Get your tickets and mark your calendars for the first-ever Professional Women’s Conference presented by Northwest Indiana Influential Women Association (NWIIWA). This all-day conference will take place on November 13 at Blue Chip Casino Hotel Spa in Michigan City, Ind. While NWIIWA has worked to inspire women and provide tools to help them thrive in their careers since its inception, the Professional Women’s Conference will allow the organization to fulfill these goals on a larger scale.
With a lineup of experienced keynote speakers, diverse topics covered in breakout sessions, and over 500 women and men expected to attend the conference, NWIIWA Executive Director Andrea Pearman is confident that the Professional Women’s Conference will enrich everyone in attendance.
“We started off by being intentional with the topics and the types of speakers we wanted,” Pearman said. “The conference offers something for everyone, regardless of where they're at in their career. There are topics that will appeal to those who are in the early stages of their career and topics for the veterans who have been around for some time. We started with the premise that we wanted to offer a nice variety, we put out a call for presenters, and we got applications from speakers all over the country.”
To secure speakers for the conference, NWIIWA used its connections with its members to gain input. NWIIWA did a callout to its network to get speaker recommendations, asking individuals and companies if they could recall speakers they had previously heard in Indiana and beyond who left a lasting, positive impression. Between these recommendations and the applications it received, NWIIWA is proud to welcome to the stage speakers with various specialties from across the nation.
“My hope is not only that individuals see the potential and how important it is for them to continue their development but that businesses in our area take advantage of this unique opportunity to empower their staff,” Pearman said. “Studies show that one of the top five reasons that people are unhappy with their jobs is that they're not getting continual education and mentorship. You invest so much in your staff just by hiring, so why not continue that? That makes our whole community stronger.”
While the presentations will certainly leave their mark, Pearman and NWIIWA Ambassador Committee Chair Alyssa Gawlinski are big believers that the connections people make with other attendees at events like this are a major highlight of coming together with professionals from across the Region and ultimately make women stronger in their careers.
“This is going to help any woman thrive – no matter if they're coming in or they're going out the door – by letting them get out there, meet individuals, and share their experiences with others,” Gawlinski said. “I think that is monumental. Being able to watch women connect and then build an organic relationship is truly remarkable. Everybody has something that they can share and will be able to gain, whether that’s what they bring as an attendee or what they take away from a speaker.”
To encourage women who are just starting out in their careers to attend the event, NWIIWA has provided opportunities for companies and individuals in attendance to buy tickets for local college students along with their table purchases.
No matter where you are in your career, Pearman and Gawlinski would encourage you to attend and bring along a friend. If you are interested in the conference but are hesitant to sign up as an individual, NWIIWA has you covered.
“If I can be that person or have other women who are part of the association be that friendly face and offer a chair at the table so you don't feel alone, please reach out. Every woman deserves to be there, so we'll make it happen,” Gawlinski said.
To learn more about Northwest Indiana Influential Women Association, visit nwiiwa.org. For more information about speakers, sponsors, and tickets, visit the Professional Women’s Conference website.