If you were among the near 1,400 global communication professionals who came together for the 2019 IABC World Conference, then you know that proud feeling that came with showing off our beautiful province and the vibrant people in our chapter. It’s a wave of energy that will fuel us as the world’s second largest IABC chapter (oh that’s us, by the way) heads into our 40th anniversary in 2020.
Having attended World Conference numerous times, I can confidently say that BC’s time in the spotlight held up with the best of them! Not only was this the largest conference in 10 years, but we had a tremendous showing of local volunteers at the heart of this global event, showing the very best in hospitality.
It takes a village…
And Laurie Dawkins, ABC, MC, SCMP, and Jennifer Wah, ABC, MC, IABC Fellow, SCMP know how to build one heck of a village! Starting with the uber creative, fun volunteer descriptions they crafted back in 2018, and carrying through to the final day of conference, they led an enviable troop of hard-working, caring and fun volunteers.
To everyone who had a hand in making this mega event a success, your chapter thanks you!
Steering Committee:
John Almond (Hospitality Coordinator), Gary Carr (Hospitality Coordinator) , Stephanie Gelinas (Volunteer Coordinator) Gail Pickard (Dine Around Coordinator).
Core Volunteers – Registration: Erin Driscoll, Mark Fernandes, Kirk Grayson, Laurel Johnston, Denise Leech, Amanda LeNeve, Julie Ludwig, Ariane Madden, Melanie Preston, Heather Prime, Rachel Wong, Alexandra Wright, Krystle Yeung, Melodie Yong. Dine Around & Hospitality Table: Rudi Araujo, John Corry, Laurel Johnston, Gemma Lawrence, Kristin Linklater, James Nesbitt, Scott Parker, Susan Seto, Elizabeth The, Andrea Visscher, Siobhaun Williams. Mosaic Wall: Silke Billings, Glauce Fleury. Eventbrite Lead: Stephanie Stewart. Dine Around Hosts: Christine Ackerley, John Almond, Brandon Brind, Gary Carr, Laurie Dawkins, Erin Driscoll, Kirk Grayson, Sheira Hallam, Eduarda Hodgins, Lori Last, Gemma Lawrence, Jeanette Leblanc, Angela MacKenzie, Val Mellesmoen, James Nesbitt, Denisa Orlandea, Nancy Painter, Heather Prime, Neena Rahemtulla, Sherrilynne Starkie, Stephanie Stewart, Lydia Tay, Andrea Visscher, Siobhaun Williams, Gavin Wilson, Jennifer Wah, Jacqueline Wood.
If we’ve missed you from this list of world conference volunteers, let me know at president@iabc.bc.ca
While I could share my own highlights from #IABC19, fortunately I don’t have to! Twitter was a’blaze as we trended both locally and nationally throughout the conference. Here are some of the highlights, as told by communication professionals around the world:
Vancouver was at its best
Seriously, how often do you plan an event in Vancouver and the weather fully cooperates? Guests from around the world were dazzled by our province’s natural beauty:
Farewell Vancouver. What a beautiful city. I will return – next time with my family in tow. #IABC19 #IABC2019 pic.twitter.com/mYMI5Alz0q
— Lee Smith, Gatehouse (@gatehousegroup) June 13, 2019
For any of our visitors from #IABC19 still in town today, keep an eye out for the Orca whales spotted today in False Creek near Granville Island. This is extremely rare! https://t.co/h7YXPEJnMO
— Kirsten Hathaway (@kirstenhathaway) June 12, 2019
The sun setting on a successful dine around and my first full day at #iabc19. This evening we connected, conversed, and learned about each other’s hometowns. It was wonderful! @IABC @IABCBC pic.twitter.com/oSdnpOUzLd
— Stephanie Stewart (@stephstewart) June 11, 2019
Went out for a run before DAY 2 #IABC19 💥 #Vancouver is amazing! pic.twitter.com/kEU55SSEUd
— Mariana Valle-Mesen (@MarianaVMesen) June 11, 2019
The Canadians were rowdy, as usual…
It’s safe to say the legendary Canada Party – sponsored by our friends at Bananatag – was a roaring success:
Going strong! 🇨🇦💪 Thanks #IABC19 for a fantastic #IABCCanadaParty ! pic.twitter.com/x921weLnLb
— Bananatag (@bananatag) June 10, 2019
We’re here for a good time not a long time 💛 🇨🇦 🍌❤️ #CanadaParty #IABC19 pic.twitter.com/LAUdcl9rHG
— Kristin Hancock (@KristinAnneH) June 10, 2019
Thank you #IABC19 for an epic #Canada party last night. 🇨🇦🛥 #yvr #Vancouver pic.twitter.com/UaAEikziPU
— Ashleigh Erwin 👩🏼💻 (@_AshleighErwin) June 10, 2019
And let’s not forget the amazing welcome reception at the Vancouver Convention Centre:
Not sure what these were last night, but they were awesome! #IABC19 pic.twitter.com/HH2VXLDsYq
— Jo Ann Johnston (@JoRoJohnston) June 10, 2019
Amazing photo-ops at the Welcome Reception. The views of #Vancouver were amazing, but the organising team from #IABC19 went above and beyond to make this memorable. pic.twitter.com/M26qePsRSR
— Dan Gold MPRCA (@dangoldmedia) June 15, 2019
We made new friends and connected with old ones
With 67% of conference guests attending for the first time, how could you not meet someone new?
