Get online professional development from IABC On Demand

Many of us are looking at Q1 and wondering where the next project is coming from. These are challenging times, and it's exactly when we need each other most. Join fellow consultants for a practical peer exchange focused on what's actually working right now to land clients and keep them engaged. This is a bring-what-you-know, learn-what-you-need kind of session. Come prepared to share at least one tactic that's working for you—whether it's how you're generating leads, converting prospects, expanding existing client relationships, or keeping projects flowing. And come ready to learn from others who are navigating the same reality. Together we'll: Share successful client acquisition tactics. What's generating real leads for you? What approaches are worth the effort? Exchange retention and expansion strategies. How are you keeping clients engaged and growing existing relationships? Explore what's opening up. Where are consultants finding opportunities in this market? This works when everyone contributes. Your recent win, your referral approach, your outreach method—whatever is moving the needle for you will help someone else in the room. About IABC’s Consultants SIG The IABC Consultants shared interest group provides a space for communication consultants to develop business connections, exchange ideas with their peers, and advance their careers through collaborative learning. We serve as a trusted resource where members can find real-time support, thoughtful conversations and valuable partnerships that enhance the services they deliver to clients.   Live Sessions:  The live one hour session will take place at 11:00 AM CT time on 26 February 2026.  Read more

You can’t fix a problem until you first identify what it is and why the current approach doesn’t work. In this dynamic session, Mary Lou Panzano admits her early-career mistakes and the lessons she learned. She reveals the research behind what most leaders get wrong when driving change and introduces ways to fix those problems. This candid session, sprinkled with humor, will deliver real-world stories, actionable takeaways, and leadership insights you can apply immediately in your organization, career, and life. => Learn the four main reasons why most change efforts fail => Discover a proven framework to achieve sustainable, people-centered transformation => Walk away with practical leadership behaviors that spark lasting change and real results Speaker: Mary Lou Panzano Mary Lou Panzano is an award-winning communications executive with over 35 years of experience in employee communications at global companies, empowering leaders to guide strategic organizational change. She is a certified leadership coach, communications advisor, speaker, and best-selling author, passionate about helping people succeed through any change they wish to make in their business or lives. Mary Lou is a featured author in the Cracking the Rich Code, Volume 18 anthology, and her solo book, Cementing Change: Cracking the Code for Communications that Work, will be published in 2026. Live Sessions:  The live one hour sessions will take place at 9:00 AM CT & 5:00 PM CT on 5 February 2026.  Read more

At our March 2026 meet-up, we’ll be discussing the findings from the newly released 2025/6 Gallagher State of the Sector report. We’ll be joined by Chris Andrew from Gallagher, who will share key insights from this year’s research, explore the emerging themes, and unpack what they mean for communication and employee experience professionals in practice. The Gallagher State of the Sector report is the definitive global study of the internal communication and employee experience landscape, informed by insights from 1,300+ communication and HR professionals worldwide. We’d really encourage you to join live if you can there’ll be time for discussion, questions, and shared reflections on what the findings mean for our work right now. The session will be recorded and shared with anyone who’s not able to make the live call. Live Sessions:  The live one hour session will take place at 3:00 PM UK time on 3 March 2026.  Read more

Alignment is universally valued yet increasingly fragile. Accelerating change, shorter strategy cycles, and growing uncertainty mean many organisations are working harder and communicating more, yet still struggling to move together. In this environment, the rules of alignment have changed. Communication teams play a more critical role than ever — but in different ways. This requires a stronger focus on people... trust, psychological safety, empathy and listening... balanced with a sharper approach to measurement and accountability. In this webinar, Wayne Aspland and ZoraArtis share early insights from Clear Leaders’ third global study on strategic alignment. Drawing on interviews with CEOs, CSOs, CHROs and senior leaders worldwide, they examine what’s breaking alignment and why many traditional communication and leadership approaches no longer hold under pace and pressure. This is the first public sharing of these findings, ahead of the full white paper. Designed for senior communication leaders, the session focuses on enabling shared clarity, trust and execution at scale. Attendees will take away practical ideas to help them move: From slide decks to narratives From key messages to conversation guides From talking to listening From set-and-forget plans to living strategy Speakers: Zora Artis​ and Wayne Aspland Zora Artis (IABC Fellow, SCMP, ACC) helps leaders do the hard work of alignment when the stakes are high, and the path isn’t obvious. As CEO of Artis Advisory, co-founder of The Alignment People and Clear Leaders, she coaches, advises, and facilitates C-suite and senior teams through change and complexity, turning competing priorities into clear decisions, stronger cohesion and action. Over three decades in executive leadership, advisory, consulting, strategic brand, and strategic communication, Zorahas partnered with major brands, government, and purpose-led organisations to connect purpose, culture, strategy, and performance. She is a Research Fellow with the Team Flow Institute and, with Wayne Aspland, is finalising their third global research paper on Strategic Alignment and Leadership. A long-standing IABC leader, Zora has served as Chair of IABC Asia Pacific and as a Director on the IABC International Executive Board. She is a multiple Gold Quill award recipient and evaluator. Based in Melbourne, she works globally.   Wayne Aspland’s career is defined by his advocacy for 'performance through people'. He believes there is no greater source of organisational value and differentiation than enabled employees working side by side on aligned goals. Wayne is a senior leadership, strategy and change communication professional. He has advised boards, executives, and senior leaders across major institutions on strategy, large-scale transformations, employee engagement and behavioural change. He has a particular focus on strategic alignment and is now working with Zora Artis to finalise their third research paper on the topic. Wayne is also a skilled AI practitioner. He has written four research papers about AI, communication and change management. He has also trained more than 3,000 people to help them build the right AI habits and skills. Live Sessions:  The live one hour session will take place at 7:00 PM UK time on 24 February 2026.  Read more

