The Washington Center for Women's Business (WCWB) is pleased to once again co-host the INSPIRE Women's Business Conference in Lacey on May 23, 2024 to provide inspiration, education, and networking. This year's in-person conference will feature inspiring speakers and sessions on cultural leadership, entrepreneurship, e-commerce, small business financing, government contracting and more, as well as opportunities to meet local vendors and women-owned businesses. are also available.
“We have a feeling we’re going to sell out,” said WCWB Program Manager Ashley Whitley, who encourages attendees to register now for the 2024 conference. His venue at South Puget Sound Community College's Lacey Campus has space for 250 people. Typically, most participants are from Thurston County, primarily Olympia, Tumwater and Lacey.
“We also have online options for live streaming for a quarter of the cost, which still provides great access to networking, speaker bios, and presentations,” adds Whitley.
Influential speakers at Thurston County Business Conference inspire women entrepreneurs
Sponsored by WCWB and the Thurston Economic Development Council, the conference promises a rich day of empowerment and uplifting women in business. Participants will connect with like-minded people in women-owned businesses, hear from successful entrepreneurs and experts, and discover new business strategies. “We talk about leadership, women's empowerment, and understanding cultural influences,” Whitley said.
Miss Washington 2023 Vanessa Munson will be the keynote speaker, speaking about leadership and women's empowerment. Manson served as a U.S. Army human resources specialist at Joint Base Lewis-McChord and was the first active-duty military member to earn the title of Miss Washington. She has successfully juggled her career and her higher education while living with hearing loss. She is in her senior year at the United States Army War College, pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration with a minor in Marketing.
“Two native speakers will talk about cultural leadership and diversity,” Whitley adds. Stacey McQuade Egger, executive director of the Northwest Indian Related Tribal Economic Development Corporation, will also be a keynote speaker. McQuade Eger is an attorney and an enrolled tribal member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of the Flathead Reservation in Montana. Melanie Montgomery, a member of the Quinault Indian Nation and board chair of the Native Action Network, will also appear.
Kate Isler will be speaking. Ms. Eiler is the co-founder and CEO of WMarketplace, a national e-commerce marketplace for women-owned businesses to sell products such as professional and personal services. Ms. Isler worked at Microsoft for 20 years, is a member of the global board of Girl Rising, and is a mentor for the International Women's Forum.
Other influential speakers include Jen Thomas, life coach and workplace consultant with Chameleon O'Clock LLC; award-winning coach Genefenes Franke of Fiscal Finesse Consulting; President of Black-Owned Business Excellence and the Washington African American Chamber of Commerce. U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Deputy District Director Melanie M. Norton, Small Business Owners Panel. And many more business leaders. Details of the agenda will be posted on his web page on INSPIRE. All of this is in addition to his five different industry local small business committees representing Thurston County.
“We want to provide enough motivation for people to believe that they can become entrepreneurs,” Whitley says.
Nominate women-owned businesses for INSPIRE 2024 Awards
The conference will celebrate the outstanding women-owned businesses of 2023 by presenting awards in three categories: innovation, community impact, and leadership. “We want to be aware of what people are doing in these three categories,” Whitley says.
To nominate a local business, please fill out this online form by March 15th. Nomination forms close before the conference, so if you'd like to nominate a local women-owned business, act soon.
INSPIRE Business Conference provides timely education and networking
The conference will feature timely educational sessions on e-commerce, SBA loans, government contracts, understanding pricing, and other practical business topics. Networking opportunities will be available during the day, during the post-session cocktail hour, and in the vendor area where 24 carefully selected companies will be featured.
Participants can also bid on silent auction products made by local businesses. Auction fundraising and other conference funds will help fund scholarships. “Funds go back into scholarships for new women attending the conference and for women in need,” Whitley said.
Support small businesses at May 23 INSPIRE Women in Business Conference in Lacey
WCWB, supported by the SBA and supported by the Thurston EDC Center for Business and Innovation, works to grow and strengthen women-owned businesses across Washington. WCWB provides coaching, training, and technical assistance to women to build the businesses of their dreams. WCWB hosts events like the INSPIRE Business Conference as one of the many resources available to local entrepreneurs.
Support local women-owned small businesses by attending the INSPIRE Women's Business Conference, sponsoring an event or scholarship, nominating your company for an award, or applying to be a vendor. Register online. Seating is limited.
Washington Center for Women in Business
INSPIRE Women’s Business Conference
May 23, 2024, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
South Puget Sound Community College Lacey Campus
4220 6th Avenue SE, Lacey
sponsored
