IABC Chicago

Announcing our 2015 Bronze Quill Winners
2015-06-02 17:30 - 20:00 (America/Chicago) | Wildfire, 159 W. Erie, Chicago, IL, 60654, United States
IABC/Chicago received dozens of high quality Bronze Quill entries this year and are excited to announce our winners. Check out the full list here and register today to celebrate with us on June 2 at our annual Awards Banquet!

Creative Ways to Align Initiatives with the Company Brand
2015-06-10 17:45 - 19:30 | ROC Group, 300 E Randolph St., Suite 3400, Chicago, IL, United States
Join us on June 10 for a lively discussion on ways to make your company brand come alive and ensure alignment with your communication initiatives. Our Senior Communicator Forum format is designed for all participants with at least 10 years’ experience to share insights and learn new ideas.
Register Now
Time: 5:45 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. networking and refreshments and 6:15 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. discussion
Host: Gabrielle Loring, Senior Consultant, ROC Group
Location: 300 E Randolph St., Suite 3400, Chicago
312-440-0300
Parking Options
The Aon building parking garage:
http://c-spin.net/AON%20Parking%20Directions%20to%20Garage%20with%20Map.pdf
Evening flat rate
The Millennium Park garage:
http://www.millenniumgarages.com/garages/grant-park-south-garage.aspx
$17 for evening parking
The Millennium Park garage includes the Monroe St Garage—use the Millennium Park garage entrance; parking fee is $14 for 12 hours anytime; exits in front of the BlueCross-BlueShield building.
Price: Members: $15
Non-members: $30
RSVP by June 9
Registration limited to 20 people
Participant Criteria:
Must have 10 + years’ experience in the communications field. Past and current IABC/Chicago board members are welcome.

CANCELLED: June 24: Coffee with Communicators
2015-06-24 07:45 - 09:00 | Pepper Construction, 643 N. Orleans St., Chicago, IL, 60654, United States
This event has been cancelled. Please check out our other events in June and watch for more postings for July.
——————–
Join us for coffee and conversation on Wednesday, June 24.
RSVP here by June 23.
Price:
Member: $0
Nonmember $15
Student: $5

Toast to the summer: Networking and Volunteer Recognition Event
2015-07-09 17:20 - 20:00 | Pegasus Restaurant & Taverna, 130 South Halsted St., Chicago, IL, 60661, United States
Join us Thursday, July 9 at Pegasus Restaurant & Taverna for a toast to the summer! We’ll mix and mingle on Pegasus’ veranda, a rooftop with an unobstructed view of the Chicago skyline. Stop by to network with other communications professionals, say “thanks” to our volunteers, and dine on tasty Greek appetizers while enjoying the great view!

Register here.
Admission
IABC/Chicago Member admission price: $15
Nonmember admission price: $30
Students: $5
Admission includes one drink, appetizers, and networking galore. Complimentary valet parking at Pegasus.

Coffee with Communicators: Putting Culture First at Grant Thornton
2015-07-15 07:45 - 09:00 | Grant Thornton LLP, 175 W. Jackson Blvd, 20th floor, Chicago, IL, United States
Join us on Wednesday, July 15, for coffee and conversation at Grant Thornton, one of the oldest independent audit, tax and advisory firms. As part of its strategy, the firm puts workplace culture first, earning it spots on several “best of” lists, including the following:

“Working Mother” magazine’s “Best Companies”
“Best Accounting Firms to Work for” (Vault.com)

Michele Mazur, Grant Thornton’s head of communications, will give real-life examples of how organizational culture drives success. Afterward, you will have an opportunity to ask questions, share stories, and connect with your fellow communicators!
Register now!
Date: Wednesday, July 15
Time: 7:45–9 a.m.
Host: Michele Mazur, head of communications, Grant Thornton
Garage parking is available for a fee at Traders Self Park, 326 S. Wells; vehicles can enter from Wells, Van Buren, or Franklin.
Price: Member: $10
Nonmember: $15
Student: $5
Space is limited, so don’t delay! RSVP by July 14.

7 Steps to a Strategic Communication Plan
2015-09-24 11:30 - 13:00 | Maggiano’s Banquet Facility, 516 N. Clark Street, Chicago, IL, 60654, United States
Join us Thursday, September 24 from 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. when Connie J. Mayse, MBA, Manager, HR Communications at Aon will present successful – and not so successful – communications case studies. You’ll also learn about the seven-step process you should consider before deciding what tactics you need to communicate your message. Here’s how it will help:

For organization-level strategic communications planning, use this seven-step process with leadership to gain buy-in and ownership.
Follow these steps to learn how to create an award-winning communications entry.

