Peter, I think Iran does not have a strangle hold on any US industries. They only have 15% of Persian Gulf exports, at least in 2003. See this link http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/cabs...cabs/
pgulf.html
Surely engagement makes more sense. I don't think isolation is always a great idea. You might disagree, but I don't think the isolation of Cuba over the last 50 years has not been very effective.
However, I do think there's a difference between supporting a government you don't agree with and supporting sports or professions in a country.
I saw the item on your blog and was surprised that there even was a PR industry in Iran. Nonetheless, we should take a stand, especially since ours is an industry not hampered by the oil stranglehold Iran has on other industries.
Granted, a PR industry boycott of this conference would do little to disrupt the dangerous direction in which Iran is headed, but it would certainly say something about the consciousness of our profession. And who knows, perhaps other industries would folow suit?
The conference in Iran seemed rather mundane, sticking to academic topics. I wrote about it because it was such a surprise to get the email about an Iranian PR conference. I thought it was interesting to get another perspective on the PR industry in another country. It was interesting to read the conference schedule.
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