IABC Chicago

Meet your IABC Chicago Board!
2021-09-21 17:00 - 19:00 (America/Chicago)
Join IABC Chicago for our first IN PERSON event in nearly two years! Meet our 2021/22 board members and connect with fellow IABC members during happy hour on the RiverWalk.
Limited spots available, R.S.V.P. now! Members and Non-Members welcome.
Date: Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2021
Time: 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. CT
Location: Island Party Hut, 355 East Riverwalk South (between Lake Shore Drive & Columbus on the Riverwalk)
Price:
Members: $20
Non-members: $25
Students (with valid student ID): $15
Ticket price includes one specialty beverage drink ticket and appetizers. Please bring a valid ID, mask and proof of vaccination.
Event subject to change or cancellation. In the event of cancellation, payment will be refunded in full. Online R.S.V.P. will close at 12 p.m. on Sept. 21, 2021 or once event capacity is reached.
REGISTRATION LINK

Failure: a part of every creative endeavor
2021-06-23 12:00 - 13:00
Gravity Labs, a fully integrated ad agency based in Chicago and built for the new economy, embraces the idea of failing fast. Getting to better ideas, faster, means learning what works and what doesn’t, sooner, and applying the right resources against the winning direction.
But, Gravity Labs didn’t arrive at those answers overnight. It took years of testing, learning, pivoting, failing, scraping their knees and getting back up again.
Learn from their journey as they present some of their biggest lessons learned to date. Hopefully, you’ll not only learn from their mistakes but will glean new insights to thrive in the current marketing landscape.
Register now!
Date: Wednesday, June 23
Time: Noon – 1:00 PM CT
Location: Zoom
Price: Free!

About the Speakers:
Davin Power, President
A native Australian, Davin Power is a 25-year global ad industry veteran who has worked at the world’s top 10 agencies like BBDO, Grey & Ogilvy, in Perth, Sydney, New York and Chicago. Davin’s brand experience includes American Express, BP, ExxonMobil, Hyatt, P&G, SC Johnson, Sprint and Toyota. Davin was most recently the Managing Director of Digitas Chicago, the global network’s third largest office with 430 staff.
davin@gravitylabsinc.com

Mike Roe, Chief Creative Officer

With more than 25 years in the industry, Mike’s portfolio of work has been recognized by every major creative and effectiveness award in the world. He grew up in the traditional world before pivoting to the digital space where he was most recently Regional Executive Creative Director at Razorfish overseeing the network’s Chicago and Austin offices.
roe@gravitylabsinc.com
About Gravity Labs
A new kind of advertising agency, Gravity Labs takes the craft of a branding agency and blends it with a fluid process from the digital world. They believe in getting further, faster™ with deep collaboration, pivoting on a dime and being confident, but never precious, about the work.
Twitter: @gravitylabs_us
LinkedIn: @Gravity Labs

How to use the art of persuasion and influence to learn how to move ideas forward in the organization
2021-06-16 12:00 - 13:00
Join IABC/Chicago and Ragan Consulting Group on Wednesday, June 16, 2021, to learn how to become a more persuasive and influential communicator.
Communications became more relevant than ever before during the pandemic. With so much to be done, it’s time to harness your access and influence to push your organization forward. During this session, you’ll learn:

How to build influence in your organization
The psychology of persuasion
The importance of knowing your numbers before pitching a new idea
How to determine your credibility and rapport among your peers and leaders

Register now!
Date: Wednesday, June 16, 2021
Time: noon – 1 p.m.
Location: Zoom meeting.
Price: Members: Free
Non-members: Free
Students (with valid student ID): Free
RSVP: Register now!

About the Presenter:
Joe Friedman, consultant with Ragan Consulting Group
Joe has 30+ years of sales, sales management and training/consulting experience. Joe started his career at Northeastern Illinois University’s business school, teaching sales and marketing courses and classes in management, finance and personnel. In 1993, Joe co-founded Zehren Friedman Associates, which teaches the “persuasive arts” of selling, presenting, negotiating and influence. As CFO, Joe oversees client development, program delivery and people development. He conducts 100+ days of training annually. He previously worked at First National Bank of Chicago and at The Executive Technique, a firm specializing in presentation skills training.

Respect your employees by writing for the reader, not the approver
2021-05-20 13:00 - 14:00
Join IABC/Chicago and Crescenzo Communications on Thursday, May 20, 2021, to learn how to become an effective writer.
Great writing is at the core of everything we do: articles, social media, e-mail, bulletins, even videos. Unfortunately, most “corporate writing” just isn’t good enough. Nobody wants you to “shift their paradigm” or “leverage their core competency.” We need to harness the power of what works in the real world. This webinar is all about the fundamentals of powerful, effective writing. You’ll learn:

How to strip the jargon out of your writing once and for all
How to write in a conversational fashion while still being professional
The power of headlines, leads, quotes, and verbs
Writing for the modern Web
How to “write tight” and respect your readers
How to write for the reader, not the approver

Register now!
Date: Thursday, May 20, 2021
Time: 1 p.m. – 2 p.m.
Location: Zoom meeting.
Price: Members: Free
Non-members: Free
Students (with valid student ID): Free
RSVP: Register now!

