Newsletters
January 11, 2023

January 2023 Newsletter

Happy new year! See what's in store this January!

January 2023 Newsletter

Message from our Co-Presidents

Happy New Year, IABC San Diego!

We hope that your holidays were healthy and happy. With the new year underway, it’s back to our typical routines and also a good time to reflect on our success since the start of our chapter year (which is typically July, but we got started a bit late - in September - this fiscal year).

We’re excited to have had several in-person events, including the most recent holiday social during which we met new members and friends and reconnected with friendly faces. Thanks to all who attended one or both!

We’re pleased with some of our Board wins to date:

  • 31% increase in members, including a new contingent from San Diego State University, bringing our chapter to 55 members
  • Two in-person networking events and one webinar with 58 members and guests attending, October - December 2022
  • 14% distribution list growth, due to new members and networking event guests
  • 23% increase in LinkedIn followers
  • 9 members attended the annual Pacific Plains Region Chapter Leaders Meeting
  • Established a relationship with San Diego State University’s School of Journalism and School of Communication for future networking, mentoring and programming

In addition, here’s some of what’s coming this fiscal year. Watch our newsletter and social media to hear more about each of these as details are released:

  • Communicator of the Year 2023 nominations and selection -- coming soon!
  • Professional development training to learn about how a board of directors works, how it contributes to the healthy life of an organization and opportunities to volunteer
  • Updating and ratifying our chapter by-laws
  • Confirming all financial records are in accordance with Regional and International Standards
  • IABC World Conference in Toronto, Canada (June 2023)

As you can see, the Board has been busy and continues to focus on driving membership value for each of you. We encourage you to read through the rest of this month’s newsletter to learn about both the January and February events.

Thank you, again, for your ongoing commitment to IABC and your professional development. As always, reach out if you have questions or suggestions. We’d love to chat with you!

Brandee Beiriger and Rob Campbell

Co-Presidents, IABC San Diego

Upcoming January Professional Development Event

NEXT WEEK! Tuesday, January 17; 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 pm.

Join us as we hear from senior communications executives on the trends that are shaping communications in 2023. We’ll learn about the top trends for both internal and external communications, the on-going impact of the pandemic and other external factors influencing communications, how internal and external comms are becoming more aligned and hear about new tools for more effective communications.

Our panelists include

This event is FREE for current IABC San Diego Members and $10 for non-members. Tickets include a raffle drawing for a comp ticket to our next paid event.

Register today!

SAVE THE DATE!

Spread Love in February - Give the “Gift of Communication” - ABC Members-Only Event

Save the date of Thursday, February 16 from 5:00 - 6:30 p.m. when only IABC San Diego members will volunteer their time to help nonprofit organizations solve their communication challenges. Members will be paired with participating nonprofits to discuss their issues and questions, and provide real-time communication advice and support.

This is a fun event and a great way to show your support for our local community and share your knowledge and expertise for great causes!

Stay tuned for more details to register!

Welcome New Members

New members

Chris Otto, Senior Director, Corporate Communications, ResMed

Leah Phabmixay, Sr. Marketing Communications Specialist, Solar Turbines


Renewing Members

Shannon Ray, Senior Communication Advisor, Consultant

Award Submissions

Gold Quill Awards Accepting Submissions

The 2023 Gold Quill Awards submissions are open and accepting entries until 15 January 2023. For more than 40 years, IABC’s Gold Quill Awards have recognized and awarded excellence in strategic communication worldwide. Gold Quill is the only awards program that honors the dedication, innovation and passion of communicators on a global scale. Submit your entry today!

Read more about the different types of Gold Quill Awards, past winners, and the evaluation process here.

Learn more about how to create your Gold Quill entry and access resources for entrants here, including a customizable justification letter to help you get approval and funding for your entry.


Build Your Knowledge

Webinars from around the U.S. this month

Upcoming webinars from around the U.S. Please refer to links for official information as dates/times may change.

How to Prepare For and Deal With a Crisis

Thursday, January 19, 9 a.m.

Join a lively crisis communication panel discussion geared toward in-house communicators and external consultants. Discussion will focus on how communicators can bring the right people together and create a path forward that mitigates legal risk and protects the brand during times of crisis.

More information


Who are the people in your neighborhood? A persona-based approach to employee engagement

Wednesday, January 25, 10 a.m.

Join Carla Guest (IABC/Toronto) to learn how Siemens Energy researched, developed and implemented persona-based employee communications - a method for communicating messages to a global audience that are designed with a specific someone in mind, rather than a generic everyone. Highlights internal ‘best practices’ of implementation in partnership with business stakeholders (Human Resources, Chief Diversity Officer, Chief Data and Analytics Officer).

More information


The Power of Connection: Now is the Time to Nurture Your Network

Thursday, January 26, 9 a.m.

Kick off the New Year with a great connections strategy that allows you to be intentional in your career. Join marketing and communications Recruiter and Career Coach Angee Linsey who will show you how!

More information


Misinformation: How we got here and what to do about it

February 7, 9 a.m.

Get insights on how the mis/disinformation epidemic has evolved and the associated risks, based on several years of work with disinformation researchers and community members alike. It will offer tips on what listeners can do to help stem the falsehoods that are currently restricting access to fact-based content for so many. Communicators have largely been left out of current solutions to disinformation, yet as experts in information channels and the content-creation process are ideally equipped to take a stand for the truth.

More information

We want to hear from you!

As an IABC member, it is important that you get to learn about topics of interest to you. Share those topics with us so we can best curate webinars and networking events that meet the needs of you, our chapter members!

Feel free to reach out to Brandee or Rob individually through email at brandee.beiriger@gmail.com or rcampbell0673@gmail.com. We are open to hearing from you and talking about how we can help you make the most of your membership.