From the IABC Chair
For me, the time since last month's IABC International Conference
in Toronto has been characterised by long haul flights and varying
time zones. I was pleased to be invited to the first board meeting
of the 2002 2003 Europe/Middle East/North Africa (EMENA) board in
Amsterdam, and to speak both in my personal professional capacity
and on behalf of IABC at the Global PR conference in Rome.
The EMENA board meeting in Amsterdam was a hugely energising experience.
Our colleagues in Europe have set a strategy in place, which can,
and will, grow the IABC brand and membership numbers in this crucial
region. I was also delighted to meet the leaders of our newest European
chapters, from Russia and Switzerland. Attending this meeting, as
with other meetings where IABC leaders and members gather, I was
once again humbled by the level of commitment, dedication and very
real enthusiasm prevalent in our association.
Then, the theme of the Global PR conference was "Ethics"
- and I was able to speak at the plenary session and share the IABC
code of ethics and intent with delegates and colleagues from national
PR associations from Eastern and Western Europe, Canada, the US,
Africa and South America. In addition I was able to network with
potential members and corporate members, building valuable contacts
and sharing ideas of mutual benefit. I hope to report on these as
and when they develop, but the sense of advocacy for the profession
and acceptable standards of practice will form the drivers for these
initiatives.
In closing, and in the spirit of this communiqué, I would
encourage all of you to constantly engage in open dialogue with
myself, board members, staff and each other. As I have been privileged
to meet members in many chapters in the U.S. and around the word,
the primary benefit of belonging to IABC has been re-iterated as
the sharing of knowledge and information and the making of very
good friends. Let us continue to capitalise on these strengths,
together, as we continue to raise the game.
Stephanie M. Griffiths
IABC Chair, 2003-04
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