About the Presenter:
Cindy Crescenzo
Cindy Crescenzo is the President of Crescenzo Communications and brings over 15 years of experience to the communications industry. Cindy specializes in research, measurement and strategic planning.
Her passion for numbers and audience research have helped thousands of communicators all over the world transform their roles in their organizations by teaching them how to get the ammunition they need to build successful communication strategies that deliver results.
In addition to speaking at numerous conferences throughout the year, she and her business partner and husband, Steve Crescenzo, co-present their often sold-out workshop, Internal Communications Master Class.
Cindy has worked with hundreds of communicators around the world, including
3M, Bayer, Bob Evans, Boston Medical Center, Carlson Wagonlit, CGI Technologies, Discover, John Deere, La-Z-Boy, Novartis, Roche, Lockheed Martin, Rockwell Collins, Target and Wells Fargo.

Steve Crescenzo
Through his work as a consultant, writer, speaker and seminar leader, Steve Crescenzo has helped thousands of communicators around the world break the habit of creating boring, formulaic, jargon-ridden corporate content.
Using proven strategies, tactics and best-practices, he’s shown communicators how to take the ‘corporate’ our of corporate communications and replace it with ‘creative’— and at the same time — create content that is linked to the strategic goals of their organizations.
Steve has been voted the #1-rated speaker at the International Association of Business Communicators World Conference seven times, including three years in a row. He has also received top ratings at numerous IABC chapter and regional events throughout the U.S., Canada, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand.
Along with his wife and business partner, Cindy Crescenzo, he teaches their popular and often sold-out workshop, Internal Communications Master Class.
Steve has worked with numerous communicators around the world, including those at Abbott, American Express, Bayer, Blackrock, Boeing, Chevron Corporation, Conoco-Phillips, Discover, FDA, General Motors, Hewlett Packard, Intel, IRS, Lockheed Martin, Mayo Clinic, McDonalds, Nokia, Rockwell Collins, Social Security Administration, Standard Chartered Bank, Target, The European Investment Bank, The European Training Foundation, and Wells Fargo.

How to engage all stakeholders in your change journeys
2021-04-14 12:00 - 13:00
Join IABC/Chicago and Ragan Consulting Group on Wednesday, April 14, 2021 for a discussion around change communications.
It starts by building a communications framework for change. Diana Peltier, who has more than 20 years of experience leading organizations through large, complex transformations, will offer examples and share strategies to help you deliver for your organization. Among the topics covered: how to engage change sponsors, assess organizational impacts, maintain employee experience through disruption, leverage change networks and employee advisory councils, foster local relevance and more.
In this interactive workshop, you’ll learn how to:

Integrate change communications into a broader change management strategy
Apply the neuroscience of change
Deploy a change communications framework for your change and transformation initiatives
Incorporate tactics for sustained change communications success

Register now!
Date: Wednesday, April 14, 2021
Time: noon – 1 p.m.
Location: Zoom meeting.
Price: Members: Free
Non-members: Free
Students (with valid student ID): Free
RSVP: Register now!

About the Presenter:
Diana Peltier, change communications consultant with Ragan Consulting Group
Diana has over 20 years of experience delivering on the people side of change through impactful communications. Diana has a demonstrated track record of engaging audiences, elevating the purpose and brand of organizations and making a meaningful difference in employees’ work lives. She has served in senior communications roles with Fortune 500 companies, non-profits and the Big 4 – including as the Global Head of Communications and Engagement for EY. Diana also has extensive change management experience, most recently as a Global Change Management Lead for the world’s largest SAP implementation.
You can find Diana on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/dianapeltier

Prove Your Worth: Create Measurement Dashboards That Will Blow Leadership Away
2021-03-18 13:00 - 14:00
Join IABC/Chicago and Crescenzo Communications on Thursday, Mar. 18, 2021, to learn how to create powerful dashboards that show the value your communications brings to your organization.
Leadership doesn’t care about clicks and opens. One-size-fits all dashboards usually fall flat. Metrics are important, but only represent part of the picture.
If you want to go from being the “company Kinkos” to a strategic counselor, you have to prove that you are changing employee behavior. You need to demonstrate how your communications are helping your organization succeed. This webinar will show you how to create dashboards that let your data tell your story. You’ll learn:

How to figure out what you should be measuring and what data you need to pay attention to
How to find the right balance between metrics and behavior change
How to build “behavior statements” that will be the core of your measurement dashboards
How to present your data in a way that tell your story and will blow executives away
How to keep your dashboards updated and current

Register now!
Date: Thursday, March 18, 2021
Time: 1 p.m. – 2 p.m.
Location: Zoom meeting.
Price: Members: Free
Non-members: Free
Students (with valid student ID): Free
RSVP: Register now!

