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WithIt Announces 2018 Professional Women’s Conference Theme & Keynote Speaker

Furniture World News Desk on 4/27/2018

The conference themed “Leading with Influence” will be kicked off with keynote speaker Jen Shirkani.
The conference themed “Leading with Influence” will be kicked off with keynote speaker Jen Shirkani.

WithIt, the women’s leadership development network for the home and furnishings industry, recently announced its 2018 Annual Professional Conference -- a two-day program, June 25-27, in Charleston, SC. The conference themed “Leading with Influence” will be kicked off with keynote speaker Jen Shirkani.

WithIt Professional Conference Chair, Emily Severson, shared that “the event theme is driving us to bring speakers and topics that all levels of professionals can use to find their strengths and apply to opportunities in their own career paths. You don't have to be an executive to lead and make an impact, and that's what this conference is all about.”

Keynote Jen Shirkani is a nationally recognized expert on emotional intelligence and author of Choose Resilience and Ego vs EQ, a leader's guide to leveraging the power of emotional intelligence. With over 25-years working with organizations from the Fortune 50 ($40B), to family-owned entities as a business consultant and executive coach, Jen is devoted to improving leadership effectiveness. In her keynote, Jen will be providing strategies for professionals to be more emotionally intelligent (EQ).

WithIt’s mission is based on leadership development, mentoring, educational and networking opportunities, which comes to life at the Annual Professional Conference.

“This year’s Conference is an educational opportunity built around the impact of leadership. Industry professionals at all stages of their careers will be empowered to grow their skills and connections to help individual and industry wide advancement. There is no better opportunity for the exceptional companies within our industry than to invest in their people and send them to this conference. And they will be very glad they did!” says Lorri Kelley, president of BDI and WithIt’s Second Vice President.

Additional program highlights include:

  • Complimentary pre-conference opportunity to attend “City of Hope Women’s Health and Wellness Workshop” led by Dr. Laura Kruper, surgical oncologist and Director of the Women’s Center and Chief of Breast Surgery Service.

  • Returning speaker Lynne Jensen Nelson, Conversion-omics Sales Training will speak on “Create Your Competitive.” This session will cover how personal presentation and customer engagement in the sales process are key drivers in creating a competitive advantage.

  • The conference will open with a networking reception held at The William Aiken House on King Street, a mansion built in 1810 and a National Historic Landmark.

Past conference attendee reviews are positive and encouraging for professionals from all corners of the industry to attend. “I would highly recommend the conference for women looking to build their careers,” says Marybeth Feeney of technology provider, STORIS.

Holly Bogdan from bedding manufacturer, Malouf, reflects on her first conference experience, “I expected to learn and make connections, but I didn’t expect the level of inspiration and mentoring from the brilliant women who make this happen. I came home excited about my career in this industry and ready to share what I’d learned.”

Retailer, Liz Tovar of Del Sol Furniture, said “WithIt reminded me that leadership is an inside job, we are going to learn tactics, but we have to have the presence.”

Business Student, Sydney Marie Harris, of The College of Charleston commented, “The take-aways from the speakers were applicable not only to business, but also to life.”

Tickets are available for purchase online at www.WithIt.org. Early bird registration is offered at $100 discount through May 1, 2018. Tickets can be purchased for $325 for WithIt members, $475 for non-members, and $150 for full-time students. For professionals considering joining the organization, prorated membership is available for $170. In addition, professional headshots will be offered during the conference for $125.

The conference will be held in Charleston, S.C. at the Francis Marion Hotel, a landmark in the center of the historic downtown. A special hotel rate of $159 per night has been secured for the conference.

Thank you to the sponsors of the 2018 Annual Professional Conference including Universal Furniture, AmericasMart, A.R.T. Furniture, BDI, Ekornes, Furnitureland South, Myriad Software, STORIS and Havertys. With these supporters, the home and furnishings industries can continue to retain female talent and develop connections for business opportunities.

For more information, visit http://www.withit.org/WithItAnnualProfessionalConference.asp


More about WithIt: WithIt was formed in 1997 to support women in the home and furnishings industries, and to bring awareness to the need for more female influences in the industries. In recent years, WithIt has filled the need for education and leadership development as women rise in their careers. This non-profit network is strongly supported by leading companies across the industries, including their Vision and Platinum sponsors: International Market Centers, Heritage Home Group, MicroD and Myriad Software and Twin Star Home. WithIt’s purpose is to encourage and develop leadership, mentoring, education and networking opportunities for professional women in the home and furnishings industries.