IABC Leadership Institute 2020: Developing our leaders and member experience
Patrick Armstrong, IABC NSW Board Director and Treasurer, recently presented at IABC’s Leadership Institute in Austin, Texas. He reflects on the experience.
The IABC Leadership Institute (LI) is one of the pre-eminent events on the annual communications calendar. Held each year in North America, it’s an opportunity for IABC leaders from around the world to come together to collaborate on best practice in chapter management, and provide input to IABC’s strategic direction and member experience.
LI this year was held mid-February in Austin, Texas where I was fortunate to be selected as a speaker on developments in the IABC Academy. A generous scholarship from IABC Asia-Pacific assisted to fund the trip.
The event kicked off with an outstanding start for IABC Asia-Pacific, with our region taking home several prizes at the Chapter Management Awards (CMAs). Our IABC chapters in Victoria, Queensland and Canberra were recognised. This was followed by Zora Artis, GAICD SCMP & Sia Papageorgiou FRSA, SCMP, respectively being announced our Regional Leader of the Year & Chapter Leader of the Year. A terrific achievement all-round and well-deserved recognition.
The keynote address by Sara Canaday, highlighted the importance of developing a strong leadership brand to demonstrate our impact and value as communications leaders.
There were excellent break-out sessions on case studies and best practice within chapters from around the world; the launch of the ’50 years of IABC,’ promotions; along with the opportunity for several delegates to sit the GCCC communication certification exams.
The session on IABC Journey Mapping particularly resonated. Led by IABC Asia-Pacific President, Zora Artis, participants were taken through the current IABC membership journey and guided through a process to develop what the ideal experience should be. It was a highly valuable exercise with insights that will contribute towards IABC’s global strategy and improved member experience.
Attending and speaking at LI was a such a rewarding experience and a career highlight. The opportunity to meet with communicators from around the globe, present to peers, share knowledge and enjoy a fantastic city like Austin, was second to none. It reminds me, once again, why joining IABC was one of the best professional decisions I ever made. March is Members Month, so time to renew!
