A number of people are recognized at the annual international conference of the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC). For example, the association’s newest Fellows are named and a non-communicator senior executive (usually a president or CEO) is presented the EXCEL Award for supporting outstanding communication.

Then there’s the Chairman’s Award, which is presented at the sole discretion of the current IABC chair to a member for “selfless contributions and (who) worked hard behind the scenes to enhance the association???s image, facilitate member development and benefit the communication profession.” (I was humbled and honored myself in 1999 when Brenda Siler, ABC, presented me with the recognition.)

This year, IABC Chair Barbara Gibson, ABC, has selected my friend, colleague, podcasting book co-author, fellow AdHocnium catalyst and SNCR founding fellow, and podcast co-host Neville Hobson, ABC, as the 2009 Chairman’s Award recipient.

(All those “ABCs” stand for Accredited Business Communicator, by the way.)

In selecting Neville, Barb wrote, “In thinking about who I wanted to honor with the Chairman???s Award, I looked to my ???Four I???s of IABC??? (international, influence, inspiration & individual). I wanted to select someone who was helping the association be more international, who had influenced and inspired me personally, as well as other members, the profession and beyond, and who took individual initiative to make things happen, rather than sitting back and waiting for others to make a difference. Neville Hobson, ABC, embodies all those things.”

That sums Neville up quite well, but no single quote does justice to his long years of dedicated service to IABC nor his contributions to the communications profession. You can get a more detailed overview here.

(Photo credit: Pete Blackshaw, from Flickr)