History, Vision & Mission

Founded in 1970, the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) is a not-for-profit international network of communication practitioners committed to improving the effectiveness of organizations through strategic interactive and integrated communication management.

With more than 100 chapters worldwide, IABC serves almost 15,000 members in 70 countries. The majority of IABC members work in large corporations. IABC/Toronto is the largest chapter in the world. 

IABC enables a global network of communicators working in diverse industries and disciplines to identify, share and apply the world’s most effective communications practices. IABC is recognized as the professional association of choice for communicators who aspire to excel in their chosen fields. 

IABC specializes in helping people and organizations:

• Make business sense of, think strategically about and measure and clarify the value of communication.

• Build better relationships with stakeholders.

IABC member chapters are led by volunteer executive boards, and chapters depend on member volunteer resources for many activities and initiatives.

About IABC/Toronto

IABC/Toronto, the largest chapter in the world, is the leading resource for effective communication practice for its more than 1,700 members and some 150 student members. The chapter also has more than 110 Accredited Business Communicators (ABC’s) – the most of any chapter in the world. 

IABC/Toronto serves members throughout the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) from Durham Region to Peel and has been operating for more than 65 years. The chapter holds networking and professional development events regularly for members.

IABC/Toronto Westend, a networking sub-group of IABC/Toronto, holds networking events for chapter members who live and/or work in west Toronto and the Mississauga/Brampton areas.

IABC members in the Golden Horseshoe region of Ontario (Burlington to Niagara Falls) were previously served by the IABC/Toronto chapter but now have their own chapter, IABC/Golden Horseshoe.

IABC/Toronto’s Mission

To be the communications association of choice by providing members with value through quality programs, professional standards and networking opportunities.

Products, Programs and Services for IABC/Toronto Members:

• Communication World, the international award-winning print magazine covering communication trends and issues. It is published bi-monthly for all IABC members.
• Communicator, the IABC/Toronto chapter bi-monthly newsletter.
• An annual international conference where participants network and learn from top communicators. Chicago will host the conference in 2012.
• An accreditation program in which IABC members can have their professionalism recognized by becoming accredited business communicators (ABCs).
• Awards programs recognizing communication excellence:
  1. OVATION for IABC/Toronto members and non-member communicators across the GTA.
  2. Silver Leaf for all Canadian members and non-member communicators across Canada.
  3. The prestigious Gold Quill for recognition of excellence worldwide.
• IABC/Toronto CareerLine, a Web-based job search service connecting businesses to a network of more than 1,700 skilled communications professionals in the GTA.
• Professional development seminars and luncheons, held monthly in Toronto where local experts share their knowledge and experience.
• Volunteer opportunities for members to grow professionally, by helping to organize the association’s activities and engage in leadership responsibilities.
• Knowledge Centre, a comprehensive online library that provides manuals on critical communication functions, plus IABC’s Research Foundation materials and information on award-winning programs.
• Networking opportunities and events for communicators to socialize and make connections.
• A variety of both free and purchasable communication resources and education materials to help IABC members build their knowledge and skills, and perform their communication roles more effectively.

Structure of IABC

Globally, IABC represents approximately 15,000 members working in more than 70 countries.

IABC is organized into three levels:

Chapters – Local organizations were established by volunteer IABC members in more than 100 cities in:

Australia | Belgium | Canada | Hong Kong | Malaysia | Namibia | New Zealand | Philippines | Slovenia | South Africa | Swaziland | United Kingdom | United States |

Chapters, such as IABC/Toronto, offer a range of local services, including regular professional development meetings and workshops, member newsletters, awards programs and job placement. Chapters also provide an excellent opportunity for local networking with peers.

Districts/Regions – Chapters are organized into districts and regions. Currently there are 13 districts and regions:

| USA (7) | Canada (2) | the Americas | Europe/Middle East/Northern Africa | Asia/Pacific| Sub-Saharan Africa |

Districts and regions provide services ranging from management support for chapters to annual conferences (such as the international conference) and awards programs (such as the annual Gold Quill Awards).

International – The international level of the association offers an array of direct services to individual members, as well as management support to chapters and districts/regions. At the international level, IABC is managed by an elected volunteer executive board — that sets the direction and policy of the association. A team of full-time staff members work at IABC world headquarters in San Francisco.