Each month, IABC/Tulsa features one of its members in the “Meet A Member” section of the newsletter. In this issue, we learn more about IABC President Julie Freeman, who will visit Tulsa for the first time in May. (Be sure to RSVP for the meeting!)
IABC/Tulsa: Your job has to be so interesting – getting to connect with communications professionals from around the world. Why do you love it?
Julie: The best part about my job is the people. I work with a great staff and the IEB keeps me on my toes. But what I really enjoy is meeting members. I have learned that communication professionals throughout the world face similar issues, but with a slightly different twist. My contacts with members have broadened my view of how communication can and should be practiced, not to mention what is going on in the world.
And on the personal level, I have found that IABC members are just plain nice people!
IABC/Tulsa: How long have you been with IABC?
Julie: I’ve been the president of IABC for 10 years.
IABC/Tulsa: What is the best meeting/seminar/conference you have ever attended?
Julie: It’s hard to choose just one. I like the World Conference because the general session speakers are so inspiring and thought-provoking. However, I am never able to go to the break-out sessions at World Conference. Therefore, I also really like the small conferences because I CAN hear the speakers and get to talk to the attendees.
IABC/Tulsa: When you’re not working or traveling for official IABC business, what do you like to do?
Julie: I love to cook, get together with friends, go to the theatre or movies, and see my family who live in Chicago and Indianapolis. I am addicted to crossword puzzles and trying to learn Spanish.
IABC/Tulsa: Sounds like you’re a busy woman. Where’s your favorite spot for some R&R?
Julie: That’s another question that makes it hard to choose just one answer. I loved Oaxacca, Mexico, when I was there. I have enjoyed Italy and Ireland. I would love to go back to Spain and France, and South Africa is fascinating and beautiful.
IABC/Tulsa: IABC’s headquarters are in San Francisco. When people visit you there, what do you take them to do?
Julie: There is a restaurant in San Francisco called Foreign Cinema, with an outside eating area (rare in San Francisco which has cold nights) where they show Foreign movies. I don’t usually watch the movies, but I like the concept, the food and the atmosphere. I always take out of town visitors there.
IABC/Tulsa: The future of the field of communications…
Julie: …is about engaging audiences in conversations. A speaker I heard recently described it as “from storytelling to story building.”
IABC/Tulsa: What advice would you give to communications professionals who are just entering the workforce?
Julie: Learn everything you can – about business basics, about your audiences, about other cultures. You never know where your career will take you, and it is important to be ready for the next challenge.