March 31, 2009

Raise your pinkies if you think it's time to network!

Join IABC/Toronto West end members and friends for a spring networking lunch at noon on Thursday, April 23 at The Victorian Garden Tea Room, 313 Burnhamthorpe Rd., just east of the 427 (corner Martingrove) in Etobicoke.

For just $25, you'll have your own two-tier plate that includes assorted finger sandwiches, a fresh baked scone with cream and fruit jam, dainty desserts and an individual pot of tea from a wide array of loose-leaf teas. The price includes tax and tip and is payable at the restaurant.

RSVP Diana Janosik-Wronski by Friday, April 17 to wroni@sympatico.ca or call 905-584-5840.

The Victorian Garden Tea Room
313 Burnhamthorpe Rd., NW corner at Martingrove
Etobicoke M9W 2A2
416-231-0028

Directions: MAP

TTC: From Islington subway, take the 50 bus west along Burnhamthorpe

Driving: Take Highway 427 south from Highway 401 or north from the QEW and exit at Burnhamthorpe Road. Travel east on Burnhamthorpe for approximately 2 kms (second set of lights) until you reach Martingrove. The tea room is located on the north-west corner of the intersection. Parking is in the front, back or on the side street.

Starting Conversations - Facing the Future in Communications

Turbulent times call for drastic measures. Many organizations sacrifice their communications when looking to cut costs, without recognizing the vital and significant role their communicators play in their business strategies.

On March 31st, leaders and influencers in the communications and public relations fields will assemble for an essential discussion about the future of communications. It will focus on how we, as communicators, can engage our business leaders, employees and customers through conversation in order to prosper in these challenging times.

This professional development session is designed for ALL communicators. Submissions and queries from the audience are welcomed to facilitate a thought-provoking discussion.

Date	Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Time	Registration and networking start time: 6 p.m. Food service: 6 p.m. - Sandwiches, bagels, cheese, fruit, coffee and tea will be provided. One glass of wine is included in the registration fee. Presentation: 7 to 8 p.m. Q&A: 8 to 8:30
Venue	Sutton Place, Wellesley Room, 955 Bay Street, Toronto (northeast corner of Bay and Wellesley)
Panel	Click on the name of each speaker for a complete bio: Jacqui d’Eon ABC, MC, P. Eng, Chief Communication Officer, Deloitte Canada Eric Bergman, ABC, APR, MC, Senior Consultant, Bergman & Associates, IABC/Toronto Past President 1994/1995 Ken Cherney ABC, APR, MC, President, Ken Cherney & Associates Inc. Annette Martell, ABC, MC, IABC World Chair (2002/2003) Janet Wile, ABC, APR, MC, Director, Internal Communications, Barrick Gold Corporation, VP, Member Communications, IABC/Toronto
Ticket Price	$25: Student/Transitional member $40: Regular member $45: Non-member $300: Group fee (group of seven; can include members and non-members)
Registration	Register online before 2 p.m. today!
Sponsor

The upcoming OVATION Awards Gala in late May offers an excellent opportunity to get your organization noticed by Greater Toronto’s finest communicators.

Sponsor a category or a specific award to get your message out to the influential communications community of Greater Toronto.  Sponsors not only receive tremendous exposure at the OVATION gala in late May, but also in all awards communications, including the winner announcements and the awards issue of Communicator mailed to more than 1,650 members. 

Please see all the 2009 sponsorship opportunities outlined here:
http://toronto.iabc.com/awards/ovation/sponsors.asp

For more information, please contact Vanda Wall, IABC/Toronto’s VP, Advertising & Sponsorship at 416-440-8149 or toronto-adsponsor@iabc.com.

IABC/Toronto is among the most recognized and respected chapters within the IABC global network. The chapter has a long-standing reputation for business-like operations and innovation in providing member value.

The success of the Toronto chapter depends on the volunteer leaders who set strategy and direction for our programs and initiatives throughout the year. Why not consider putting your name forward for the IABC/Toronto board? Past board members will agree that the experience is an excellent leadership development opportunity.

Nomination forms are now available and will be accepted until 5 p.m. May 1, 2009.  For more information, contact the nominating committee chair, Janet Comeau at toronto-pastpresident@iabc.com.

Toss aside those winter boots, break out your walking shoes, and mark May 12 in your calendar because spring is upon us, and that means a fresh and active networking event.  Don’t worry, we’re not joining the Running Room, but linking up with one of Toronto’s great walking tours to learn a little bit more about our great city…and of course, each other. Further details will be communicated in the coming weeks. Stay tuned!

Watch for updates on the speakers and what this practical session has in store, as well as downtown location details coming soon.

Don't miss this opportunity to submit your entry for the Bobbie Resnick Philanthropy Award! As a consummate PR professional, volunteer, educator and mentor, Bobbie Resnick, ABC, APR, MC, IABC Fellow, has been a communications and community leader for over 50 years. This award in her name recognizes outstanding leadership, contribution to the PR profession and service to the community.

For consideration, a team or individual must demonstrate improvement to their community through an in-house program or serving as a volunteer to an existing cause. Please include the completed entry form with your submission, which is kept in strict confidence. There is no charge to enter.

Support material:

• A 100-word summary statement – why the candidate / team deserves this award
• Executive summary of communication plans / campaigns / projects in which leadership ability is demonstrated (submissions should include evaluation / results)
• Other awards and recognition (local, national, international)
• Recent media coverage, if applicable

The winner of the award will be honoured at the OVATION Awards Gala in May and will receive recognition in IABC/Toronto publications.

To learn more or to apply, visit http://toronto.iabc.com/awards/ovation/awards-interest.asp or e-mail toronto-info@iabc.com.

Entries will be accepted until April 15, 2009.

Do you have what it takes to be IABC/Toronto’s 2009 MAVERICK PR Student of the Year? A passion for public relations, a creative spirit and exceptional writing skills can qualify you to receive a $500 cash prize and be recognized at the IABC/Toronto OVATION Awards Gala in May.

The award has been generously established by MAVERICK Public Relations to help IABC/Toronto student members kick start their careers. “We want aspiring communicators to become mavericks in their own right,” says Julie Rusciolelli, President, MAVERICK Public Relations. “These practitioners are our future and we're committed to encouraging the next generation to give their best.”

Entries must include:

1. A completed entry form;
2. A news release of no more than two pages on how you plan to make an impact on the future practice of PR/communications;
3. One writing sample (can be a news release, speech, communications plan, etc. created at school);
4. An up-to-date resume.

Entries will be judged on creativity, clarity, conciseness, total impact, and most importantly, how well they meet the stated objectives.

To learn more or to apply, visit http://toronto.iabc.com/awards/studentAwards.asp or e-mail toronto-info@iabc.com

Entries will be accepted until 5 p.m. on April 30, 2009.

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With 25 years of broadcast journalism expertise, WebNews Management provides everything... topic ideas, script outlines, on-air interview talent, interviewee coaching, and professional recording and production – all for an amazingly low-cost, value-added investment (as little as $450 per podcast).

Best of all, podcasts can be recorded in your own office/facilities, at multiple sites or via telephone.

For a fraction of the cost of videos and a fraction of the time to write articles, team members, in-house experts or customers can tell your story – rapidly, easily and with complete control over the final production.

Want more than audio? We can enhance your podcast with a Flash-based player syncing audio to onscreen text/images, including slide presentations.

Intrigued? Call WebNews Management today (416.364.2331) to learn about podcasts and the special discount for IABC members, or visit webnewsmanagement.com/PodCasts/.

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