The 2017 Spring Conference will be held on April 26-28 at the Omni Austin Hotel Downtown in Austin, Texas, and attendees can look forward to plenty of networking and learning opportunities.  The organizers of the event aim to empower women in the industry with powerful education and engagement.  This year’s conference will offer more networking opportunities than ever before.  From connecting with new friends to finding synergies with women working in the same role, the conference will be packed with must-attend events. 

“We will start with the optional mentoring meeting, then have the team building event, and end with the best practices round table,” says Ashley Martin, vice president of wholesale sales, NIBCO Inc., and chairwoman of ASA Women In Industry.  “The team-building event is something we have done at every conference, and attendees really enjoy getting to know each other outside of the classroom setting.  We have received feedback about getting women together in similar positions or departments and that’s why we have included this year the best practices roundtable; its time to discuss issues, successes or career paths with other women in similar situations.” 

Students, professors and advisors from Texas A&M’s Society of Women in Industrial Distribution also will participate in the conference this year.  They’ll share their future expectations and be mentored by the ASA WII group. 

The three-day event will feature a keynote luncheon with Amy Henry from NBC’s reality show, The Apprentice.  Henry will share her experiences, skills and in-your-face advice for moving up in today's workplace, in session titled, “What it Takes: Speak Up, Step Up, Move Up: A Modern Woman’s Guide to Success in Business. Throughout Henry’s 10-year business career, she has learned how women can succeed by using the strategies men use every day, and by thinking of femininity as an asset, not a liability.  You won’t want to miss this!

Working together to help each other 

As in previous years, the ASA WII Division will continue a partnership with Dress for Success, an international not-for-profit organization that promotes the economic independence of women by providing professional attire, a network of support and the career development tools to help women thrive in work and life.  “We decided we wanted to give back as an organization,” Martin says.  “When thinking of organizations that are helping women, Dress for Success naturally came to mind.”

Plan to bring nearly new or gently used women’s professional clothing and accessories during the conference to donate.  Your help will be greatly appreciated, and will be in service of other women. 

Another great way to be in service of each other is to participate in the optional mentoring informational meeting on Wednesday, April 26.  The ASA WII Mentor Match program takes on a more laid back approach this year with a new, open session on how to navigate the mentor/protégé relationship.  

“We aren’t pairing people up like we did last year,” Martin says.  “We will share guidance on how to have a successful mentor/mentee relationship, but hopefully, women will find someone at the session that they think will be a good match them.  A mentor/mentee relationship is personal, and this way gives people a choice of who they think will really help them.”

Attend this session to find out more about how to engage in a successful mentoring relationship.  Guidelines on how to identify and cultivate a successful mentorship will be shared, as well the opportunity to network with members that are looking for mentor/protégé partnerships.

The WII Spring Conference provides an opportunity for you to connect with other female professionals in the PHCP and industrial PVF supply industry.  Those attending can network and leverage educational opportunities to advance their own careers, and make unique connections and learn skills in order to reach their potential. 

“I hope attendees are inspired to move forward in their career paths by the speakers’ stories,” Martin says.  “Also, I hope they meet other women that they can relate to, look up to, and motivate with their own story.  Networking is a big part of this conference.  There is a wealth of knowledge just in the women attending.”

You’ll build lasting relationships, share and learn valuable tips for success, help bring women in the PHCP and PVF industry together, connect with a mentor/protégé, get involved to build a strong support network, and increase the visibility of women in the industry. 

For more information, click here.  We’ll see you there!