Institute of Internal Communication

The CiB national conference is the Association’s flagship event. Every year around 120 delegates enjoy the packed two-day programme, which takes place this year on 21 and 22 May 2009
at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole.

The title this year is: "Economy down;
engagement up".

National events director Suzanne Peck has been involved with organising and running CiB’s various conferences for many years. Here are her ten top tips for getting the most out of the event.

Find out more about the conference

1. Book early

Too many people leave booking until the last minute and are then surprised that they may not get in the conference hotel or that the hotel can’t cater for their individual needs. It’s cheaper to book train tickets earlier too.

2. Bring colleagues

Conference is a fantastic time for bonding as well as learning. Because you don’t have to be a CiB member to attend, many communications professionals bring members of their team as a reward for excellent work or as a professional development opportunity. If bringing a team, always ask about volume discounts.

3. Use the time before and after conference

The Wednesday evening in the conference hotel is a fantastic opportunity to meet fellow delegates, the CiB team and to start planning what sessions you want to attend. The Wednesday evening can be booked as part of the package. If you have stayed overnight on the Friday, use the Saturday morning breakfast as an opportunity to cement the ‘individual informal networking’ you’ve done over the previous days.

4. Be clear about what you want to get out of it

It may be to learn more about particular topics, to understand a wider context of internal communications issues, to build contacts, to be with like-minded people – have a focus.

5. Get involved

Once there, be fully involved. Take part – ask questions, challenge, share your own experiences, sit with people you don’t know, fill in all the session feedback forms and, most important, enjoy the opportunities.

6. Network

My first CiB conference was a revelation. I discovered other people who were in isolated in-house roles like me, who had the same issues and who could discuss ideas in a way that people outside of our industry could not. It was refreshing to talk to other professionals and to share best practice without having to worry about office politics. These are now friends I can ring up for advice, for a moan or just for a chat. Don’t forget to take a stock of business cards.

7. Have an open mind

You don’t have the monopoly on good ideas. Go to conference with a completely open mind and find out how things are done elsewhere. It may be that some of things discussed are not appropriate for your particular challenge. However, where might you be in a year’s time? What challenges could you face? The more you know about the industry in general – and who is doing what – the more valuable you are.

8. Learn from experienced people

CiB fellows, agency heads and experienced corporate communications professionals all flock to conference. To get so many top brains/experience/diversity at one venue for up to three days is an opportunity too good to miss. What challenges are they facing? How are they tackling them? What’s the next trend? Approach people – they will welcome a chat. Listen, learn and take the information back to your workplace.

9. Check out the winners

Very often award-winning communications – digital and print – are featured at conference. Look at the creative approaches, read the words, see what’s being done elsewhere and by whom. Talk to the people who create or own these communications. Share best practice.

10. Learn the words to American Pie.

If you are prepared to sit up round a piano at 3am belting out the classics, you will meet like-minded people and possibly make friends for life. I know I did.

Find out more about the CiB conference.