Contact Info

breakthrough@iabcwaterloo.com

March 6, 2019

The Inn of Waterloo
475 King Street North 
Waterloo, Ontario 
N2J 2Z5

 

Conference Will Start in

About The Conference

IABC Waterloo started Break Through in 2017 to offer something totally new to communicators in the Waterloo Region. The purpose of Break Through is to provide attendees with the skills and strategic thinking they need to effectively engage their audiences in today’s rapid-fire communication landscape. Communicators will learn about the latest and greatest industry info and trends, so they can take the next step in their careers.

Attending the Break Through Communications Conference is a great way to grow your knowledge and network with fellow professionals in the communications industry. This communications conference offers comprehensive and focused topics that are highly relevant to communications professionals in a variety of fields.

By attending the IABC Waterloo Break Through Conference, you will:

  • Experience outstanding keynote speeches.
  • Choose from exceptional sessions on a variety of topics.
  • Leave with a toolkit bursting with the knowledge and skill to tackle any issue.

Schedule

We are proud to offer two tracks. Participants may mix and match between tracks, details will be confirmed once you register.

Conference Day

This is your chance to work with and learn from outstanding professional communicators.

Connect

Expand your network, with more than 100 participants in attendance.

Meet Our Speakers

The 2019 Break Through Communications Conference will bring together an array of influential speakers from across various industries with a variety of experience levels and expertise. Click through the list of speakers to see their profiles and session topics.

Michael Grant
Marketing & Communications Director, Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science
Alan Quarry
Chair at Quarry Integrated Communications
Sandra Muir & Kim Elworthy
Digital Marketing/Social Media Department, Wilfrid Laurier University
Kendra Ross
VP of Marketing, Oak & Rumble
Naheed Somji
Social Media Specialist, Economical | Marketing Instructor, Conestoga College
Maliha Aqeel
Assistant Director, EY
Sylvia Link
Marketing & Communications Director, Retired Teachers of Ontario
Priya Ramji
Founder of Six Sense
Jennifer Vandermolen
Marketing Manager, Nova Metrix LLC
Quinn Silbermann
Communications & Brand Manager, Financial Horizons Group

Strategy/Planning Track

For communication professionals aspiring to a leadership role, this track empowers them to explore self-organization and how to organize their efforts to strategize for success. Sessions offer case studies and examples of strategy in action.

Schedule

08:30–09:20
Arrival & Registration
09:20–09:30
Welcome Remarks
09:30–10:30
Keynote: Michael Grant
10:30–10:45
Break
10:45–11:30
Marketing To Employees Like They Were Customers, Maliha Aqeel
11:40–12:25
Communities Need Communicators, Quinn Silbermann
12:25–13:10
Lunch
13:10–13:55
Emotional Intelligence: The Politics of Punctuation, Priya Ramji
14:05–14:50
The Truth About Transparency, Jennifer Vandermolen
14:55–15:00
Break
15:00–16:00
Closing Keynote: Alan Quarry
16:00–16:15
Closing Remarks

Social Media/Digital Marketing Track

This track offers both what communication professionals need to know and how to do it. Sessions explore trends in the communication profession, the latest research and the skills needed to remain current.

Schedule

08:30–09:20
Arrival & Registration
09:20–09:30
Welcome Remarks
09:30–10:30
Keynote: Michael Grant
10:30–10:45
Break
10:45–11:30
The State Of Social Media For Communicators in 2019, Naheed Somji
11:40–12:25
Thank You, Next: How A Platform Strategy Can Help You Let Go Of Branded Accounts, Sandra Muir & Kim Elworthy
12:25–13:10
Lunch
13:10–13:55
Trends in Video Marketing, Kendra Ross
14:05–14:50
How To Get Away With Measurement (Without Really Trying), Sylvia Link
14:55–15:00
Break
15:00–16:00
Closing Keynote: Alan Quarry
16:00–16:15
Closing Remarks

Participant Feedback BT

  • “

    Thanks for hosting such a fantastic local event! Usually we have to travel to a major city to find a high quality communications conference and it was wonderful that this one was so close to home and offered a taste of local talent.

  • “

    An invigorating and informative conference. I walked away feeling inspired, motivated, and knowledgeable of key strategies that can/should be used in communications.

  • “

    As a student this was a fantastic experience! Though all speakers gave me a lot to put into my toolkit, the panel was especially relevant for me. So many tips and encouraging stories for me to consider as I enter the workforce!

  • “

    IABC’s Break Through conference gave me the opportunity to connect with engaging and thought provoking people in my field. Applying the innovative tips and tricks I learned from the speakers and other event attendees has already made a positive impact on my professional and personal life.

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About IABC Waterloo

IABC Waterloo has been bringing together communication professionals in the Waterloo Region and surrounding areas since 1983.

IABC Waterloo is managed by a board of volunteer leaders; we support our community of business communication professionals by bringing together both IABC members and engaging non-members. We do so through innovative thinking, shared best practices, in-depth learning, career guidance and by providing high quality professional development events.

We support members with member benefits, such as:

  • A meeting place for face-to-face networking opportunities
  • Recognition and awards opportunities
  • Regular newsletters and email bulletins
  • Job board
  • Certification
  • Volunteer opportunities
  • Knowledge Centre and online library with the research on effective business communication
  • Strategic communications tools, real-life case studies and ready-to-use templates
  • The collective experience of IABC’s worldwide network

    • If you have any questions about IABC Waterloo, would like to join the Board or be a part of Break Through next year, please email us at breakthrough@iabcwaterloo.com.

    Buy Tickets
    Get your ticket today!

    IABC Member

    $199
    • Industry Experts
    • Critical Topics
    • Tips From Speakers
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    Non-Member

    $299
    • Industry Experts
    • Critical Topics
    • Tips From Speakers
    Buy Tickets

    Venue

    The Inn of Waterloo
    475 King Street North, Waterloo, Ontario N2J 2Z5
    breakthrough@iabcwaterloo.com