Thank you for your patience these last few weeks as IABC’s international executive board (IEB), program advisory committee (PAC) and others throughout the association monitored the COVID-19 pandemic and made decisions about how it might affect the 2020 IABC World Conference, set to take place this June in Chicago.
As always, our priority is your safety and well-being. Based on information from the World Health Organization (WHO), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and others, it’s clear we cannot hold the conference in person as originally planned.
This conference is needed now more than ever
Communication professionals remain tremendously vital, not only in the way they’re keeping information flowing responsibly during this crisis, but through the work they do every day to deliver business results. Communication professionals will no doubt play a key role in the coming weeks, months and years, as work is done to save lives and keep the global economy moving.
We also know many of you are seeking connection, support and resources more than ever before. You’ve been leveraging our free COVID-19 resource page and helping each other in places like The Hub. It’s inspiring to see the way our international community is coming together online.
With all of this in mind, we feel the 2020 IABC World Conference, with its future-focused theme of “Shift: #AreYouReady,” is needed now more than ever. We hope you and your colleagues around the globe will join us as we take our signature event virtual!
Why the virtual IABC World Conference is a can’t-miss event
This will not be just a fancy webinar. There will be keynotes, breakout sessions and networking in online lounges and other virtual gathering spots. There will be learning, connection and, as you can expect with any IABC event, there will be fun! In these stressful times, laughter and community are essential.
The 2020 IABC World Conference will still take place 14-17 June, though you can expect some schedule shifting. We’ll have more details on that along with pricing and registration information in the coming weeks, as well as specifics for those who’d previously registered for the in-person conference. Our speakers and sponsors will be receiving more information as well.
Look for more details in the coming weeks
Please stay tuned to your email, IABC websites and our social media channels. We’ve established a frequently asked questions page that will be added to over time, as more information becomes available.
More good news: Most sessions at this virtual conference will be recorded. You won’t have to go through the dilemma of which session to attend when there are too many to pick from. You will be able to consume every piece of content on your own schedule. This virtual conference will also cost less to attend than the in-person gathering and there will be special pricing for IABC members.
We’re excited, and we hope you are too. There’s a lot of uncertainty in the world today, but we’re doing everything we can to make sure the IABC World Conference will continue to be one of the bright spots you can look forward to.
Stay tuned for more details and we’ll see you this June…online!
In the meantime, see our FAQs page for the most up-to-date information on the virtual conference.