As before, meetings are scheduled around lunchtime on the fourth Tuesday beginning in February.

Here’s the schedule for 2012:

• Feb. 28, the Villa at Joe T’s — Speed Networking

Program and venue to be determined for these dates:

• April 24
• June 26
• August 28
• October 23
• December 4 – Annual joint communicators holiday party

Speed Networking event kicks off IABC Fort Worth’s 2012 season

IABC Fort Worth starts 2012 on Feb. 28. in the Villa at Joe T’s,Fort Worth’s north side landmark, for lunch and networking with fellow professionals seeking new connections. You’ll also have the opportunity to meet recruiters specializing in creative and communication talent.

Similar to speed dating, speed networking has been around a while and involves professionals meeting and getting to know each other one at a time for a few minutes and then moving on to meet another networker. A facilitator — serving like a square-dance caller — choreographs so that everyone changes partners frequently and gets a chance to meet a wide range of fellow networkers.

Speed networking and speed dating have a subtle but significant difference. Business networking specialist Ivan Misner explains in his Entrepreneur.com article Speed Networking and Beyond that “Speed dating is done to eliminate potential suitors and keep from wasting time on people with whom you share no common interests and no mutual attraction.” With speed networking, Misner writes, “the presumption is that you are going to follow up with only the ones you connect with during the exercise. The key to making speed networking work is to take those contacts and develop them over time into ‘credible’ relationships that lead to referral partners.”

You’ll want to check out Misner’s article for tips on how to make the most of your experience when you attend IABC’s Speed Networking event, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. on Feb. 28 in the Villa at Joe T’s, 2201 N. Commerce St., in Fort Worth. You have time to brush up on your two-minute pitch and to get a new batch of business cards printed so you’ll have plenty to share. And if you’re looking for a new opportunity, bring a few copies of your resume because recruiters specializing in creative and communication talent will be joining the professionals taking advantage of this networking opportunity.

Register today.

Benefitting the readers libraries at John Peter Smith Hospital and Cook Children’s Medical Center.

Cost: $15 or the equivalent in children’s books, plus appropriate magazines (all kinds, not just for kids)

What’s in it for you?

• Great gift drawing items
• Bob Ray Sanders as emcee
• World-class Wilson’s Barbecue, ribs, beans, potato salad, dessert; tea, beer

RSVP today!

It takes 26 hours for the average person to report a lost wallet.  It takes 68 minutes for them to report a lost phone.  There is no doubt that the world is becoming increasingly mobile with each passing day.  The entire world.  Smartphones aren’t just for fast-lane business professionals who can’t bear to wait 5 extra minutes to get that all-important email.  Smartphones are in the hands of moms, dads and (gulp) kids everywhere.  It doesn’t end there of course.  Tablets anyone?  The truth is that today more than ever before, purchase decisions are being made away from the desktop, so if mobile isn’t part of your marketing strategy – it should be – no matter what you are selling.  Join us for an introduction to mobile marketing and to see how it can be a strong and highly measurable part of your marketing arsenal.    

About the Presenter

Ken Lentz is a partner and co-founder of Fort Worth-based Enilon, a full service digital agency, providing website design, digital marketing and mobile services to a variety of clients ranging from Sundance Square to Pier 1 Imports.  

Time & date: 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 15 (moved up one week for Thanksgiving)
Place: City Club, 301 Commerce St.
Cost: with reservation, members $25, nonmembers $30, students $20; without reservation, members $30, nonmembers $35, students $20

RSVP by noon Nov. 11
Pay for the luncheon online

Good writing lives, and today it lives across media. Find out why one sentence packs a punch while another one fizzles — in speeches, in text, in social media and in videos — at the September IABC meeting with Dr. Kay Colley.

It all comes down to good writing and storytelling, something in great demand. Colley, a communication assistant professor at Texas Wesleyan University, where she also serves as student media director and adviser to Texas Wesleyan IABC, promises a few basic tips to strengthen these areas and get back to basics.