All attendees will receive a template to get started with this technique. According to Connie, “This is a process I wish I had learned as a junior communicator. It helped me shift focus from reactionary to proactive communications aligned to business strategies with consistent, clear messaging and an emphasis on measurement.”
This luncheon will include time to network and will be held at Maggiano’s Little Italy (516 N. Clark St., Chicago).
Register today!
Members: $35 (advance registration); $40 at the door
Non-members: $55
Students (with valid ID): $15
Agenda:
11:30 – Noon: Networking and registration
Noon. – 1:00 p.m.: Program followed by Q & A

Coffee With Communicators
2015-09-29 07:45 - 09:00 | Deerfields Bakery, 201 N. Buffalo Grove Road, Buffalo Grove, IL, United States
Network with your peers on National Coffee Day!
Maybe you’re a new member who wants to meet other members. Maybe you’re thinking about becoming a member but don’t really know if IABC is right for you. Or maybe you’re a longtime member who wants to get more involved in IABC but can’t make it to other events because of timing or location.
Join IABC/Chicago on Tuesday, September 29, for Coffee With Communicators, our networking event for members and nonmembers alike. This month, we’re meeting in the northwest suburbs for some breakfast and conversation.
Register now!
Date: Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2015
Time: 7:45 to 9:00 a.m.
Location: Deerfields Bakery
Price: Members: $10
Nonmembers: $15
Students (with valid student ID): $5
RSVP: Register now!
Register by Sept. 28 to secure your seat! Space is limited.

Young Professionals Oktoberfest Networking
2015-10-06 18:00 - 20:00 | Howells & Hood, 435 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL, United States
Eat, Drink and Expand Your Network
Celebrate Oktoberfest with IABC Chicago and meet fellow young professional communicators on Tuesday, October 6 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Howells & Hood (located in the Tribune Tower, Chicago). This relaxed networking event will be a great opportunity for you to expand your professional circle and learn more about IABC Chicago.
Spaces for this event are limited and are expected to fill quickly. If you would like to attend
please be sure to RSVP online by Thursday, October 1st.
Price: Event fee includes appetizers and first beverage.
Members: $20; $25 at the door
Non-members: $25
Students (with valid student ID): $15
Register today!

Communicators Workshop: Boost your Creativity
2015-10-21 15:30 - 19:00 | Catalyst Ranch, the Polka Room, 656 W Randolph, Chicago, IL, 60661, United States
Approach your communications role with refreshed creativity by getting a boost from three dynamic speakers at this interactive workshop at the innovative, colorful and inspiring Catalyst Ranch.
Join IABC Chicago on October 21 for a late afternoon session of skill building in improvisation, mind mapping and storytelling; networking and refreshments included.
Part 1: Improve Your Leadership Skills Through Improv
Learn how the principle tenet of improvisational theater — ”yes and…” — can help improve the way you creatively think in the workplace. Ellyn Michalak will give you a brief overview of the benefits of improv, and will get you on your feet to help recognize how you can use these valuable skills to improve your leadership and communication skills.
Ellyn Michalak is a group manager in the employee engagement and change management practice at Weber Shandwick. During the day, Ellyn works as a communications professional, but at night she performs regularly at many theaters across town with her all-female improve group CALEB.
Part 2: Harnessing Your Visual Brain Through Mind Mapping
What if you could increase your productivity by 30% or more? What if you could brainstorm and collaborate more effectively? Mind mapping sparks your creativity and unleashes your innovative powers
to give you and your team an edge up.?
Laurel Krasne, co-founder of BrainNovation.net, will present this powerful visual technique that can be applied to every aspect of your life—both at the office and at home. It works the way your brain works—so you’ll find yourself more engaged, more committed to doing the work and having more fun.
Part 3: Use Storytelling to Connect to Your Authentic Message
Storytelling is the latest buzz word in content marketing and communications, but how do you find and tell the best story for your company, project or new campaign?
Jolean Olson, Director of Development for Scenic Road, will share methods that any creative (or not so creative) professional can use to move past writer’s block to deeper engagement with your audience, including tips and tricks, tapping into common themes, and harnessing emotion and authenticity. This presentation will share imagery and video best practices that apply to any form of storytelling.
Register now!
Date: Wednesday, October 21, 2015
Time: 3:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
(networking 3:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.; program 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.)
Location: Catalyst Ranch
656 W Randolph, the Polka Room
Chicago, IL 60661
Catalyst Ranch works with a parking garage just 1.5 blocks away for discounted vouchers. At just $10 per voucher, that’s a deal! See the garage location.
Price:
Member: $45
Nonmember: $60
Student: $15
Members at the Door: $50
RSVP: Register now!
About the Presenters:
Ellyn Michalak, Group Manager- Employee Engagement & Change Management Practice (EECM) at Weber Shandwick,; Ellyn helps drive employee engagement and effective change management through creativity and innovative communications strategies. She began her career at Burson-Marsteller in the Corporate Practice. Prior to joining Weber Shandwick, Ellyn worked in the Communication and Change Management Practice at Towers Watson where she served as onsite change management support during a major pharmaceutical company’s separation into two organizations. She also conceptualized and created interactive content for a virtual environment that explained the Affordable Care Act and how to navigate the Health Insurance Marketplaces to 100,000 employees at one of the world’s largest fast food restaurants.
Laurel Krasne spent most of her long and award-winning career as a corporate communicator and strategic planner for several Fortune 50 companies within the financial services industry. In addition to communication
consulting, Laurel is the co-founder of BrainNovation.net, a company that empowers people to unleash their minds’ potential using the benefits of whole-brain thinking and processing—primarily through Mind Mapping and Memory Techniques. Laurel served on the IABC Chicago Board from 2008-2012 coordinating Professional Development and Sponsorships.
Jolean Olson is an Emmy-award winning content producer. She has fifteen years of experience creating, writing and producing a variety of content for the web, broadcast & cable television. From digital branded content to talk shows, news, reality, lifestyle and documentary, she believes story is the heart of all content… and story itself is an art form. Her work has appeared on networks such as DIY, PBS, and the Weather Channel, and she has worked on development teams tasked with creating new shows for HGTV, CNBC, TLC, Bravo, Food Network, Destination America and others.

