
Site Visits
Please use the descriptions below to choose your site visits. Each visit will be inspiring and one-of-a-kind experience. Attendees will attend one Thursday and one Friday session.
After each description we include an expected commute plan, such as transportation mode and walking duration. If you have any concerns or questions please reach out to beyondtheskylinedepaul@gmail.com.
Thursday, February 20

Public Communications Inc.
Welcome to Public Communication Inc. (PCI), a Chicago-based, woman-owned public relations firm specializing in strategic communications, media relations, crisis management, digital marketing, and community engagement. We craft creative, results-driven programs for healthcare organizations, nonprofits, cultural institutions, and conservation groups. This will help us help our clients with building meaningful connections with their audiences. At PCI, we are committed to making a positive difference through thoughtful storytelling, strategic outreach, and creative engagement.
Travel information: 15 minute walk
Zapwater
Zapwater is a creative, award-winning integrated marketing communications agency dedicated to storytelling that connects people and brands throughout the world. Zapwater’s team of passionate professionals develops award-winning communications strategies for both emerging and established brands that exceed expectations.
To date, Zapwater has earned over 300 awards, showcasing our expertise in media relations, social media and influencer marketing. In 2023, Zapwater launched CHISPA, its bilingual services division for Latin American clients. Zapwater was named by PRovoke Media as a 2023 North America Best Agency to Work for (Boutique Agency) for the 11th year in a row, and shortlisted for PRWeek's 2023 Outstanding Boutique Agency, PRovoke Media’s Digital Agency of the Year and to the prestigious 2023 PR Net 100 list. Zapwater is also a founding member of the Travel Lifestyle Network, an international network of independent, like-minded marketing communications agencies. For more, visit zapwater.com, and follow us on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.
Travel information: 20 min green/pink line train to Morgan and brief walk
Agency H5
For more than 20 years, Agency H5 has been a communications consulting collective of savvy, nimble marketers, many who left the big agency world behind, to find a more family-driven work culture. Each of our passionate colleagues delivers informed strategies, unbridled creativity and impact-driven results for a wide array of distinctive brands and organizations. We are connectors, brand builders and storytellers. And we always lead with kindness. Here at Agency H5, we do it all — and we’ll proudly do it for you. Relationships are truly the currency of our business and connecting with people and transforming hearts and minds is what we do so well.
Travel information: 15 minute walk
APCO
For over 40 years, we have been at the forefront of solving complex challenges, uniting diverse voices, and driving meaningful change. With 1,200+ colleagues across global offices, we embrace a global mindset—thinking globally while acting locally. Our work spans nearly 80 countries, helping clients achieve their goals through strategic counsel, compelling storytelling, and creative solutions.
At our core, we believe in inclusivity, collaboration, and lasting impact.
Travel information: 20 minute green line train to Clinton and brief walk
McDonald's
McDonald’s is one of the largest global quick service restaurant empires. The company leverages its influence, size, and reach to engage with its customers, franchisees, and suppliers benefiting the communities in which it operates. Their mission is to deliver delicious feel-good moments easy for everyone and serve food to people who feel good about eating. They surround themselves with their five core values: community, inclusion, family, service, and integrity. They’re committed to improving the lives of its people, the industry, and the planet by putting customers and employees first.
Travel information: 20 min green/pink line train to Morgan and brief walk
Walker Sands
Walker Sands develops B2B PR strategies with client business outcomes in mind, whether they’re looking to position their brand in the market, boost awareness, or strengthen their credibility. Sometimes the marketing objective is simple: grow. Maybe a client is preparing to IPO, aiming for an acquisition, or just reaching for bigger sales targets; but as they scale their B2B brand, a multichannel approach that leads with outcomes in mind ensures sustainable growth across the funnel.
Start with the end in mind. Walker Sands’ unique outcome-based marketing approach is the “secret sauce” to B2B business. Curious? Take a trip with us to explore inspiring PR ideas at the forefront of the communications market and see outcome-based marketing in action.
Travel information: 8 minute walk
Cision
Calling all technologists. With over 150 years of innovation, Cision has grown into the global leader in media intelligence, empowering 75,000+ organizations. From brands such as TD Bank, Mastercard, Ford, Adobe, etc, top brands trusted us to navigate the ever-evolving communications landscape through cutting-edge analytics, social media management, and influencer engagement. In 2023, we launched the CisionOne platform for AI, revolutionizing how organizations target, reach, and engage with their audiences driving impactful moments in today’s media environment.
Travel information: 15 minute walk
Conagra
Where are all the food lovers? Conagra has been a powerhouse in the food industry, delivering beloved brands such as Healthy Choice, Hunt’s, Slim Jim, and Reddi-Wip. We are constantly evolving to meet changing consumer tastes, ensuring our products remain household staples- from when they see a campaign to when they grab it off the shelf. Innovations and quality are at the heart of everything we do. If you are passionate about food and the future of the industry, we can’t wait to connect with you!
Travel information: 15 minute brown line train to Merchandise Mart
Friday, February 21
Zeno Group
Zeno Group is the fiercely independent and global, integrated communications agency, born from PR. We bring together the boldest and brightest talent to help clients across industries and sectors unleash the power of strategic communications.
