The International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) is a non-profit professional organization incorporated in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and licensed to operate in the State of California. IABC has professional and student members in more than 100 chapters in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Belgium, France, Hong Kong, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Russia, Switzerland, Thailand, and parts of Scandinavia, southern Africa, and the Caribbean.

The headquarters staff in San Francisco provides a range of professional development and recognition services for its international members and offers administrative support for its chapters and region leaders. Visit the IABC web site for further details of its services.

In 1970, its first year of operation, IABC had 2,280 members primarily from the United States, with a budget of approximately U.S. $100,000. Thirty-five years later, IABC’s membership has grown to more than 13,700 worldwide, with an operating budget of $5.1 million and 30 fulltime staff.

IABC chapters are divided geographically into eight regions worldwide. IABC Hawaii is part of the U.S. Pacific Plains Region, which includes chapters and members in 18 western US states. The region provides management and coordinating support for chapter leaders, professional development conferences, and regional award programs for members.

Past Presidents:
Since its chartering in 1970, many members have committed their time and energy to directing IABC Hawaii activities. Chapter presidents deserve special recognition for their efforts, since each spent an average of five years on the chapter board in various positions before and after serving as president. See list of past IABC Hawaii presidents.

National and International IABC Leaders from Hawaii:
Four IABC Hawaii chapter leaders moved on to hold major regional, national, and international IABC positions. They include:

Arnold Kishi, Trustee, IABC Research Foundation Board. Previously, he served several terms as Director, IABC International Executive Board; Director, IABC US District Six; and chaired several international committees and task forces. At its 25th and 35th anniversary celebrations, IABC recognized Kishi as one of the 200 founding members who actively supported IABC since its inception.

Brian White, Director, IABC US Pacific Plains Region that includes 22 chapters in 14 states from Illinois to Hawaii, from Arizona to North Dakota. Previously, he was deputy director and chapter services liaison, IABC US District Six. White played a key role on the transition team that reorganized IABC's former districts into its present regional structure.

Lance Tanaka, Chapter Advocate, IABC US Pacific Plains Region. Previously, he was chapter services liaision on the IABC US District Six Board working with chapter leaders in 14 western states.

Alan Tang, Region Growth and Development Director, IABC US Pacific Plains Region. Alan has been a member of IABC since 1986 and is a past-president of the Hawaii chapter. He is also a recipient of the IABC's international Gold Quill award.

L.C. Bud Bendix, was Director, US District Six, Director, IABC Executive Board and held national IABC leadership and committee posts in the 1970s and early 1980s.

Three other former IABC Hawaii chapter presidents served as IABC US District Six officers. Margaret Apao Secretary-Treasurer (1980-82); Linda Howe, Treasurer (1993); and Sharlene Bliss, Deputy Director (1995).