This One’s for You: 4 Steps to Jumpstart Your Career
2015-11-12 11:30 - 13:00 | Maggiano’s Banquet Facility, 516 N. Clark Street, Chicago, IL, 60654, United States
As communications professionals, we are dedicated to formulating inspiring and user-friendly ways to help others feel connected with their roles in an organization — to be engaged employees.
Isn’t it time you stopped and looked at yourself? Join IABC/Chicago on November 12 for an information-filled and motivational session focusing on your own, personal engagement with your career path and professional development with executive coach Peter Diamond and Mary Hills, ABC, facilitator of IABC’s Career Competency Assessment and the Global Standard of the Communication Profession.
You will learn 4 specific actions you can take to assess your career engagement and plan your development path:

Assessing where you’ve been
Being proactive about the future
Staying on course with specific behaviors
Taking IABC’s Career Competency Assessment – a limited-time opportunity

Register now!
Date: November 12, 2015
Time: 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
(11:30 a.m. to 11:50 a.m. networking; 11:50 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. program)
Location: Maggiano’s Little Italy
516 North Clark Street
Chicago, IL 60654
Valet parking available; directions and more information
Price:
Member: $35
Nonmember: $55
Student: $15
Members at the Door: $40
RSVP: Register now!
About the Presenters
Peter C. Diamond, Diamond | Executive Coach + Leadership Development
Peter C. Diamond, “The Amplify Guy” is a professionally trained, certified coach and author of Amplify Your Career and Life. He works with hundreds of senior level executives and teams including Leo Burnett, United Airlines, National Association of Realtors, Razorfish, mcgarrybowen, World Wildlife Fund, Saatchi & Saatchi, Fresenius Kabi, PVS Chemicals and Human Rights Watch.
Peter is a contributor for Entrepreneur, CEO Magazine and The Good Men Project. His articles have also appeared in Inc., Investor’s Business Daily, CMS Wire, Forbes, Yahoo Business and Fortune as well appearances on WBEZ, WGN and Windy City Live.
Mary M. Hills, ABC, MComm, Six Sigma, Principal, HeimannHills Marketing Group
As Principal of HeimannHills Marketing Group, Mary works with companies undergoing evolution and change. HeimannHills provides strategic planning in marketing and communication including research, product and market development, merger and acquisition stakeholder communication. In addition to HeimannHills, Mary serves as Visiting Professor at Keller Graduate School of Management and Adjunct for Loyola’s recently launched MS Communication program .
She is a six sigma green belt and an IABC Accredited Business Communicator. Mary has won the 2012 IABC Chairman Award for her work in advancing global standards in organizational communication. For her tireless service to IABC/Chicago, Mary was named the 2015 Karen Utterback Award recipient. She speaks globally on marketing, communication and women’s leadership topics.

Get Employees to Live Your Brand
2015-11-18 17:30 - 19:30 | Morningstar, 22 W. Washington Street, Chicago, IL, 60602, United States
“Your brand is what people say about you when you’re not in the room.”
Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon
Join the discussion on brand on Nov. 18. How do we get employees to live our brands … and even become brand ambassadors? Get together with other senior communicators for networking, refreshments and a dynamic discussion hosted by Morningstar.

