January 20, 2009

Hola! Lose the Blues Mexican-style at the February Munch ‘n' Mingle!  Chimichanga’s Mexican Grill at the Yonge & Eglinton location – the spot for warming up and enjoying the fiesta. In the pure tradition of networking, what’s better than a Margarita, fresh authentic, Mexican cuisine and good conversation with fellow colleagues? Nada!

Price includes one Margarita and traditional Mexican appetizers. Can’t head south to work on your tan? Here is the next best thing (after the tropics) at a fraction of the price. Head north on Yonge to warm up! Hasta la vista and see you there!

Date	Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Time	Registration and networking start time: 5:30 p.m. Food service: 5:30 to 6:15 p.m. and 6:45 to 8 p.m. Networking game 6:15 to 6:45 p.m. Completion time: 8 p.m.
Venue	Chimichanga Mexican Grill, Upstairs Lounge, 2360 Yonge Street (Note: this is at the Yonge St. & Eglinton Ave. location) Toronto
Ticket Price	Member early bird fee: $27 (ends Tuesday, February 10) Regular member fee: $37 Student/Transitional member fee: $35 Non-member fee: $45
Registration

Join senior IABC/Toronto members and industry experts for Career Boot Camp, an event designed to get you thinking about your career. 

The evening offers an opportunity for students and transitional members to consult with industry experts on:

• Resume writing: Get professional feedback on your current resume
• Interview skills: Try mock questions and get valuable recruiter tips
• Networking tips: Build your network today for success tomorrow
• Information interviews: How to get them and what to ask
• Personal branding: Distinguishing yourself from the crowd

Light snacks and beverages will be provided

Notes:

• Space is limited and registration is first come, first served.  Register early to avoid disappointment
• Please bring a copy of your current resume

Date	Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Time	Registration and light refreshments: 6 p.m. Welcome Address: 6:30 p.m. Boot Camp Rotation: 7 to 8:30 p.m.
Venue	The Bata Shoe Museum, 327 Bloor St West, downtown Toronto
Ticket Price	$15: IABC Student/Transitional Member Fee $20: Full Member Regular Fee $25: Non-Member Fee
Registration

IABC/Toronto is again looking for your innovative ideas from its members. This year $11,000 has been allocated for new member-proposed initiatives due to the healthy surplus from the 2007/08 year. (Stay tuned for more information on the 2007/2008 surplus in the upcoming annual report.)

Proposed programs can include professional development initiatives, events, research, or anything else that provides benefits to IABC/Toronto members. Past member-proposed initiatives (from 2005/2006 surplus) have included: procurement of IABC Knowledge Centre publications for member access through local libraries; an ‘unconference’ on social media strategies; research to assess and enhance the OVATION Awards program; and group webinars. Any member can submit an idea, and all submissions will be evaluated by a review committee consisting of IABC/Toronto board members. Proposed programs must begin by June 30, 2009 and be completed by June 30, 2010.

Proposals should be completed by filling out the submission form, and submitting it to IABC/Toronto Vice President Membership, Christine Andrew at toronto-membership@iabc.com. Full details can be found on the IABC/Toronto website.

Your last opportunity to benefit from the Early Bird entry fee is January 22. Share your best work and gain the recognition of your peers. Presented by IABC's largest chapter in the world, an OVATION Award will add prestige to your resume, provide further evidence of your outstanding work and draw accolades for your organization.

Internal, external, social media...we have a category for the great work you are doing!

Some new features for 2009 include:

• New categories - Customer Relations, Brand Communication, Social Responsibility and Social Media
• A not-for-profit entry rate

Not sure where to start? Download the 2009 OVATION Call for Entries for a complete breakdown and description of the divisions that can be entered into.

Who can you talk to find out more about entering your work in the 2009 OVATION Awards? Please send an e-mail to toronto-info@iabc.com with your contact information and an IABC/Toronto OVATION Awards Team member will contact you.

Please note that ALL entries into the 2009 OVATION Awards are kept COMPLETELY CONFIDENTIAL. Only winners are announced. Winners are determined by using an established scorecard – the number of winners is based on the number of entries that surpass a minimum score. Entries do not compete against each other.

IABC/Toronto OVATION Award of Excellence winners receive an exquisite glass sculpture designed by Canadian glass blower Kelly Lowe. IABC/Toronto OVATION Award of Merit winners will be awarded a certificate of recognition. The 2009 OVATION Awards will be presented at a gala event in May 2009.

