About

IABC Chicago links organizational and business communicators to a global network of professionals that develop, establish and adhere to the highest professional standards of quality and innovation in our field. We aim to be the association of choice for professionals in all communication disciplines, fostering understanding and respect toward integrating communication activities in organizations and businesses.

The IABC provides a professional network of about 16,000 members strong, and Chicago is one of IABC’s oldest and most successful local chapters. Our members hold positions in:

Internal/Employee communications 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

IABC Chicago is part of IABC’s Pacific Plains Region. The chapter is one of the largest IABC chapters in the U.S. and is the oldest chapter in the world. The group originated in 1924 as the Industrial Editors Association of Chicago and later changed its name to the Chicago Association of Business Communicators before becoming IABC Chicago in January 1980.

Mission

IABC Chicago is dedicated to improving the effectiveness of internal and external communication of businesses, organizations, and institutions. To this end, IABC Chicago will seek to:

• Provide career-long learning opportunities that give IABC Chicago members the knowledge and tools they need to facilitate strategic communication management in all communication disciplines.
• Share among our membership best practices, ideas and experiences that facilitate the development of ethical, efficient and effective standards for our profession.
• Lead the way in the ethical use of advanced information technology in the communication profession.
• Link with the Chicago metropolitan community to foster the understanding of strategic communication management/activities in organizations.

Fully recognizing that communication in business, organizations, and institutions is undergoing vast and rapid change, we support IABC in seeking to educate those charged with the management of such enterprises on how to use professional communicators to meet vital needs in a world that demands dynamic communication.

Active Chapter The Chicago chapter hosts on average 22 professional development and networking events between the months of September and June. Read more Diverse Membership Dozens of different communication areas are represented at all different levels within their careers. Our members represent a number of sectors, including public relations, the corporate world, non-profits/associations, and government. Joining IABC Chicago can provide you with a great way to network, pick up new ideas and undertake professional development. We encourage student members to join whether or not their school has a student chapter, and continue as a professional member once they graduate. Read more

Bronze Quill Awards Program Our annual Quill Award honors Chicagoland’s finest communicators and the invaluable ways that communication — from strategy to action — strengthens the bottom-line of any organization. Winning an IABC Chicago Quill Award can help you build credibility within the industry and your organization, and assist in building new business and customer relationships. Read more Networking Opportunities Time is set aside at each luncheon and at specific networking events to make connections and share information. In fact, in a recent survey, networking is the #2 reason why people are members of IABC, after professional development. Read more

 

There you have it – a glimpse of what’s in store if you join IABC today.