Register now!
Date: Nov. 18, 2015
Time: 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. (5:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. networking; 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. discussion)
Location: Morningstar, Inc.
22 West Washington Street
Chicago, IL 60602
Nearby parking garages
Price: Members: $15
Non-members: $30
RSVP: Register now!
This event is limited to 25 people. Registration required; no walk-in registrations for this event.

Must have 10+ years’ experience in the communications field.
Past and current IABC/Chicago board members are welcome.

Comm PR-ty with Us!
2015-12-09 18:00 - 20:00 | Beatrix, in the Aloft Hotel, 519 N. Clark Street (at the corner of Grand and Clark), Chicago, IL, United States
Joint IABC Chicago and PRSA Chicago Networking Event
Kick off the holiday season with great networking with fellow public relations and business communicators.
Join IABC Chicago on Dec. 9. Appetizers and drinks are included.
Register now!
Date: December 9, 2015
Time: 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Location: Beatrix, in the Aloft Hotel
519 N Clark Street (at the corner of Grand and Clark)
Chicago IL, 60654
312-284-1377
Valet located on Clark Street; $15 with validation for up to three hours
Map & Directions
Price:
Members: $20
Non-members: $30
Students (with valid student ID): $10
RSVP: Register now!

Coffee With Communicators: Going Mobile With Kindle Communications
2016-01-13 07:45 - 09:00 | Kindle Communications, 168 N. Clinton St., 6th Floor, Chicago, IL, United States
Join us on Wednesday, January 13, for coffee and conversation at Kindle Communications, an agency at the forefront of using mobile technology for corporate communications and training/learning.
Mike McDonald and his colleagues will give real-life examples of how Fortune 500 companies are using technology in innovative ways to reach their ever-more-mobile constituencies. Afterward, you will have an opportunity to ask questions, share stories and connect with your fellow communicators!
Register now
Date: Wednesday, January 13
Time: 7:45–9 a.m.
Host: Mike McDonald, executive vice president, client services
Location: Kindle Communications, 168 N. Clinton St., 6th Floor, Chicago, (312) 344-4400
Price: Member: $10
Nonmember: $15
Student: $5
Space is limited, so don’t delay!
RSVP by January 8.

Debunking Work Life Balance—Finding Harmony in an Unbalanced World
2016-01-21 11:30 - 13:00 | Wildfire, 159 W. Erie, Chicago, IL, 60654, United States
Join IABC/Chicago on January 21 to start 2016 with a fresh approach to work-life balance shared by two dynamic and successful professionals.
Kathleen Henson, founder of Henson Consulting, will be guided through a Q & A by agency veteran Catherine Merritt, from MSLGroup, on how to have a lasting, positive outlook on work and life.
Register now!

Date: January 21, 2016
Time: 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (Registration and networking 11:30 a.m. to noon; program noon to 1:00 p.m.)
Location: Wildfire
159 West Erie
Chicago, IL
Street and valet parking
Price:
Member: $35
Nonmember: $55
Student: $15
Members at the Door: $40
RSVP: Register now!

About Our Presenters:
Kathleen Henson, Founder and CEO, Henson Consulting
For more than two decades, Kathleen Henson has enjoyed a diverse career in public relations and communications, working with some of the country’s most recognizable companies and brands, Kathleen expertly connects people, events and ideas to create big media moments that generate impactful, lasting buzz. Owner of her own PR firm, Kathleen is constantly and organically growing her infinite, personal arsenal of contacts — which reaches deep into America’s top newsrooms all the way to Hollywood’s elite — to creatively tell her clients’ stories.
In July 2015, Kathleen was featured on NBC’s Today Show as part of its “Happiness” series to discuss her positive outlook on work and life and personal decision to leave the big agency world to found her own agency. She has also been featured in a number of other media outlets including ABC’s Windy City Live, WGN-AM and has been a frequent contributor to industry outlets including PR News, PRWeek and The Holmes Report.
In June 2015, Kathleen was included among nine Chicago “Women of Influence” in Michigan Avenue Magazine. She was also named the 2014 PR Professional of the Year in Chicago by the Public Relations Society of America and her firm was also named PR Firm of the Year nationwide by PR News in 2014. HC was also recognized as a national finalist for “boutique agency of the year” by both PRWeek and The Holmes Report that same year.

Catherine Merritt, Senior Vice President, MSLGROUP; Co-founder and CEO of MUMZY
Catherine is the senior vice president at MSLGROUP Chicago and co-founder and CEO of MUMZY, a crowdfunding platform specifically for moms.
Catherine brings 10+ years’ experience of award-winning marketing and an expertise within the CPG and mom-consumer space. Catherine is a blend of account, creative and strategy leadership and excels at delivering strategic work to answer client challenges and business objectives.
Catherine has appeared on the Katie Couric show, hosted panels through 1871 and been a speaker about the subject of work life balance and why she thinks moms especially make for strong leaders.

