“No greater time to be a member.” Conference in KC this fall.
In this month’s President’s Letter, you get three presidents for the price of one. I’m sharing the keyboard with Cathi Douglas, our chapter’s immediate past president, and Michael Shepherd, our 2017 chapter president, who now are helping increase the value of your IABC membership on a regional and international scale. Take it away, Cathi and Michael! – John Fabris, IABC/OC president, 2019
New technology and communications efforts characterize World Conference in Vancouver
By CATHI DOUGLAS, Senior Delegate and Immediate Past President, IABC/OC
I was honored to represent the Orange County chapter at this year’s IABC World Conference in Vancouver, B.C., in June.
Along with about 1,500 committed IABC members who traveled to Canada from throughout the world, I took home newfound knowledge that will assist in my professional life and benefit our chapter.
I’m happy to report that IABC is financially strong. Notably the organization is committed to diversity and inclusion in all its key initiatives and has launched a new global communications effort with emphasis on online learning tools and a new print magazine.
As IABC’s outgoing chair, Ginger Homan, ABC, SCMP, remarked, “There is no greater time to be a member of IABC,” thanks to the organization’s improved technology; a new website that’s both user-friendly and full of best practices and information for communications professionals; and its commitment to “new communications for a new era.”
We can be proud that IABC joined 43 other professional organizations in condemning the murder of Saudi Arabian dissident and journalist Jamal Khashoggi and remains committed to supporting worldwide freedom of the press.
The organization is improving its well-recognized certification programs and offers scholarships to financially challenged communicators who want to pursue accreditation.
Keynote speakers and nationally known journalists Celeste Headley and Soledad O’Brien challenged professional communicators to become better listeners and to offer quality journalism to our companies and clients via internal and external content, both print and electronic.
IABC/OC member Angela Sinickas presented a breakout session on creative ways to use research tools to show ROI on communications efforts.
The next IABC World Conference takes place June 14-17 in Chicago.
First-ever IABC Super Regional Conference announced for fall 2019 in Kansas City
By MICHAEL SHEPHERD, Vice Chair, IABC Pacific Plains Region
Like the catchy advertising jingle for a popular chewing gum brand once reminded us, it’s time to “double your pleasure, double your fun!” That’s what leadership in two IABC regions decided to do when they opted to join forces and stage the first ever “Super Regional” Conference this fall in Kansas City, Missouri. And if you haven’t heard about it, consider this your invitation to attend!
Communications professionals from 39 chapters across the Pacific Plains and Southern regions of IABC will travel to the Midwest Oct. 16-18. The three-day event, themed “Connect2Comms,” features leadership development programming for IABC board members, skills training for all practitioner levels — including keynotes and educational breakouts — as well as an opportunity to earn formal GCCC accreditation, the global standard for communications excellence. (IABC Orange County is part of the Pacific Plains Region.)
This year’s event also marks the return of the IABC Silver Quills competition, recognizing outstanding performance across a range of disciplines and categories. Let’s make sure Orange County is well represented, both in terms of the nominations we submit as well as the number of practitioners who attend. To learn more or submit your work for consideration, follow the link here.
Stay tuned for more details — and let’s make plans for the OC to meet up in KC!