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Celebrating the Creative Class: The 2014 Virtuoso Awards Gala
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On Thursday June 5th, over 130 members of London's Creative Class came out for the year's biggest communications celebration:
The 2014 IABC Virtuoso Awards Gala.
This year's event was held at Goodwill Industries, and it was jam-packed with the sights and sounds of excellence (and a great party):
- Mystery-Bear provided the sweet sounds of success as guests arrived.
- Words got wily in the "Communicators Against Humanity" photo both. Check out these photos and more on IABC London's Flickr page.
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By: Liisa Sheldrick
IABC/London celebrated a year of many accomplishments at the AGM on June 19th at Aeolian Hall. Together the IABC/London board articulated a vision statement last fall that provides strategic direction for the next three years:
IABC/London is a community and resource:
Investing In Your Future
Supporting Your Career Growth
Elevating Our Profession
We knew that we needed to articulate and demonstrate compelling examples and experiences that truly reflect the value of IABC/London. Our members are integral to our local professional network; they aspire to and perform at and above the benchmark for communications excellence - locally, nationally and internationally; and they comprise a support system for professional communicators, at every stage of their career. This is why IABC /London exists.
A few of the year's highlights for the chapter include our financial stability; the communications team; Professional Development programming and the Virtuoso Awards. IABC/London continues to manage the board in a very fiscally responsible manner. The chapter's revenue streams, job board, awards and professional development events continue to become more profitable.
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A Behind The Scenes Look at the 'Best In Show'
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When Royal Canin Canada approached ON Communication (ON) to help educate pet owners on the role of nutrition as a long-term treatment for seasonal allergies in dogs, we were up for the challenge.
A leader in canine and feline nutrition, Royal Canin has a dermatology/allergy line of dog food available only through veterinary clinics that works to treat and prevent canine dermatitis and skin allergies. We designed a public awareness campaign that relied on earned media opportunities to maximize the client's budget. We knew that in order to get reporters and producers to respond to a campaign that had a consumer product at its foundation, we would need to have a strong public education element.
Being recognized by our peers for this award in communication management validates the great work our team does. But, no matter what we do, at the end of the day it's about bringing our best skills to the table and doing great work to make our clients' lives easier. These awards highlight the talent and commitment the ON team brings to every job we do.
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AGM Attendees Get a Bit More Awesome
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The attendees at IABC London's 2014 Annual General Meeting got more awesome than they bargained for. The annual general meeting was held at Aeolian Hall where social enterprises, authentic awesomeness and IABC London's successful year took centre stage.
The professional development presentation featured Chris Moss, an innovative community leader who facilitates the sustainability of non-profits and social enterprises. Her presentation on authentic leadership and awesomeness was an interactive and invigorating experience. AGM attendees were pulled onstage to learn what type of leaders they are. They engaged in a balancing act that encouraged the recognition of the importance of empathizing with alternative leadership styles to facilitate a positive team environment.
Chris left IABC London members with several meaningful messages about being awesome leaders. She urged the audience to change the world. Chris challenged everyone in the room to recognize the importance of being true to themselves at work -- and everywhere else. She encouraged AGM attendees not to compromise themselves or their values. By doing this, she suggested, we can start to change our worlds and the worlds that we interact with.
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By: Kris Dundas, ABC
I remember clearly the moment I decided to be an Accredited Business Communicator (ABC). It was a late winter day in a Middlesex College classroom where Diny Dalby, ABC, MC, was teaching Corporate Communications, an elective in Western's graduate journalism program. The founder of our chapter, Diny is London's first ABC and has always been a champion of organization, and of accreditation. It was her passion for the profession that cleverly lured me away from a journalism career and into the world of communications.
Little did I know almost 20 years later I would be practicing the profession I love just a few buildings away, helping to market Western and build the university's brand worldwide. The foundation I received in that short elective class - and more importantly the inspirational spark for strategic, well-executed, creative problem solving via smart communication - has fueled my career all along.
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Distinguishing Your Web Obligations Under the AODA
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 You've probably heard by now, that under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), certain organizations when building websites, must do so with fewer barriers for people with physical disabilities. Are you struggling with deciphering your organization's obligations under this legislation? If so, this article is for you. To start off, here's some background: The AODA was passed in Ontario in 2005. Its vision was, and still is, to make Ontario accessible by 2025. So far, it encompasses 5 main areas: Customer Service, Employment, Transportation, Information Communication and Built Environment. In 2011, the Ministry released the Integrated Accessibility Standard Regulation (IASR) and within it, section 14 governs an organization's obligations for their websites.
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 I would say that my journey with IABC over the years has been one of ongoing discovery. New people, places, opportunities and learning have met me around every corner, giving me an enhanced appreciation not only for our profession but also the expertise I've encountered in every interaction. I became an IABC member several years ago, but mistakenly allowed my schedule to get in the way of taking full advantage of the benefits of enrolment. It wasn't until several years later, in 2007, when I decided to renew my considerably lapsed membership. I had taken on a new position at work and found myself in the "company of one" as our full communication department. After some time, I realized that I craved the opportunity to speak the same language with fellow communicators and immediately thought of IABC London. This time, I decided, I was going to jump right in and become a board member from the start. It was a decision I never regretted. Monica Fleck is the Director of Communication for the WCA, McCormick Home and Alzheimer Outreach Services. She served as IABC London president from 2012-2013. MORE.
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Get Involved.
Gain valuable volunteer experience with IABC.
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Join Us.
about our valuable member benefits and why you should join IABC.
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Find Your Calling.
See the latest opportunities- such as PR Strategist- ON Communication Inc. Learn more.
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About Connect
Connect is the monthly newsletter of IABC London.
Feedback and news ideas are always welcome. Please contact Jamie Gill ([email protected]).
Editor: Mary-Ellen Willard, [email protected]
About IABC
IABC London is a chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators. We are a volunteer-run, non-profit organization that fosters business communication excellence in southwestern Ontario by providing professional development, recognition, accreditation and networking opportunities through a local, national and international network of communications professionals.
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