IABC Chicago Board Meeting Open to All Members
2016-03-08 18:00 - 20:00 | ROC Group, 300 E. Randolph St., Suite 3400, Chicago, United States
IABC/Chicago 2015-16 board meets earlier this program year. All members are invited to join us at the March 8 meeting downtown.
The IABC Chicago Board of Directors invites all chapter members to the March 8 board meeting.
We have opened this meeting to all members to provide an opportunity to share plans for coming months, and to solicit ideas regarding ways to better serve our members.
Tuesday, March 8, 2016
6-8 p.m.
ROC Group, 300 E. Randolph St., Suite 3400, Chicago
Light refreshments will be provided. If you plan to attend, please email connie.mayse@yahoo.com by March 1, so that we can plan for the appropriate number of attendees.

Senior Communicator Forum: Engaging with Audience-Centric Social Strategies
2016-03-10 17:30 - 19:30 | G&S Business Communications, 125 S. Wacker Drive, Chicago, Chicago, United States
Brian Hall, G&S Business Communications Managing Director, will provide ideas for targeting social campaigns.
Join us on March 10 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at G&S Business Communications (125 S. Wacker Drive, Chicago) to hear Brian Hall, G&S Business Communications Managing Director, discuss how to be highly audience-centric in social campaigns. Learn about using social listening and paid strategies to identify, engage and drive actions from customers and other key influencers.
This event is open to senior communicators with 10+ years’ experience in the communications field and limited to 25 people. No walk-in registrations for this event.
Register today!
Brian counsels clients that operate in highly competitive and regulated industries. He oversees significant agency accounts within the advanced manufacturing and financial service sectors, developing and executing award-winning business communications programs. His team’s work was recently named among the “World’s 50 Best PR Programs” by The Holmes Report. Brian also regularly speaks on a variety of communications topics to students at local universities, businesses and community organizations.

Rapido: Communications Game Changers
2016-03-24 17:00 - 20:00 | IL
Save the Date! On the evening of March 24, hear 6 to 8 innovative and game-changing communications stories in IABC Chicago’s fast-paced Rápido event.
Rápido, the Spanish word for rapid, is a high-octane event that challenges presenters to share their example or idea in under five minutes with no more than 20 slides.
Attendees will have time to ask questions during the networking hour after the presentations. The event was a huge hit at the last two IABC World Conferences.
Check our upcoming emails for registration and venue details. Event will be at a downtown location.

April 7 Coffee With Communicators: So You Want to Shoot Your Corporate Video With Your Mobile Device
2016-04-07 07:45 - 09:00 | Image Base, 430 West Erie, Chicago, United States
Video is booming; by 2017 it could account for as much as 69% of all consumer Internet traffic. But when should you hire professionals to produce your video, and when will DIY suffice?
For answers to these and other questions, join us on Thursday, April 7, for coffee and conversation at video and event-production agency Image Base. Beth Legate, senior account executive, will talk about what questions will help you choose the right approach and where you can employ user-generated content for maximum effect. She’ll also give tips for shooting video on your phone or tablet.
You’ll have an opportunity to ask questions, share stories and connect with your fellow communicators.

Register now
Date: Thursday, April 7
Time: 7:45–9 a.m.
Host: Beth Legate, senior account executive, Image Base
Location: Image Base, 430 West Erie, Chicago, 312.587.8700
Price: Member: $15
Nonmember: $25
Student: $5
Space is limited, so don’t delay!
RSVP by April 6.

Communicators: Come prove your skills with new exam
2016-04-09 | IL
Communicators can take the new Communication Management Professional (CMP) certification exam for the first time in Chicago on April 9. The Global Communication Certification Council (GCCC) sponsors this certification. Achieving certification means the person has demonstrated professional competence in the following principles – ethics, strategy, analysis, context and engagement: the IABC Global Standard.
“The CMP offers mid-career communication professionals an extra credibility boost, as it provides formal evidence of our knowledge and experience,” said Matt Mason, CMP, Communication Management Consultant.
“My clients know the value of strategic communication, but often have to convince others in their organizations to make the investment. The credential certainly helps, in that regard. I’m also excited that the GCCC is establishing CMP as a global standard, which means strengthening ties with our colleagues outside of IABC in organizations such as Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) and the National Communication Association (NATCOM),” Mason said.
The certification program can elevate a communicator’s career and provides a structure for keeping skills fresh and applicable. Applicants are validated by IABC based on education and experience. If approved, applicants have their skills and knowledge assessed through a multiple-choice exam.
Applicants must register by March 25 for the April 9 exam in Chicago, and candidates registering by March 10 will be given priority consideration. The Chicago chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) is hosting this certification.
Visit this page on iabc.com for more information and to register.

