Serving as chair of 2024 ICA Gold Coast conference was one of the most rewarding experiences in my academic life. It required sketching out a broad vision and attending to numerous aspects - from selecting the conference theme to attending to suggestions and requests. Certainly, working with the fabulous ICA staff made everything easier and enjoyable.
Although we do not have the post-conference survey data yet, I can confidently say that the meeting was a sound success. I have received positive feedback from many ICA members about several aspects of the conference, such as organized and speedy registration, flawless technology in meeting rooms, and delicious catering. I want to recognize the work of many volunteers who ensured that everything worked smoothly, as well as the attentive staff at the Gold Coast Convention Center.
I had the honor of moderating the opening plenary on communication and human rights with an extraordinary lineup of Australia-based scholars, Drs. Rosalind Croucher, Mary Graham, and Libby Lester. Also, I was thrilled to moderate the closing plenary with colleagues who have done superb work in communication and human rights – Drs.Tanja Bosch, John Erni, Gerald Goggin, Ella McPherson, and Pradip Thomas. Being part of these conversations was a special privilege.
Another memorable moment was the presidential address by Dr. Eun-Ju Lee. Not only was the presentation delivered in Korean with English subtitles - the first time in ICA history that a presidential talk was given in a non-English language (as far as I know). Lee's talk was perfectly delivered; it was packed with provocative thoughts about the study of authenticity, proving questions, and a good dollop of humor. It was a true masterclass that, justifiably, received a standing ovation.
The attendance numbers were substantially higher than what many of us expected: 2,765 in person attendees and 971 remote attendees. Given that it was the first time ICA held its annual conference in Australia, we were not sure about the size of the attendance. Yet, we had a wonderful turnout, which is great, encouraging news, as we continue to plan to hold conferences in different spots around the world.
Another remarkable datapoint was the percentage of new attendees: for 45% of the attendees, it was the first ICA conference. This is unique in the history of ICA. Clearly, the location made a significant difference. Locations tap into different scholars, scholarship, themes, and perspectives. The significance of conference sites confirms the well-worn adage among real estate agents, "location, location, location". Apparently, even better if it includes majestic beaches, splendid sunrises, whale watching, kangaroo sightings, and cuddly, selfie-available (willing?) koalas.
The large percentage of first-time attendees confirms that we are on the right path in our efforts to further globalize our association. Globalizing our conference sites is one way of making ICA more diverse and inclusive. Where we are and what we do affect who shows up – who participates in panels, social events, and hallway conversations, and who is part of our professional networks.
As we become more global in terms of attendees and membership, our annual conference and other activities should continue to showcase the traditions and the foci of communication scholarship of particular regions around the globe. These are opportunities for local, national, and global flows of scholarship to meet and learn from each other – to keep us engaged with differences in communication studies and the world.
This is something we should keep at the center of discussion and planning, particularly considering the fresh insights and recommendations from the Strategic Planning Task Force. I want to thank Drs. Cynthia Stohl and Karin Wilkins for co-chairing the Task Force during the past academic year, and working closely with our consultants and many members. Your service is greatly appreciated. The Executive Committee will continue discussing the recommendations from the Task Force as we plan future directions and activities.
Finally, I wanted to mention that in numerous conversations I had at the Gold Coast conference, colleagues often describe ICA as a community of supportive and stimulating scholars and friends. Having attended ICA conferences for more than three decades–since I was in graduate school–I completely share that sentiment. I have always felt that the association is welcoming, nurturing, and respectful of our intellectual and other differences. This is one of our main strengths that we should continue to treasure, especially as scholars around the world face multiple challenges amid troubling developments for academic freedom and critical thinking.
Thanks to everyone who made an exceptional conference possible!