Vancouver, Canada – The Plain Language Association InterNational (PLAIN) 2013 Conference will attract hundreds of writers, editors, teachers, professors, entrepreneurs, corporate managers, government employees, consultants, students and other supporters of clear communication. This conference celebrates the organization’s 20th anniversary in Vancouver October 10 – 13 and attracts a dynamic line-up of global presenters exploring the way forward for plain language.
Professionals from Brazil, Mexico, Norway, Finland, Portugal, Sweden, Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, Canada and the US will report on developments in their countries. International plain language experts representing the Southern Region – Marcia Riley, GA and Deborah Bosley, NC – are presenting training sessions.
Marcia Riley, former Tennessee Tribune News columnist, written communications trainer and Write Like A Pro author, says “Participants will leave the conference energized with practical tips, tools and techniques that will enable them to be clear communicators. As stated in Robert Howe’s quote, ‘Almost without exception, highly successful people are clear and persuasive communicators in writing. It is the common thread of success’ conference attendees will share that common thread of success.”
The National Commission on Writing and major media articles (e.g., New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Harvard Business Review) have identified the enormous cost of unclear, garbled, poorly written documents. Under the Plain Writing Act signed into law October 2010, the US government seeks to eliminate poor writing skills that inevitably waste time, money and productivity.
PLAIN2013 promises to live up to its theme of Plain Language Advances: new skills, knowledge, research and best practices. The Conference offers plenaries, workshops, round robins, authors’ showcase tables, posters and numerous displays sharing the latest plain language research, best practices, integration and design. New technology, mobilization, sector-specific developments and marketing tips will be shared. With these offerings, participants can choose from many topics and formats to share, learn and build their plain language knowledge base for use at work, school and community.
Conference Chairperson and Managing Director of Community Plain Language Services, Cheryl Stephens states, “We want to share all the global developments and create a new stage for the future of plain language. Plain2013 is for those starting to explore plain language, for those wanting to implement plain language strategies and for those renewing their enthusiasm. We have something for everyone.”
Program presentations will cover best practices on accessibility, usability, ethics and connecting with audiences. Presenters will share tips on how to promote plain language to clients; writing business, technical and legal information; designing documents, understanding global English and the profession’s future direction. Updates on activities of plain language professionals in government, health, financial, legal and educational fields will give participants the opportunity to gain sector insights.
On the last day of the conference ― which is the “official” International Plain Language Day and day the Plain Writing Act was signed into law in 2010 ― art, music, displays and a banquet will celebrate PLAIN’s commitment and progress towards helping the world write better.
The website, plain2013.org, has program, sponsorship, registration and location details. Check out thePLAIN2013 blog for conference details, speakers and plain language insights.