After sharing some thoughts on (okay, venting about) the 2014 IABC World Conference, I’m pleased to say something seems to be happening.
Claire Watson, ABC, APR and external relations team lead at IABC, responded to my post. She wondered what kind of content we independents would find appealing and assured me she will work with fellow Canadian indie Diana Degan, ABC, and the Program Advisory Committee to help pull it together. I’ve since posted that question to both the IABC Independents and IABC/Toronto groups on LinkedIn.
My own original wish list included:
- A decent earlybird price that extends to January 2014.
- The ability to pay by instalments without a steep penalty/fee for doing so.
- Some content directed at independents, if not a full independent track.
Others have asked for:
- A facilitated “unconference” where experienced professionals could discuss what’s on their minds.
- The option to sign up for one day with content geared to indies.
- More reasonably priced accommodations than the $270/night offered by the Sheraton, perhaps at nearby university housing. You don’t have to be a solopreneur to support THAT idea!
- An event where freelance communicators can connect with their corporate counterparts who want to build a list of such resources.
While I like this last suggestion, I wonder how eager corporate communicators would be to attend such an event. I have heard that they are sensitive to constantly being “hit on” at events – of like sheep surrounded by hungry wolves, or perhaps recalling the scene on a Friday night at a downtown bar.
What do you think?
- If you are a corporate communicator, would you attend such an event? If not, what kind of alternate would you suggest?
- If you are an independent, what would YOU like to see at the World Conference?