About the Host/Presenter/Panel:
Cindy Crescenzo
Cindy Crescenzo is the President of Crescenzo Communications and brings over 15 years of experience to the communications industry. Cindy specializes in research, measurement and strategic planning.
Her passion for numbers and audience research have helped thousands of communicators all over the world transform their roles in their organizations by teaching them how to get the ammunition they need to build successful communication strategies that deliver results.
In addition to speaking at numerous conferences throughout the year, she and her business partner and husband, Steve Crescenzo, co-present their often sold-out workshop, Internal Communications Master Class.
Cindy has worked with hundreds of communicators around the world, including
3M, Bayer, Bob Evans, Boston Medical Center, Carlson Wagonlit, CGI Technologies, Discover, John Deere, La-Z-Boy, Novartis, Roche, Lockheed Martin, Rockwell Collins, Target and Wells Fargo.

Steve Crescenzo
Through his work as a consultant, writer, speaker and seminar leader, Steve Crescenzo has helped thousands of communicators around the world break the habit of creating boring, formulaic, jargon-ridden corporate content.
Using proven strategies, tactics and best-practices, he’s shown communicators how to take the ‘corporate’ our of corporate communications and replace it with ‘creative’— and at the same time — create content that is linked to the strategic goals of their organizations.
Steve has been voted the #1-rated speaker at the International Association of Business Communicators World Conference seven times, including three years in a row. He has also received top ratings at numerous IABC chapter and regional events throughout the U.S., Canada, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand.
Along with his wife and business partner, Cindy Crescenzo, he teaches their popular and often sold-out workshop, Internal Communications Master Class.
Steve has worked with numerous communicators around the world, including those at Abbott, American Express, Bayer, Blackrock, Boeing, Chevron Corporation, Conoco-Phillips, Discover, FDA, General Motors, Hewlett Packard, Intel, IRS, Lockheed Martin, Mayo Clinic, McDonalds, Nokia, Rockwell Collins, Social Security Administration, Standard Chartered Bank, Target, The European Investment Bank, The European Training Foundation, and Wells Fargo.

Employee Engagement in Turbulent Times
2021-02-18 13:00 - 14:00 | Zoom
Join IABC/Chicago and Crescenzo Communications on Thursday, February 18, 2021, to learn how to create engaging content that connects employees to the business and culture.
Employees today are feeling more disconnected than ever. They are working from home, not seeing their colleagues, and have Zoom and Teams fatigue. This spells an opportunity for communicators. We can create content that can drive engagement, reinforce the corporate culture, and connect employees to each other and leaders. This webinar will show you how to do exactly that. You’ll learn:
• How to use storytelling techniques to connect employees to each other
• How to find the most important stories in your organization… And tell them in a
compelling fashion
• How to avoid the “Four Deadly Ps” that kill corporate content
• How to use tools like empathy maps to tap into employee emotions
• How to create content that will reinforce the corporate culture… Even when so
many people are working from home
Register today!
Date: Thursday, Feb. 18
Time: 1 – 2 p.m. CT
Location: Zoom
Price:
Members : FREE
Students (with valid student ID): FREE
Non-members: FREE
RSVP: Register now!
About the Presenters:
Cindy Crescenzo is the President of Crescenzo Communications and brings over 15 years of experience to the communications industry. Cindy specializes in research, measurement and strategic planning.
Her passion for numbers and audience research have helped thousands of communicators all over the world transform their roles in their organizations by teaching them how to get the ammunition they need to build successful communication strategies that deliver results.
In addition to speaking at numerous conferences throughout the year, she and her business partner and husband, Steve Crescenzo, co-present their often sold-out workshop, Internal Communications Master Class.
Cindy has worked with hundreds of communicators around the world, including: 3M, Bayer, Bob Evans, Boston Medical Center, Carlson Wagonlit, CGI Technologies, Discover, John Deere, La-Z-Boy, Novartis, Roche, Lockheed Martin, Rockwell Collins, Target and Wells Fargo.
Through his work as a consultant, writer, speaker and seminar leader, Steve Crescenzo has helped thousands of communicators around the world break the habit of creating boring, formulaic, jargon-ridden corporate content.
Using proven strategies, tactics and best-practices, he’s shown communicators how to take the ‘corporate’ our of corporate communications and replace it with ‘creative’— and at the same time — create content that is linked to the strategic goals of their organizations.
Steve has been voted the #1-rated speaker at the International Association of Business Communicators World Conference seven times, including three years in a row. He has also received top ratings at numerous IABC chapter and regional events throughout the U.S., Canada, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand.
Along with his wife and business partner, Cindy Crescenzo, he teaches their popular and often sold-out workshop, Internal Communications Master Class.
Steve has worked with numerous communicators around the world, including those at Abbott, American Express, Bayer, Blackrock, Boeing, Chevron Corporation, Conoco-Phillips, Discover, FDA, General Motors, Hewlett Packard, Intel, IRS, Lockheed Martin, Mayo Clinic, McDonalds, Nokia, Rockwell Collins, Social Security Administration, Standard Chartered Bank, Target, The European Investment Bank, The European Training Foundation, and Wells Fargo.
About Crescenzo Communications
Crescenzo Communications has been in the communication industry for more than 20 years and we’re very passionate about what we do. We’ve worked with and trained thousands of communicators – and we bring that experience inside your organization. Along with all of our consulting and training services, we offer real-world experience and can deliver best-practice case studies from organizations of all sizes – something not all consultants in the industry can offer.

