capstone for this course is working with a team to evaluate the issues around an unsuccessful rollout of a hypothetical company’s new health plan. As a team, you are asked to outline a new communication solution, develop key messages, establish a timeline and decide on communication mediums.

Course Applies To

Jul 2025 Oct 2025 Apr 2026 Oct 2026

Pricing

July 18 - 19, 2025

Chicago, IL

Through June 2, 2025

US$1,400.00

Member

US$1,620.00

Nonmember

After June 2, 2025

US$1,700.00

Member

US$1,920.00

Nonmember

Pricing

October 10 - 11, 2025

Hilton Austin, Austin, TX

Through August 25, 2025

US$1,400.00

Member

US$1,620.00

Nonmember

After August 25, 2025

US$1,700.00

Member

US$1,920.00

Nonmember

Pricing

April 29 - 30, 2026

Scottsdale, AZ

Through March 16, 2026

US$1,495.00

Member

US$1,715.00

Nonmember

After March 16, 2026

US$1,795.00

Member

US$2,015.00

Nonmember

Pricing

October 2 - 3, 2026

Caribe Royale Orlando, Orlando, FL

Through August 17, 2026

US$1,495.00

Member

US$1,715.00

Nonmember

After August 17, 2026

US$1,795.00

Member

US$2,015.00

Nonmember

Continuing Education

Educational sessions at this program can qualify for CEBS Compliance credit. Visit www.cebs.org/compliance for more information.

Agenda

Jul 2025 Oct 2025 Apr 2026 Oct 2026

Friday, July 18 - Saturday, July 19, 2025

Chicago, IL

Friday, October 10 - Saturday, October 11, 2025

Hilton Austin, Austin, TX

Wednesday, April 29 - Thursday, April 30, 2026

Scottsdale, AZ

The selected event has no sessions.

Friday, October 2 - Saturday, October 3, 2026

Caribe Royale Orlando, Orlando, FL

The selected event has no sessions.