The future of communication in 2024 and beyond - Executive forum

This forum gives you the opportunity to express your thoughts about our evolving world and the changing roles within the communication profession post-2024. Additionally, it provides a platform to gain insights from local and international thought leaders. This forum revolves around your input and your concerns. Our role as facilitators is to initiate and guide the conversation.

Each of us will dedicate 5 minutes to presenting the shifts we've identified in our profession, followed by a 20-minute group discussion for you to contribute your valuable insights. The ultimate aim of this forum is to create a playbook that will assist in navigating the communication landscape in a transformative and dynamic world.

Following this special invite-only event, you are also invited to stay for networking drinks and a panel discussion with fellow communication professionals from 5:30pm–7.30pm at the same venue.

Your international team of thought leaders and facilitators

Facilitator: Adrian Cropley OAM, FRSA, IABC Fellow, GCSCE, SCMP

Discussion: The changing leadership role – what are the expectations of communication leaders within organisations?

A certified strategic communication management professional, executive leadership coach, and multiple IABC Gold Quill Award winner, Adrian Cropley OAM is widely recognised as one of the world’s foremost leaders in strategic communication. He is the founding partner of the Centre for Strategic Communication Excellence and CEO at Cropley Communication, named Boutique Agency of the Year by the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) six years running. With a career spanning over 30 years, Adrian has worked with clients worldwide on major change communication initiatives and communication strategy development.

Facilitator: Bonnie Caver

Discussion: Navigating revolutionary change and the impact and opportunities on your brand.

Visiting Melbourne from the USA, we welcome Bonnie Caver, an award-winning brand strategist and reputation architect. She is the founder and CEO of Reputation Lighthouse, a branding and reputation marketing firm with United States offices in Denver, Colorado and Austin, Texas. Her boutique firm focuses on leading companies around the globe to create, accelerate, and protect their brands, especially in times of disruption and transformation. She is a certified strategic change management professional (Kellogg School of Management), and a certified crisis manager (Institute of Crisis Management). She is one of few in the world to hold an advanced certification for reputation through the Reputation Institute (now the RepTrak Company).

Facilitator: Zora Artis GAICD, IABC Fellow, FAMI, SCMP

Discussion: Why alignment is needed more than ever as we take our teams on a future journey.

Zora Artis is the CEO of Artis Advisory, co-founder of The Alignment People and Australia Lead for Archetypical Worldwide. She has over three decades of experience working with a wide range of brands in the public, private, and non-profit sectors across various industries. As Australia’s leading Alignment, Brand, and Communication Strategist, she works with executive and senior leaders to unlock value in their people, brands, and organisations for impact and smart growth.

Facilitator: David Imber

Discussion: Our people want organisations to take a stand and speak up on public issues – it requires action.

David Imber, president at IABC Victoria, is a passionate public and corporate affairs professional and non-executive director currently serving on three boards. He’s advised ministers, departmental executives, and their staff on crisis and issues management, government relations, and internal and external communication. Additionally, he has been a trusted adviser to chairs and CEOs in the corporate and not-for-profit sectors.