The State of Media Relations: How to grab a journalist’s attention in these uncertain times
2021-02-03 17:00 - 18:00
In this session, Muck Rack COO Natan Edelsburg will share tips on grabbing a journalist’s attention based on findings from Muck Rack’s latest State of Journalism, State of PR and State of Tech Journalism studies. Natan will also explain how reporting and pitching have changed amid the COVID-19 pandemic, and what that means for media relations in 2021.
Register now!
Date: Wednesday, Feb. 3
Time: 5 – 6 p.m. CT
Location: Zoom
Price:
Members : FREE
Students (with valid student ID): $5
Non-members: $10
RSVP: Register now!
About the Presenter: Natan Edelsburg, COO, Muck Rack, Producer Emeritus, Shorty Awards, District Council PRSA

Natan Edelsburg is the Chief Operating Officer at Muck Rack, a digital PR and journalism platform, where he handles the business side of the company. He’s also the Producer Emeritus of The Shorty Awards honoring the best of social media. Natan is the company’s most tenured employee and has helped bring on customers, including Mastercard, NBCUniversal, Pfizer, Goldman Sachs and more. Natan is the District Council-Chair for the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) for 2020. Natan’s a frequent speaker on social media, PR, journalism and the future of TV. He’s been honored as one of PR News’ Rising Stars and one of PRSA’s 15 Under 35. He’s moderated panels or given presentations at SXSW, PRWeek, Social Media Week, Collision, Web Summit, Digital Hollywood, PRSA, Ragan’s and Cannes Lions You can follow him on Twitter and Instagram @natanedelsburg.

About Muck Rack
Muck Rack’s Public Relations Management (PRM) platform enables PR teams to work together to find the right journalists for their stories, send customized pitches, build meaningful relationships with the media, monitor news and quantify their impact. Thousands of organizations use Muck Rack to take their communications to the next level.

Why communicators are the most important DE&I change agents
2021-01-21 12:00 - 13:00
Why communicators are the most important DE&I change agents
Join IABC/Chicago and Ragan Consulting Group on Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021 to learn about the importance of communications in executing your DE&I strategy.
Even in the midst of managing a global pandemic, organizations are prioritizing their diversity, equity and inclusion efforts. Communicators need to take the reins and develop an inclusive communications plan for what matters most: making connections, listening, empathy, compassion – and meaningful change.
During the event, Kim Clark will discuss how to:

Be a conscious communicator when writing for the CEO, leading a meeting and publishing content for all of your audiences.
Be inclusive in all communications channels, in print, images, speeches, graphics and videos.
Assess your DE&I IQ and learn what to do with the results
Partner with HR on developing inclusive language guides, policies and procedures

Register now!
Date: Thursday, January 21, 2021
Time: 12 – 1 p.m. CT
Location: Zoom
Price: Members: Free
Non-members: Free
Students (with valid student ID): Free
RSVP: Register now!

IABC Chicago Holiday Event – Virtual Escape Game Challenge
2020-12-10 17:00 - 18:30
Join IABC Chicago to celebrate the end of 2020 with a twist on virtual networking. Bring your problem-solving skills (and a cocktail or two) and put your collaborative communications skills to good use in a virtual escape game.
We’ll play in teams of 3 – 5 people on Zoom. You will use logical thinking, dexterity and observation to solve puzzles and make your way out. It’s also a great way to get to know fellow communicators in Chicagoland and beyond.
And, the more the merrier! We invite members of other IABC Chapter members to join the fun.
To see what we’re up against, check out this short video.
Register now!
Date: Thursday, Dec. 10
Time: 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM CT
Location: Zoom
Price:
Members and Students: (with valid student ID): $20
Non-members: $25
RSVP: Register now!

