Robert W. Grupp, IPRA President, 2008
Excitement is building up among members of the International Public Relations Association (IPRA) who are attending the PR World Congress that is going on in Beijing Nov. 13-15. Hopes are high, what with a full promising agenda and a top-calibre line-up of speakers, including icon Harold Burson, threshing out varied topics, and a whole schedule of panel discussions.
IPRA President Robert W."Bob" Grupp has been so kind as to update us on the program, and his expectations of, the Beijing Congress. I am honored to quote his note, and thank him for it:
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My expectations for the IPRA 2008 Public Relations World Congress are very high. We have more than 400 delegates from at least 30 countries who are registered to attend. This is a very good turnout, considering the very difficult global economy. I believe the strong attendance illustrates the dedication by these delegates to learn from one another and share best practices from all regions of the world.
Among the highlights we will experience together next week:
A speech by PR pioneer Harold Burson at the opening gala dinner on Thursday night, Nov. 13. Harold is 87 and as sharp as ever! He was the first multinational PR agency to launch business in China. That was in 1985 when B-M partnered with Xinhua news service.
That same evening I am honored to present the 2008 IPRA President's Award to John D. Graham, chairman of Fleishman-Hillard International Communications. John is a long-time IPRA member and has grown his form from a small regional agency in St. Louis in the USA, to a global firm with 80 office around the world.
Each delegate will receive a copy of the newest IPRA Gold Paper: "Public Relations and Collaboration -- "The Role of Public Relations and Communications Supporting Collaboration in a Complex, Converging World." The paper is available in English and Chinese via www.ipra.org. It's a good read; I recommend it.
Chinese Foreign Minister Yang, a proponent of business diplomacy, is scheduled to open the World Congress. (Our co-host, CIPRA, is hoping a vice premier of China also may attend. This would be tremendous recognition for IPRA and our cause.)
The program is strong and relevant. We have 8 Chairmen or CEOs from the world's largest multinational PR and communications agencies attending.
I believe the legacy of this World Congress will be better understanding of our various cultures, especially China. Understanding the success of this great market as well as the internal challenges is fundamental to understanding China. I expect to leave this professional dialogue with a great deal more understanding and sensitivity to how China sees world issues today and consequently, how public relations is best practiced there.
I also hope that this World Congress will encourage all of us to practice business diplomacy as it is defined in the new IPRA Gold Paper. That means we should have the courage to talk with one another, even those with whom we disagree, not necessarily as a sign of approval, but as a way of understanding and shaping opinions, environments, and ultimately, the resulting behaviors. That is what is meant by ‘collaborative diplomacy.’
While we explore these topics and ideas, we must not lose sight of the challenges brought about by the current global economic crisis. More than ever, we in public relations need to measure and report return on investment in public relations for client organizations.
Finally, I expect to have fun together in Beijing! Where else can we meet friends in public relations from all the continents?
I wish the Philippine delegates safe travel and a good conference."
See you in Beijing!
Best Regards,
Bob
Robert W. Grupp
IPRA President
Happy fruitful presiding, Bob!
The China International Public Relations Association (CIPRA) is leaving no stone unturned to make the PR Congress a scintillating success.