The cool cats right here made #IABC19 a time to remember! pic.twitter.com/2th0J9HW8l
— Michael Blackburn (@MikulB) June 12, 2019
Oh, is #IABC19 over? Because we just had an amazing moment between @IABCyyc, @IABCOttawa and @IABCBC. #WeTheNORTH pic.twitter.com/PlNIlvKFW3
— Will Tigley (@wtigley) June 14, 2019
Heading back tomorrow after a brilliant week in #Vancouver with two of the best people I know. We’ve had an absolute blast and I couldn’t imagine doing this trip without them. Would I do it again? Here’s a clue: https://t.co/RqiN6cWE2V #IABC19 pic.twitter.com/VLamUrF23s
— Advita (@Advita_p) June 15, 2019
My favorite dine around of all my @IABC dine arounds to date! Carderos by the water. Also, ate my first oyster! They were from the east coast. #IABC19 pic.twitter.com/FLFD1IIDoE
— Tracie Bettenhausen (@TracieLee) June 11, 2019
It was so great to meet you Neil! You were definitely a highlight of my first @IABC world conference. Thanks for hanging out with me ❤️ #IABC19
— Gemma Lawrence (@Gemstars81) June 15, 2019
Inclusion was core
Kudos to @IABC for respecting gender inclusivity at its annual international conference #IABC19. Living the values. pic.twitter.com/ZvRWIPFPUF
— Lisa Brake (@lisamariebrake) June 10, 2019
The #iabcvic #iabc19 Gold Quills Excellence Gala contingent with the one, the only, Dolly Diamond! #Vancouver @IABCAPAC @IABC 🌟⚡️⭐️🔥🤩😍 pic.twitter.com/9u9dQ5OGGE
— IABC Victoria (@iabcvic) June 12, 2019
Before you leave, take a look at the beautiful #IABC19 Mosaic outside the conference room pic.twitter.com/rMeosHeoCB
— Michael Nord, SCMP, MBA (@MNordNL) June 12, 2019
Chris Lentz: Diversity is a fact. Inclusion is a choice. #truth #IABC19 pic.twitter.com/KyuBJKRYRy
— Angela MacKenzie (@aymackenzie) June 10, 2019
We heard amazing news
At #IABC19, Exec Director @sdoute announced launch of Catalyst, a new high-end, environmentally friendly, biannual magazine. Print still rocks. pic.twitter.com/hkWfBEJLuV
— Shel Holtz (@shelholtz) June 10, 2019
Finally the news is out. @IABC announces the launch of a brand new print magazine as a part of a multi-platform forward-thinking content strategy. #IABC19 pic.twitter.com/3KUD3KsURW
— Dan Gold MPRCA (@dangoldmedia) June 10, 2019
The keynotes were a hit
Thank you @soledadobrien for joining us at #iabc19. pic.twitter.com/9Qv1wgEwHi
— Ginger Homan, ABC, SCMP (@GingerHoman) June 10, 2019
This idea that everyone just wants the six second sound bite = not true. Documentaries are doing well. People love podcasts. People want to learn. Context and good storytelling matters more than squeezing info into a sound bite. – @soledadobrien #IABC19 pic.twitter.com/rclAEGkv7T
— Rosella Chibambo (@Chibambo) June 10, 2019
@IABCBC ‘s very own @AdamBrayford asking questions of @soledadobrien after her insightful keynote on trust and storytelling to kick off #IABC19 pic.twitter.com/IFuvk1GHw1
— John Corry (@corryographer) June 10, 2019
@PeterGSheahan – Awareness is not the issue. Look for the signs so you’re not left saying “I never saw it coming”. Tell yourself the truth & take ownership of it. The power has shifted from the org to the individual, you have to earn it #IABC19 @IABC pic.twitter.com/vmNNMCEEKQ
— Dana Higgins (@danahiggi) June 12, 2019
Energizing final keynote at #IABC19 pic.twitter.com/LANFOFTDbA
— Alice Brink (@alicepr) June 12, 2019
Last day at #iabc19! What a fantastic conference! 😄 pic.twitter.com/cqIgSMyTsp
— Emma (@EmmaAnnKD) June 12, 2019
The world needs more Corporate Rebels challenging current workplace attitudes to work-life integration #corporaterebels #iabc19 pic.twitter.com/LgRgTPyiQj
— Patrick Armstrong (@parmstrong5000) June 11, 2019
Phenomenal speaker at #iabc19: 10 ways to have a better conversation (Celeste Headlee | TEDxCreativeCoast) https://t.co/I3qvVUJkuZ via @TEDTalks
— Danelle W (@danellew) June 10, 2019
Inspired enough to attend World Conference next year? Heavily discounted pre-registration opens this August. I hope you like deep dish…
Just announced here at #IABC19 In Vancouver, the location of the 2020 IABC World Conference is Chicago! See you there 14-17 June 2020. Pre-registration opens in August for #IABC members. Stay tuned for further details. #IABC20
— IABC (@IABC) June 12, 2019