Communicating in teams to build employee engagement
2016-05-19 17:45 - 20:00 | Willis Tower, Metropolitan Club, 233 S Wacker Dr., 66th Floor, Chicago, 60606, United States
Get a sneak peek of this presentation before the 2016 IABC World Conference. Come to the Metropolitan Club on the 66th floor of Willis (Sears) Tower for more than a great view of Chicago; hear Steve Ritter’s presentation.
Steve will explain teams that excel have features in common. They invest in a common vision. They value differences as strengths. They use respectful conflict to build trust. They take smart risks to innovate. They adapt to change and reinvest in new circumstances. They hold themselves accountable. This presentation offers a recipe for building employee engagement through teams.
In this session, you’ll learn:

– How teams leverage a foundation of communication norms to anchor healthy workplace culture.
– How trust and accountability provide a platform for creativity, exploration, discovery and innovation.
– How embracing opportunities afforded by change and growth empowers employees to engage in new circumstances and reinvest in the organization.

Register now!

Be prepared to show ID at the security desk
Price: $40 members
$55 non-members
$5 students
Steve Ritter
Steve Ritter has served as a human resources leader, teacher, author and consultant. He is a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives, the founder and CEO of the Team Clock Institute, and the managing director of the Midwest Institute & Center for Workplace Innovation. He is also the author of Team Clock: A Guide to Breakthrough Teams and Useful Pain: Why Your Relationships Need Struggle. Ritter is on the faculty of the Center for Professional Excellence at Elmhurst College.

Making Corporate History Relevant and Engaging
2016-06-16 17:30 - 19:30 | Creative Coworking, 922 Davis Street, Evanston, IL, 60201, United States
Hear case studies of innovative corporate histories and brainstorm how to bring creativity to your employer’s story at this Senior Communicator Forum on June 16.
We all know that Throwback Thursday is fun, but how can we make our organization’s history engaging to our customers and employees? Learn why it’s important to showcase your company’s history effectively from experienced corporate history writers Mary Beth Klatt and Noel Abbott and share ideas with other senior communicators.
Register Now!
Forum Facilitators:
Mary Beth Klatt, Writer/Editor

Noel Abbott, Vice President Director of Marketing & Public Relations,
Epstein Global
Date: June 16, 2016, Thursday
Time: 5:30 to 6:00 p.m. registration, refreshments and networking
6:00 to 6:15 p.m. Introductions
6:15 to 7:15 p.m. Discussion
7:15 to 7:30 p.m. Wrap up and takeaways
Host: Angela Valavanis, owner of Creative Coworking
Location: Creative Coworking
922 Davis Street
Evanston, IL 60201
Parking

Metered parking around the office (2-hour, coin-operated)
Parking garage one block east at Davis and Benson (cash or credit)

Price: Members: $25
Non-members: $35
RSVP by June 14. Space is limited to 25 participants. Walk-ins not accepted at this event.
Participant Criteria: Must have 10 + years experience in the communications field. Past and current IABC Chicago board members are welcome.
Facilitators
Mary Beth Klatt, Writer/Editor for Ecommerce | Technology | Interior Design
| Dermatology | Pharma | UX | Real Estate | Health Care
Mary Beth Klatt is a writer with a passion for architecture and historic preservation. She currently writes about commercial real estate for MB Financial, home decor for Daltile and a monthly Throwback Thursday column for the “Hospitality Design Magazine” website. She has also written a book, Chicago Fashion History, 1865-1945 (Arcadia Publishing).
Noel Abbott, Vice President Director of Marketing & Public Relations, Chicago, Epstein Global
Noel Abbott is currently the vice president, director of marketing and public relations, for Epstein, one of Chicago’s oldest, privately owned architecture, engineering and construction firms. He has been at Epstein for 18 years and during his tenure with the firm has been responsible for leading Epstein’s marketing efforts for a wide variety of public and private endeavors throughout the United States, Mexico and Central Europe. In addition, Noel is also charged with being the ‘voice’ of Epstein social media channels and, in turn, telling the story of this 95-year-old firm through his weekly Throwback Thursday profiles. These short ‘tales’ highlight historic, odd or eye-catching events and projects from Epstein’s vast archives.

