Bringing the best of IABC to your doorstep
A note from Brandon Babcock, IABC Pacific Plains Region, Board Chair
I exited journalism to work in corporate America at a big insurance company. My new boss told me that the company would pay for an industry association membership.
“You get to choose,” she said.
I was familiar with the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) from my time at Iowa State but my new internal communications role wasn’t exactly public relations. Nor was it marketing so the American Marketing Association (AMA) was out.
One of my teammates served on the IABC/Iowa board and their next event was being held on our corporate campus. I agreed to help her welcome guests to the event and in return was invited to attend the program.
In the first 20 minutes, I got to chat up a dozen IABC members and felt an immediate kinship. The professional development presentation was stellar. I joined IABC that afternoon.
That was in 2006.
The next summer, when she stepped down from the Iowa board, I agreed to take her spot.
Fast forward 10 years and I am now the chair of IABC’s Pacific Plains Region (PPR). Our region includes Minnesota as well as 12 local chapters stretching from the Pacific Northwest to the Midwest with 1,100 members. Our job at the regional level is to support local leaders, acting as a liaison to IABC headquarters and directly serving those who don’t have a local chapter nearby.
Regional leaders going to the Mall of America
On Oct. 12 to 13, in partnership with IABC Minnesota, my regional board and I will host the 2018 Fall Chapter Leader Meeting at Radisson Blu next to the Mall of America. It’s an intensive day-and-a-half conference featuring leadership best practices, professional development, networking and more.
This year, we have two additions:
- 11 – A pre-meeting opportunity to take the CMP or SCMP certification exam
- 12 – A look inside the Mall of America’s sophisticated communications operations
It isn’t too late to register for a look inside the Mall of America’s sophisticated communications operations.
I look forward to seeing my fellow IABC members and corporate communication professionals at the Fall meeting.
