Kelowna's lakeside harbour

IABC Canada West Conference: Call for Presentations

April 10, 2023

IABC Canada West is looking for dynamic speakers to address a group of leading mid-to-senior- level communicators at the 2023 IABC Canada West Conference in Kelowna, BC, October 22 to 24.

EXTENDED! The deadline for speaker proposals has been extended to May 5, 2023. Please review the requirements and use the presentation form to submit.

Conference sessions will focus on five tracks:

  1. Communication skills: Skill-based knowledge, such as technical and social media skills, measurement techniques, planning, writing, photography/visuals, design and presenting.
  2. Leadership and strategy: Dialogue and techniques that position communication as a high value function, enable communicators to facilitate and foster relationships, build leadership skills and empower communicators to better support business goals.
  3. Marketing and brand: Insights and expertise on marketing to support sales and branding as an expression of the value of an organization, product or service.
  4. Reputation: Guidance on interpreting perceptions, values and connections that stakeholders have toward an organization, incorporating social responsibility and employing strategies for preparing for, and dealing with, a crisis.
  5. Employee engagement: Case studies, analysis and best practices that help to ensure employee behaviours that support organizational goals and demonstrate above-and-beyond commitment

Global Standard and Career Paths

The CWR conference program is aligned to the IABC Global Standard, defined by communication professionals around the world who embrace a shared career purpose and six core Principles as the building blocks of their work. Applying that standard enables us to cross all borders, align with diverse cultures and effectively serve organizations of all types and sizes.

Sessions will also be categorized by IABC’s Career Path, with a focus on Generalists/Specialists, Strategic Advisors and Business Leaders.

We are looking for presentation proposals for these five tracks. For more information on our audience and our conference, see Conference Background.

CONFERENCE BACKGROUND

OUR AUDIENCE

The International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) is the premier professional development and networking association with 10,000 members worldwide. Its vision is: Professional communicators at the heart of every organization. Its purpose is to advance the profession, create connection and develop strategic communicators. It pledges to: Represent the global profession, Foster a diverse community, Focus on insights and results and Honor its Code of Ethics.

There are 2,800+ members in Canada. Western Canada, represented by IABC Canada West Region, is home to over 1,300 members, half of whom are located in Alberta and British Columbia. Our conference model attracts attendees primarily from the host province and the one next door, but is relevant to communicators from across Canada – and beyond.

This conference is geared toward communication professionals at the mid- to senior-career levels. We aim high and look for presenters that are strategically focused to help grow our profession.

Where Our Members Work:

  • 39% corporations
  • 14% consulting firms
  • 12% non-profits
  • 8% government

Areas of Responsibility:

  • 27% corporate communication
  • 17% employee communication
  • 15% marketing communication
  • 9% media/public relations

Years of Experience:

  • 35% 12-21 years
  • 23% 22-31 years
  • 19% 6-11 years
  • 13% 5 or less

Industries They Work In:

  • 12% marketing/advertising/PR
  • 11% consulting
  • 8% health care

Titles:

  • 24% Manager, Supervisor
  • 30% Individual contributor
  • 17% General manager, Director
  • 14% Officer, president, partner/principal, practice leader

Our members hold positions in:

  • Public relations/Media relations
  • Corporate communications
  • Public affairs
  • Investor relations
  • Government relations
  • Marketing communication
  • Community relations
  • Writing/Editing
  • Training
  • Advertising
  • Photography and video production
  • Graphic design
  • Human resources
  • Teaching

OUR CONFERENCES

Since 2007 IABC Canada West Region has hosted a mid-sized conference for 200+ Canadian communicators every second year in destination locations. Here’s what attendees said about the last in person conference held in 2019 in Banff, Alberta:

  • 93% of respondents were satisfied or extremely satisfied with their conference experience.
  • 82% of respondents were satisfied or extremely satisfied with the conference speakers.
  • 83% of respondents were satisfied or extremely satisfied with the program content.
  • 83% of respondents were satisfied or extremely satisfied with the conference value for dollar.
  • 89% of respondents felt the content was relevant or extremely relevant in relation to their professional development goals.
  • 87% were satisfied or extremely satisfied with the opportunities to network
  • 86% of respondents say they will attend the regional conference again, 11.4% unsure.

OUR FORMULA

Our conference track record of success is due to our focus on the following elements that reflect the IABC brand and culture:

  • Timely, relevant content for primarily intermediate- to senior-level communication professionals
  • Strong networking and social interaction opportunities
  • Personal, approachable and inviting atmosphere
  • Content rooted in the pillars of rigorous strategic planning principles – applicable to all industries in all provinces
  • Partnerships with relevant and like-minded organizations, companies, post-secondary education institutions, sponsors and presenters
  • Value for time and money spent
  • Strong motivating keynote speakers; hands-on case study-based breakout sessions and preconference in-depth learning workshops

YOUR OPPORTUNITIES

We host keynote speakers, breakout or concurrent session presenters and workshop leaders.

Workshops

Before the conference starts, we host 3-4 in-depth half-day workshops for an intimate number of attendees (15-30) to dig deep on skills they need to grow. These pre-conference workshops are optional at an additional charge for registrants.

Keynote/General Session

Over the two-day conference, we’ll present up to four keynote speakers on topics that are big picture, high level, timely, relevant and/or inspirational to all attendees. The format could include a single speaker (up to 45 minutes) or a key presenter (15-20 minutes) followed by a moderated panel (moderated by the keynote speaker or includes the keynote and moderated by someone else).

Concurrent Breakouts

Three concurrent breakout sessions run 2-3 times a day. They host 25-75 attendees each. They offer attendees an expert presentation with tangible takeaways in a semi-formal setting that allows for at least 1/3 of the session time available for Q&A and learning among attendees.

CONTACT

Andrea Tubbs
Swansea Communications
Administrative Support, 2023 IABC Canada West Conference

andrea@swanseacommunications.com