The Arthur W. Page Society, a leading voice for the corporate communications and public relations industry, hosted its annual regional networking dinner last month, at the Chicago Yacht Club. The evening featured remarks by Miles D. White, CEO, Abbott Laboratories, who addressed an audience of nearly 60 Page Society members, all top corporate communications and public relations executives from Chicago and the Midwest. White made the case for corporate communications as a business imperative, a link to bottom-line success, especially in today's complex, fast-paced, relationship-oriented business environment. (For a summary of what he said, click here.)

Prior to the dinner, the Page Society co-hosted a seminar with The Institute for Public Relations. The session was a lecture and Q&A session led by Kirk Stewart, vice president, corporate communications and James Carter, vice president and general counsel, both of NIKE, Inc., headquartered in Oregon. Stewart and Carter were invited to speak to a group of public relations and corporate communications practitioners about the implications of the NIKE v. Kasky case on U.S. corporations. They focused on what the case could signify for companies as they engage in public debate and precautions that they may consider in light of pending legal rulings. (For a summary, click here.)

"Last week's meeting in Chicago was an example of how the Page Society brings together corporate communications and public relations professionals, executives of Fortune 500 companies and thought leaders to discuss the key roles we play in matters related to corporate trust, transparency and disclosure, governance, corporate citizenship, credibility and reputation," said David Drobis, president, Arthur W. Page Society and chairman of Ketchum, New York, who hosted the dinner meeting. "We are committed to partnering with one another and with the leadership teams of the companies we serve to maintain the highest professional standards of business conduct."

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.