IABC - International Association of Business Communication, Wellington, New Zealand

Nominations are now open for Board members for 2012 (close 19 February).

If you are a member of IABC Wellington, you are able to nominate or get nominated to our Board for 2012. Nominations must be received by 19 February 2012.

To nominate someone for the Board, please complete the IABC Wellington Board Nomination Form 2012 including the signatures of your nominator and seconder, scan and return to victoriadew@gmail.com.

And yes, the word “AGM” tends to provoke groans, but organisations like IABC Wellington cannot operate without the group of volunteers who make it all happen. It is a commitment, but also lots of fun.

Information about the roles on the Board is available on the Job descriptions page or you can talk to any of the current Board members.

Don’t forget, if you would like to be more involved but can’t make the significant time commitment involved as a board member, there is also an opportunity to register your interest in a special project volunteer role.

You can download the nomination form here.

Date: Thursday, March 8
Time: 5.15- 5.30pm *followed by drinks and nibbles
Price: Free for members
Location: tbc

Click here to register for the AGM.

Join IABC Wellington for an insight into the Rugby World Cup 2011 with Brian Finn, an experienced communications professional and former Communications Manager for the New Zealand Rugby Union.

Brian will reflect on the communications lessons learned from managing the New Zealand Rugby Union throughout the largest event ever staged in New Zealand and how his experience might be applied to other communications challenges and opportunities.

Click here to register

About Brian Finn:

Brian Finn is director of the Wellington-based Engage Group providing public affairs and communications consultancy services to clients. Brian was previously Communications Manager for the New Zealand Rugby Union from 2004 to 2011.

Together with his team he was responsible for the organisation’s public affairs, publications, team and match media operations. During 2005, he was integrally involved in the successful delivery of the DHL NZ Lions Series and New Zealand’s successful bid to host Rugby World Cup 2011.

The RWC bid was recognised with the Supreme Award at the Public Relations Institute of New Zealand’s 2006 National Awards and he later led communications for RWC 2011 during the preparation phase and assisted with communications management as part of the Tournament Main operations Centre team in 2011. Prior to joining the NZRU, Brian was Corporate Communications Manager for EDS Asia Pacific, based in Sydney, and took time out of this role to work on Rugby World Cup 2003 as Deputy Chief of Staff for Host Union Public Affairs.

Brian began his career as a business journalist at the Auckland Star and has since worked in Asia, Australia and New Zealand in corporate and brand communications, sport and sponsorship marketing and issues management.  

Date: Thursday, March 8
Time: 5.30- 6.45pm, followed by drinks and nibbles
Price: Free for members / $20 for non-members
Location: tbc

Click here to register

Crises often hit our organisations suddenly and unpredictably, requiring enormous effort to manage. But what does it take to identify and fend off a crisis situation before it takes hold?

Find out at a special half-day IABC workshop led by Dr Tony Jaques. He will explain how to create an effective issues management process or improve your existing process, based the latest thinking on integrating issue management into fully functioning crisis prevention.

Tony is an internationally-recognised expert on issues management, crisis prevention and risk communications.

He is Managing Director of Issue Outcomes, based in Melbourne, and has more than 25 years hands-on experience as Asia-Pacific Issues Manager for a major multinational, Dow Chemical, managing one of New Zealand’s most intractable environmental issues.

You will learn how to identify issues and implement a new method to prioritise issues according to your organisation’s needs and capability. The workshop incorporates case studies, models, exercises and a ‘live issue’ simulation.

His original writings and innovative models in the field have appeared in leading international publications and he has presented at conferences around the World.
You can read more about Tony here:
Website: http://www.issueoutcomes.com.au/
Blog: http://managingoutcomes.wordpress.com/

When: Friday, 10 February 9am-Noon
Where: Turnbull House
Price: $45 for members, $75 for non-members (Morning Tea will be provided)

Click here to register

2011 has certainly had its highs and lows. We’ve had earthquakes, the Rugby World Cup, an oil spill, and of course, the upcoming election! As communicators it seems that we’ve been busier than ever trying to keep up with it all.

IABC Wellington has been busy too, bringing capital communicators top-notch professional development events all year, and as if that wasn’t enough, on Thursday 1 December, a holiday knees up that promises to kick off the silly season in style.

To help us make sense of the year that was, we’ve invited TV3 political reporter Patrick Gower (@patrickgowernz) to share his wit and insights with us, as well as to enjoy a cheeky savvie or two.

Please join us as we soak up some rays on the upstairs balcony of The Royal (formerly Paris, and now recently refurbished) for the chance to unwind, and catch up with old friends and new.

Venue: The Royal, 132 Lambton Quay, Wellington
Date: Thursday 1 December, 5:30-8:00
Cost: Free for members, $25 for non-members

Click here to register

We know that many times strategic communications professionals can be regarded more as communications operatives rather than business strategists.

Our October session will bring some fresh perspectives to this age-old quandary.

If you’ve ever wondered how to help your comms group to develop a more effective voice within organisations, this session is for you.

With over 13 years’ experience in strategic communications both for private and public organisations here and in North America, Bert Aldridge will deliver a presentation that explores and discusses approaches to develop better engagement with internal and external stakeholders and external audiences.

Bert’s presentation will bring new perspectives and tools to the conversation, and will include influences of strategic thinking, as well as case study examples he’s seen work well in organisations both in New Zealand and overseas.

Venue: Department of Internal Affairs, 46 Waring Taylor Street (cnr of Lambton Quay), Level 1 (doors will be locked from 5pm so we will be swiping you in)
Time: 5.15pm – 6.30pm with drinks and networking to follow
Date: Thursday, 20 October
Cost: Free for members / $25 for non-members

Click here to register

John Deal, Animal Health Board (AHB), will discuss how his organisation is tackling the controversy around using toxins for pest control.

Responsible for managing the eradication of bovine tuberculosis in New Zealand, the AHB has found itself at the forefront of the pest control debate and the controversy around toxins such as 1080. This case study offers some insights into how the AHB has been managing the communications around an often emotionally-charged topic. This is an event on issues management not to be missed.

Venue: Turnbull House, 11 Bowen Street (Large Gallery, upstairs)

Time: 12pm - 1pm including discussion and networking

Date: Wednesday 14 September

Cost: $20 for members / $35 non-members

Please register via the online registration form.