Colley’s professional background includes stints in public relations, magazines, and daily and weekly newspapers. She was named 2011 Teacher of the Year by the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication Small Programs Interest Group.

Time and date: 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 27

Place: City Club, 301 Commerce St., Fort Worth

Cost: $25 members, $30 nonmembers, $20 students (online add $1)

RSVP by noon Sept. 23

• Email Tim Tune, Tim.Tune@timtune.com
• Reserve online now: http://iabcfortworth.com/wp/events/payment/>

Their presentation will cover all aspects of video production: 

• Concept development (purpose, audience, venues, story boarding, etc.). 
• Filming (equipment needs, B-roll, interviewing and location).
• Editing (software, title cards, fading and music selection).
• Exporting (file types for various venues).
• Examples of the good, the bad and the ugly.
• When it might be better to outsource your video.

A free workbookis yours to keep, and you’ve got a chance at a great door prize!
Register online at bv.iabc.com.

Event Details
When: Thursday, Oct. 20, 2011
Where: Christopher’s World Grille, 5001 Boonville Road; Bryan, TX 77802
Registration & Breakfast: 7:30 a.m.
Workshop: 8 a.m. to Noon
Lunch: Noon to 1:30 p.m.

Early Bird Registration (ends Oct. 1)
Members $70
Non-members $90
Students $50

Registration (Oct. 2 and later)
Members $80
Non-members $100
Students $60

Seating is limited, so reserve your spot ASAP. REGISTRATION DEADLINE: Oct. 13.

The August 23 luncheon will feature nationally known etiquette expert Joy Weaver, who applies her wit and wisdom to the topic of being socially savvy. Joy specializes in corporate and social etiquette training for individuals who want the confidence to manage life’s awkward moments and master its day-to-day challenges. She is a consultant to companies (think famed Adolphus Hotel and Raytheon) that need their customer service staff to be as socially savvy as possible. In addition to top tips, she also will answer the question, “What are the BMWs of dining?” Hint: It’s not about eating in a car at a drive-in.

The luncheon will be Tuesday, Aug. 23, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at City Club in downtown Fort Worth. Sign-up deadline is noon Aug. 19. Make your reservation online now or send an email to Tim Tune – tim.tune@timtune.com.

Laura Hanna, IABC Fort Worth

Happy New Year! August marks the first month of IABC’s 2011-2012 year, and I’m proud to say that the year and the group have gotten off with a bang. Let me start with kudos to Bronze Quill chair Tim Tune and his committee for an exceptional awards luncheon. In addition to a fascinating discussion by Arlington Mayor Robert Cluck on his city’s involvement in the Super Bowl, many of the area’s best communicators were recognized for their outstanding campaigns and individual work.

Recognizing great communications work

Special recognition goes to the Award of Excellence winners — City of Arlington Office of Communications represented by Gerald Urbantke; Shelley Hulme, Paige Blankenship and Sally Claunch of Cash America International; Pamela Fry, Rachel Black and Bobby Nichols with Freese and Nichols; and Charles Urich of Sabre Airline Solutions — and everyone who qualified for Awards of Merit and Honorable Mentions. This was one of the most competitive competitions in recent years, with some of the best work ever entered. It set high standards for the rest of the year.

Learn what socially savvy service is all about

The August 23 luncheon will maintain those standards, as nationally known etiquette expert Joy Weaver applies her wit and wisdom to the topic of being socially savvy. Joy specializes in corporate and social etiquette training for individuals who want the confidence to manage life’s awkward moments and master its day-to-day challenges. She is a consultant to companies (think famed Adolphus Hotel and Raytheon) that need their customer service staff to be as socially savvy as possible. In addition to top tips, she also will answer the question, “What are the BMWs of dining?” Hint: It’s not about eating in a car at a drive-in.

