Membership Benefits

Being a part of IABC can open endless areas of opportunity for you in the communications industry. Just hear what other professionals have to say about being a member:

Joining the BC chapter today also means being part of a network of over 600 professionals that make up our province’s ‘go-to’ communication experts. Many other association benefits include:

  • Networking
  • Job Searching Assistance
  • Chapter Mentoring Program
  • Learning Opportunities
  • Affinity Programs
  • Recognition: Accreditation and Awards Programs

Networking

Networking with other communicators is one of the primary benefits of IABC membership. IABC offers opportunities to network with members around the world through the IABC website, as well as face-to-face at chapter events, the Annual International Conference held in June of each year, and professional development seminars held at various times and locations throughout the year.

  • IABC/BC Events offers professional development and face-to-face networking events from September through June. These events allow members to tap into several networks to make vital business connections. Members can also meet future collaborators, mentors, job referrals and of course, life-long friends.
  • MemberSpeak is the meeting place for IABC members around the world. A high-powered posting area on the website, MemberSpeak is where you can trade ideas, exchange advice and input, debate strategies, and share information with your peers…unconstrained by geography and time differences.
  • IABC’s online member directory includes members’ address, phone, and fax information, and is fully searchable on a number of parameters such as industry, company, or geography. You can even email other members through our confidential technology.
  • IABC Buzz contains member posts about personal and professional achievements, such as educational degrees, promotions, weddings, job moves, births/adoptions and the like.
  • IABC Blog is where you can join the ongoing discussion on current issues happening in our profession in the IABC Cafe Blog. Provide your thoughts on IABC news and communication trends.

Job Searching Assistance

IABC/BC’s Jobline is a targeted way to find a job or new employee locally, and is available to members-only online. IABC International’s Job Centre also lists hundreds of jobs at all levels.

Chapter Mentoring Program

IABC/BC has launched a new mentoring program that reaches out to the Lower Mainland and regional members to connect seasoned practitioners with up and coming communicators at the junior and intermediate level. For mentors, the program is a chance to give back to the profession, work on leadership and coaching skills in a supported environment, and learn from someone at a different stage of their career. For the IABC/BC community, the program reaffirms the importance of mentoring – in programs like this, and informally, every day. For mentees, the program offers the chance to further career development by learning from someone outside their everyday workplace. Check out the full program details.

19 pairs from across the Lower Mainland kicked off the program at a launch event earlier last year. Since then, the program has continued onward with great success as mentees and mentors are evenly rewarded.

Learning Opportunities

IABC offers plentiful resources to hone your skills, learn from the experiences of others, and study new areas of interest.

  • My Communication (MyComm for short) is an online strategic planning tool available only to IABC members. MyComm takes users through a six-step process that results in a comprehensive, strategic communication plan. The tool also allows users to share and collaborate on plans via the web.
  • Connect Newsletter is IABC/BC’s local newsletter which features top tips, special interview segments with guest speakers at upcoming events, and other updates on our chapter and its members.
  • Communication World Magazine (CW) is chock full of detailed case studies and how-to advice from long-time practitioners. The magazine is delivered six times a year to IABC members. With the latest news on industry research, technology, and trends, as well as interviews and analysis, each issue of Communication World is a continuing education course in itself.
  • CW Bulletin is a supplement to the CW magazine and is a special monthly electronic newsletter addressing major topical concerns facing today’s communicators.
  • Online knowledge community or IABC Commons lets you share ideas and best practices on employee communication, marketing/branding and measurement.
  • IABC Knowledge Centre will get you step-by-step instruction, ready-to-use templates, and groundbreaking research from this resource hub, Content also includes IABC’s vast catalog of manuals, books, templates and reports.
  • Online Library of Content is available to members only.  IABC’s online library includes CW Online (an archive of all CW articles), handouts and presentation notes from sessions at the latest International Conference, and case studies from winning Gold Quill Award entries.
  • sample CW online article
  • sample International Conference handout
  • sample Gold Quill Award winner case study
  • IABC’s Research Foundation translates communication theory into practice, providing real-world knowledge and applications for the communication professional. Summaries of all research studies are provided free to members, as are the full results of the Member Profile (including the salary survey).
  • Generous Member Pricing means IABC develops numerous events and educational products throughout the year, including the annual International Conference which draws about 1,800 communicators from around the world. Members receive member pricing constantly throughout the year on:
  • books and manuals available for sale
  • upcoming events
  • Research Foundation reports available for sale
  • Research Foundation website

Affinity Programs

IABC has partnered with vendors to bring members discounts on products and services, and to offer products and services members might not otherwise find available to them as an individual (such as insurance). Legal restrictions prevent some products and services from worldwide availability.

Recognition: Accreditation and Awards Programs

IABC offers the opportunity for members to receive official recognition of their competence as business communicators and dedication to the profession. This is truly a valuable addition to any resume or C.V. Entry. Moreover, application fees are offered at a significant discount to IABC members to encourage their submission pieces.

  • Accreditation is an “ABC” designation conferred by IABC that acknowledges an individual’s mastery of business communication, and is recognized throughout the world. The process consists of rigorous review of written and verbal tests, as well as a review of the candidate’s portfolio that are all required for consideration. For more information, please consult the IABC/BC accreditation website.
  • Awards through IABC recognizes excellence in communications at the international, national and chapter levels. The annual IABC Gold Quill Awards is an international competition that provides an opportunity to receive expert evaluation of the entry against IABC’s highest standards of excellence. The IABC Canada Silver Leaf Awards and IABC/BC Bronze Quill Awards recognize the outstanding efforts of the best communicators in Canada and BC, respectively.