IABC EMENA

IABC Online Connect | Future-proof your communication career: 3 skills you can’t ignore in 2026
2025-11-10 16:00 - 17:00 (Europe/Madrid) | Online
Future-proof your communication career: 3 skills you can’t ignore in 2026
10 November, 4 PM CET
The communication profession is shifting under our feet. AI is shaking up how we research, create, and connect. Audiences expect more transparency, inclusion, and authenticity than ever. And with new tech, global teams, and constant change, organizations are looking to their comms leaders to guide the way.
So how do you stay current, calm, and ahead of the game?
Join us for a live panel discussion with communication experts Louise Thompson, Priya Bates, and Jacques Foul to explore 3 skills you need to thrive in 2026 and beyond.
Here’s what you’ll get out of it:

Spot the global trends that are reshaping the future of communication
Walk away with quick, practical tips you can start using right away
Pick up ideas to become a better communication leader and boost your career

Meet the panelists
Louise Thompson is a leadership coach and former Corporate Communication Director with over 20 years of experience in the UK and the US. She has worked with both start-ups and public services, held board-level roles in the NHS, and advised the Chief Nursing Officer for England on large-scale change programs and national campaigns. Today, she helps senior communication professionals build confidence and maximize their impact as leaders.
Priya Bates is an internationally recognized internal communication strategist and inclusion champion with over 30 years of experience in the field. She has led corporate communication at HP Canada and Loblaw Companies and is now President of Inner Strength Communication, a Toronto-based consultancy. Priya is also co-founder of A Leader Like Me and co-author of “Building a Culture of Inclusivity”, helping organizations build stronger, more inclusive workplaces.
Jacques Foul is a digital communication consultant and trainer who helps policy communication teams upgrade their online communication with more effective strategies, AI, and thought leadership. His clients include the European Commission, SolarPower Europe, WindEurope, the European Free Trade Association, and the European Institute of Innovation and Technology.
Meet the hosts
Ruxandra-Laura Bosilca, PhD, is a global communication leader with experience across EU institutions, nonprofits, and research bodies in five countries. As Board Director of Sponsorships and Partnerships at IABC EMENA, she develops strategic relationships that help the association grow and increase the profession’s impact in the region. Ruxandra began her IABC journey as Community Lead in Brussels, where she created an active network of 70+ communication professionals.
Natalie Moran is the founder of Comms Futurist, a consultancy that helps communication and PR professionals drive business outcomes. She partners with executives and leadership teams to build their online visibility, integrate AI responsibly, and ensure their communication keeps pace with a rapidly changing landscape. Her work spans C-suite workshops on LinkedIn presence, one-to-one communication coaching programs, and virtual events.
Get your free ticket now: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/ETh4HgHTQ46nxoHhFvDTYA

Navigating Industrial Evolution: Communication at Heart of Public Affairs
2026-05-06 13:00 - 13:30
Navigating Industrial Evolution: Communication at Heart of Public Affairs with Karoliina Rasi
Wednesday, May 6, 2026
1:00 PM – 1:30 PM CEST (Central European Summer Time)

Join a 30-min session with Karoliina Rasi to explore EU policy, climate, and trade and build stronger public affairs strategies.
In this session, she will explore how to build effective relationships within the European Parliament and Commission to help drive policy outcomes. She will also discuss how to communicate sustainability through the lens of “sustainable stainless steel” and manage the transition toward greener energy solutions such as green hydrogen. In addition, she will share best practices for coordinating multinational public affairs teams across diverse linguistic and political environments, and explain how to integrate corporate communications with public relations in times of crisis, particularly around trade and climate-related issues.
This session will help you better understand how to manage complex stakeholder environments by balancing the competing priorities of industry, trade, and climate policy at the European level. It will offer a valuable look inside the Brussels ecosystem and how public affairs professionals influence decision-making within EU institutions. You will also gain insight into key issues shaping today’s business environment, including critical raw materials and supply chain efficiency, along with practical lessons drawn from Karoliina’s extensive experience across sectors such as transport, technology, and metals.
Karoliina Rasi brings a deep understanding of political and societal dynamics, making this a unique opportunity to learn from a leading expert in European public affairs.

In Memory of Rob Briggs — A Speed Mentoring & Networking Session
2026-05-27 13:30 - 14:00
In memory of Rob Briggs, we’re running an online speed mentoring and networking session to honour his life and legacy.
Would you like to get some advice from fellow comms pros? Or perhaps you just want to take some time to network with peers across the EMENA region.
Rob was widely known for his generosity, warmth, and willingness to share his knowledge with others. This session is a moment for us to connect, support one another, and continue the spirit of learning and collaboration that he embodied.
Please feel free to come prepared with a challenge or question you’re facing and you’ll be paired with peers to discuss in breakout rooms.

IABC EMENA | Annual General Meeting 2026
2026-06-10 13:00 - 14:00
Notice of Annual General Meeting:
All IABCEMENA members are invited to join the region’s Annual General Meeting on Wednesday 10 June 2026, from 12 pm BST / 1 pm CEST.
Our AGM will include the election of our 2026/27 Region Board, as well as reflecting on the 2025/26 board year.
Register via Zoom.

If Managers Don't Own The Message, You Don't Own the Culture.
2026-06-23 13:00 - 14:00
Why Culture Lives (or Dies) in the Middle and what communicators can do about it.

Webinar: If Managers Don’t Own the Message, You Don’t Own the Culture
Presenter: Steve Crescenzo
Date & Time: Tuesday, 23 June, 1:00 PM CEST (Spain) / 12:00 PM BST (UK)
Register: Register on Eventbrite

Most organizations say culture matters, then treat managers as message carriers rather than culture builders. That’s the mistake. Employees don’t experience “the company.”
They experience their manager. If managers read slides, culture feels scripted. If they spark real dialogue, culture becomes real.
This session shows communicators how to stop pushing talking points and start equipping managers to translate strategy, invite conversation, surface concerns, and send insight back up.
Because culture isn’t built when leaders speak. It’s built when managers make meaning.
You’ll learn:

A clear model for turning managers into two-way communication channels — not corporate megaphones.
Simple tools to help managers translate strategy into “what this means for us.”
A practical way to spark dialogue instead of dumping information.
A system for capturing real stories from the floor — the raw material of culture.
A framework for closing the feedback loop so employees see their voices move upward.
A shift from measuring distribution to measuring understanding, ownership, and action.