About The Green Hat People®: We are a people engagement provider. We help clients communicate with staff and customers in an innovative and more engaging way. Beat the Hacker is designed to help organizations gather their talents remotely though gamification to motivate, engage, and have FUN!
About Our Game Host, Yvonne Sharpe: Yvonne is passionate about bringing people together to connect, collaborate, and create change. Contact her to find out how GHP’s virtual games can help rejuvenate your team: yvonne.sharpe@greenhatpeople.com

Gallup Center on Black Voices
2020-11-09 08:00 - 17:00
IABC Chicago introduces the Gallup Center on Black Voices
Join IABC/Chicago and Gallup on Thursday, November 12, 2020 for an introductory session on Gallup’s Center on Black Voices program.
In this session, we’ll hear from Gallup’s research experts who designed this program to study the experiences of more than 40 million Black Americans in the U.S. with a goal to enable partnerships that will be a driving force of change in our society.
Join the conversation and learn about program’s research pillars designed to provide measurable insight that will allow us to create healthier and stronger communities and workplaces.
Register now!
Date: November 12, 2020
Time: 12 pm – 1 pm CST
Location: Zoom Webinar
Price: Members: Free
Non-members: $15
Students (with valid student ID): $5
RSVP: Register now!

About the Host/Presenter/Panel:
Camille Lloyd, Director, Gallup Center on Black Voices
Camille provides global leaders with research consulting, advice and guidance and manages a team of researchers and statisticians
As director of the Gallup Center on Black Voices, Camille leads Gallup’s research initiative devoted to studying and highlighting the experiences of more than 40 million Black Americans. The center tracks and reports the progress on life outcomes regarding topics such as justice, health and wellbeing, economic opportunity, jobs and work, education and community, and environment.
As a senior consultant, Camille provides thought leadership on multi-year evaluation contracts, international research projects, custom-design quantitative and qualitative research studies, and leadership and management consulting projects. Camille’s areas of expertise include criminal justice, community preparedness and resilience, workplace and worker rights issues, and program and policy evaluation.
Before joining Gallup, Camille worked as a research professor at George Mason University. She has co-authored several book chapters on best practices in juvenile justice education. Camille co-authored the article “Procedural Justice, Police Legitimacy, and Helping the Police Fight Crime: Results from a Survey of Jamaican Adolescents,” which was published in the Police Quarterly. Camille is a member of Public Responsibility in Medicine and Research and leads Gallup’s Human Research Protections Program.

Korpo Momolu, Associate Director, Gallup Center on Black Voices
As associate director of the Gallup Center on Black Voices, Korpo Momolu leads a team that is responsible for developing and executing the center’s strategy. Korpo brings the center’s mission to life by overseeing breakthrough research that will create a better understanding of the lived experiences of Black Americans.
Korpo brings a wealth of organizational effectiveness and DE&I expertise to this role. Before joining Gallup, she served as a trusted adviser for a diverse client base, where she created change management strategies with an emphasis on building inclusive teams.
Korpo has bachelor’s degrees in Biology and Public Health and a minor in African American Studies from Indiana University. Korpo also holds IC Agile Certified Professional (ICP) and Certified Scrum Master (CMS) certifications.

Webinar: Making a Really Good Impression!
2020-10-15 12:00 - 13:00
Whether you’re looking for a new job, changing careers, or improving your online presence, this session is right for you.
Join IABC Chicago on Thursday, October 15, 2020, at 12 p.m. CST for a conversation with Lisa Frank, CEO of LBF Strategies, LLC, a recruiting & career coaching firm.
Lisa is a thought leader, career coach, mentor, and recruiter specialized in the PR/Comms space. Her online #FranklySpeakingFriday video channel provides her followers with updates and information on how to stay on the top of the game when looking for the next step in your career, and we are honored to extend that offering in a form of a webinar.
During the event, Lisa will cover career trends in the communications field, discuss resume writing tips, and talk about the importance of networking and online presence.
If you have a specific question you’d like Lisa to answer, you can submit them to chicago-info@iabc.com by Monday, October 12, 2020.
Click here to register here
Date: Thursday, October 15, 2020
Time: 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
Location: Zoom
Price: Free

