Who is IABC's audience?
What are IABC's content needs?
How do we select speakers?
What is the speaker's commitment?
Who is IABC's audience?
International
- Professional communicators from up to 70 different countries with responsibility for global communication programs that cross national and cultural borders
Experienced and discerning
- Mid-to-senior level communication managers and directors with an average of 14 years experience in the profession
- Expect innovative approach to communication, practical applications and best practice examples
Multi-disciplined
- Audience represents spectrum of communication disciplines - media relations, employee communication, public relations, public affairs, investor relations and marketing
From all spectrums of business
Majority of IABC's conference and seminar registrants work for corporations, but IABC's international programs also serve communicators from consulting firms, associations, not-for-profits, educational institutions, government, hospitals, utilities, small firms and independents
What are IABC's content needs?
Current topics
- Audiences request new content in areas of employee communication, strategy and counsel, communication leadership, change management, integrated marketing, technology, public relations/media relations, planning, reputation, brand, business management, measurement and evaluation
- Audiences seek new approaches on communication issues and programs
Interactive and experiential
- IABC’s conferences incorporate creative learning – interactive exercises, role playing, simulations, and other techniques. We also seek speakers who encourage interactive discussion and idea-sharing, incorporate best practices and case studies, and make effective use of communication tools and technologies
Innovative programming
- New ideas, fresh content and best practices to help communicators manage global change on critical issues confronting organizations today
Global approach
Content that appeals to a diverse, global audience, with ideas and programs that can be adapted and executed in all size companies around the world
How do we select speakers?
IABC receives more than 1,000 presentation proposals for its International Conference. A team of volunteer program advisors and staff define content needs and identify the most qualified speakers to address the desired topics. Every presentation proposal received by the program deadline is considered based on:
- Speaker's credentials, reputation and subject expertise on the topic
- Relevant and innovative content
- Creative and interactive focus
- Speaker ratings based on evaluations of past sessions presented before audiences of 75 or more, including contact information for the event planner
Important: If session evaluations are NOT provided, the speaker will not be considered.
Participation as a speaker at one IABC conference does not mean the speaker will automatically be repeated at future events. IABC repeats less than 10% of its top speakers from past conferences to offer a fresh program with new speakers and diverse topics.
IABC makes speaker selections based on audience and content needs to reflect our membership demographics. We seek diversity in our conference speakers and do not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, creed, religion, physical ability, gender, sexual orientation, age, national origin, language, type of industry, business or function.
What is the speaker's commitment?
IABC conference speakers receive no fee, and pay their own travel expenses including hotel, airfare and ground transportation. In exchange, speakers benefit through their exposure to an audience of global communication managers and directors and through their association with IABC. IABC has been recognized as the premier global communication association for more than 35 years.
Every conference session is designed as an educational offering to advance the practitioners' professional development, their career and the profession. Speakers commit to keeping their sessions as interactive as possible, with minimal theory and significant practical, adaptable examples and case studies.
Speakers also commit as part of their IABC speakers agreement to maintain an educational focus in their session, and to eliminate all sales messages or presentations. Sessions that incorporate a sales theme or message receive low audience ratings, and those speakers are not invited to serve on future conference programs.
Speakers will be sent an agreement after accepting IABC's invitation to speak. They agree to complete the agreement with requested information, and meet IABC's deadlines for audiovisual needs, session descriptions, etc.
IABC conference speakers agree to provide electronic submissions of their handouts or remarks 1-2 months in advance of their session to include in a book of proceedings for registrants. |
