What do our chapter members get out of IABC? Quite a lot! See below for personal stories about the impact of IABC on our members’ lives and careers.
“I am delighted to be part of the group. The chapter does great work and I am always happy when I can attend the events to hear from other communications pros.”
— Nancy Barczak, UPS
“As a new member in 2009, I met then-Chapter president Donna Grummich. Donna is the consummate professional communicator (the Founder and Principal of Box Canyon Group) and a delightful person. When I later set out to freelance, Donna brought me in on a couple of projects when she needed help.
Donna took on a temporary, strategic and internal communications role with Mercy Health, and she was instrumental in hiring me into HR’s new Employee Experience team. That was four years ago. Our team continues to benefit from Donna’s HR employee communication services.”
— Connie Ruhe, Mercy Health
“One of my first experiences with IABC was a networking event at Rookwood Pub (I think it was May 2014). I didn’t know a soul there, but by the end of our time together, it was like I knew everyone for years. To be around people who are passionate about communication – not only as a job – but as a part of the fabric of who they are is a great experience. IABC is a comfort food for your communication sustenance. Being actively involved is a great way to help share this throughout Greater Cincinnati.”
— Jackiedra Wilson, Messer Construction
“For me, the greatest value of IABC comes from connections and professional development. I feel connected to people I can network with and learn from programs about our profession both here with the Greater Cincinnati chapter and at regional or the international conferences. And all of this increases my value to my company and my clients!”
— Joe Bobbey
“Every few months, I need to hire professional photographers in different cities around the country to support corporate communications for a client’s parent company. When I need a recommendation, the first place I check is the IABC member directory. I send a few emails to fellow members in those cities, asking them for names of photographers they’d recommend. Typically, I get responses within a few hours. IABC members are always eager to help each other, and as a result? I’ve slashed the time it takes to hunt down and find pro photographers in any U.S. city. Plus, I can rest easy knowing these photographers have already been vetted by my fellow IABC members.”
— Teresa Zumwald, Zumwald & Company
“Our world is changing; our profession is changing–rapidly. And IABC plays a critical role in helping communication pros stay on top of their game. But the real reason I’ve remained a member since 2004 is all of the fantastic people I’ve met. Never was that more clear to me than when my family relocated to Cincinnati last year. The warm welcome from IABC Greater Cincinnati eased both personal and professional stress, and gave me an instant network from which to start my new chapter. Thank you, all!”
–KayAnn Taylor Rutter, Director of Marketing & Communications, Girl Scouts of Western Ohio
What has your IABC membership done for you? How is IABC helping you stay relevant in a complex world? Let us know.
