Can you smell what IABC London is cooking?  

Are you ready to watch social media's toughest components go head-to-head in the ring?  

Four of London's social media finest are getting ready to rumble during the first ever Social Media "MAY"hem event.  Each of the four marketing specialists will stand in for Twitter, Facebook, Google+ and YouTube to determine which online marketing platform will help your marketing team knockout the competition.  

When: Thursday, May 15, 2014 | Round one will begin at 5:30 p.m.

Where: London Music Club | 470 Colborne Street, London, ON, Canada N6B 2T3

Tickets: $ 25 IABC members and students | $ 35 non-members

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Do you or your organization want to:

Learn from the best communicators from around the world?

Be more informed on social media trends and technologies?

Increase your professional network of communicators on various topics?

If you answered YES to any of these questions, the 2014 IABC World Conference is here and it's never been closer.  This June, Toronto will play host to hundreds of communicators from across the globe. For more information check out the IABC World Conference webpage.

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A Virtuoso Award is a badge of honour reserved for the best in strategic business communications.  It tells the world, "I've arrived.  I'm a member of an elite group that sets the international standard for my industry. I'm part of the Creative Class."

On Thursday June 5th, you're invited to join them at Goodwill Industries for the 2014 Virtuoso Awards Gala.

The Virtuoso Awards are all about recognizing the best in strategic business communications - and if there's one thing a strategist can't resist, it's the chance to get an inside look at the competition. It doesn't matter if you're an award winner or not.  This is your opportunity to check out the best projects of the year, and rub elbows with the elite group who put them together.

This year's party is all about playing up your skills - whatever they may be: 

• Treat your ears to a special musical performance as you arrive. (Nothing says, "I'm kind of a big deal" like a live serenade).

• Test your tongue in a round of "Communicators Against Humanity" - our spin on the outrageous card game. 

• Feast your eyes on the larger-than-life Award Winner Showcase, courtesy of Carve Design (http://www.carvedesign.ca/2.0/).

• Get social in the #Virtuoso14 Lounge. WARPAINT Media (http://warpaintmedia.ca/) has put together a tantalizingly techy surprise that is guaranteed to brighten your day.

 And if that doesn't get your creative juices flowing, we give you permission to play with your food. Mix and match an assortment of whimsical gourmet toppings for sliders, bruscetta or mac 'n' cheese. Stop by the cash bar for a drink of your choice - this year we're serving up signature cocktails as colourful as you are.

Tickets are on sale now- $70 for IABC London members or $90 for non-members. Planning to party with your posse? Groups of ten or more can get their tickets for just $65 each.

For more information, visit the 2014 Virtuoso Awards website.

The communications and public relations field is constantly changing with technological and other developments.  As communications professionals, it is important to adapt to the every changing world of technology.  Currently, there is a research study available for participation by communicators. The study focuses on competencies, knowledge and skills necessary for the 21st century.

It's a four-part study funded jointly by McMaster University and the Communications + Public Relations Foundation (C+PRF).  It has been designed to understand how and to what extent global (macro-level) and industry specific (micro-level) competencies, knowledge and skills (CKS) are identified and evaluated in the hiring process of entry and junior level practitioners. 

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As I was about to leave Western University to join the YMCA of Western Ontario as the Director of Communications, a person stopped me in the hall and said, "You should look into IA....something or other....it's a group of communicators in London". So I did and it was one of the best things I ever did.  

From my first attendance at a monthly professional session to my time on the board, I thoroughly enjoyed connecting with people across the Chapter and learning from their vast and varied experiences in the fast paced, ever changing and exciting world of communications. 

When given the opportunity to join the IABC Board it seemed to me the right thing to do.  I began as the Secretary and as a newcomer to the Chapter and to the more formal aspect of the communications field; it was a fantastic way to learn about our members and the profession in general.  My next position on the board was the Co-Chair of the Professional Development Committee.  It was amazing to me how much experience and knowledge sat around that Board table. 

I also had the absolute pleasure of attending IABC International in Florida.  What an eye opener that was!!!!  It was exciting, engaging and motivating to be a part of a vibrant worldwide organization and to meet people in all areas of communications. 

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