by Kent Jennings Brockwell
Staff Writer
For the first time in its history, the local chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators will be visited by an international chair for their association.
David Kistle, current chair of IABC, is scheduled to make a lecture stop Friday at FCCJ’s Deerwood Center. Kistle’s lunchtime lecture and workshop is being sponsored by IABC’s First Coast chapter.
Kistle, senior vice president of public relations firm Padilla Speer Beardsly in Minnesota, said he is looking forward to visiting the local chapter.
Kistle said his visit will hopefully spur some growth and attract new members to the Jacksonville chapter, which currently only has about 30 members.
Marci Larson, IABC First Coast chapter president, said she is excited about the event and is also hoping the lecture will boost future membership for her chapter. Larson said this visit from Kistle might be the key to attracting “seasoned communicators.”
“David has been in so many facets of communications,” she said. “He has been a constant leader in the (IABC.) Now in his role as chairman, he has a clear vision of how all of the pieces fit together. He knows it very well inside and out.”
Kistle said he will present a lecture and workshop focused on how corporations can better measure the success of their communication programs.
“This is something that is a very high note as far as programming goes,” said Larson. “This program will show new recruits that this organization can bring the greatest programing to our events.”
This high profile event is also important for the local chapter because they are in a rebuilding stage, according to Kistle and Larson.
Larson said the local chapter includes a variety of business communicators.
“It is across the board,” she said. “You have got people that come from public relations agencies, corporations, small businesses, governmental communicators. You have got people doing every kind of communications for every type of organization.”
As a whole, Kistle said IABC has more than 13,000 members in 60 countries.
“We are truly international,” he said. “Everything we do is based on international communications.”
Larson concurred saying Jacksonville is becoming an internationally viewed city.
“Our world has changed so much in last 25 years,” she said. “It is all about international connections now. There is a certain amount of international influence right here in Jacksonville.”
Kistle’s presentation is scheduled for Sept. 10 from 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. at Florida Community College’s Deerwood Center, Room B1206. Cost is $25 for IABC members, $30 for guests and non-members. Lunch is provided and parking is free. RSVP by Sept. 8 to to Kathy McIlvaine at 519-1955.