About the Presenter:
A connector, a nationwide recruitment partner, and a career coach, Lisa B. Frank is the CEO of LBF Strategies, LLC, a recruiting & career coaching firm. With more than 15 years of recruiting experience, Lisa maintains a specialized recruitment expertise and a vast network in the Public Relations and Communications industries.
During the 2008 economic downturn, Lisa’s work as a recruiter propelled her into the career coaching space. As she spent a great deal of time talking to job seekers who were at a professional crossroads, she uncovered her professional passion and talent for coaching, and obtain the necessary training to formalize her expertise to work one-on-one with professionals to help them navigate the job search and career development process. In 2012, Lisa set up shop in her living room and launched LBF Strategies.
Today, Lisa matches talent with companies from coast to coast, and also coaches professionals, at all levels, to navigate today’s competitive job search process – and ultimately reach their career goals. Through her blog, Frankly Speaking, and weekly #FranklySpeakingFriday segments, Lisa shares her insights, guidance and sometimes outrageous (but true) stories around career topics with humanness, candor, and even a little humor.
Lisa holds an M.S. in Public Service Administration from DePaul University and a B.A. in Communications from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Lisa was born and raised in Minneapolis, spent many years living in Chicago, and currently resides in Carmel, IN.

Webinar: Figuring Out Freelancing
2020-09-30 17:00 - 18:15 | Zoom
Come share or learn everything you ever wanted to about becoming a freelance communicator!
Join IABC/Chicago on September 30 at 5:00 p.m. for a chance to learn the ins and outs of becoming a communications freelancer. You will be able to hear from experienced freelancers in the field about the benefits and challenges of freelancing, or join us to share your expertise as a current or previous freelancer! The event will kick off with an introduction from our host, followed by a moderated group discussion
RSVP: Register here
Space is limited and based on first-come, first-serve. Secure your spot today!
Date: September 30, 2020
Time: 5:00 to 6:15 p.m.
Price: Members: Free | Non-members: $10 | Students $5

About the Host:
Chris Hickey is the Director of Membership Services on the 2020-2021 IABC Board. Chris has had a passion for effective communication for his entire life. Although Chris had opportunities in grade school to perform as a soloist and orchestral music and theatre performer, it was not until a speech teacher in high school convinced him to take a speech course that he became excited about public speaking and business communications. Chris earned his degree in Communications at the University of Illinois. Chris then embarked upon a career that now has 20 years of progressive sales, marketing, and communications experience at Fortune 500 companies and several startups. Chris is currently the Co-Founder of Two (2) Step (www.twostepsbus.com), a Salesforce CRM Software consulting firm.

Networking: Meet the 2020/2021 IABC Chicago Board Members
2020-08-26 17:00 - 18:30
Free virtual networking event!
Join the IABC Chicago Board on Wednesday, August 26, 2020, for a speed-dating style event and meet the team that’s here to make 2020/2021 a year of the Chicagoland Communicator!
You’ll get a chance to speak directly with Board members, chat with them in breakout rooms, and tell us what’s on your mind, what interests you, and how we can serve you best this year.
Limited space is available, so don’t miss out and register today!
RSVP: Register here
Date & Time: Wednesday, August 26, 2020 at 5:00 pm – 6:30 pm CST
Location: Virtual meeting via Zoom
Price: Free

Schedule:
5:00 –5:15 p.m. — Event Welcome & Kick-Off with the Chapter President and introduction of the Board Members.
5:15 – 6:15 p.m. — Breakout Sessions: Meet with different Board Members. Note: Bring questions, ideas, and expectations so that we can make 2020/2021 the year of the Chicagoland Communicator.
6:15 – 6:30 p.m. — Q&A and wrap-up.

About the Board:

Rebecca Shaffer, Chapter President and Managing Partner at Ragan Communications
Juston Teach, President-Elect and Director of Virtual Events at Ragan Communications
Peg Wander, Finance
Kellie Harris, Co-Director of Professional Development & Events and
Amisha Shah, Professional Development & Events Committee Member
Arek Gazda, Co-Director of Professional Development & Events and Transformation & Internal Communications
Manager at Alliant Credit Union
Rhonda Carlson, Chapter Marketing & PR Committee Member
Carolynn Muci, Membership Communication
Astrid Greve-Spencer, Creative Services
Sara Burcheri, Sponsorship
Belia Ortega, Volunteers

Webinar: Leading Through and After Disruption
2020-06-24 12:00 - 13:00
This year, employees have faced a serious disruption. Many were sent home; some are out of work — and all will return to the workforce different than they were before. Join us for a free webinar.
This briefing will share research that will help inform your long-term work from home strategy while maintaining employee engagement and wellbeing.
Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_I3Q20ASiQJmW42xIwEFEUA

Webinar: Communicating During Social Injustice
2020-06-10 11:00 - 12:00
Join IABC Chicago and Ragan Communications for a free webinar on June 10, 11 a.m. – noon CST to discuss how corporate communicators can help their leaders craft the right message for the organization.
Register and learn more here.

