Kibbe on Marketing: New Hampshire Conference for Women

What happens when you combine hundreds of bright, creative, hard-working women and six outstanding leaders in their field? Something wonderful.

That something wonderful is the 2011 New Hampshire Conference for Women, held this year on Friday, Nov. 18, with registration beginning at 8 a.m., and sessions starting from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Radisson Hotel in downtown Manchester.

Created by Leslie Sturgeon, founder of the women’s professional networking and business support organization, Women Inspiring Women, this year’s conference looks to be the biggest and the best yet.

Headliners this year include six women from a variety of backgrounds. Kathleen Peterson, of PowerHouse Consulting, will discuss “the five lessons” she has learned from life’s experiences – some as simple as spelling, use of language, and the difference between fine wine and not so fine.

How do you create health and wealth from the inside out? KBK Wealth Connection owner Kathleen Burns Kingsbury will show us how to stop sabotaging our perceptions of money and create a more financially secure and fulfilling future.

You can’t lead others effectively if you can’t lead yourself. Laurie-Ann Murabito will discuss how to build a culture of excellence within ourselves to bring out transformational change.

We’ve all been to conferences that sap our energy more than they inspire it. Humorist Lesley Smith will be on hand at the New Hampshire Conference for Women to make sure we take time to laugh and regroup.

Wrapping up the day will be hikers Nancy Sporborg and Pat Piper. They’ve been to the mountaintop – literally and figuratively – and will show us that we all have the skills to scale the seemingly insurmountable in our life.

Throughout the day there will be dozens of exhibitors, door prizes, and of course, more than a few surprises.

I chatted with Leslie and here’s what she had to say about this years event:

CK: Are you surprised at the way the conference has grown from last year?
LS: This is the 2nd NH Conference for Women (plus we also did the 1st Annual Inspiring Women in Business day-long entrepreneurial event in May of this year). We had a waiting list for last year’s event as we filled up very quickly so this year we moved it to the Radisson/Center of NH so we could have unlimited numbers of women!

I am thrilled that it has grown to where it is today, but not surprised! Women are finding great strength and support when they are around other women. They are networking and connecting more than ever! And women are starting businesses faster than men in NH and making great strides in their careers as well. They are taking time to stimulate their minds, learn new things and be in a positive environment – all of this has resulted in tremendous growth for WIW in general, making us the largest organization for women’s empowerment, personal development and networking in NH.

CK: What’s new this year?
LS: The venue is new! In addition to our returning sponsors – PSNH and NH Division of Economic Development – we also have Exeter Health Resources who has sponsored us for all of 2011 and T-Bones/Cactus Jack’s is an event sponsor. We are attracting women from more of NH – last year we had 43 towns represented and we have exceeded that this year.

The speaker line up is new as we always strive to keep it fresh. Many new exhibitors are participating, including some from national companies. Enhancing the attendee experience and keeping it new and exciting is part of our success, so we always have surprises. And of course we will continue to have an impeccable attention to detail to make it a dynamic, awesome day!

CK: What do you know attendees come away with?
LS: We actually ask this on the evaluation forms, but get a lot of testimonials, emails, etc., too. Connecting with other women is a huge part of the day, and a sense that we are all in this exciting life together, helping and supporting each other on our individual journeys.

Some women have said that the conference has encouraged them to work at higher level and also to recognize they need to take more time for themselves to do the things that are important to them. Others said NHCW gives them the tools to analyze their life and figure out what’s working and what isn’t.

When Leslie told me WIWNH and the New Hampshire Conference for Women were more about hugs than handshakes, I didn’t believe her until I went to a meeting. I was moved to tears by the power and support in the room – and yes, I received hugs.

I’ve had the privilege of attended last year’s event and as well as the monthly WIWNH meetings and each time I come away with a renewed sense of not only optimism but also of myself. I will be attending the conference. I hope to see you there!

Registration for the 2011 New Hampshire Conference for Women is $59. Contact Leslie Sturgeon, Women Inspiring Women, at info@wiwnh.com or 603-744-0400. For more information and to register, visit www.wiwnh.com.


Cindy Kibbe, an editor for a New England business publication for nearly a decade, can be reached at cindykibbe@comcast.net.