Program content for the Summit on Corporate Communications will be based on the Arthur W. Page Society's recently published white paper, The Authentic Enterprise, which draws on original CEO research along with the collective experience of a cross-section of corporate communications and academic experts.

This white paper identifies the rapidly changing context for global business and society, examines the drivers and implications of these shifts, and proposes a set of strategic options for CEOs and other "C-suite" executives to consider in helping the enterprise successfully respond to the new realities.

An impressive instructional team will help attendees interpret changes in technology, globalization and stakeholder empowerment, and how those changes are creating both challenges and opportunities for corporations. Among the implications is the need not only to develop channels of communication, but also networks of relationships. Those who manage the communication function must not only position but also define the corporation; not only change perceptions but also change realities.

Speakers and program sessions at the Summit include:

• Jon C. Iwata, Senior Vice President - Communications, IBM Corporation, co-chair of the Page Society's Authentic Enterprise Task Force and co-author of the white paper.
  
  
• Roger Bolton, formerly Senior Vice President - Communications, Aetna, now a Senior Counselor with APCO Worldwide and past President of the Arthur W. Page Society who commissioned the white paper.
  
  
• Peter Debreceny, Co-Chair of the Institute for Public Relations and recently retired as Vice President - Corporate Relations, Allstate Insurance Company, will moderate a panel discussion focusing on the importance of corporate communications officers developing relationships with heads of other C-suite functions. Panelists will include senior-level corporate communications officers plus Marge Wyrwas, chief investor relations officer at Knight Trading, and Larry Pilon, Senior Vice President - Human Resources, Grainger.
  
  
• A presentation by Financial Dynamics, one of the world's most sought-after business and financial communications consulting services, which conducted a survey of CEO's as part of the Authentic Enterprise project. This discussion will explore CEO perceptions and expectations of the chief communications officer's changing role.
  
  
• A highly-interactive session based on a case study presenting a number of business and communications challenges. This session will be directed by Dr. Donald K. Wright, Professor of Public Relations, Boston University, with the assistance from Maril MacDonald, CEO of Gagen MacDonald, President of the Page Society, and former chief communications officer at International Truck & Engine Corporation; and Matt Gonring, Co-Chair of the Institute, now with Gagen MacDonald and formerly chief communications officer at four major companies.

Inquiries

Dr. Don Wright, Director, Institute for Public Relations Forums
Professor of Public Relations, Boston University
+1 617-306-4006 - DonaldKWright@aol.com

Michelle Hinson, Director of Development, Institute for Public Relations
+1 352 392-0280 - MHinson@jou.ufl.edu