A new venue ... a new format ... a new AIP experience. Are you still struggling to get in the door and consistently work on projects for corporations, government agencies, pr firms and non-profit organizations? Wouldn’t it be great if someone from those organizations could give you inside tips on how to get their business? If you answered “yes” to either of those questions, then join us for our first AIP event of 2009! We’ll have a diverse panel of decision makers who will tell you what they look for when hiring freelancers and how to earn repeat business.

Date	Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Time	Registration & Networking: 6 to 7:30 p.m. Panel Discussion 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Networking: 8:30 to 10 p.m.
Panel	Not for Profit - Catherine Allman, Director, Communications and Marketing, Canadian Cancer Society Government - Garth Cramer, Director, Communications, Ministry of Environment PR Agency - Felicia Shiu, ABC, APR, IABC/Toronto Past President 2006/2007, PR Consultant, formerly VP Webber Shandwick and VP MAVERICK PR Corporate - Dawneen MacKenzie, VP Public Affairs, Livingston International Moderator is Lisa Harrison, President, Silver Leaf Communications
Venue	Quince Restaurant, 2110 Yonge Street, Toronto
Ticket Price	$25: Regular member $35: Non-member
Registration
Contributor

THIS EVENT IS NOW SOLD OUT.
AT THE DOOR REGISTRATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

Web 2.0 has opened up new ways to communicate and new audiences to reach. Are you getting their attention?

IABC/Toronto offers you a great opportunity to learn practical tips on how to use social media tools effectively in your next campaign. From blogging to podcasting, Twitter to Facebook, don’t miss your chance to get up to speed on this new frontier in communications. 

Moderated by Michael O’Connor Clarke of Thornley Fallis, our panellists have hands-on experience with social media techniques: Matthew Ingram of The Globe and Mail; Boyd Neil of Hill & Knowlton Canada; and Jen Evans of Sequentia Communications.

Date	Thursday, January 29, 2009
Time	Registration and networking start time: 6 p.m. Presentation: 7 p.m.
Venue	Sutton Place Hotel, 955 Bay Street, Toronto
Panel	Michael O'Connor Clarke, Vice President, Thornley Fallis Communications Mathew Ingram, Communities Editor, Globe and Mail Boyd Neil, Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications H&K Jennifer Evans, Sequentia Environics
Ticket Price	$30: IABC member early bird (on or before January 26) $25: Student/Transitional member $35: Regular member $45: Non-member
Registration	Waiting list only.
Sponsor

As of January 1, 2009, IABC International Membership dues have changed.

While no one likes a dues increase of any size, particularly in this time of economic uncertainty, the costs of running IABC International have increased. Thus, to maintain the same quality of programs, services and member benefits, the International association has implemented an adjustment on 1 January 2009.

The new rates for IABC/Toronto members are as follows:

1. New Regular membership – CDN and US dollars CDN344.60 or US313.27
2. Renewing Regular membership – CDN and US dollars CDN300.60 or US273.27
3. Student membership – CDN and US dollars CDN50.60 or US46
4. Transitional membership – CDN and US dollars CDN 192.80 or US175.27

Get complete details on dues at http://www.iabc.com/about/membership/memdues.htm.

Find out ways to save on your member dues at http://tinyurl.com/4uotua.

IABC also offers a payment plan that allows members to spread their dues payments over four consecutive months instead of paying them in one lump sum.  Details can be found at: http://www.iabc.com/about/membership/memPmtPlan.htm.

IABC/Toronto members and other communicators are invited to attend PodCamp Toronto 2009, a FREE "unconference" for new media enthusiasts and professionals including bloggers, podcasters, YouTubers, social networkers, and anyone curious about new media. This year, sessions already planned cover topics from podcasting, to social media monitoring, to case studies of new media in higher education.

For IABC/Toronto members, PodCamp Toronto is an opportunity to get up-to-speed in the latest new media trends affecting our industry and how they can be applied to your business. Don't miss out on this opportunity – please visit the Wiki to register: http://podcamptoronto.pbwiki.com/ 

WHEN: February 21 & 22, 2009

WHERE:  Rogers Communications Centre at Ryerson University, 80 Gould Street, Toronto

COST: Free

Amateurs, pros, newbies and veterans are all welcome! 

Share IABC/Toronto's e-Lert! Feel free to forward this e-mail to any fellow practitioners who may be interested. IABC/Toronto's e-Lert is a biweekly resource for all communications professionals. If this e-mail has been forwarded to you by a friend and you would like a subscription, you can register for IABC/Toronto's e-Lert by sending an e-mail to toronto-info@iabc.com and providing your name and e-mail address.

If you prefer to not receive IABC/Toronto's e-mail news, simply e-mail e-Lert Cancellation and provide your name and e-mail address.

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