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Julie Davis, APR

Julie K. Davis APR, Vice President of Communications, Brookdale Senior Living Inc., has been awarded IABC Nashville’s Fellow Award, the highest honor the organization confers upon its members on the international and chapter levels. It is awarded to communications professionals for exceptional leadership and service to IABC, in our case to the IABC Nashville Chapter.

While this is not an annual award, the Chapter was compelled to present this year to a fellow communicator who exemplifies the highest standards of the profession. The honoree has had a long-term positive impact on organizations, professions and the community through her professional and personal contributions and achievements.

Her work has won recognition by several awards programs including IABC Gold Pen Awards, PRSA Parthenon Awards, Social Responsibility Awards from Women Executives in Public Relations, not to mention, by significant advancement of her career and those she has counseled and mentored.

She is a 22-year committed and active member of IABC and IABC Nashville Chapter. Julie has served several years on the Chapter board, including as VP of Programs, VP of Finance, and as Chapter President. And, she has been recognized by previous boards with a Chapter President’s and Fellow Award. 

Julie is always there to pitch in and help the chapter, the profession, and any and all of those, who like her, is committed to help drive communication as a force for good in business and society.

NASHVILLE – (Feb. 27, 2018)  – The International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) Nashville Chapter presented the President’s Award to board members Lysa Rigo and Sarah Loeffler during its Feb. 20 professional development luncheon. 2017 IABC president Tom Kenley presented the award, which recognizes exceptional contributions by chapter members, to Lysa and Sarah for showing extraordinary commitment to the chapter’s growth and wellbeing in 2017.

On the heels of winning an IABC Gold Quill Award for her work at Ingram Barge, Lysa Rigo, vice president of finance for IABC Nashville, successfully reorganized the chapter’s financial affairs and has shared her expertise with chapter members and university students alike. “Lysa is always one of the first to volunteer to help with special chapter projects,” said Tom Kenley. “We couldn’t have done it without her last year.”

Sarah Loeffler, vice president of membership for IABC Nashville, continually reaches out to potential members through mixers and one-on-one networking. “Sarah consistently offers assistance with special projects,” said Kenley. “Fortunately, her commitment has continued as her chapter responsibilities have grown, and we are excited to learn that she has agreed to continue her contribution to the chapter by becoming the chapter’s president-elect this year.”

IABC Nashville is one of more than 100 chapters in 70 countries providing learning opportunities for its members and professional development sessions that offer new insights into the latest communication trends, technology and issues facing the industry. The chapter is diverse, with members representing area agencies, broadcast stations, corporations, universities and nonprofit organizations. IABC Nashville also offers ties to job bank services and the annual Music City Gold Pen Awards program.

IABC is the only place to connect with communicators globally.

Connect here. Go anywhere!

Palais des congrès de Montréal

3-6 June, Montréal

#IABC18: The Communication Crossroads

Seth Godin (left), opening keynote of the 2018 IABC World Conference in Montréal

Our theme this year focuses on “The Communication Crossroads,” emphasizing that the communication profession is uniquely positioned at the crossroads of business, culture, functions and audience. That’s a powerful place to be. This year’s conference will explore how to leverage that power in new and innovative ways.

• Learn how communication drives business performance and innovation.
• Explore the rise of transformative communication and collaboration.
• Discover your role at the center of culture and ethics.
• Strengthen your knowledge and confidence as a strategic adviser.

A mosaic of culture, language and identity, home to major global corporations, and a thriving technology hub, Montréal is the ideal venue to connect with your peers from across the communication profession.

About the World Conference

The IABC World Conference is a long-standing, global professional development event designed for communication practitioners. The only major conference of its type, the event typically draws 1,000 attendees from around the world. Speakers are selected through a peer-reviewed process, with evaluations conducted by top experts in the field. Selections are based on alignment to the IABC Global Standard, and the degree to which the sessions will inform, engage and deliver on the conference theme.

Tangible benefits

 By attending the IABC World Conference, you will:

• Expand your network, with more than 1,000 participants in attendance.
• Experience outstanding keynote speeches and informative panel discussions.
• Choose from exceptional sessions in a variety of formats.
• Earn credits toward professional certification.

We’ll share the innovative knowledge, creative tools and critical connections we need to make communication the centerpiece of a thriving business community.

Tracks with a focus

Our sessions will be organized by these five tracks:

Leadership and Strategy: For communication professionals aspiring to a leadership role, this track empowers them to support business goals and build a high-value function with impactful approaches/techniques. Sessions offer case studies and examples of strategy in action for the function and/or the organization.

Marketing and Brand: This track shows how to unlock your creativity as a communicator and how best to support an organization’s brand. Sessions will offer insights and expertise on marketing to increase support for an organization, product or service.

Reputation: These sessions uncover the importance of stakeholder management and the role communication professionals play in building relationships in/outside the organization. This track incorporates social responsibility and the strategic role of a communication professional in times of crisis.

Employee Engagement: Through case studies, best practices and highlighting creativity in employee communication, sessions in this track demonstrate the power of communication in building a strong internal culture and the behaviors that support organizational goals.

Communication Skills: This track offers both what communication professionals need to know and know how to do. Sessions explore trends in the communication profession (particularly technology), the latest research and the skills needed to remain current now and in the future. Below are some of examples.

• Enabling employees to understand the strategy, vision and values of the organization
• The Office 365 effect and the rise of social channels
• Digital storytelling
• Social listening
• Strategic planning
• Written communication
• Social media as collaboration
• Multimedia content development
• Verbal communication
• Business knowledge
• Business skills
• Management knowledge
• Management skills

Read More and Register Now!

The Network Journal (TNJ; TNJ.com) has announced their Twentieth Annual Influential Black Women in Business Awards and unveiled its 2018 list of 25 Influential Black Women in Business honorees.

Genma Holmes, Owner/Holmes Pest Control and CEO at GSH Consulting, host of Living Your Best Life, Nationally Syndicated Radio Show, and IABC Nashville Board Member, is among this year’s designees. Congratulations, Genma!

“The women we honor in the 20th year of the awards span occupations, industries and expertise, and they share the same traits when it comes to their career and community service: passion, drive and focus. We salute them for achieving significant levels of success in their businesses and professional careers, and for their myriad contributions to their community,” states TNJ Publisher and CEO Aziz Gueye Adetimirin.

This select group will be profiled in the spring 2018 issue of the magazine, and will be formally honored during Women’s History Month at the 20th Annual 25 Influential Black Women in Business Awards Luncheon, presented by Morgan Stanley, on Friday, March 16, 2018 in New York City.

(Read More)

Genma is also a Woman of Influence with IABC. She was a speaker at the IABC Leadership Institute in San Diego, CA, Feb 8-10. She spoke on “Inclusive and Diverse Chapter Programs.”

“National surveys show that most organizations miss opportunities by not embracing diversity. This session will give insights into infusing diversity into chapter program planning early so opportunities with funders, sponsors, and growing membership are not missed when presented, ” say Genma.  #IABCLI #IABCSoReg #IABCNashville.