
Call for Nominations: IABC/Toronto’s 2011 Communicator of the Year
Do you know an executive in the Greater Toronto Area who exemplifies the role of a leader in communications? We’re searching for the 2011 IABC/Toronto Communicator of the Year and nominations open today.
The annual award is presented to a leader who has demonstrated strategic communications excellence and deserves our chapter’s recognition.
To view full Communicator of the Year award criteria and a list of past winners, please visit: http://toronto.iabc.com/recognition/coty/
To nominate a candidate, send a short summary statement on why the nominee is deserving to toronto-pastpresident@iabc.com. The deadline for nominations is November 18, 2011.
Nominations will be kept confidential and not made public at anytime; however, a judge from the panel of Past Presidents may follow up to ask additional questions about your nomination. Nominators do not necessarily need to be affiliated with the nominee.

The Role of Communications in Election Campaigns – Panel Discussion
Tuesday, October 25, 2011, 6 to 8 p.m., Marriott Downtown Toronto Eaton Centre, 525 Bay Street, Toronto
The provincial election is over and we know who won, but as communicators we want to know how important media relations, social media and communications strategy was in this victory. Voters gave Premier McGuinty another chance on October 6th, chose a maverick candidate for Mayor of Toronto and voted in a majority federal government in May. What role did social media play in his victory? Did American-style tactics achieve what the voters really wanted or did it put them off the electoral process?
IABC/Toronto brings together a panel of seasoned campaign communicators for a fast-paced discussion on the role communications plays in influencing voters. Panelists include Mark Blevis, Digital Public Affairs Strategist and expert on Web 2.0’s impact on society; Katie Telford, Senior Consultant at StrategyCorp experienced in federal and provincial Liberal campaigns; and Dan Robertson, Vice President at Crestview Strategy and former Director of Advertising for the Federal Conservative campaign. The panel will be moderated by Steven Mills of CNW Group.
Session attendees will learn:
- How social networks have become the dominant medium for reaching young voters
- What tactics worked on election day and what didn’t
- Is a successful campaign about the issues or positioning the brand?
- How you can use election communications tactics in your own role as professional communicator
IABC members who registered and attend this event will be added into a draw for a FREE registration to the meshmarketing event in Toronto on November 15, 2011.
Registration Fees*:

- $50: IABC Regular member ($56.50 with HST)
- $30: IABC Student/Transitional member ($33.90 with HST)
- $60: Non-member ($67.80 with HST)
*Admission, networking and refreshments included in registration fee.
Sponsored by:


How To Talk Like A Leader (breakfast seminar)
Tuesday, November 22, 2011, 7:30 to 9:30 a.m., Marriott Downtown Toronto Eaton Centre, 525 Bay Street, Toronto
If you want to be a leader, you need to speak like a leader
If you’re ready to move into a leadership role, this session is for you. The ability to address others effectively and with authority is one of the most important elements of successful leadership. But building this valuable skill is not often part of workplace training programs leaving both new and seasoned leaders to develop it on their own.
In this fast-paced presentation, Jim Gray, an accomplished speaker, writer, and media and presentation skills coach, reveals the five keys that accomplished speakers employ to inspire and engage their audiences. You’ll learn how to overcome nervousness, how to organize content quickly and efficiently, how to employ compelling verbal and physical techniques to forge a solid connection with listeners, and how to deliver messages that stick.
Registration Fees*:

- $40: IABC Member early bird ($45.20 with HST) – ends Sunday, October 30, 2011
- $50: IABC Regular member ($56.50 with HST)
- $30: IABC Student/Transitional member ($33.90 with HST)
- $60: Non-member ($67.80 with HST)
*Admission, networking and refreshments included in registration fee.
Sponsored by:


PIC Presents: Demystifying Communications Measurement
Wednesday, November 2, 2011, Metro Hall, Room 310, 55 John Street, Toronto
Want to prove your worth to your clients? Learn about Communications Measurement so you can demonstrate that your efforts bring tangible results.
At this presentation you will learn:
- The importance of measuring communications
- Why goals and outcomes should serve as measurement yardsticks for online and offline communications
- About social media metrics including reach, engagement and trust
Speaker: Rob Clark is the Director, Insights and Measurement at Edelman, one of the 50 Most Engaged Workplaces™ in Canada. Rob educates clients, such as RIM, PricewaterhouseCoopers and Manulife, on measuring the social web and tracking the business outcomes of public relations programs. He was an early architect of social media newsrooms, coding the initial platform for Ford Canada’s social media press releases.
Registration Fees*:

- $22: IABC Regular member ($24.86 with HST)
- $32: Non-member ($36.16 with HST)
*Kindly register and pay for this event in advance. Registrations and payments will NOT be accepted at the door.

