From the President

December 2016

December is the month of salary surveys, chances to win, and mince pies. It's also the time when we look backwards at the year that has been, and forwards to the Christmas holidays, a summer break, and a whole new year to follow.

Salary Survey

Have you had a promotion or pay rise in 2016? Maybe it's the year you first officially became a technical communicator [insert your actual job title here]. Whether your personal salary news is good or indifferent, completing the Annual TechCommNZ Salary Survey helps you and your colleagues get a true picture of salaries in technical communication and related fields. Is it important? Why yes! It helps you negotiate adequate remuneration for the vital job you do. If you haven't already, please complete the survey today. There's a draw to enter and three chances to win a $100 Prezzy card next Wednesday if you leave a name and mobile number. See Do the Salary Survey and win! or go straight to the Survey.

Collaborate2017

Collaborate2017, the NZ conference for technical communicators, is rapidly coming together. I think you will be excited at the line-up of speakers we have for you. The Content Wrangler will be joined by Doug Kim of Microsoft and Patrick Hofmann of Google. I was lucky enough to meet Doug at TCUK 2014. His keynote about rewriting the Blue Screen of Death was fascinating.

Whether you're a conference regular or a newbie, we are looking forward to welcoming you at the conference in Auckland in April. Registrations will be opening very soon! Read the latest news about our presenters from Microsoft and Google.

Clarity2016 recordings and slides

The Clarity2016 presentations are now available and I especially recommend the recorded keynotes:

A huge shout-out to Lynda Harris, Joh Kirby, and their teams for organising such an inspiring and learned line-up of speakers.

Thank you to members, volunteers, and sponsors

TechCommNZ wouldn't exist without its members, its helpers, and its sponsors. I particularly want to thank everyone who has contributed to TechCommWire this year and everyone involved in organising Collaborate2017 and other events. Thanks also to our loyal Business Partners: Adobe, Optimal Workshop, Streamliners, NZTC, and Write. And an extra-large hooray for our very patient Business Manager, Roy McKone.

Joyful Christmas and New Year

For me, 2016 has been a very mixed bag, and I'm really looking forward to the new year, not least because we've got a wickedly good conference coming your way in April. Whatever 2016 has brought you, I hope that you have a Christmas full of happiness and good cheer with friends and family.

Meri kirihimete and ka kite