Guided by our "Fearless Pursuit of the Unexpected," we push the boundaries to achieve real business value and societal impact for clients. Winner of the industry’s most coveted awards including the 2024 PRWeek U.S. Large Agency of the Year (2023, 2022, 2021), 2023 PRWeek Purpose Agency of the Year (2022), 2022 PRWeek Global Agency of the Year, 2022 PRovoke Best Large Agency to Work for in North America, 2021 PRWeek Agency of the Year, 2021 PRovoke Global Creative Agency of the Year, 2021 PRovoke North American Agency of the Year, and a three-time winner of PRWeek’s Best Places to Work. Zeno has also been previously recognized by the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. Zeno is a DJE Holdings Company.
Travel information: 15 minute walk
MSL
Calling those who are strategists, storytellers, and creators. Here at MSL, consider meeting tomorrow’s newest talent in the business of making clients – of all shapes and sizes – more influential. MSL’s passion is shaping and evolving the public relations industry and what PR can accomplish, by building influence to deliver meaningful impact on business and the world.
Given the importance of deep local insights and stakeholder relationships, MSL operates a bit differently than other global PR agencies: with CEOs at the country level vs one global figurehead, it builds for excellence in the market with as much priority as MSL ensures integration, sophistication and innovation across the world. 40 countries. 100 offices. 2,000 employees. 1 purpose.
Travel information: 18 minute walk
Golin
There is no longer a ‘general market’ with adjacent niche, diverse markets to consider. Today, the foundation of everything we do ensures relevancy for the dynamic, profoundly diverse marketplace we serve. Change starts together. And together, we are Golin.
Rooted in the ideals of its founder, “Go All In” is Golin’s commitment to bravery, epitomized by the name of its founder, Al Golin. We invite you to discover how to provide effective solutions for major brands through a variety of specialties within Golin’s key practice groups: Consumer, Corporate Affairs, Healthcare, Social Impact + Inclusion, and Technology. Discover powerful human truths that bind us, create with bravery, and collaborate inclusively and obsessively.
Travel information: 19 min brown line train to Merchandise Mart
All Points PR
All Points Public Relations has ascended to the top of the PR industry’s midsize agency segment. Leveraging an “Act Big. Think Big. Present Big." mantra, All Points has become known for its fully integraged PR approach, which taps into a relentless committment to accelerate past client goals. Our 360-degree approach strategically blends public relations, social media, content marketing and digital marketing to deliver powerful results that propel brands to achieve their business objectives. With more than 70 clients, ranging from startups to iconic national and global brands, our passion, personal approach, and professionalism come together to create integrated PR solutions focused on enhancing forward-thinking businesses.
Travel information: 20 min brown line train to Chicago Avenue and brief walk
Flowers Communications
Fresh Ideas. Leadership in Multicultural. Optimal Engagement. Winning Outcomes. PR should FLOW, and at Flower Communications there is no better way to achieve this than by setting the industry’s best practices for quality, creativity, and marketing communications programs that authentically and inclusively reach and respect diverse consumers. We’re winners of the 2025 PRWeek Platinum Award, Flower Communications champions competition. Come along on our visit, imagine rooting yourself in a blossoming environment where you can embrace change, accept challenges, and exude positive energy that creates the impossible.
The FLOW-er goal is simple: create a culture where passion meets purpose. Our purpose is to provide best-in-class integrated marketing campaigns that reach and respect multicultural and diverse consumers. To accomplish this goal, Flower Communications is a patron of visionaries, creative thinkers, strategic disruptors, and dreamers with entrepreneurial mindsets who understand the assignment.
Travel information: 25 min red line train to Lake and brief walk
Reputation Partners
Reputation matters. When a client hires a PR firm it’s because they want to achieve something — prominent media coverage about their business or CEO, greater share of voice, new customers or clients, enhanced reputation, or a problem solved. That’s what clients get with Reputation Partners. Boasting top satisfaction scores on client surveys over 16 years, Reputation Partners has won numerous Agency Elite, Golden Trumpet and Impact Communications awards. Visit Reputation Partners and get the behind the scenes story of an award winning campaign and learn more about the benefits of authentic client partnerships and respectfully honest counsel.
Travel information: 10 min walk
FINN Partners
At FINN Partners, we blend creativity with data-driven strategy to deliver powerful results. As a global communications agency, our culture is built on integrity, collaborations, and innovation-championing ideas that make an impact. From PR and marketing to digital and creative, we specialize in technology, health, consumer & lifestyle, and sustainability, partnering with 400+ world-class brands and organizations. If you’re eager to dive into the industry and gain hands-on experience, we can’t wait to meet you and hear your story!
Travel information: 20 min brown line train to Merchandise Mart
Allison Worldwide
Allison is a global marketing and communications agency focused on driving growth and positive change for clients through innovative and collaborative approaches, operating across various practices like consumer brands, corporate reputation, health, and technology; recently rebranded to reflect its evolution from a traditional PR firm to a modern integrated marketing powerhouse with a worldwide presence.
Travel information: 10 min blue line train to Clark/Lake and brief walk