The Great Awakening of 2021
We wandered the wilderness of a pandemic world last year and for most of us, that wilderness was confined to our home office.  Thankfully, things are different today.  
  
As we emerge from our Covid Caves, we are reminded of the Chinese brush strokes for crisis: one for danger; one for opportunity. Optimism abounds for 
the opportunity that lies ahead, though we keep a watchful eye on the danger of the variants. 
The famous Seward Johnson sculpture, now at the iconic development National Harbor in Maryland, holds new meaning for us. The colossus emerging from its earthly restraint is called “The Awakening” and it serves as an apt metaphor for the change currently ongoing in our world. 
 
SDI helped publicize the statue’s move from its long-time home in DC to its new home at National Harbor years ago: a loss for its old home; an opportunity for its new one.  
 
Mid-summer is usually not the time for an awakening, but these are not usual times.  We are ready to reemerge and every one of our senses is awakening to new growth!  
Maximus Shifts to Vaccine Distribution Amid Hesitancy Concerns
As the country continues to battle the COVID-19 pandemic, Maximus finds itself on the front lines, as one Maximus employee explained in this profile from NBC 9 in Denver. Maximus has also become a high-profile source about the COVID response. Check out this  New York Times interview with Chief Medical Officer Dr. Michael Weiner on vaccine
hesitancy in the military. 
Defense Health Agency Covid Emergency Response
Change begets change, and the SDI team at the Defense Health Agency got an immersion lesson in that truism, staying on top and informing millions of beneficiaries of the rapidly changing health environment. The emergency response to #COVID19 accelerated unprecedented change within military medicine. July is #HealthInnovationMonth at DHA. Click to see the innovations which demonstrate the communications challenge. 
New Client: National Intelligence University (NIU)  
The academic arm of the intelligence community got intel on SDI and we employed our weapons of mass construction to edit narratives, provide commentary and coordinate with NIU experts in advance of published works and events, such as the Environmental Security SummitNo gumshoes required.



 
First Colors Ceremony Marks the Opening of Long-Awaited National World War l Memorial, Washington, D.C.
Despite COVID limitations, the World War l Centennial Commission created a nationwide April 16 event with a compelling live-streamed video; a powerful in-person “First Colors” flag raising punctuated by “Taps” and a spectacular fly-over. SDI worked with the Commission to build national and international awareness of the broadcast. Taps is offered every day at 5 pm at the National World War I Memorial on Pennsylvania Ave between 14th and 15th Street in Washington, D.C.

P.S. We love our flag gifted by the Commission which flew over the Memorial!
Oorah and Hooah! 
Working with the Army Historical Foundation and the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation, we helped  engage visitors with their museums via virtual events and programs during the pandemic.  Both the newly opened National Museum of the United States Army and the reopened National Museum of the  Marine Corps are iconic, not to be missed, museums that share the rich history of the Army and the Marines.  Now you can experience both in person! 
National Museum of the United States Army
National Museum of the Marine Corps
EDF Broadens Support for Military Caregivers & Their Families
The Elizabeth Dole Foundation has continued its work advocating for the military and veteran caregiving community, with a growing focus on the children in military caregiver families, through programs like the Campaign for Inclusive Care, Respite Relief and Hidden Helpers. EDF recently announced its 2021 class of new Fellows, and will soon be hosting a watch party for the finalists of its now-annual Military Kids Have Talent contest.
Be sure to vote!
Memorial Foundation Marks 10th Anniversary of MLK Memorial 
SDI was honored to work with the Memorial Foundation to produce the dedication of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial in 2011. Today, Dr. King’s vision and the Memorial have become even more relevant. The Foundation and SDI are currently planning significant live commemorative events for October 2021 to mark the memorial’s first decade and raise awareness of the new Social Justice Fellows initiative.   More soon!  
Our Hall of Fame Leader
In May, our namesake and founder, Susan Davis, was named to the Communications Hall of Fame. Watch this “5 Minutes Of Fame” videoas Susan answers questions from Ragan Communications CEO Diane Schwartz. 




The SDI Team Continues to Grow
Welcome to SDI Spencer Geissinger! Our new VP for Events and Business Development is an experienced business leader whose career has spanned politics, government, and the private sector. For over 30 years, he has managed businesses and produced events of all sizes to include Presidential Inaugural Events, large complex international world leader summits, corporate conferences and high- level C suite executive meetings, campaign events, U.S. Protocol and Presidential travel worldwide. Great addition to our A Team! 


Got a Question? Ask SDI

VP Sean O’Leary continues his thought leadership with articles published by PR Daily and Washington Technology. Sean also shares his expertise through the weekly #AskSDI video series. Ask him anything!


Looking Forward  
The energy around us is different and electric.  

With each passing day, we feel anticipation and hopeful optimism. Our calendars are once again populated with live events, in-person meetings, and award ceremonies months in advance.   

It's been far too long since we've felt this collective excitement for the future.  

The year has been good so far; we can't wait for it to become great. And we can’t wait to see each of you in person soon! 
Connect with us!