Networking with open, interesting people ... innovative discussion formats ... practical how-to tips and more: This year's IABC World Conference experience was outstanding for our two scholarship winners, Connie Feick from the Greater Cincinnati chapter and Janet Swaysland from the Boston chapter. Swaysland described it as a terrific experience, including the sessions, social and self-discovery aspects. Feick called it "the best professional development event of my life." Find out why—take a look at their recaps.

Mark your calendar and plan to join communication professionals from across our 17-state region and beyond at a special event: the IABC Heritage Region Conference, taking place in Pittsburgh, Penn., Nov. 5 - 7, 2017.

Here's a chance to build new skills, share your expertise with others and give back to the profession while networking with outstanding communication professionals. The IABC Heritage Region Board and Heritage Region Conference have several open volunteer leadership opportunities.

Two special programs help IABC members achieve their potential as volunteer leaders at various levels—local, regional and international.

Our Regional Leadership Institute in the fall provides an opportunity to share challenges, ideas and best practices with leaders from across the 17-state U.S. Heritage Region. This year's event takes place the afternoon of Sunday, November 5. If you are a chapter leader, a region leader or a member interested in volunteering in the future, please save the date.

In addition, the International Leadership Institute in February offers networking and best-practice sharing from communication professionals leading IABC chapters and regions around the world.

More details on both are coming soon. If you have questions, contact heritage-region@iabcheritage.com.

Learning, ideas and exploration ... every year the IABC Heritage Region Conference brings us new professional development and networking opportunities. Here are two experiences from the 2016 conference scholarship winners: Jennnifer Shatwell—CEO and principal consultant at KTNZ LLC and a regional volunteer—and Terri Wellman, who is communication manager at MediSync and IABC Greater Cincinnati Chapter board member.

Kip Soteres shares 3 things complicating health benefits communication. Discover employee communication sessions and much more at #IABCHRCONF, Oct. 9-11, in Columbus, Ohio.

Jerry Allocca will share how to not only track digital media but also to prove ROI and influence decision-makers who sign off on marketing budgets at ‪#‎IABCHRCONF‬. iabcheritageconference.com

Feel like you're banging your head against the wall in video communications? Rocky Walls shares a few practical smartphone video production tips. Discover how to make video less intimidating and complicated -- and a lot more rewarding -- at ‪#‎IABCHRCONF‬ iabcheritageconference.com

Marty Dauer to present at the IABC Heritage Region Conference, Oct. 9-11, in Columbus, Ohio. If you attend, you will learn about brand transitions during M&A transactions--when brand should become part of the acquisition discussion as well as various strategies for leveraging data to support your brand transition pathway.