Webinar: The Path to Thriving in a Post-Pandemic World: Establishing a “New Normal”
2020-05-12 08:00 - 17:00
Join IABC and Gagen MacDonald in for a webinar to discuss the actions we can take now to create a sense of strategic proactivity, build confidence, and generate a sense of momentum. Our hope is that this will provide practical guidance and concrete ideas as we go forward.
Date: May 19, 2020
Time: 11:00 to 12:00 p.m.
Location: Zoom Webinar hosted by IABC and Gagen MacDonald
Price: Free
Register here!

Webinar: Global Trends Impacting Communications and Reputation
2020-03-26 12:00 - 12:45 | Zoom
We are pleased to host the webinar, “Global Trends Impacting Communications and Reputation”, in collaboration with the Reputation Institute.
Join Nicky McHugh, SVP, Global Content and Community, Reputation Institute, for a discussion of the global trends shaping the reputations of companies and highlighting potential areas of heightened risk.
Price:
Members: $15
Non-members: $20
Register here!

Edelman Trust Barometer Luncheon
2020-02-20 11:00 - 13:00 | Osterio via Stato, 623 N. State, Chicago, IL, 60654, United States
Did you know that 75 percent of people trust their employer to do what’s right, more than NGOs (57 percent), business (56 percent) and media (47 percent)?
Learn more of the latest insights on trust with IABC Chicago and Tamara Rodman, Executive Vice President of Employee Experience, Edelman.
Register now!
Time: 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Location:
Osteria via Stato
620 N State Street, Chicago, IL
Price:
Members: $30
Non-members: $45
Students (with valid student ID): $15

Measuring the Impact of Purpose with Zeno Group
2020-01-15 12:00 - 14:00 | Zeno Group, 130 E Randolph St, FL 30, Chicago, IL, 60601, United States
How do we quantify the positive impact of purpose – is it a change in behavior, tangible business results, employee retention? Join IABC/Chicago on January 15th for a luncheon with Zeno Group as we take a deep breath – and a deeper dive – into how to measure its impact.
In this compelling session, Join IABC/Chicago and Zeno Group’s Therese Caruso (Managing Director, Strategy + Insights) to examine work being done by some of the world’s best known brands against the backdrop of the firm’s recent global study on purpose.
Attendees will receive networking opportunities with business leaders over a light lunch and walk away with a comprehensive understanding of how to measure the impact of your message and mission.
Price:
Members: $15
Non-members: $25
Bring a friend, and register now!

IABC Chicago 2019 Holiday Party
2019-12-03 18:00 - 20:00 | Beatrix River North, 519 N Clark St., Chicago, 60654, United States
Join us for IABC Chicago’s 2019 holiday party. Take some time together to spread some holiday cheer. Holiday themed sweaters are encouraged! Appetizers and beverages will be provided.
Bring a guest and register now!
COST TO ATTEND:

IABC Member: $35
Non-member: $45

A Luncheon with Glassdoor
2019-11-13 11:30 - 13:00 | Glassdoor, 1330 West Fulton Street, Chicago, IL, 60607, United States
Join us for a luncheon, in partnership with Glassdoor, to discuss managing your company profile and building a strategy for responding to a review.
Save your seat by registering here!

Celebrate the Bronze Quill Awards!
2019-10-17 11:30 - 13:00
Join IABC Chicago to celebrate the annual award presentations of the Bronze Quill awards.
WHEN: Thursday, October 17, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
WHERE: Wildfire Chicago, 159 W Erie St, Chicago, IL
COST TO ATTEND:

Member $35.00
Non-member $45.00
Student $20.00

Special guest Jessica Snow-Wasserman of Bain & Company will share more about the company’s proprietary research on employee engagement in times of change and transformation.

Workplace by Facebook Event: Evolving Your Communication Approach
2019-09-26 08:30 - 12:00
Join us along with Workplace by Facebook for a free breakfast summit on September 26, 2019 at the Chicago Facebook office to hear how companies like yours are applying key strategies for improving their approach to communication.
Register and learn more about the speakers here.

Coffee with Communicators - 5 Digital Trends to Implement in 2020
2019-08-20 07:30 - 09:00 | Dollop Coffee, 643 N Wells, Chicago, IL, 60504, United States
Curious about the latest digital trends to implement in 2020?
Join IABC Chicago on August 20th for ‘Coffee with Communicators’ to kick-off your morning with networking and insight on the latest internal and external digital trends with Justin Allen, a future-focused creative content leader and affiliate consultant with Ragan Consulting Group.
Light refreshments will be provided.
Date: August 20, 2019
Time: 7:30 to 9:00 a.m.

