by Megan Patterson, IABC/Tulsa President

In August, your IABC/Tulsa Board of Directors held our annual planning session to review chapter goals and objectives, plan for the year ahead and discuss how to make IABC/Tulsa event better. The current board is now in the final year of our two-year board term, which ends in August 2017. With one year under our belts, we’re even more prepared and excited to go to work for you and to help you get the most out of IABC.

We’re excited to welcome new board member Aliya Hargrave, senior training and development specialist with Direct Energy. Aliya joins Kim Kuehler as co-vice president of awards, responsible for all planning and coordination of our annual Bronze Quill Awards. Aliya and Kim are already hard at work planning for 2017. Watch your email for additional details and be sure to attend our October professional development event where Ginger Homan, founder of Zia Communications and winner of numerous bronze, silver and gold quill awards, will share strategies for writing a winning award entry.

The board also tallied your votes for our next chapter president. I’m excited to announce that Hayley Westwood, communications consultant with ONE Gas and current vice president of recruitment for IABC/Tulsa, was elected unanimously. Thank you to everyone who voted. Hayley will continue in her current board role for the remainder of this term, and move into her role as president in August 2017. Hayley’s energy, creativity and leadership are a huge asset to our board and will make for an incredible president.

Your IABC/Tulsa board is excited for the year ahead. We’re focused on enhancing professional development opportunities, expanding networking events, increasing membership diversity and keeping you informed of the many benefits of your membership. Don’t hesitate to provide us with feedback and let us know if you want to get move involved.

This program will lift the veil and show you how to design and deliver presentations that hit the mark every time.  Professional speaker and presentation coach Rhett Laubach (@RhettLaubach) will run down his top seven attitudes and behaviors that has allowed him to successfully present messages for 20+ years and to over one million audience members. Rhett will also cover effective presentation coaching and development techniques for prepping executives and team members. Learn more about Rhett and his services at www.YourNextSpeaker.com.

About Rhett
A professional speaker, author, presentations coach, leadership expert and owner of YourNextSpeaker, LLC, Rhett Laubach has taught leadership skills for more than 20 years, to one million audience members and in 48 states, the Bahamas and Canada. Rhett’s clients include students, educators and business professionals in the agriculture, sales, human resource, banking, health, transportation and insurance industries. Rhett loves the Lord, his wife, and watching his three daughters grow up in Edmond, Oklahoma.

Click here to register

Title: Communications Consultant

Company: ONE Gas, Inc.

Why do you love your job? I love that my job allows me to work with so many people across our company, in all three states where we operate. I think building strong relationships is the key to good communication. I’m thankful I have the opportunity to do that on a daily basis.

How long have you been a member of IABC?This is my seventh year as a member.

Have you ever served on an IABC Board? I am currently serving as the Vice President of Recruitment.

What is the best IABC meeting/conference you have attended? Why? I loved last year’s IABC/Tulsa Communications Summit that featured Pulitzer Prize winner Sara Ganim, who broke the Penn State scandal. It was so interesting and inspiring to hear the perspective of a young journalist’s success. I’m proud of what our chapter offers locally to communicators in the surrounding area.

How has IABC played a part in your professional development? It has broadened my network and given me opportunities in both leadership and professional development. Having the opportunity to learn from other successful communicators is one of the greatest things IABC has to offer. I love that we all bounce ideas off of each other!

What is your favorite thing to do outside of work? Travel with my husband

What’s your favorite vacation spot? Anywhere with mountains and cool weather

Who is your favorite musical artist? I need a top 10, at least…Garth Brooks, Sara Bareilles, Carrie Underwood, John Mayer, Turnpike Troubadors, NeedtoBreathe, Dolly Parton, Justin Timberlake, Hamilton and Wicked soundtracks… Thank goodness for Spotify.

Which website do you visit daily? Facebook

What is your favorite restaurant? Right now: Taziki’s Mediterranean Cafe

How will we recognize you at the next IABC function? I’m the blonde in the glasses who smiles and laughs a lot!

Complete the following: The future of the field of communications is…always changing, which is what makes IABC so great. It provides constant opportunities to stay informed of the latest and greatest ways to be successful in our field.

What advice would you give to new communications professionals? Never stop learning. There are always new ways to reach audiences and always opportunities to stop and evaluate what is working, what isn’t and what could be working better. Don’t assume you know what’s best.

by Megan Patterson, IABC/Tulsa President

The Olympics are finally here. Once again, the first few days have not disappointed. With the exciting finishes to the men’s and women’s road races, the unexpected elimination of the Williams sisters in the first round of doubles play, record-breaking swims by Katie Ledecky and the fact that Michael Phelps has still got it – there’s just so much to love about the Olympics. Even as I’m typing this, I’m watching. I’m in awe of our women’s gymnastics team. How can these young women pack that much strength into their petite bodies and show that much poise on the world’s biggest stage?