The IABC AI Leadership and Communication SIG has been created to support communicators navigating the leadership, ethical, and organisational implications of artificial intelligence – rather than the technology itself. This introductory webinar, designed exclusively for IABC members, enables the SIG founders, Neville Hobson and Silvia Cambié, to share why they formed the SIG, what it stands for, and how it approaches AI through a leadership and communication lens. Participants will learn about the SIG’s purpose, guiding principles, and planned activities, as well as how members can engage, contribute, and help shape its direction. The session also creates space for dialogue, questions, and early community building, establishing a shared understanding of how the SIG will support thoughtful, responsible leadership as AI continues to reshape communication practice.   Learning Outcomes: By the end of this session, participants will be able to: 1. Understand the purpose and scope of the IABC AI Leadership and Communication SIG. 2.  Identify how the SIG frames AI as a leadership and communication challenge, grounded in ethics and professional responsibility. 3.  Recognise the role IABC members can play in shaping responsible and ethical approaches to AI within the profession. 4.  Explore opportunities to participate in and contribute to the SIG’s planned activities and discussions. 5.  Connect with fellow IABC members interested in leadership-led, ethical perspectives on AI and communication. Speaker: Silvia Cambié and Neville Hobson Silvia Cambié has a background in technology, corporate communication and business journalism. As a former IBMer, she cares deeply about the dignity of work in the age of AI. A published author, she used to serve on IABC’s International Executive Board and as Chair of the EMEA region. Neville has served IABC in multiple volunteer leadership roles since he first joined in 1989. He has held senior roles at organisations including IBM, the Internet Society, and Scala Business Solutions, and co-founded pioneering digital ventures that helped shape social media’s early growth. He keeps a close eye on the evolution of digital communication and remains actively engaged in podcasting, blogging, and industry discussions. But his approach has changed: today, he prioritises work that aligns with his values and interests, not just professional demands.   Live Sessions:  The live one-hour session will take place at 11:00 AM CT on 11 February 2026.  Read more

Artificial intelligence is reshaping how organisations operate and communicate – faster, broader, and with growing autonomy. But as AI becomes embedded in everyday practice, the impact on human dignity as well as ethical questions can no longer be treated as secondary. Designed for senior communication professionals navigating AI adoption, and focused on ethical judgement not technical instruction, this webinar explores the challenges and responsibilities communicators face when introducing AI, from transparency and trust to stakeholder accountability and human oversight. Drawing on real-world examples and practical experience, the session will help participants think critically about where ethical judgement and human governance sit in an AI-enabled communication environment – and why communicators must play a leading role. This session focuses on the leadership and ethical responsibilities of communicators in an AI-enabled environment, rather than the technology itself. 1. Identify the ethical responsibilities communicators hold when AI is introduced into organisations and communication – regardless of who owns the technology. 2. Discuss how AI adoption changes expectations of leadership, transparency, and users’ trust in communication functions. 3. Evaluate how ethical judgement, accountability, and decision-making must remain human-led in AI-enabled communication environments. 4. Apply ethical leadership principles to real communication scenarios involving AI-supported content, analysis, or decision-making. 5. Recognise the strategic role communicators play in advising senior execs and guiding responsible AI use across organisations, teams, and stakeholders. Read more