Jazz up your career at the IABC 2007 International Conference.

Communicators will have the opportunity to energize their careers while falling in love with New Orleans, Louisiana, when the IABC International Conference comes to the Big Easy 24-27 June.

The conference kicks off with a literary and musical journey led by former Time magazine Paris bureau chief Tom Sancton and the Clive Wilson jazz ensemble at IABC's Opening Session. Sancton, the author of Song for My Fathers: A New Orleans Story in Black and White, will touch on themes of teamwork, rebuilding and reinvention in this colorful session that combines cultural tradition with delightful renditions of authentic New Orleans Dixieland jazz music.

"Experiential learning" will be a recurring theme this year, with conference workshops that will use role-playing, simulations, interactive exercises, games and demonstrations. In addition, look for these exciting sessions:

* Urban cultural anthropologist Jennifer James, Ph.D., will discuss how successful adaptation requires changes in communication, management and leadership. James, the author of seven books including Thinking in the Future Tense, specializes in the cultural elements of technological change and marketing intelligence. At the General Session on Tuesday, 26 June, she will describe what you can learn from the new "knowledge workers," the portfolio professionals who prefer to work as part of a diverse, empowered team with maximum independence and minimum management.

* What do the world's best managers do differently? What do the world's best leaders do differently? Do great managing and great leading require different talents? Leadership expert and best-selling author Marcus Buckingham will draw on his nearly two decades of experience with The Gallup Organization to answer these key questions at the General Session on Wednesday, 27 June.

* Paul A. Argenti, professor of corporate communication at Dartmouth College's Tuck School of Business, will take the podium at the IABC Research Foundation Luncheon and Seminar on Tuesday, 26 June. He will discuss how the business environment has changed over the past 20 years and brought on unprecedented reputation risk for corporations and communicators. The author of many books and articles for both academics and practitioners, Argenti has taught management and corporate communication at Harvard Business School and Columbia Business School.

In addition to the conference sessions, attenders can indulge in the city's culinary treasures at the New Orleans Dine-Around on 26 June. The event will support the many celebrated restaurants that are reintroducing themselves to the world.

Build knowledge and your professional network through experiential learning at the communication profession's most innovative conference. Register for the 2007 International Conference online at www.iabc.com/ic or call +1 415.544.4700.

lend a hand in rebuilding new orleans

In addition to building your own knowledge and network, you can help rebuild the community of New Orleans, Louisiana, through IABC's preconference volunteer proJect with Habitat for Humanity. We'll be assisting Habitat with a new construction project on 22-23 June. No construction experience is required--just your time and willingness to help. Visit www.iabc.com/ic for more information.