News from the FIR Blog

The communication profession is currently weathering a perfect storm of tectonic shifts, from the promises of AI to the messy realities of hybrid work, and we are languishing in denial if we think traditional, one-way “career advice” will save us. In the January 2026 Circle of Fellows, our panel will move beyond the clichés to examine mentoring as a pragmatic, strategic tool for institutional knowledge transfer and professional resilience.

High-impact mentoring fosters the “trusted advisor” mindset, helping practitioners navigate the minefield of ethical leadership while bridging the gap between academic theory and high-stakes business execution. Whether you’re a senior leader looking to cultivate the next generation of strategic thinkers or a rising professional seeking to future-proof your career, this episode provides actionable frameworks for building the kind of meaningful, two-way developmental relationships that drive both individual growth and organizational success.

The panel will kick off at noon EST on Thursday, January 22. Join us for the livestream and participate in the conversation with your questions, observations, and experiences. If you can’t make it for the real-time panel, you’ll be able to watch the video replay or listen to the audio podcast.
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The communication profession stands at a pivotal moment. Artificial intelligence is transforming how we create and distribute content. Trust in institutions continues to erode while employees demand authenticity and transparency. The hybrid workplace has permanently altered how we reach our audiences. And the pace of change shows no signs of slowing.

In this environment, what does it mean to be a communication professional? More specifically, what will it mean in 2026 and the years that follow?

The December Circle of Fellows panel will tackle these questions head-on, bringing together four IABC Fellows to share their perspectives on where our profession is headed and what opportunities await those prepared to seize them.

The conversation will explore several interconnected themes. We’ll examine the evolving role of the communication professional as a trusted advisor; the new capabilities and mindsets that will distinguish the communication leaders who thrive from those who struggle to keep pace; the practical challenge of coaching executives to communicate with empathy and impact;  the skills the next generation of communicators should be developing now;  and how we can maintain professional standards and ethical practice when the tools and channels keep shifting beneath our feet.

The session is scheduled for 5 p.m. ET on Thursday, December 18. You’ll be able to participate in the conversation with questions, comments, experiences, and observations. If you’re unable to join the live discussion, you can catch the video replay or listen to the audio podcast afterward.

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Communication professionals today face an environment characterized by rapid change, emerging technologies, and evolving workforce expectations. In Circle of Fellows episode 121, “Evolving Roles and Strategic Goals,” a panel of Fellows from the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) will explore how communicators can adapt to emerging challenges while staying aligned with their organization’s objectives. From navigating the impact of AI to addressing ongoing change and strengthening internal communication, this discussion will offer insights on keeping your strategies relevant in a digital-first world.

The Fellows will also tackle significant issues facing the profession, including leading change within organizations, supporting business adaptation in an unpredictable global landscape, keeping pace with a transforming workforce, and the importance of certification in advancing careers and enhancing credibility. Whether you’re refining your strategic communication goals or looking for practical ways to enhance your impact, this conversation delivers guidance you can put to work immediately.

The session is scheduled for noon ET on Thursday, October 23. You will be able to participate in the conversation using YouTube’s live comment feature. If you aren’t able to join us for the real-time session, you will be able to watch the video replay or listen to the podcast shortly after the panel concludes.

The panel features Fellows Laurie Dawkins, Mike Klein, Robin McCasland, and Martha Muzychka, with Shel Holtz moderating.

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As hybrid work transitions from pandemic necessity to permanent business strategy, communication professionals face a dual challenge that’s reshaping the entire profession. Not only must they master the art of reaching and engaging a distributed workforce scattered across home offices, co-working spaces, and traditional workplaces, but they must also learn to function effectively as hybrid communication teams themselves.

In the September Circle of Fellows panel, four IABC Fellows and moderator Brad Whitworth, SCMP, IABC Fellow, will explore both sides of the hybrid communication equation. You’ll discover strategies for creating inclusive, impactful messaging that resonates equally with remote and in-office employees, avoiding the common pitfall of defaulting to those who are physically present. The panel will share proven approaches for maintaining a consistent brand voice and organizational culture when your audience is experiencing your company in fundamentally different ways.

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With so many competing business priorities demanding attention, and government policy decisions that often push sustainability down the agenda, organizational communication professionals have a critical role to play in keeping it front and center. We are uniquely positioned to connect sustainability to the organization’s purpose, values, and long-term success, ensuring it is seen not as an isolated initiative but as part of the company’s identity. Through strategic messaging, storytelling, and the consistent integration of sustainability into internal and external narratives, communicators can make environmental goals relevant to every employee’s role and decision-making process. We can spotlight progress, celebrate champions, and translate complex sustainability metrics into compelling, human-centered stories that inspire action. By making sustainability a visible, shared priority across all levels of the organization, communication professionals can help ensure it survives, and even thrives, despite shifting external pressures.

At 4 p.m. EDT on Thursday, August 21, four Fellows of the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) will gather to share their expertise and experience communicating sustainability during this fraught times. The international panel includes Zora Artis, Brent Carey, Bonnie Caver, and Martha Muzychka, with Shel Holtz moderating.

You will be able to take an active role in the conversation by sharing your questions, comments, and observations using the chat feature. If you aren’t able to join us for the live broadcast, you will be able to catch the video replay or the audio podcast.
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Here’s your chance to be part of the studio audience or the remote audience for the first-ever live webcast of the monthly IABC Circle of Fellows. IABC Fellows Shel Holtz and Brad Whitworth will moderate Episode 117 — an interactive conversation with a panel of nearly a dozen Fellows from around the globe, including the five newest IABC Fellows. In 45 minutes, they’ll cover such hot topics as AI, disinformation, corporate culture, and much more.

The Fellows panel – collectively representing hundreds of years of communication expertise – will also take questions from the audience, both in-person and online. Here’s your chance to pick the brains of some of the world’s brightest and most experienced communication leaders during this lively, informative, fun, and fast-paced webcast.

The Fellow is the highest honor IABC bestows on members who have had a significant impact not only on their organizations and IABC but also on the communication profession. Just over 100 IABC members have earned this designation since its inception in 1970.

The session is set for 10:45 a.m. on Tuesday, June 10. If you are attending the conference, please check the conference app for the location of the session. If you are watching the livestream, be sure to use the live chat feature to pose your questions or remarks. If you’re unable to join us in real time, you can watch the video replay or listen to the audio podcast.

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