Tour the McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum, and Network with IABC Chicago
2016-08-11 17:30 - 19:30 | McCormick Bridgehouse Museum, 99 Chicago Riverwalk, Chicago, IL, 60601, United States
© Friends of the Chicago RiverWhat’s inside those bridgehouses along the Chicago River? Find out and enjoy a Chicago summer evening along the river with tasty appetizers and cool refreshments (beer/wine/soft drinks) by joining IABC Chicago at our next networking event on Thursday, August 11.
REGISTER
McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum
5:30 to 7:30 pm on Thursday, August 11
99 Chicago Riverwalk
Chicago, IL 60601
Cost (Museum entrance fee, appetizers and drinks)
$40 – Members
$50 – Non-members
$10 — Students
Friends of the Chicago River opened the seasonal McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum in 2006. Today, the museum stands as the cultural anchor of the new Chicago Riverwalk and welcomes tens of thousands of visitors every summer.
Exhibits celebrate Chicago’s river and world-famous movable bridges, and visitors learn why it is important to protect the river and how to participate in its renaissance. On bridge lift days every spring and fall, the museum’s gear room comes to life, giving visitors a behind-the-scenes look at the moving gears as they lift the massive Michigan Avenue bridge leaf, allowing boat traffic to pass through the heart of Chicago.

Capturing Hearts and Minds of Frontline Employees & Bronze Quill Reception
2016-09-13 17:30 - 20:30 | The Dawson, 730 W. Grand Ave., Chicago, IL, United States
REGISTER NOW
Join us on September 13 for IABC Chicago’s premiere annual event celebrating our 2016 Bronze Quill Award winners. The event will feature:
– A case study from our Best in Show award winner, ROC Group, for Electric Boat, on Capturing Hearts and Minds of Frontline Employees
– Announcement of Karen Utterback Award
– Hors d’oeuvres
– Hand-crafted cocktails
– Conversation and networking
Our keynote speaker, Emily Kehinde, Senior Consultant at ROC Group, will share how a multi-faceted employee communication campaign helped raise awareness and educate Electric Boat’s workforce about the importance of achieving and sustaining productivity goals. She will cover:
– Communicating with hard-to-reach audiences
– Making company objectives personal
– Equipping front-line supervisors
– Using storytelling to build pride.
About the Communication Need
Electric Boat is one of the nation’s oldest and most respected shipbuilding companies responsible for the design, construction and support of nuclear submarines for the U.S. Navy. In 2014, a contract to construct new submarines meant doubling their workforce, engaging new employees and increasing production each quarter while meeting cost, quality and schedule commitments – an unprecedented demand.
Date: Tuesday, September 13
Time: 5:30-8:30 pm
Location: The Dawson. 730 W. Grand Ave., Chicago
Valet parking available
Price:
$80 members
$95 non-members
$700 Table of 10
$375 Table of 5
RSVP by September 6

Elite Sponsors:

Aon Hewitt
ROC Group

In kind Sponsors:

Bell-Litho, Printing
Scenic Road, Graphic Design

Coffee With Communicators: Breaking Down Walls
2016-09-29 07:45 - 09:00 | Slalom, 180 N. Stetson Ave., Suite 5300, Chicago, IL, United States
Since its founding in 2001, Slalom has made several “best places to work” lists. So how is Slalom different from other consulting firms, and how can you apply its practices to your own workplace?
To find out more about how Slalom is breaking down walls with innovative thinking, join us on Thursday, Sept. 29, for coffee and conversation. Slalom will host four rapid interactive discussions on new ways to communicate, collaborate, and connect, including how to dissolve functional walls and tear down structural walls.
You’ll have an opportunity to ask questions, share stories and connect with your fellow communicators.
Register now
Date: Thursday, September 29
Time: 7:45–9 a.m.
Host: Jaime Buell, consultant, Slalom
Location: Slalom, 180 N. Stetson Ave., Suite 5300, Chicago, 312.329.0401*
Parking: metered street parking
*Note: You will receive security instructions after registering.
Price: Member: $15
Nonmember: $25
Student: $5
Space is limited, so don’t delay! RSVP by Sept. 26.

Play. Bond. Grow: Best of Team Building
2016-10-04 17:30 - 19:30 | Lloyd’s Chicago, 1 S. Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL, 60606, United States
Need ideas to jazz up your team’s communication or build relationships among your team? Join IABC Chicago and Windy City Fieldhouse on October 4 for an electric evening filled with team-building events designed to enhance group problem solving and demonstrate the importance of effective strategic planning.
Established in 1997, Windy City Fieldhouse has helped companies energize employees through engaging programs. The company is a four-time winner of Illinois Meetings & Events Best Team Building Company award.
Whether you are aiming to boost employee morale, rally the team behind a mission or encourage the team to think beyond their role, this event will offer team-building ideas that you can recreate in the office.
Date: Tuesday, October 4
Time: 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
5:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Registration/networking
6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Program
Location: Lloyd’s Chicago, 1 S. Wacker Drive, Chicago
Parking: Available at 1 S. Lower Wacker Dr. after 5 p.m.
$8.50 with validation at Lloyds Chicago’s main bar.
Parking lot is located on the east side of lower Wacker Drive. For more details visit: LloydsChicago.com/location/
Price:
$35 members
$50 nonmembers
$5 students
Register by October 3

Sponsored by Windy City Fieldhouse and Lloyd’s Chicago.