Networking – 7:30-8
Presentation from Justin Allen w/ Q&A – 8-9

Location: Dollop Coffee
643 N Wells Chicago, IL
Price: Members: $10
Non-members: $20
Students (with valid student ID): $5
RSVP: Register now!
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About the Host/Presenter/Panel:
Justin Allen is an affiliate consultant with Ragan Consulting Group. Justin is a Chicago-based content and brand marketing expert, filmmaker, producer, entrepreneur and conference keynote speaker, with more than 17 years of experience helping Fortune 500 companies, startups and media groups to create data-driven marketing campaigns, shows and story series that don’t suck.

Summer Networking and Volunteer Recognition Event
2019-07-18 17:30 - 19:00 | Hub 51, 51 W Hubbard St., Chicago, IL, 60654
Join us on Thursday, July 18, at Hub 51 in River North to toast to the summer and schmooze with IABC Chicago! Stop by to network with other communications professionals and get the scoop on takeaways from World Conference. Let’s also raise a glass to say “thanks” to our volunteers who served IABC Chicago this year.
Admission includes drinks, appetizers and networking galore!
Bring a guest and register today!
COST TO ATTEND:

IABC Member: $25
Non-member: $40
Student: $5

IABC Chicago Bronze Quill Awards - LAST DAY FOR SUBMISSIONS
2019-07-01
Coming soon!
Enter IABC Chicago Bronze Quill Awards to celebrate your best work.
Entries accepted May 15 – July 1.
Watch for details soon.

FREE Internal Communications Workshop
2019-06-27 08:30 - 11:30
Employee Power – Activists on Your Payroll
Thursday, June 27
8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
IABC Chicago is pleased to partner with Internal Comms Pro to offer you a free opportunity to connect with others in the field and learn how you can deliver your best. Join us at Employee Power – Activists on Your Payroll on Thursday, June 27 from 8:30 – 11:30 a.m. at Club Quarters Hotel, Central Loop, Chicago.
The morning features Sharon McIntosh, President, And Then Communications. During this session, you’ll get a clear look at the strange new world of employee and CEO activism that we and our leaders are living in.
You’ll also hear from a panel to learn the latest tips, trends, and best practices on the biggest issues facing internal communicators.
Learn more and register.

Slaying the Silos: Integrating Marketing and Change Management into All Aspects of Communication
2019-06-18 11:00 - 13:00 | Osterio via Stato, 623 N. State, Chicago, IL, 60654, United States
Join us for IABC Chicago’s next professional development luncheon on Tuesday, June 18, from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at Osteria Via Stato in River North, 620 N. State St., Chicago.
Many of us commonly support one communications function or another in our role as professional communicators. Not often are we asked to cross-pollinate our efforts to not only help an organization roll out new initiatives but also help the organization navigate the change management process. In this workshop, we’ll look at how the disciplines of marketing and change management can help us slay the typical silos we encounter in our day-to-day work.
Ed Duffy is the Assistant Director of Design and Communications Strategy at NIIT, a global learning consulting firm. In this role, Ed enjoys helping clients solve strategic communications problems related to employee performance, engagement, and compliance. Over his career he has helped organizations like McDonalds, Mazda, and Microsoft improve individual and organization performance in a wide array of disciplines, from software to sales, and safety. Some of his favorite projects have been, creating a board game to teach Procter and Gamble sales reps about how to build better relationships in a doctor’s office, helping Samsung roll out its new lineup of Galaxy smartphones nationally, and developing a curriculum to educate Alzheimer’s caregivers about the vital elements of end-of-life, palliative care.
Bring a guest and register today!
COST TO ATTEND:

IABC Member: $35
Non-member: $50
Student: $15

Registration fee covers event attendance and a three-course lunch.

Suburban Sips - Chicago, Schaumburg, Naperville
2019-05-30 17:30 - 19:30
Back by popular demand! Suburban Sips returns Thursday, May 30 from 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at venues in Chicago, Schaumburg, and Naperville!
Join fellow communicators at an IABC Chicago Suburban Sips event, a great opportunity to network and socialize in an informal setting at the best location for you.

Chicago (West Loop)
Ovie Bar & Grill (Ogilvie Transportation Center)
120 N. Canal St., Chicago, IL 60661
Register for the West Loop City Suburban Sip

Schaumburg (Rolling Meadows)
Bulldog Ale House
1480 Golf Rd., Rolling Meadows, IL 60008
Register for the Schaumburg Suburban Sip

Naperville
SixtyFour – A Wine Bar
123 Water St., #105A, Naperville, IL 60540
Register for the Naperville Suburban Sip

COST TO ATTEND

IABC Member: $15
Non-member: $25
Student with Valid ID: $5

Registration fee covers light appetizers and your first beverage.
