IABC

IABC’s international committees are a critical component of our governance structure. International committees, task forces, and Shared Interest Groups (SIGs) help develop programs, represent members in decision-making, and help further the goals of the board and the association at large. Serving on an IABC international committee is a wonderful opportunity to gain leadership experience, refine skills, and work hands-on with leaders around the world.

Early in my career at a global public relations (PR) agency, the headquarters published an internal directory profiling consultants across the global technology practice. Alongside our names and titles, we were each invited to contribute a short industry insight. Mine was simple: within a few years, I didn’t believe technology would remain a separate practice area because technology itself would soon become central to nearly every business.

Every communications professional has experienced some version of this scenario: a stakeholder reaches out convinced the organization “isn’t hearing enough” about their initiative and proposes the obvious solution — more communication. More emails. More articles. An internal newsletter titled The Daily Download because all good communication requires alliteration, or a video series called Client Care on Air that felt far more exciting during the brainstorm than it did by episode three.

Moderator: Anuja Kale-Agarwal , National Director of Communications and Social Media, PwC Canada Panelists: The Wall Street Journal recently reported that the percentage of job postings on LinkedIn mentioning “storyteller” doubled between 2024 and 2025. While concern about task replacement among communication professionals is real, there is also a growing need for communicators who can cut through AI noise and craft meaningful narratives.

After seven years of research, Zora Artis and Wayne Aspland reveal why leadership teams leave strategy meetings with completely different understandings — and why comms is left to fix the fallout. This month we’re replaying an episode from Stories & Strategies, the official podcast partner of the IABC World Conference 2026. Tune in as host Doug Downs chats with Zora and Wayne to learn what’s really driving the gap and what communicators can do about it.

ABC is proud to partner with Clear Leaders to bring you new, global research exploring one of the most persistent challenges facing organizations today: strategic alignment. Based on insights from more than 50 CEOs, chiefs of staff, and senior leaders around the world, "From Groupthink to Governance" examines why alignment remains elusive — and what leaders can do to close the gap between strategy and execution.

World Conference 2026 offers a block of hotel rooms at The Westin Harbour Castle Hotel, Toronto. Rooms are limited — don’t miss your chance! Explore housing information below. 1 Harbour Square, Toronto M5J 1A6, Canada Stay where the action is! All educational programming will take place at the Westin Harbour Castle Hotel.

When was the last time you saw authentic disability representation in your brand’s marketing? I ask that question often — of brands I buy from, of communication professionals, and of myself. Despite the fact that 1.3 billion disabled people worldwide control an estimated US$18 trillion in annual spending power, disability remains dramatically underrepresented in marketing.

Want to know one of the best parts of attending IABC World Conference 2026? It's the place where the communication profession comes together. No matter where you are in your career, there’s something meaningful to gain and contribute. You might mentor early‑career professionals, share insights on emerging technologies during breakout sessions, or spark a connection with a fellow communicator. Every interaction adds to something special.

In today’s fast-changing communication landscape, disruption demands that leaders make decisions grounded in insight, not instinct. This session introduces an Integrative Research-to-Decision Framework that positions research as an indispensable element of strategic communication management — bridging the gap between theory and practice to help leaders drive clarity, credibility, and measurable impact.