by Maddie Ogren
Women in Exhibitions (WIE) was founded in 2002 to promote education, information, and networking opportunities among women in the event and experiential industry. The group made big moves this year by instating the first Board of Directors. The eight women from within the industry, have taken the foundation built by the original members and continued creating strong programming. The inaugural board is made up of Nayeli Bielva of Happy Project, Adrienne Fitzgerald of CORT Events, Ellen Kaminski of Exhibit Concepts, Maddie Ogren of Access TCA, Julie Richardson of Moss, Courtney Cantor Soice of Hamilton, Lauren Miller of Team Worldwide, and Gayle Wright of International Port Management Enterprise (IPME).
There are three facets of the organization that are currently being promoted. The first is the co-mentoring program. This program is designed to connect those who want to participate in the mutual exchange of skills and knowledge for professional advancement and growth. Women open to new ideas and opinions will be able to connect in the industry through monthly meetings. Here they can share their expertise, provide guidance and feedback, and get to build a meaningful relationship with another woman, or women. The pairs are encouraged to connect however they feel comfortable—through video chats, calls or in-person meetings—for at least six months. After that time, they can choose to continue meeting, or they can pair with someone else for another unique perspective.
Second, the current board is promoting and developing a monthly webinar series. These calls are one hour, once a month, with topics ranging from design trends to mental health and wellness. The call aims to introduce WIE members to others in the industry with specific expertise and provide education on topics directly impacting their lives. On January 9th, WIE Is hosting the first call of 2024, which will feature Sandi Jacobs of Life with Zest. She will talk about taking a positive approach to diet, exercise, and attitude on the road and at home.
Last, but not of any less importance, are the live events put on by the organization. Each year, the group hosts breakfast at Exhibitor Live and EDPA ACCESS, where women can spend time together, network, and hear a live speaker or panel. With so many women attending the conferences, they are an ideal location to come together and engage in-person with peers in the industry. In 2024, the Exhibitor Live breakfast will be taking place on Wednesday, February 28th at 8 am. Tickets for the event will go on sale in the new year, along with more event details.
For those who have not yet had a chance to interact with the Women in Exhibitions group, 2024 is a great time to start. With a year under their belts, the board is ready to grow the organization even more, hoping for input from other women in the industry. Committees are being created for live events, marketing, and the co-mentoring program; volunteers are needed to help in each area. If you are interested in joining the group, attending a webinar or event, or being part of a committee, please contact WIE at womeninexhibitions@gmail.com or https://tinyurl.com/ybjd6mzp.
MADDIE OGREN, CTSM, is the Senior Director of Client Services at Access TCA, Inc.
This story originally appeared in the Q1 2024 issue of Exhibit City News, p. 36. For original layout, visit https://issuu.com/exhibitcitynews/docs/ecn_q1_2024.
