Indian Chambers of Commerce conducts first ever Corporate Communications Forum

Apex trade body The Indian Chamber of Commerce hosted its first ever Strategic Corporate Communications Summit on 22 August 2009 in New Delhi. The summit targeted communication professionals from all sectors and industry forums.

Opening the session, minister of state for corporate affairs Salman Khursheed, acknowledging ICC's contribution to the industrial growth of the counry said, ''There is an instant need of effective corporate communications for a significant impact on the prosperity of businesses and organisational success. Corporate communication is a necessity to every field and with the present growth in business and commerce in India, the need for public relations has assumed a new meaning''.

Vikram Thapar, past president, Indian Chambers of Commerce, said, ''Communication today has gathered an altogether new dimension to the corporate world and while they exist in an environment of close scrutiny, it is essential for us to monitor our corporate reputation as well." He congratulated the chamber for pioneering a summit, which "gives communication experts an opportunity to learn and emerge as a functional leader to manage a company's reputation.''

Renowned AD & marketing guru  Alyque Padamsee emphasised the importance of the corporate voice and urged ICC to join hands with other industry bodies to bring about reforms in the communication business.

The summit was aimd at offering a common platform to corporate communications proferssionals to discuss key issues related to the communications environment encompassding crisis management, social media in PR, government relations, stakeholder programmes, etc.

The summit also helped provide a common forum for think-tanks from the communications sector in a bid to share best practices, new trends and case studies with industry profesionals at the event.