The Arthur W. Page Society concluded its 23rd Annual Conference today at the Ritz-Carlton Sarasota with more than 140 people in attendance. With the theme of "Counseling the Corporation in Kaleidoscopic Change", the conference brought together nationally and internationally recognized thought-leaders to examine, interpret and experience the kaleidoscope of changes in the marketplace, business and the communications profession.

At the annual business meeting held this morning, the Nominating Committee announced that the Board of Trustees has voted unanimously to re-elect President Roger Bolton, Aetna, to another term as the leader of the organization, beginning January 1. The committee also recommended the slate of candidates for the Board of Trustees Class of 2009, which was approved by the membership. The following are renewing trustees:

Helen Ostrowski, Porter-Novelli
Peter Debreceny, Allstate Insurance
Nancy Hobor, Grainger
Ken Sternad, UPS
Don Wright, Ph.D., Boston University
Tom Martin, ITT Industries
Bill Nielsen, Johnson & Johnson (retired)

The new trustees are:

Jon Iwata, IBM
Margery Kraus, APCO Worldwide

Among the highlights of the Annual Conference was the Annual Awards Ceremony held on Monday honoring excellence in the profession. Three awards were presented:

The 2006 Hall of Fame Award was presented to Charlotte R. Otto, global external relations officer of The Procter & Gamble Company. Created in 1984, the Hall of Fame award is the Society's highest recognition, honoring a leading senior-level communications executive for career achievement and outstanding contributions to the profession that help advance the role of the Chief Communications Officer.

1. The 2006 Distinguished Service Award went to E. Ronald Culp, senior vice president and managing director of the Midwest operations of Ketchum. This award recognizes an individual who has helped strengthen the role of public relations in our society by devoting themselves to services that help build and nurture the profession.
   
2. The 2006 Page Principles Award was presented to AT&T Inc. for its massive communications response in the wake of Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Accepting on its behalf was Selim Bingol, senior vice president, Corporate Communications, AT&T Inc. This award recognizes an outstanding demonstration of effective corporate communications and the application of the Page Principles, which are the seven communications management concepts upheld by the Page Society.
   

About the Arthur W. Page Society

The Arthur W. Page Society is a professional association composed primarily of the chief communications officers (CCOs) of the world's top multinational corporations, and the CEOs of the world's largest public relations agencies. The organization's members also include academics from the leading business and communications schools.

The Page Society is dedicated to strengthening the management policy role of chief communications officers. The Page Society is upheld by management concepts, known as the Page Principles, which have been tested for more than half a century and have earned the support and respect of chief executive officers throughout the country. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Arthur W. Page Society.