A look in.

Gloria Gordon

With each issue we try to offer something new--and sometimes, something old as well. This issue is no exception. We have a new ABC executive board that will be ratified at the international conference in June, a new slate of Gold Quill winners who will be celebrated at the conference and new award recipients. So what's old? The fact that we've been celebrating the best and brightest of ABC members for 30 years. Each year, it's always exciting to put together the June/July issue--that's when we announce these stellar IABCers. The names may be new, but the process is as old as ABC's heritage.

And speaking of heritage, ABC's international conferences continue to offer new and exciting programs, year after year. I hope you'll join your colleagues, keynoters and session leaders in Chicago, June 9-12. Not only will you have an opportunity to brush up on your skills, you'll also have occasion to meet new friends and discuss issues that concern you. You're sure to share experiences that will help you do your jobs better, and have some fun learning--and, of course, the opportunity to enjoy Chicago's finest offerings. You'll be welcomed with open arms.

In addition, CW is conducting a roundtable discussion with panelists who are senior communicators in major organizations--some of whom have experienced the dilemma of having access to confidential information that is truly negative and unpleasant. The discussion at conference will focus on what communicators do once they are privy to bad news. What qualifies us to be the conscience of an organization any more than other members of the management team? Where do our ethical considerations begin and end? What is our responsibility to an organization as it relates to these kinds of incidents? What is our obligation to the external world?

This session should generate a lively and timely discussion. The time is overdue for communicators to take a look at ourselves, and our profession, and to address negative issues in depth. We'll be including a special report on this important roundtable discussion in the August/September edition of Communication World.

Looking ahead to the next issue, we'll also include interviews with outgoing ABC chairman John. G. Clemens, ABC, APR, and an interview with the EXCEL winner, the CEO of Best Buy stores, Edward Schulze.

In addition, we'll be presenting ABC's Profile of members. Every two years, we conduct a demographic survey to find out where we are, how much we make, our ages, titles--you get the picture. This year we'll include the results in CW, divided into three categories: 1) statistical data; 2) what it means to us and the profession; 3) a look back at 30 years of Profiles, and seeing where we were, how we've evolved, and where we are now.

This issue of CW and the next are must-reads.