IABC Be Heard Weblog

“My challenge to you as communicators is to help our citizens learn and embrace social media,” Mayor Bill White said at the end of his talk to a packed house at our monthly professional development luncheon. “Do you see yourself reading a newsletter in 10 years?” he asked. There was mixed reaction to this one. Many shook their heads “No” while some of the printing reps gave hopeful nods.

IABC is on track with getting our members up to speed on social media with seminars and workshops. The social media sessions at the international conference in New York in June were standing room only. Same for a session recently presented by IABC/Houston’s ESIG where guests had to be turned away. It will no doubt be the same for our August 28 luncheon and workshop to be led by social media guru Ed Schipul. I recommend you make reservations now.

One of our goals is for the Houston chapter to be the source for business and civic groups on matters of communication expertise. We want to create a supportive network of chapter members to serve as a resource to Houston audiences. So Mayor White, we accept your challenge. I will be meeting with the board in a couple of weeks and one agenda item will be to form a task force to work with a city representative and make a plan of action. If any of you are interested in being involved, let me hear from you through this blog or email me at theresa@torma.com.

A couple of other highlights from the mayor’s talk—

Houston doesn’t need a catchy slogan to promote it as a great city. We’ve tried. He mentioned “Houston’s Hot” and “Space City” but those don’t do the city justice. He’d like everyone to know that Houston is America’s City of Opportunity. Hmmm! You just may have created a new slogan.

When you tell people what you’re doing and why you’re doing it—that’s communication. Well said, Mr. White, well said.

Cougar Corner (from left) IABC/Houston student member Patrick Torma, UH Communications Professor Mike Emery, UH Board of Regents President Welcome Wilson Sr., and Richard Bonnin, assistant director of University Communications at UH. Mr. Wilson announced to the audience that fundraising is well under way for the newly named Jack Valenti School of Communications at UH. Valenti, who died last year at the age of 85, graduated from UH, was an advisor to LBJ and served for many years as the president of the Motion Picture Association of America. Mr. Wilson encouraged all the UH alums in the audience to participate in the capital campaign to renovate the communications school. (Photo by Danny Kamin.)

Mayor White quelled a standing ovation after being introduced by IABC/Houoston Board Member Steve Parker of Interface Consulting, one of the sponsors of the luncheon. The other sponsor was St. Luke's United Methodist Church, of which Mayor White is a member. IABC member April Canik, ABC, the communications director at the church, is shown at left applauding. (Photo by Danny Kamin.)