ABOUT IABC/TORONTO

Welcome to the IABC/Toronto chapter Web site.

As the largest chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators, we provide access to products, services, activities and networking opportunities in Toronto and around the world. We help people and organizations achieve excellence in corporate communications, public relations, employee communication, marketing communication, public affairs and other forms of communication.

IABC Fact Sheet

About IABC

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 business communication management.

With more than 100 chapters worldwide, IABC serves 13,500 members in 60 countries and 10,000 organizations. The majority of IABC members work in large corporations. IABC/Toronto is the largest chapter in the world.

IABC links communicators in a global network that inspires, establishes and supports the highest professional standards of quality and innovation in organizational communication. 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, and its member chapters are lead 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 approximately 1,300 members.

IABC/Toronto serves members throughout the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) from Durham Region to Halton-Peel. The chapter holds networking and professional development events regularly for members. IABC/West End, a networking sub-group of IABC/Toronto, holds networking events for chapter members who live and work in west Toronto and the Mississauga/Oakville areas.

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

The Alliance of Independent Practitioners (AIP Toronto) is a sub-group of the IABC/Toronto chapter, representing and supporting 80 self-employed communications professionals, who provide a variety of communication services for clients in a wide range of industries and businesses. AIP Toronto meets monthly for networking and professional development.

IABC/Toronto is run by a volunteer executive board of directors and relies on member volunteer resources and efforts for chapter programs and services.

IABC/Toronto’s Mission

To be the communications association of choice by providing membership 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 monthly newsletter.
An annual international conference, at which participants network and learn from top communicators. Toronto hosted the conference last in June 2003.
An accreditation program in which IABC members can have their professionalism recognized by becoming accredited business communicators (ABCs).
Awards programs recognizing communication excellence:
OVATION for the IABC/Toronto Chapter
Silver Leaf for all Canadian chapters
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 1,300 skilled communications professionals in the GTA.
Professional development seminars and luncheons, held monthly in Toronto, at which local experts share their knowledge and experience.
Volunteer opportunities for members to grow professionally, by helping to organize the association’s activities and taking on leadership responsibilities.
Information Resources, a comprehensive information service 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 resource and education materials to help IABC members build their knowledge and skills, and perform their communication roles more effectively.

Structure of IABC

There are more than 13,500 IABC members working in 60 countries throughout the world.

IABC is organized into three levels:

Chapters

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

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:

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.