February 3, 2009

Hola! Talk about a great value!  No need to head south when you can sample wonderful Mexican food and drinks among your colleagues here at home.

Chat among friends and make some new ones while you enjoy a Margarita and fresh, authentic Mexican cuisine.

Price includes one Margarita and traditional Mexican appetizers. Selection of four appetizers plus one non-alcoholic or alcoholic drink: choice of Margarita, red or white wine; selection of three Mexican beers and basic bar brand mixed drink.

No need for packing that passport! Here is the next best thing after the tropics at a fraction of the price. Head north on Yonge to warm up!

Location and Directions:
Chimichanga Mexican Grill, Upstairs Lounge, 2360 Yonge Street (Note: this is at the Yonge St. & Eglinton Ave. location) Toronto

Transit

• TTC instructions - Take subway to Eglinton station on the Yonge Street line, walk north a few blocks on the west side of Yonge St
• Parking instructions - Green P parking lots located on many side streets off of Yonge Street

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

An OVATION Award will add prestige to your resume, provide further evidence of your outstanding work and draw accolades to your organization. Here is what previous winners have said:

“Winning an OVATION Award not only strengthens my relationships with my current clients, it can be a considerable asset when pitching new business.”  - Diana Robinson, President, Diana Robinson & Associates

"Not only does winning an OVATION celebrate the excellent work of my department, it also elevates profile and builds credibility both externally and internally.” - Catherine Parry, Director, Marketing, Communications & Public Affairs, Toronto Hydro

On-Time entries are due February 13, 2009 and Last Minute entries will be due February 27, 2009. For additional information: http://toronto.iabc.com/awards/ovation/

Some new features of the OVATION Awards 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 entry information.

Who can you contact 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.

More than 220 professional communicators attended IABC/Toronto’s sold-out session on January 29, 2009 titled “Social Media and the Modern Communicator.” This session featured leading experts on social media and public relations/communications:

• Michael O'Connor Clarke, Vice-president, Thornley Fallis
• Mathew  Ingram, Reporter/Columnist, The Globe and Mail
• Boyd Neil,  Senior Vice-President, National Practice Director, Corporate Communications,  Hill & Knowlton Canada
• Jen Evans, President, Sequentia  Communications

As a result of popular demand and CNW Group’s generous  sponsorship support, the audio webcast can be downloaded for FREE. To listen to the audio webcast, please go to http://www.newswire.ca/en/webcast/viewEvent.cgi?eventID=2542980  

For follow-up tips, links and resources referenced in the session, see moderator Michael O'Connor Clarke's Jan. 29th blog posting.

Sponsored by

Planning the path to your career? Then don’t miss your chance get practical advice from industry professionals and senior IABC/Toronto members at Career Boot Camp, February 24, 2009 at 6 p.m. at the Bata Shoe Museum. 

You’ll have the opportunity to consult with experts on:

• Resume writing: Bring your current resume and get professional feedback
• Interview skills: Try mock questions and get valuable recruiter feedback
• Networking tips: Build your network today for success tomorrow
• 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 looking for an experienced communications professional to boost the quality of our members’ experience through the development and communication of an affinity program (i.e., benefits of special prices, products and services) for IABC/Toronto members.

Responsibilities:

• Research and identify existing IABC affinity programs available to IABC/Toronto members.
• Research and identify additional affinity programs that would be of value to members and that would fit with the chapter’s vision and values.
• Develop short- and long-term plans for pursuing affinity offerings and programs.
• Develop and implement communications to raise awareness of available affinity programs across our membership.
• Handle affinity-related inquiries to IABC/Toronto’s Chapter Board.
• Identify requirements for additional volunteer resources and work with Volunteer Services portfolio to recruit volunteers.
• Liaise with other IABC portfolios as required (particularly Advertising & Sponsorship and Member Communications).

Qualifications:

• Ideally, a communications professional with six to 10 years of experience
• Willing to think outside the box and be creative
• A consummate communicator and strong researcher
• Strong team player with the ability to work collaboratively, independently and with external suppliers/organizations.
• Ability to meet deadlines, demonstrate flexibility and to set priorities
• Flexibility to attend events (events may take during working hours or evenings)

To Apply:
If you have not already in 2008, please complete and submit a volunteer application form. Also please submit a resume (or summary of previous experience) to toronto-volunteers@iabc.com referencing the volunteer position you are interested in.

The economic downturn presents a rare opportunity for freelancers to get a foot in the door with new clients by demonstrating their great value. But what more do clients want?

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 Weber 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

At a time when the Canadian news environment is changing almost daily, both new and seasonned communications professionals need to refine the way they interact with the media. And there is no better place learn to these skills than this two-day intensive course.

IABC/Toronto has secured a 10 percent discount for its members to attend. Should you wish to join your colleagues for this exceptional learning and networking experience, please provide Priority Service Code 124AX77D at the time of registration.

The course is coming to you in locally in Toronto and three other Canadian cities (Vancouver, Calgary and Saskatoon). And it will include local and national voices as guest speakers from media outlets like the Canadian Press and the CBC as well as from leading media relations experts.

Take advantage of this rare opportunity, and sign up today by calling 1-877-927-7936 or online at www.CanadianInstitute.com/MediaRelations.

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.

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