The Olympics is about so much more than just gold, silver or bronze – it’s 16 days of rallying behind your country, cheering on our best and finding unlikely heroes from around the world along the way. The games are inspiring, humbling and healing. These athletes are symbols of the best in all of us.

The Olympics have a way of bringing people and nations together. For a short while, our world gets a little smaller. Rio doesn’t seem quite so far away.

As I watch, eyes glued to the screen from my couch in Tulsa, I can’t help but think of our fellow IABC members doing the same from their homes in Montreal, Hong Kong or Cape Town. That’s what is so unique about our organization. The “international” in IABC is one of the benefits I value most. We can learn so much from our counterparts from across the country and around the world – through healthy competition and professional collaboration.

Sit back and enjoy the remaining days of the games. And if you’re interested in a little friendly competition of your own, join us for our first ever Adult Spelling Bee(r), where you’ll have the chance to spell your way to victory. You won’t win gold, but there are cash prizes on the line. Go U-S-A!

We all love a good copy editing session, but how are your spelling skills without a red pen in hand?

How about with a drink in hand? Find out at IABC/Tulsa’s first ever Adult Spelling Bee(r).

Join us at Fassler Hall in downtown Tulsa for a night of fun and test your spelling skills for a chance to win cash prizes.

Buy a brat and a b-e-e-r while you watch or compete in the spelling bee.

Don’t miss this chance to mingle with your fellow IABC members. Bring your non-IABC friends, too!

When: 6:30 to 9 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 18
Where: Fassler Hall, 304 S. Elgin Ave., Tulsa, OK 74120

RSVP at our Facebook event page to let us know you’re coming!

First drink’s on us! Join us for an IABC/Tulsa Happy Hour at the brand new Prairie Brewpub. We know you’ve been itching to try out this hot new pub, so come enjoy it with some old friends (and maybe make a few new ones).

There’s no cost to attend, but please RSVP by Wednesday, July 27, so we can gauge attendance. Feel free to bring a friend! Be sure to register for the total number of people in your party.

When: 5:30-7 p.m., Thursday, July 28
Where: Prairie Brewpub, 223 N. Main St., Tulsa, Oklahoma 74103
Fees: No cost, but please RSVP at the link below.

Click here to RSVP

There is a long and rich history of communications best practices, particularly techniques for communicating within an organization. Ways of measuring the effectiveness of such communication, on the other hand, have a less than robust history.

In this session, Kris Russell, a director of insights and analytics within Walmart’s Public Affairs Division who directly supports the internal communications teams, will discuss some of the challenges as well as opportunities for communications measurement in today’s environment. Artificial Intelligence and machine learning are changing many aspects of daily life and communications measurement is no exception. The session will conclude with examples and demos of how tools such as Quid and IBM’s Watson are playing a role in driving communications analysis into the future.

• When: 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., May 18, 2016
• Where: Tulsa Country Club, 701 N. Union Ave., Tulsa, OK 74127
• IABC member registration fee: $25
• IABC non-member/guest registration fee: $35
• Student fee: $15

About Kris
Kris started working in Walmart stores in 1996. Since coming to the home office in 1999, he has held a variety of positions ranging from analytical leadership roles in loss prevention/asset protection, claims management and advanced project management in Walmart’s Innovations Division. Kris’s current challenge is to figure out how to effectively measure the cause and effect relationship between internal communications and Walmart’s business. Ultimate success is arming the communications team with the knowledge of what weapon to use to achieve a desired outcome.

Prior to taking on that challenge, Kris was the senior manager for Global Security’s Analytics and Insights team. He focused on travel and event security for Walmart’s top executives, monitoring for potentially disruptive activity and catastrophic risk research.

He recently completed the Naval Postgraduate School’s Executive Leadership Program in Monterey, California (one of only a handful of private sector individuals allowed to participate).  Kris has a Bachelor of Arts in criminal justice from the University of Arkansas and holds a variety of professional certifications and training including Six Sigma, statistical analysis and project management, to name a few.  Kris is active in his church and community, also sitting on the board of directors for his son’s daycare.

Title: Manager, Internal Communications

Company: Walmart

Why do you love your job? One of the parts of my job that I love is the responsibility of being a voice for associates. Our founder, Sam Walton, believed that our associates have great ideas, and that’s still absolutely true today. I love the challenge of bringing these ideas, thoughts and concerns to the business teams in our home office. Believe it or not, we don’t always get everything perfect.