Graduates Impress Employers with IABC Membership
IABC membership helps new graduates overcome the daunting task of landing a job in communications by grabbing the attention of prospective employers. Having an IABC membership or volunteer experience with the organization is considered to be a real asset, especially in a highly competitive field like communications.
“If two candidates were equal in all respects, I would be partial to the one who was involved in IABC,” says Pamela Paterson, MS, a Senior Business Information Analyst at the Ontario Ministry of Transportation. "[Membership] shows ongoing professional development, continuous exposure to new ideas and a real love for the profession.”
IABC/Toronto’s CareerLine offers members exclusive access to job postings not available elsewhere. Through Munch ‘n’ Mingles and other networking events, graduates can meet knowledgeable professionals who may be hiring or have tips about where to look for work.
“Searching for a job after graduation is a challenging experience, especially in this economic climate,” says Amanda Thambirajah, a recent graduate and active IABC volunteer. “I’ve found a supportive network of communicators at IABC eager to help newer professionals build their careers.”
Membership also ensures the learning experience continues after graduation through IABC’s mentorship program, networking events, professional development seminars and volunteer opportunities.
For more information about IABC/Toronto membership benefits, visit the membership section of IABC/Toronto's website or contact Paulina Callaghan, VP, Membership via here email at: toronto-membership@iabc.com


Accreditation Application Bonus
October is Accreditation month, so now is the time to gain a competitive advantage by earning your ABC! Apply for accreditation, IABC’s globally recognized professional credential program by November 15 and you’ll receive a $20 gift certificate to the IABC Knowledge Centre and be entered in a draw to win one of several prizes. Read the details at Accreditation News.
Join the exclusive club of IABC/Toronto accredited members by signing-up now for Toronto’s Accreditation College and earn your ABC the step-by-step way! If you’re an IABC/Toronto member and interested in earning your accreditation, come to the Accreditation College Information Night on Thursday, November 24. Please email the College Director if you’re interested and we’ll keep you posted.

October 19th Munch ‘n’ Mingle – Tomorrow’s the day – Hope to see you there!
Wednesday, October 19, 2011, 6 to 8:30 p.m., The Pilot, 22 Cumberland Street, Toronto
PLEASE NOTE VENUE CHANGE: Event to be held at The Pilot, not the Bedford Academy
Only one more day until the October 19th kick-off Munch n Mingle at the Pilot – have you registered? There are already more than 60 professional communicators coming out for what promises to be a great night, but there is always room for more. So come out and join us - we’ll be meeting beginning at 6 p.m. at the legendary Pilot Pub located at 22 Cumberland in Yorkville.
In addition to great food and two drink tickets instead of the usual one, the Munch 'n' Mingle will offer a chance to network and socialize with friends and peers, both new and old. If that’s not enough, there will also be draws for some great prizes including a Nestle basket, a Pilot gift pack, a ticket to the upcoming Mesh social media conference, and a pair of tickets to the AGO or ROM courtesy of the Delta Chelsea.
Don’t miss your last chance to register! Look forward to seeing you there!
Event costs are as follows:
- $30: IABC Student/Transitional member ($33.90 with HST)
- $35: IABC Regular member ($39.55 with HST)
- $40: Non-member ($45.20 with HST)
The Pilot is located at 22 Cumberland in the Yorkville area. It is situated one block north of Bloor Street, just west of Yonge, and is easily accessible from either Bay or Bloor subway station. There is a Green P on Cumberland just beside the venue.

Mark your calendars! Content Curation (lunch 'n' learn)
Tuesday, November 15, noon to 2 p.m., The Curve restaurant, 55 City Centre Drive, Mississauga
According to Fast Company, "content curation" is here to stay and communicators are at the forefront of this trend. Content curators don’t just aggregate information; they filter and annotate it, and help their audience to make sense of it. Communicators curate to reinforce brand authority and establish relationships with prospects and customers.
On Tuesday, November 15, Donna Papacosta of Trafalgar Communications will turn the spotlight on the world of content curation. After this lunch session, participants will be able to:
- Define a curation strategy
- Develop simple techniques for curating content
- Integrate curation into ongoing communications.
Details on registration will be posted on http://toronto.iabc.com/iabc-events/upcoming-events/ once available.

Of Special Interest!
meshmarketing is back!
Add it to your calendars: meshmarketing is back in Toronto on November 15, 2011. http://www.meshmarketing.ca/ This year, IABC/Toronto has negotiated a 10% discount for all members. The special discount code for IABC/Toronto members can be found by going to http://toronto.iabc.com/members-area/discount-affinity-programs/
meshmarketing is one-day event that provides attendees with insight and information to embrace and capitalize on the fast-growing digital market. A morning of thought-provoking keynote conversations (including Joe Fernandez, founder of Klout) will be followed by an afternoon of interactive and engaging panels featuring people in the digital marketing trenches who will offer real-world insight about strategy and tactics.
But this day is not just about the stage. meshmarketing offers ample opportunity for attendees to meet marketing and digital thought leaders and network with prospects. Like other mesh events, meshmarketing is a highly interactive experience where we explore new ideas that are shaping and changing the online landscape.

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