Connect and Communicate—A Young Professionals Event
2016-10-25 17:30 - 19:30 | Hampton Inn Chicago, 68 E. Wacker Place, Chicago, IL, 60601, United States
Ring in the fall season with IABC Chicago at the newly renovated Hampton Inn on Michigan Avenue in Chicago for a night of networking over beverages and appetizers.
REGISTER
Join your colleagues and learn how to further your career in communications from experienced professionals. All are welcome to connect, communicate and build lasting relationships.
Date: Tuesday, October 25
Time: 5:30 – 7:30 pm
Location: Hampton Inn Chicago, 68 E. Wacker Place, Chicago 60601
Pricing
$15—IABC Chicago Member
$25—Non-Members
$5—Students

Big Savings for IABC Chicago Members: CorpComm Expo
2016-11-15 08:00 - 2016-11-16 16:00 | Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60611, United States
CorpComm Expo (CCE), to be held at Navy Pier in Chicago, is the world’s first and only conference and trade show exclusively dedicated to showcasing digital communications technology and education that specifically serve the needs of corporate professionals.
CCE has partnered with IABC Chicago to offer IABC Chicago members an extremely favorable registration rate for this two-day event: just $35 (compared to a regular two-day ticket price of $495)!
This event is aimed at C-level and middle management professionals in Corporate Communications Marketing, HR, IT, Administration, Construction & Planning, Business Services, and others with oversight for internal digital communications technologies.
You will interact with industry professionals in similar roles and organizations from around the country. That will provide the opportunity to take the pulse of what your peer organizations are talking about and planning for, and how they are accomplishing specific goals.
Your IABC Chicago registration also grants access to the event Exhibit Hall, which will allow you to:
–Visit with vendors and attend product demonstrations to gain a broader perspective of the tools and solutions available to you and your company.
–Collect first-hand information, and compare competing products to learn more about the companies you may be interested in evaluating.

Register today!

Come PR-ty with Us!
2016-12-07 18:00 - 21:00 | The Windsor, 160 E. Huron Street, Chicago, IL, 60611, United States
Celebrate the beginning of the holiday season with this networking event. The joint IABC Chicago and the Chicago Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) chapter event will be at the Windsor on Wednesday, December 7, from 6:00 to 9:00 pm. Appetizers and beer/wine are included.
Members and non-members are welcome!
When: Wednesday, December 7
Time: 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Location: The Windsor
160 E. Huron Street
Chicago, IL 60611 Map & Directions
Valet parking is $20 at the Hampton Inn and Suites next door
Dress: Festive casual
Price:
Members: $15
Nonmembers: $25
Students: $10 (with valid student ID)
Register

Headshots & Networking with the Chicago IABC Young Professionals
2017-01-26 17:30 - 19:00 | ROC Group, 300 E Randolph St., Suite 3400, Chicago, IL, United States
Shots! Shots! Shots!…Headshots, that is.
Join the IABC young professionals Thursday, January 26 from 5:30-7 p.m. for networking and professional headshots at ROC Group, 300 East Randolph, Suite 3400.
That’s right, a professional photographer will be on site taking headshots for you to use on LinkedIn, your company website, or the WIRED magazine write-up on your future billion-dollar startup!
The YPs host, but ALL are invited.
Pricing is $15 for IABC Chicago members, $25 for nonmembers, $5 for students.
Make sure you have a photo ID to check in at the front desk.
Register here

Rápido: Igniting Communications
2017-02-08 17:30 - 19:30 | Hosted by Gagen MacDonald, 35 E. Wacker Drive, Suite 700, Chicago, IL, 60601, United States
Register
Now that the Cubs have won, we’ve rescheduled Rápido for February 8! Join us to hear six to eight presenters share how they are igniting communications during IABC Chicago’s fast-paced Rápido event.
Rápido, the Spanish word for “quick,” is a high-octane event that challenges presenters to share their example or idea in under five minutes with no more than 20 slides. Attendees will have time to ask questions during the networking hour after the presentations.
Date: Wednesday, February 8
Time: 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
5:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Registration/networking
6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Presentations
7:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Q&A
Location: Gagen MacDonald, 35 E. Wacker Dr. Suite 700, Chicago, IL 60601
Price:
$50 Non-members
$35 members
$5 students
Register by February 7
About Our Event Host
Gagen MacDonald is a strategy execution consulting firm specializing in internal communication, employee engagement, culture change and leadership development. The firm works inside companies to move corporate and operating strategies off the shelf and into the workplace, turning them into reality.
