Some more information can be found in this PRWeek (USA, as the Canadian version was unceremoniously deep-sixed a couple of months ago), Edelman names new CEO in Canada.

Perhaps the most interesting is the July 10th Globe and Mail item, A little too much information, where Conway is quoted:

Digital media will be a primary focus for Edelman, she said. “Every company has to become a media company. I think the PR function is going to change more in the next five years than in the last 50.”

Based on what I learned about Heather Conway at that CPRS Toronto session two years ago, I think she is well-positioned to lead Edelman Canada into its future.

I concur that Shilpa and Christine are both very good at what they do (work and volunteer), and I’m sure that it is at least partly because of their excellent program/training at Centennial College; you know I’m a big champion/supporter of your corp comm/PR program.

In fact, I wish I was able to attend Centennial College’s upcoming Talk Is Cheap “social media unconference for PR and corporate communications practitioners” on November 15th, but (alas) I’m out of the country, attending my LERN symposium/conference. Other folks in the GTA might want to check out the program on the wiki and then register. The event is free.

I wasn’t aware you had Heather Conway in to speak. By happy coincidence, our national association (Certified General Accountants Association of Canada) is actually a corporate sponsor of Canada’s Top 40 Under 40™ program, which means I’ve been able to attend the Ontario-region breakfast or reception and/or overall awards luncheon for the past two years. Having met and chatted with many of the “Top 40s” (current winners and alumni), I have been extremely impressed by the calibre of the people who get nominated for and win the awards: so much brain power and sense of social responsibility, plus general business- and people-skills savviness in one room is quite energizing and inspiring–just like Heather was at the CPRS (Toronto) event. I don’t think there were any PR-oriented winners this year, but there was definitely a female award winner from the field in 2006; I noted what she did for a living and made a point of congratulating her.

Note that Heather wasn’t the moderator that evening, though. All three women were given equal speaking time, then the audience was invited to ask questions. Which we certainly did! And we weren’t disappointed by the answers.

And I see you’ve followed Gary Schlee’s lead and started a blog. Congratulations on that endeavour.

The event organizers are grads of my PR program at Centennial College, so, I think they learned their lessons well.

A number of years ago, when Heather Conway was named one of the “Top 40 Under 40″ (the only PR person to do so), I invited her into one of my Career Management classes as a guest speaker. She really impressed the students with her truth telling and candor. I’m sure she was a most able moderator.

(And on a totally separate note, Karen, I think you walked past me during Nuit Blanche last Saturday, around 8 p.m. We were in the looong line-up to see the Ghost Subway aural exhibit when this woman walked by and I thought, “I know her,” but couldn’t put a name to the face. When I read your comment this week–then visited your blog–it struck me that I think it was you, because you wrote about your own Nuit Blanche experience in Yorkville.)

Lawrence, thank you for taking the time to check out the post and comment. I welcomed the opportunity to attend the event and report on it for PR Conversations, so I very much appreciated getting the board’s approval as “accredited blogger.” I don’t know if you were aware that I was continuing to fight a bad (post-TIFF) cold and didn’t know up until a few hours before whether I would have the energy to attend. I pushed myself to come out and was really glad I did…those three Liliths were not only knowledgeable and inspiring, but also very energizing. Plus very approachable and personable, which I know because I had an opportunity to speak with each of them in advance of the panel session.

Shilpa and Christine are indeed running a great PD program; I’ve been to more CPRS Toronto events in the last 1.5 years than I’ve been to in the entire time I’ve been a member.

I wish you continued success during your year in office. I understand next week’s Open House is booked to capacity, otherwise I’d try to make it out to meet you in person.

Thank you so much for such an in-depth and insightful review of our recent event. It pleases me to hear that we are on the right track with our Professional Development programming.

We are honoured to be able to attract such influential and engaging panelists and speakers at our events. Thank you for helping raise our profile.

Sincerely,
Lawrence J. Stevenson, APR
President, CPRS (Toronto)

What a great post and summary of what seems to have been an exceptional event. The amount of knowledge and experience that must have been in that room is exceptional!

There are a few key things that hit me as a communications practitioner. Marion’s belief in encouraging ongoing dialogue with individuals from various backgrounds is very smart. Too often, people rely on information provided solely within their circles, and that can have damaging effects on a company. I like the idea of “taking the pulse of Canadians” by listening to cab drivers. All of a sudden, that Air Farce episode springs to mind…

Heather’s comment that “the best CEO’s do value the truth” is quite encouraging in a time where greed and corruption frequently reign. It all comes down to treating people the way you would like to treated. Timeless advice for any business – and for life in general.

On the subject of “strategy”…I agree that it’s important to ask the right questions (and to the right people). Frequently, employees are afraid to speak up for fear of rocking the boat. Unfortunately, if a strategy is offline and front line people don’t speak up (or aren’t listened to), a company will begin to look and feel like a sinking ship.

Lastly, it’s so true that you have to love what you do. With passion, focus and the right information, practitioners are well on their way to achieving their career (and personal) goals.