User:Wydtuc/sandbox

The International Association of Business Communicators in the UK (IABC UK) is a local network of around 150 communications, marketing and PR professionals united by their passion for to develop themselves as world-class business communicators. The association’s purpose is to champion the communications profession to business leaders and to help shape the future of the profession through groundbreaking research and insights gathered from collaboration with organisations and individuals.

Specifically for members, the IABC UK provides:
 * Knowledge sharing of best practice and innovative breakthroughs in all communication disciplines
 * Exclusive networking opportunities within the association and with partner organisations
 * Matching mentors to the requirements of the member through a Mentoring Programme
 * Personal and professional development through access to events, tools and information
 * Exclusive access to jobs through partnerships with local recruitment agencies and by leveraging its own member network

IABC UK differs from other communications associations because of 1) the international reach of its parent company, the IABC that has 14,000 members worldwide. This allows members to connect and establish business and networking relationships regardless of the country they live and work in and 2) it welcomes and attracts members from a broad spectrum of marketing and communication disciplines and sectors, thereby enabling diversity of perspective and tapping into a larger pool of expertise for insights and trends.

IABC UK organises face-to-face events, predominantly in London but also in the South West region.

Executive Board
An Executive Board of 10 volunteer senior communications, marketing and PR professionals covering the positions detailed below manages IABC UK. President, President-Elect, VP Marcomms & Social Media, VP Regional, VP Individual and Student Membership, VP Corporate Membership, VP Events and Professional Development, PR, Past President and Treasurer.

The board has one part-time administrative staff member providing support mainly for the planning and execution of face-to-face events.

Decisions within the association are made by a two-thirds vote of the Executive Board, which is elected by members. IABC UK members agree to follow a professional code of ethics and a set of by-laws.

History
The IABC UK’s history goes back to the early 1970s when communicators Ian Hawkins and John Asprey set-up the local chapter of the international association and quickly recruited 4 additional members. In the noughties, IABC UK had grown to over 100 members. In 2007, the UK association had reached its peak of around 220 members and won the Mid-size Chapter of the Year Award at the IABC World Conference in San Diego, USA. The award represented special recognition for financial management and leadership development and it was the result of decades of volunteer work and dedication by UK communication, marketing and PR professionals.