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COMMUNICATE AND COMMUNICATE FOR GREATER UNDERSTANDING
More Than 80 Delegates Told At Inaugural IABC Asia Pacific Region Conference 2002
KUALA LUMPUR --- Delegates comprising business communicators from eight countries gathered here for IABC's Asia Pacific Region Conference 2002, the first ever in Malaysia and the region, organised by the Malaysia Chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators.
The conference from 2–4 September began with a keynote address presented by the Malaysian minister of international trade and industry Dato’ Seri Rafidah Aziz who touched on the impact on communications in the region when markets open.
Rafidah who is also the patron of the IABC Malaysia chapter said, “The conference would produce a platform for business communicators, both in Malaysia and around the Asia Pacific region to network and share their knowledge and experiences, as well as identify innovative ways to meet the challenges and opportunities in the global market place.”
Sixteen speakers of national and international repute presented papers on various topics of communications interest.
The IABC Asia Pacific Region Conference 2002 attracted delegates from Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Singapore, the Philippines, India, USA as well as Malaysia.
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IABC President Julie Freeman, ABC, APR, and IABC Malaysia Chapter President Tengku Marina Badlishah focused on the initiatives underway to increase IABC's relevancy for the more than 30 percent of IABC members based outside of the United States. Julie also presented a keynote address on the ethical practice of communications in the New Economy.
"It was great to finally meet so many of our members - both new and old – including new friends outside North America," added Julie. "Having an opportunity to discuss the issues and concerns of professional communicators was priceless."
Julie applauded the delegates for their attendance adding, “The conference makes IABC programmes more accessible to communicators in the Asia Pacific region and focuses on the business issues that are relevant.”
Added Malaysia chapter president Tengku Marina, “As demands for transparency and accountability become increasingly vital in international business and commerce, it is most opportune when communications are going through a period of transition and global challenges.”
Also present were IABC Asia Pacific region director Mr Bish Mukherjee and former region director Ms Meryl David, both from Australia, and IABC Malaysia chapter vice president Ghazalie Abdullah who doubled as the master of ceremonies throughout the conference.
Ghazalie, a former freelance TV3 news presenter and currently heading a public relations consultancy, said, “Finally, members in the region, can now benefit from IABC’s international legacy and heritage in communications in a strategic manner. The gathering of the best international communication speakers who have come to network and share their invaluable knowledge in Kuala Lumpur is evidence.” Ghazalie's consultancy was responsible for the design and layout of the IABC APRC 2002 conference brochure.
The conference themed “Value Added Communications For Business Success” featured a variety of key business communication papers such as “Understanding The CEO, Corporate Reputation – Why and How, Ethical Practice of Communication In The New Economy, Globalisation, Glocalisation?, Communication Planning – the Critical Factor in Organisational Success, Managing Strategic Communication For a Global Event – the Olympics, Engaging Employees Strategically in the Communication Process, and Managing In A Crisis”.
The speakers for the IABC Asia Pacific Region Conference 2002 included among others, Ed Bernacki of Canada, Jim Macnamara from Australia, Ashwani Singla of India, Peter Poulos and Jane Prior from Singapore, Paul Sanchez and Professor David Clutterbuck from the United Kingdom, and Rosemary Sayer from Hong Kong.
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International Speakers at the IABC Asia Pacific Region Conference 2002
(clockwise) - Professor David Clutterbuck. Rosemary Sayer, Ed Bernacki, Jim Macnamara, Ashwani Singla, Peter Poulos, Jane Prior, and Paul Sanchez |
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Also speaking from Malaysia were Datuk John Coyne from Western Digital; Brian Cracknell of Language Works; Nazir Razak from Commerce International Merchant Bank; Dr Abdul Samad Mohamed from Northport; Shakir Moin from Coca-Cola and Sharifah Rozita Syed Sulaiman from British American Tobacco Malaysia Berhad.
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Delegates of IABC Asia Pacific Region Conference 2002 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
NETWORKING DINNER AT THE MALAYSIAN PETROLEUM CLUB, PETRONAS TWIN TOWERS
A fusion dinner combining the best in Eastern and Western cuisine was hosted by the IABC Malaysia Chapter at the prestigious Malaysian Petroleum Club at the Petronas Twin Towers. Here delegates to the conference found the opportunity to socialise in one of the world's tallest buildings, exchanging global views. Someone said,"Let's talk what we have in common, not what the world has in differences."
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ABOUT IABC
The International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) is a global network of professionals committed to improving organizational effectiveness through strategic communication. With more than 100 chapters, IABC serves 13,500 members in 60 countries and 10,000 organisations.
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MALAYSIAN CULTURAL EXTRAVAGANZA
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THE IABC ASIA PACIFIC REGION CONFERENCE 2002 WAS SPONSORED BY
Edaran Otomobil Nasional Berhad
Ghazalie Rafeah Ali & Associates Sdn Bhd
IABC Asia Pacific Region
Nestle (Malaysia) Berhad
Northport Malaysia
Samanea PR Sdn Bhd
Western Digital
Ministry of Culture, Arts and Tourism, Malaysia
Fraser & Neave Coca Cola
Star Cruises
Nikko Hotel, Kuala Lumpur
Carcosa Seri Negara