Highlights from IC Meetings

In February, the committees discussed the country organizations’ annual plans, including numerous online and on-site events. tekom Österreich continued its 30^th-anniversary celebratory tour, while Austria, Denmark, and the Netherlands hosted their popular doc dinners, informal meetups for networking and sharing insights over dinner. The success of this format inspired plans for a joint European Tech Doc Dinner on January 28, 2026, with more details to follow.

Initiative committees have focused on expanding on-site events. Cross-border initiatives have also flourished, such as joint events between tekom Belgium and tekom Netherlands, and a planned online collaboration among Austria, Hungary, Romania, and Turkey.

Membership development remains a key topic, as some country organizations grow while others face stagnation or decline. These regular meetings help COs to support one another and share practical ideas for community engagement and growth.

With the tekom Europe delegate elections taking place this year, recruiting new volunteers to join the initiative committees and boards provided another key topic. The goal is to ensure smooth transitions and to raise awareness of opportunities to get involved.

The topic “tekom Europe and You” also emerged from an IC meeting, aiming to align marketing and communication efforts to better convey tekom Europe’s value to members. It became one of four workshop themes for the second assembly of delegates (AoD).

The Work of the Executive Board

The tekom Europe executive board also plays an essential role in organizing and coordinating the association’s activities. The board meets online each month and 2 times in person in Frankfurt to prepare the agendas for the assemblies of delegates, draft strategic documents for discussion, and review financial planning. In preparation for the on-site assembly—with its more elaborate agenda on the business model, strategy, and workshop discussions—the board provides “food for thought” and guidance for delegates. It also prepares the annual budget for approval toward the end of the year, ensuring transparency and alignment across all country organizations.

The First Assembly of Delegates 2025 (Online, March)

The first AoD took place online in March. Gary Manders, treasurer of tekom Europe, presented the economic report, followed by the auditors’ review of the cash audit. Magali Baumgartner, vice president of tekom Europe, delivered a report from the executive board, and updates from the standard committee and the education and training committee were shared. President Tiziana Sicilia then outlined the timeline and key steps for the upcoming tekom Europe elections. Afterward, delegates exchanged short updates on developments, challenges, and highlights within their respective country organizations.

The Second Assembly of Delegates 2025 (Copenhagen, September)

The second AoD was held in person in Copenhagen on September 26, giving participants the opportunity to attend NORDIC TechKomm Copenhagen 2025 as well earlier that week. On the evening before the assembly, delegates, executive board members, and guests gathered for a relaxed Danish seaside dinner near the location of the traditional morning swim that some conference attendees joined.

The next morning, everyone met for a full day of discussions and workshops. This assembly focused on making the most of meeting in person, with topics covering tekom Europe’s business model, membership benefits, community development, marketing, and the organization’s strategic direction.

After the introduction of the business model and manifesto drafts, delegates selected the topics they preferred to discuss in more depth. The resulting workshops were lively and collaborative, with groups presenting their outcomes to the AoD. These discussions are now being continued and refined over the following weeks.

Following a brief update on the election process, the education and trainingcommittee shared insights into its current projects—including the collection of ideas for the next European Academic Colloquium (EAC), scheduled for 2026, and the ongoing activities of the International University Network in Technical Communication (IUNTC). IUNTC organizes monthly webinars, such as recent sessions on technical communication education in China (September) and information mapping (October). These initiatives reflect the strong academic collaboration and exchange promoted within tekom Europe.

Each country organization then reported on key lessons learned and highlights since the March assembly. The day concluded with a visit to the Carlsberg Brewery, where delegates enjoyed the exhibition and a well-earned drink in a relaxed setting.

This on-site assembly was special in two ways: its focus on workshops and its connection with a major tekom Europe-supported event, NORDIC TechKomm Copenhagen 2025. With more than 120 attendees, the conference provided an inspiring environment for learning and networking, with many sessions exploring the impact of AI on technical communication. The event’s dynamic atmosphere carried over into the assembly, fostering creative discussions and a strong sense of community among the delegates.

We hope to continue this approach, giving delegates the opportunity to attend events hosted by other country organizations, meet members across borders, and exchange insights on trends and developments in technical communication — strengthening our European community together.