Engagement & Insight
We help you listen deeply and communicate in ways that stand up to “we were never consulted,” while still being realistic about the time and capacity you have.
ATN’s Engagement & Insights practice is built for clients who are under pressure to show that they have truly listened, to communicate clearly with residents and partners, and to keep projects moving in a politically complex environment.
We help you listen deeply and communicate in ways that stand up to “we were never consulted,” while still being realistic about the time and capacity you have.
Across Atlantic Canada and nationally, we design multi-channel engagement processes that reach the right people in the right ways and translate complex work into clear, credible narratives. We turn detailed analysis and technical content into plain-language reports, visuals, slide decks, web copy, and digital engagement materials so that communities, partners, and leaders can quickly see what is at stake, what was heard, and what happens next. This is about more than producing a final report; it is about giving CAOs, non-profit leaders, Indigenous partners, and elected officials tools they can lift directly into Council memos, Board updates, and web-friendly summaries.
Established in 2010, ATN brings a seasoned team with deep experience at senior levels within the public and private sectors. Our practice is founded on quality, innovation, and strong ethical standards. It’s no surprise that ATN has built a strong and loyal clientele. With a wide scope of both completed and ongoing assignments, ATN enjoys a deep portfolio of national, regional, and local projects and the experience that work grants us.
ATN is your trusted advisor for complex projects across economic development, policy, and stakeholder engagement.
Solutions
Multi-channel Public & Stakeholder Engagement
From early discovery through to launch and implementation, we make sure the right voices are in the room and that they feel their time is respected. Our multi-channel public and stakeholder engagement strategies typically combine in-person sessions, virtual workshops, interviews, surveys, and digital tools. We design processes that are accessible and meaningful so that participants can see how their input is being used and decision-makers have a clear picture of perspectives across communities and stakeholder groups. Where appropriate, we work with our sister company MQO Research to integrate high-quality survey design and analysis into broader engagement processes, strengthening the evidence base behind key decisions.
Community Open House & Public Meeting Design
For public meetings and community open houses, we focus on creating experiences that build trust rather than tension. We design and facilitate sessions that help residents understand what is being proposed, ask informed questions, and share meaningful input in multiple ways. Clear visuals, themed information stations, targeted activities, and options to participate both in person and online, including through a custom engagement microsite, make it easier for people to engage on their own terms. Our team coordinates roles, materials, and follow-up products such as FAQs and digital updates so that residents leave feeling informed, respected, and heard, and so that your organization is seen as organized and responsive.
Facilitated Meetings
We also support focused, facilitated meetings and partnering sessions when you need diverse teams to align around clear goals, roles, and next steps. We work with you to design the agenda and engagement plan, guide the conversation in real time, and produce concise, plain-language outputs such as a one-page charter or “placemat” that frontline staff and leaders can use as a daily reference. These artifacts help keep implementation on track long after the meeting ends.
Community Attitude and Temperature Checks
When clients are looking for a clear, honest read on community sentiment, we offer community attitude and temperature checks in partnership with MQO Research. By combining survey research, stakeholder engagement, public consultations, and clear reporting, we give councils and Boards an actionable picture of resident views on key bylaws, plans, or broader community issues. The resulting summaries and visual tools are designed so they can be easily repurposed into Council updates, briefing notes, and short web or social media posts, reinforcing your credibility and making it simpler to keep your community informed.