The luncheon will be Tuesday, Aug. 23, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at City Club in downtown Fort Worth. Sign-up deadline is noon Aug. 19. Make your reservation online now or send an email to Tim Tune – tim.tune@timtune.com.

On July 26, communicators from across North Texas were honored for the quality of their work and their professionalism during IABC Fort Worth’s Bronze Quill Awards, the only local program dedicated specifically to them. Ten awards, including four Awards of Excellence – the highest level of Bronze Quill recognition – were presented.

Award of Excellence

Charles Urich
Sabre Airline Solutions
Graphic Design, 4-Color Magazine – Ascend Magazine

Pamela Fry, Rachel Black, Bobby Nichols
Freese and Nichols, Inc.
Special Event/Meeting – Client Event by Corpus Christi Bay

Shelley Hulme, Paige Blankenship, Sally Claunch
Cash America International
Internal Campaign – Send Diabetes Packing

Office of Communications
City of Arlington
Social Media Campaign – Arlington Smartphone App and Mobile Website

Award of Merit

Andrea Scott; Linda Ld Jacobson, APR
BNSF Railway
Internal Campaign – Signs of Change: Managing BNSF’s Critical Assets for Positive Train Control

Stephani Hawkins, Scott Hunt, Charles Urich
Sabre Airline Solutions
Magazine, External, 4-Color – Ascend Magazine

Honorable Mention

Rewards and Recognition Team
JPS Health Network
Internal Communication Program – JPS–Just Plain Sensational

Betsy Deck
City of Euless
Video – WFAB

Betsy Deck
City of Euless
External Newsletter – Euless Today

Andrea Scott; Linda Ld Jacobson, APR
BNSF Railway
Video – Introducing Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) Technology to BNSF Employees: Learning to Track Critical Assets

Laura Hanna, IABC Fort Worth

‘Super’ BQ Celebration Planned

In addition to recognizing the best of the best work by local communications professionals, Arlington Mayor Robert Cluck will offer his insights on the North Texas Super Bowl XLV Host Committee’s communications initiatives and programs — and how they changed as quickly as the weather. This is a don’t-miss event for anyone fascinated by the good, the bad and the ugly of the Arlington Super Bowl experience.

The Bronze Quill Awards Celebration starts with networking at 11 a.m., Tuesday, July 26, at the City Club in downtown Fort Worth. Make your reservations by noon July 22. Check the Bronze Quill page for more information and to make your reservation to join Mayor Cluck and your award-winning friends and colleagues.

New Board to Begin Duties

July signals the start of a new year for IABC, including the transition to a fresh Board of Directors. The 2010-2011 board included Laura Hanna, Texas Wesleyan University, president and Southern Region junior delegate; Cheryl Hart, Hart Marketing, past-president and Southern Region senior delegate/programming chair; Betsy Deck, city of Euless, webmaster; Julie Loeffelholz, Cockrell Enovation, membership chair; Ken Roberts, Versatility Writing and Marketing Solutions, secretary; Tim Tune, Commpreneur, treasurer and Bronze Quill chair; Lori De La Cruz, Blue Marble Media, accreditation chair; Kay Colley, Texas Wesleyan University, education chair and student relations; and April Eubanks, Graphic Design and Scholarship Committee. I owe a great debt of thanks to these folks for the time, energy and talent they devoted to making IABC so exceptional this year.

And if you liked that board, you’ll love the 2011-2012 version, because it’s almost the same crowd. We will miss Ken Roberts, who is rotating off the board. Eunice Nicholson is the new secretary and programming chair. Also joining the board is Barry Grubbs. We look forward to another great year.

Member Recruiting Can Pay Off

July marks IABC’s Member-Get-A-Member promotion. Members can earn three free months of membership (up to a full year) for each member they recruit during the month-long promotion. Contact me at 817-531-5810 or lhanna@txwes.edu for details.

SEE YOU FOR A “SUPER” TIME AT BRONZE QUILL!