Essential Communications Conference 2008: 'A very successful day'
The Forth Annual IVCA Essential Communications Conference
Held on the 27th February hosted by the London Stock Exchange
The aim of this event is to examine the latest trends in Communicating Corporate Responsibility, Social Inclusion and Sustainable Development.
Firstly we heard from the IVCA Chair James Humphreys who welcomed us to the Conference and announced the launch of the 2008 IVCA Handbook. He then introduced Bruce Todd of Crown Communications, one of the main sponsors of the Handbook who said a few words about Crowns longstanding and symbiotic relationship with the IVCA.
The Keynote Address was provided by Fiona Reynolds, the CEO of The National Trust who spoke about the responsibility of the communicator when faced with sustainability issues in a world facing accelerating climate change.
The Role of the Communicator was next on the agenda and chaired by Joanna Yarrow the Co-Founder of Beyond Green. The panellists included Laura Marshall of Icon Films, Win Sakdinan of Proctor and Gamble, Mick Brown, of Coast and Laura Mackenzie of the National Trust. The main deliberation was how communicators promote issues from Climate Change Awareness to Implementing Sustainable Development and how should communications be harnessed to achieve greater sustainability at all levels of an organisation.
The responsibility of the communicator and the future of our children was also the polemic in the second segment chaired by Dawn Boyfield the M.D of dbda and assisted by Nick Straker of Straker Films, Jay Knox of Purple Flame and Steve Winter of the Old Vic with questions from the audience.
Actor Cate Fowler then presented a dazzling selection of sort extracts from films and programmes, which achieved the highest of accolades at last years IVCA Clarion Awards.
After a well-received buffet lunch Rita Shamia of redhouse Lane Communications chaired a lively dialogue on promoting a fairer society and approaches to diversity and social inclusion. Panelists, which included Eula Clarke of Barclays, Freelancer Marc Galmoud, Pam Fraser-Solomon, Broadcaster and David Lawson of Smoking Dogs Films, questioned how communicators could achieve a more inclusive society.
Future Trends in Corporate Responsibility was the proposition under the microscope in the final component of the day Chaired by Richard Lancaster of Jacuranda and with the aid of Ashley Taylor of Friends Provident, Danny Meadows-Klue of Digital Strategy Consulting and Rob Challis of the Man Group plc. CSR, which is now top of every boardroom agenda and the conundrum of how communications can maximise the reach and impact of such work, was grappled with to great effect by the team.
The day was rounded off by a very stimulating drinks reception. Delegates and contributors were able to continue the debate and network with cross-industry colleagues and clients. The IVCA has since received very positive feedback from this event and we would like to thank everyone who contributed and attended.
Some of the Comments received so far:
"I found yesterday's conference very useful"
"I made some good contacts"
"all in all a very successful day"
"well organised
"particularly thought the venue worked well"
"well done for a smooth running event"
"it went very well"