How long have you been a member of IABC? Less than a year.

Have you ever served on an IABC Board? No.

What is the best IABC meeting/conference you have attended? Why? Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to take part in many, but I did enter work for a Bronze Quill for the first time this year – and won! All of the hard work and headaches was worth it.

How has IABC played a part in your professional development? It’s always nice to attend meetings and hear new ideas. Translating those ideas to suit your needs is a fun challenge.

What is your favorite thing to do outside of work? I love to cook. Absolutely love it. These days my wife and I started taking tennis lessons a couple of times a week. Small victories like keeping the ball in play for more than 10 hits gets me way too pumped up.

What’s your favorite vacation spot? I love going to South Korea. The food is absolutely amazing. You get a perfect balance of sweet, spicy and savory all in one bite. Also, the hiking is incredible if you’re into that activity.

Who is your favorite musical artist? Hard to pick a favorite, but I always love me some Earth, Wind & Fire.

Which website do you visit daily? Besides Walmartone.com (our intranet)? Generally the NY Times and Morningstar.

What is your favorite restaurant? Before my wife and I moved to Arkansas we were living in NYC. We treated ourselves to Jean-Georges before relocating. It was, without a doubt, the best food I’ll ever have the privilege to eat.

What advice would you give to new communications professionals? Absorb as much as you can, while you can. Walk, don’t run toward your career ambitions. Stay humble while working your butt off.

by Megan Lewis, IABC/Tulsa President

Have you ever wondered why New Orleans is nicknamed The Big Easy? Is it the relaxed pace of life? The local music? The ease at which a person can purchase a Hurricane on Bourbon Street?

Whatever the reason, I can’t help but believe the best way to find out is to visit, and there’s no better time to visit than during the 2016 IABC World Conference. Did I hear someone say, Mardi Gras? Ok fine, let’s call it a tie.

This year’s conference is being held June 5-8, in New Orleans. There’s still time to register and potentially win a free registration for the 2017 World Conference in Washington D.C. (register before April 30).

There are so many reasons to attend. This year’s international slate of more than 60 speakers will expand your thinking with new perspectives, useful insights and concrete examples that span the globe. Nearly 70 unique breakout sessions will focus on a wide variety of topics including content and inbound marketing; storytelling; new and emerging technologies; marketing campaigns and crisis communication, just to name a few. The conference also will feature three powerful keynote speakers including Geoff Colvin, Fortune’s senior editor.

If that’s not enough for you, consider these fun New Orleans facts, and prepare yourself to learn even more in June:

• Canal Street was named for an actual canal that was planned, but never built, on the street’s dividing median.
• The official colors of Mardi Gras were chosen in 1872 by honored visitor, Russian Grand Duke Alexis Romanoff. The purple stands for justice, green for faith and gold for power.
• Each seat in the Superdome is a different color than the one next to it, providing the illusion of a full house even when some are empty.
• The total mileage of New Orleans canals both above and below ground exceeds that of Venice, Italy.

Learn more here, and join me in the Big Easy for a few Hurricanes, fun and unparalleled professional development.

Personality underlies our behavior, actions, reactions, communication and interactions. Understanding personalities will give you insight into how to better execute business strategies, manage change, deal with conflict and relate to others. It can also provide you added insight on individual and team strengths, values and blind spots, as well as influence our effectiveness in collaborating with business partners.

Join us April 20 to hear Dustin Hunter, from Hogan Assessments, who will share how understanding personalities will help you be a better communicator.

• When: 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., April 20, 2016
• Where: Tulsa Country Club, 701 N Union Ave, Tulsa, OK 74127
• IABC member registration fee: $25
• IABC non-member/guest registration fee: $35
• Student fee: $15

About Dustin
Dustin is the international distribution manager at Hogan Assessment Systems. He is primarily responsible for strategic planning and growth in Hogan’s indirect business channel. Dustin has designed and implemented leadership development programs, selection-based assessment systems, high-potential programs and other talent management activities across a wide variety of organizational applications.

Dustin works with key domestic partners, multinational consulting companies, and international distributors to integrate Hogan’s solutions into current business offerings (B2B). He also explores new alliance relationships in unrepresented geographies, and is responsible for negotiating contracts and forecasting growth for Hogan’s global network.

Dustin holds a Master’s in Educational Psychology and an MBA from Oklahoma State University. Prior to joining Hogan, Dustin held positions in marketing and business development. His academic background in psychology and business provide a foundation for his client engagements at Hogan.