You probably know public engagement is evolving rapidly. 2026 will bring another round of significant change. Our audiences are adopting new technologies, expecting more transparency and want what they need – fast.
We are always adapting our strategies to keep pace.
Our strategists don’t know what the next year will hold. But as we wrap up 2025, we’re seeing several key shifts that will shape how we and our dozens of clients (cities, counties, school districts and regional partners) connect with audiences.
AI-driven search is changing how residents access information. Instead of navigating websites or downloading PDFs, people increasingly rely on summarized results. This means our project pages, fact sheets and updates must be concise, well-structured and written in plain language. Clear content improves human understanding and helps AI tools surface accurate information.
Agencies can’t pretend that we’re the only ones with access to AI. That means we have to know our subjects better, communicate topics better and know our human audiences better. Our processes must incorporate AI intelligently and carefully – and we must never forget how our audiences get their information.
Traditional public meetings remain important, but they can’t stand alone. People are busy, schedules vary and households gather knowledge in different ways.
Successful engagement now includes:
- Short, focused surveys
- Pop-up stations at community events
- Quick visual explainers
- QR codes linking to project details
- Mobile-friendly resources
Meeting people where they are – in their neighborhoods, at transit stops and online – removes barriers to participation. It's our responsibility to know these avenues and find ways to make it easy.
Complex projects are easier to understand when visuals (graphics, videos, etc.) do the heavy lifting. Whether communicating construction timelines, corridor concepts, zoning changes or infrastructure investments, clear visuals help residents see the “why” behind decisions. And that’s even more important when both our audience's time and attention are so hard to find.
Effective visual tools include:
- Before-and-after renderings
- Construction sequencing
- Maps and diagrams
- Short motion graphics
- Drone visualizations
A strong visual strategy reduces confusion and builds confidence in the process. Our art directors always ensure we’re asking crucial questions to get there. They design collateral that isn’t just visually appealing but accomplishes the strategic goals at hand.
Residents want to see how decisions are made and how their feedback is considered, especially now. The world remains incredibly distrustful. Our partners who share updates consistently, acknowledge challenges honestly and close the loop on public input will combat this successfully.
This includes:
- Explaining tradeoffs
- Showing what is still being evaluated
- Posting regular progress updates
- Sharing clear next steps
Transparency keeps projects moving forward by strengthening public understanding. A drumbeat of authenticity is the cost of admission. We always remind our partners: if you aren’t telling the story, someone else is.
Communities are not monolithic. Engagement approaches shouldn’t be either. Neighborhood-level messaging, translated materials, culturally-specific outreach and partnerships with trusted organizations will become even more important in 2026.
We need to know Central Ohio. Local insight guides better planning, improves communication and ensures messaging reaches the right people.
More than 35 years of local work have helped us connect the dots among the most relevant (and effective) minds in the community.
Public engagement will continue to evolve, but the core goal remains the same: helping people understand projects that shape their daily lives. By combining clear communication, strong visuals, transparent updates and meaningful local connections, we can build trust and deliver success.
MurphyEpson works with public and private partners across Ohio and beyond. We’re eager to support them through the next chapter of community engagement!
