IABC Detroit – Where Communications Pros Can Belong

Join us on October 17 to celebrate our profession!

As a communications professional, no doubt you’ve stumbled over your words while explaining what you do for a living. It probably goes something like this.

Interested person: “So, what do you do at work?”
You: “I work in Communications?”
Person: “O.K., Is that I.T. or… like … Advertising?
You: “We’ll, no, actually right now I’m working on employee engagement.”
Person: after long pause… “Oh… so … what do you think of that Super Bowl commercial?”

We’ve all been there, and while we all work our way through similar responses, it is nothing like talking with another communications pro.

If you attended this year’s IABC Heritage Region Conference in Detroit, job descriptions needed little explanation. From the opening presentation by Detroit Chief Storyteller, Aaron Foley, to the closing Detroit Homecoming presentation by Colleen Robar, Jim Hayes and Keenan Covington, it was easy to be a part of the professional communicator family.

Throughout the program we gained insights from all facets of our daily work lives. Topics included: brand reputation, authentic leadership, presenting data effectively, crisis communications, gender and public relations, and engaging employees during fundamental company change. In total, the two-day conference offered numerous opportunities to learn and share ideas with others who truly understand what you do.

I couldn’t be prouder of the Heritage Region team and the IABC Detroit team who put the conference together.

For those who live in the Metro-Detroit area, we have a chance to meet again in October at the IABC Detroit Renaissance Awards and Professional Communicators Celebration.

Hosted at the beautiful Blue Cross of Michigan building on 600 Lafayette in Detroit, the event offers another great opportunity to meet with likeminded communicators and celebrate with the top performing communication pros in Michigan.

Rich Homberg – IABC Detroit Communicator of the Year

We’ll also recognize the contributions of Rich Homberg, CEO of Detroit Public Television, as Communicator of the Year. DPTV’s broadcasts reach over 2 million people each week providing a valued public service. Rich is sure to share insights about his career in communications and DPTV’s impact on its audience.

So, if you feel the need to get together with people who “understand you.” join us on October 17. Simply follow the link and mark your calendar to celebrate with your communications family.

P.S. Join IABC in October and save 10%. Just use “OCTOBER10” during the purchase. Sign up now at iabc.com/membership/


By Pete Ternes, chapter president IABC Detroit

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